In the bustling urban fabric of Gurugram, The Aldott Hotel emerges as an exemplar of contemporary Indian hospitality that artfully marries modern design principles with traditional Indian architectural motifs. Conceived as a sanctuary for global nomads seeking a harmonious blend of work, leisure, and community, The Aldott redefines boutique hospitality through its innovative spatial solutions, sustainable ethos, and culturally rooted aesthetic language.
Project Name: The Aldott
Office Name: Studio AVT Architects Pvt Ltd
Office Website: www.studioavt.com
Firm Location: New Delhi, INDIA
Project Location: Gurgaon, Haryana
Lead Architects: Ankita Sweety, Pratyoosh Chandan
Photo Credits: Studio Recall
Office Name: Studio AVT Architects Pvt Ltd
Office Website: www.studioavt.com
Firm Location: New Delhi, INDIA
Project Location: Gurgaon, Haryana
Lead Architects: Ankita Sweety, Pratyoosh Chandan
Photo Credits: Studio Recall
Strategically positioned on Moulsari Avenue within DLF Phase III, The Aldott Hotel situates itself amidst the dynamic environment of Gurgaon, a city emblematic of India’s rapid economic growth yet aspiring for conscious, sustainable development. The project’s core vision revolves around creating more than just an accommodation; it aspires to become a vibrant community hub—a "homebase for global nomads." This concept emphasizes flexibility, human-centric design, and cultural authenticity, fostering a space where guests can work, socialize, recharge, and immerse themselves in local culture within a refined, contemporary setting.
The architects and designers envisioned The Aldott as a dialogue between tradition and modernity—drawing inspiration from India’s rich architectural heritage while embracing contemporary sustainable practices. The project’s design philosophy revolves around creating an experience that is luxurious yet modest, exclusive yet inclusive, emphasizing tactile richness, visual storytelling, and environmental responsibility.
The architects and designers envisioned The Aldott as a dialogue between tradition and modernity—drawing inspiration from India’s rich architectural heritage while embracing contemporary sustainable practices. The project’s design philosophy revolves around creating an experience that is luxurious yet modest, exclusive yet inclusive, emphasizing tactile richness, visual storytelling, and environmental responsibility.
Architectural Philosophy: Harmonizing Modern Form with Indian Heritage
The SW façade of The Aldott is a contemporary reinterpretation of Indian architectural vernacular, characterized by clean lines and natural materials that exude understated elegance. The most striking visual element—the intricately crafted jali screens—serves as a conceptual anchor, blending form and function to produce a distinct identity that is both modern and rooted in tradition.
Jali Screens as a Cultural and Climate Response
These traditional lattice screens are reimagined through a modern lens, utilizing geometric patterns that lend a sense of rhythm and texture to the façade. Not merely decorative, the jali acts as a passive climate control device—reducing heat gain and glare while enhancing the building’s energy efficiency. Their strategic placement on the southwest-facing elevations transforms the building’s exterior into a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, fostering a tactile and visual engagement that celebrates Indian craftsmanship with a contemporary sensibility.
The SW façade of The Aldott is a contemporary reinterpretation of Indian architectural vernacular, characterized by clean lines and natural materials that exude understated elegance. The most striking visual element—the intricately crafted jali screens—serves as a conceptual anchor, blending form and function to produce a distinct identity that is both modern and rooted in tradition.
Jali Screens as a Cultural and Climate Response
These traditional lattice screens are reimagined through a modern lens, utilizing geometric patterns that lend a sense of rhythm and texture to the façade. Not merely decorative, the jali acts as a passive climate control device—reducing heat gain and glare while enhancing the building’s energy efficiency. Their strategic placement on the southwest-facing elevations transforms the building’s exterior into a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, fostering a tactile and visual engagement that celebrates Indian craftsmanship with a contemporary sensibility.
Material Palette and Structural Elegance
The architecture employs a restrained material palette of locally sourced stone, natural wood, and textured concrete, emphasizing sustainability and regional identity. The use of these materials not only minimizes environmental impact but also creates a warm, inviting aesthetic that ages gracefully. The design promotes a sense of groundedness through its proportional harmony and attention to detail, reinforcing the hotel’s ethos of subtle luxury.
The architecture employs a restrained material palette of locally sourced stone, natural wood, and textured concrete, emphasizing sustainability and regional identity. The use of these materials not only minimizes environmental impact but also creates a warm, inviting aesthetic that ages gracefully. The design promotes a sense of groundedness through its proportional harmony and attention to detail, reinforcing the hotel’s ethos of subtle luxury.
Spatial Layout and Programmatic Strategy
Arrival and Lobby Experience: A Warm Welcome
Guests are greeted within a spacious, thoughtfully designed reception lobby that embodies the hotel’s ethos of comfort and sophistication. The central feature—a curated library adjacent to a cozy café—sets a tone of relaxed elegance and encourages social interaction. The incorporation of natural elements, such as a living wall with lush greenery, introduces biophilic design principles that foster well-being and a connection to nature.
Arrival and Lobby Experience: A Warm Welcome
Guests are greeted within a spacious, thoughtfully designed reception lobby that embodies the hotel’s ethos of comfort and sophistication. The central feature—a curated library adjacent to a cozy café—sets a tone of relaxed elegance and encourages social interaction. The incorporation of natural elements, such as a living wall with lush greenery, introduces biophilic design principles that foster well-being and a connection to nature.
Central Courtyard: The Heart of the Hotel
Ascending to the second floor reveals the hotel’s architectural heart—a lush, tranquil courtyard. This space exemplifies the integration of nature into the built environment, featuring native flora, a calming water installation, and vibrant artwork inspired by Indian motifs. The courtyard functions as an oasis for rest, informal gatherings, or quiet reflection, embodying the concept of “outdoor room” that blurs indoor-outdoor boundaries and enhances the user experience.
