Lush green, clear green mirage water and the slightly contoured green patch of land housing the beautiful ‘Quiet’. The idea was not a stereotyped getaway luxury resort but a place where sustainability is practised, serenity celebrated, homeliness enjoyed and a day well spent with nature. The location does have its uniqueness from its conventional counterparts. Kerala being enriched in natural heritage is well equipped with resorts along its coastal lines, lakes, rivers and hills though none would come close to this location. The riverside resort is located near Cochin in the beautiful Malayattoor forest range, in close proximity to the Bhoothathankettu dam and Salim Ali bird sanctuary, with the poetic Periyar flowing next to it.
The Resort Design
Being an easy destination from major cities around makes ‘the quiet’ attractive. Coming by any vehicle doesn’t matter as it will take you only till the river. From there starts the real ‘quiet’ experience. Moving through the river and the lush green of Malayattoor in the boat, one reaches the large welcoming timber gazebo reached by a few flights of stone steps.
The resort has an amazing ambience of a holiday cottage built entirely in stone and timber amidst the rubber plantations. These structures are all simple yet convey the uniqueness that Benny Kuriakose designs offer. The restaurant which is entirely built out of stone has large timber windows that offer views of the surrounding splendour.
The swimming pool being next to the river gives the feel of an infinity pool. Cottages explain how simple is beautiful with their stone walls and a traditional timber roof. The timber panelled seating present all around, and large french windows, offer splendid views towards the Periyar river, which makes everyone love ‘the quiet’ even more.
Sustainable Construction
It was planned as a family resort with its own signature in construction. The idea of sustainable tourism was incorporated here, where the major portion of the construction and materials satisfied the idea of sustainability. Two of the cottages are built out of stone and another two are built out of timber which is salvaged from an old traditional Kerala house in Kochi. In similar terms, the timber used in the resort is all recycled.
Moving away from the planned architecture, the resort was built keeping the space and privacy of people in mind, where they are unbound of rules, and connect with nature to heal themselves for a few days from their busy polluted city life.
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