Solar powered hotel opens in Indian wine-growing region

Mumbai-based firm Sanjay Puri Architects has just completed work on a beautiful hotel in northern India known for wine production.

Built on a base of locally-sourced natural stone, the Aria Hotel is a stunning design carefully stacked onto the landscape that boasts several passive and active features to make it incredibly energy efficient.

Located in the ancient city of Nashik in the northern Indian region of Maharashtra, the beautiful hotel is located right on the banks of the Godavari River. The idyllic location includes the river on one side and rising hills on the other, providing guests with a beautiful area to reconnect with nature.

According to the architects, no soil was taken out of the site or brought into the site during the construction process to protect the natural topography. Stacked multiple levels high, the hotel is built on a base of locally-sourced natural black basalt stone.

The north side of the building includes several modules with large balconies that look out over the river. Throughout the suites as well as the common areas, the hotel boasts an abundance of natural light thanks to several floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding glass doors. Additionally, the spaces, including the main courtyards, are naturally ventilated, further reducing the hotel’s energy usage.

The hotel meets an estimated 50% of its energy needs thanks to a rooftop solar array. In addition to its clean energy generation, the hotel was installed with a rainwater collection system that provides water for irrigation.

All of the luxury units boast large rectangular balconies that are angled to frame the incredible views of the river landscape. However, these angled outdoor spaces with overhanging roofs were also specifically designed to provide shade and minimize heat gain throughout the interior spaces.