Ascending to the second floor reveals the hotel’s architectural heart—a lush, tranquil courtyard. This space exemplifies the integration of nature into the built environment, featuring native flora, a calming water installation, and vibrant artwork inspired by Indian motifs. The courtyard functions as an oasis for rest, informal gatherings, or quiet reflection, embodying the concept of “outdoor room” that blurs indoor-outdoor boundaries and enhances the user experience.
Rooftop Dining: Panoramic Culinary Escape
The crown jewel of The Aldott’s hospitality experience is its rooftop restaurant. Envisioned as a scenic platform overlooking the cityscape, it combines locally sourced seasonal cuisine with breathtaking vistas. The design of the rooftop space balances openness and intimacy, with a curated selection of art pieces, ambient lighting, and strategic shading solutions that make it suitable for day and night use.
The crown jewel of The Aldott’s hospitality experience is its rooftop restaurant. Envisioned as a scenic platform overlooking the cityscape, it combines locally sourced seasonal cuisine with breathtaking vistas. The design of the rooftop space balances openness and intimacy, with a curated selection of art pieces, ambient lighting, and strategic shading solutions that make it suitable for day and night use.
Guest Rooms: Intimate Retreats with a Natural Touch
The 32 guest rooms epitomize minimalism reinterpreted through a cultural lens. Each room boasts a private balcony shaded by a triangular jali, creating a semi-private outdoor space that marries aesthetics with functionality. The interiors lean towards earthy tones, emphasizing natural materials like wood, terracotta, and handwoven textiles. Thoughtful spatial planning ensures flexibility, with adaptable layouts that cater to different guest needs—whether for work, rest, or social interaction.
The 32 guest rooms epitomize minimalism reinterpreted through a cultural lens. Each room boasts a private balcony shaded by a triangular jali, creating a semi-private outdoor space that marries aesthetics with functionality. The interiors lean towards earthy tones, emphasizing natural materials like wood, terracotta, and handwoven textiles. Thoughtful spatial planning ensures flexibility, with adaptable layouts that cater to different guest needs—whether for work, rest, or social interaction.
Design Language: A Synthesis of Tradition and Modernity
The design strategy emphasizes the use of natural, locally sourced materials—stone, wood, terracotta—to foster a sense of grounding and regional identity. Textural richness is layered through the careful selection of finishes, creating a multisensory experience that engages guests’ tactile senses. The tactile quality of materials extends into furniture, fixtures, and decorative elements, all curated to evoke a sense of warmth and authenticity.
The interiors employ an earthy, muted color scheme—ochres, terracottas, deep greens, and greys—complemented by strategic pops of vibrant artwork and accent pieces. This palette conveys a calm, sophisticated ambiance while serving as a canvas that highlights cultural artifacts and artisanal crafts.
Lighting plays a critical role in sculpting the spatial experience, with a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting that enhances architectural features and artwork. Natural daylight is maximized through large windows and open-plan layouts, while warm, soft lighting creates intimacy during evening hours.
The design strategy emphasizes the use of natural, locally sourced materials—stone, wood, terracotta—to foster a sense of grounding and regional identity. Textural richness is layered through the careful selection of finishes, creating a multisensory experience that engages guests’ tactile senses. The tactile quality of materials extends into furniture, fixtures, and decorative elements, all curated to evoke a sense of warmth and authenticity.
The interiors employ an earthy, muted color scheme—ochres, terracottas, deep greens, and greys—complemented by strategic pops of vibrant artwork and accent pieces. This palette conveys a calm, sophisticated ambiance while serving as a canvas that highlights cultural artifacts and artisanal crafts.
Lighting plays a critical role in sculpting the spatial experience, with a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting that enhances architectural features and artwork. Natural daylight is maximized through large windows and open-plan layouts, while warm, soft lighting creates intimacy during evening hours.
Every touchpoint—from wall murals to handcrafted décor—celebrates Indian artistry and craftsmanship, integrating local artisans into the narrative of the space. Vibrant artworks and curated artefacts subtly evoke India’s rich cultural tapestry, fostering a sense of place and storytelling.
Conclusion: An Epitome of Thoughtful Hospitality Design
The Aldott Hotel exemplifies how architecture and interior design can converge to create a space that is not only aesthetically compelling but also socially and environmentally responsible. It embodies a forward-looking approach to luxury hospitality—one rooted in cultural authenticity, community orientation, and sustainability.
By carefully balancing modern aesthetics with Indian craftsmanship, leveraging passive design strategies, and fostering a sense of belonging through thoughtful spatial programming, The Aldott sets a benchmark for boutique hotels that aim to be more than transient spaces. It is a living embodiment of contemporary Indian hospitality—a sanctuary where modern luxury and sustainability coexist with cultural depth and community spirit.
Conclusion: An Epitome of Thoughtful Hospitality Design
The Aldott Hotel exemplifies how architecture and interior design can converge to create a space that is not only aesthetically compelling but also socially and environmentally responsible. It embodies a forward-looking approach to luxury hospitality—one rooted in cultural authenticity, community orientation, and sustainability.
By carefully balancing modern aesthetics with Indian craftsmanship, leveraging passive design strategies, and fostering a sense of belonging through thoughtful spatial programming, The Aldott sets a benchmark for boutique hotels that aim to be more than transient spaces. It is a living embodiment of contemporary Indian hospitality—a sanctuary where modern luxury and sustainability coexist with cultural depth and community spirit.
