Reza Kabul, President, ARK Reza Kabul Architects talks about the design and architecture of The Taj Skyline Ahmedabad.

The hospitality sector is a diverse industry and while each client has different priorities, the guest experience, comfort and convenience are at the crux of every design. As architects, we fulfill all this and more while understanding that the feel and ambience needs to be immensely attractive, comfortable and functional as guests are more inclined towards appealing hotel rooms and fine restaurants in present times. 

One such project that we undertook and successfully completed was The Taj Skyline Ahmedabad. We tried to make it as close to the local culture of the state of Gujarat and India in all its forms. The entryway installation to this magnificent building was created by Rhea Mehta. It is an ode to Navratri, a major celebration in Ahmedabad, and across the state when people come together to celebrate, with women wearing beautiful ghaghras with Abla work. This is the feeling the installation brings to the guest. The forms and waves of the piece are inspired from the swirls of the flowy ghaghra while women dance away to their favourite Navaratri songs. The Abla work is depicted by the lenses which refract light and create unique illusions in space.

Then there are two massive sculptures depicting the kaarigars who spend endless days creating intricate patterns on wood to stamp the fabrics which create the beautiful final product. Block print motifs are a major design element across the Taj Skyline, subtly visible in the backdrop of the reception, the lit entryway ceiling and the all-day dining dividers. The designs seamlessly blend into the overall aesthetic of the space.

The peacock motif is evident across the Taj Skyline – in the artworks, furnishings as well as the overall colour palette which is representative of grace, joy, beauty and love. We have tried to incorporate similar features and a touch of our national bird, the peacock, in our design. The green and blue colours of the peacock in furnishings perfectly complement the brown colour of natural wood. This also includes inspirations from the intricate latticework windows at the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque in Ahmedabad, as well as the Gamthi motifs of block print that dates back to the medieval ages of Gujarat. The artwork across the walls of Shamiana reflect various aspects of monochromatic art pieces by local artists. The accent wall is representative of local architecture. Then there are various landmarks across the state that encompass the design aesthetic of the Gujarati people. 

The Moroccan Rooftop Restaurant at the Taj Skyline reflects a similar design aesthetic one experiences across the property. The aboriginal Moroccan designs include extensive lattice work used as perforations and partition walls, symmetrical square designs which can be considered parallel to block prints. 

The Taj Skyline Ahmedabad broke ground at the end of 2018, and the construction and interiors of the property were executed within a timeframe of one-and-a-half years. One of the major challenges faced during the design phase was incorporating a vast, rich cultural expanse into the spaces of the property. They have elegantly found their way into the design of the space, right from the entryway installation to the smaller details in the lighting and furnishing.

This article was published in BW hotelier issue dated '' with cover story titled 'RESPONSIBLE HOTELIERING ISSUE VOL 7, ISSUE 3'