There are some places that instantly slow you down the moment you arrive. The noise fades, the pace softens, and your attention quietly shifts toward light, breeze, textures, and the feeling of simply being present. Chunda Shikar Oudi in Udaipur is designed around exactly this experience — not as an extravagant visual statement, but as a peaceful retreat that allows nature, architecture, and stillness to coexist effortlessly.
Designed by Singh Designers, Jodhpur, under the leadership of Ar. Vikram Singh, the project was developed between 2022 and 2023 as a boutique holiday home cum resort overlooking the tranquil waters and hills of Udaipur. From the very beginning, the intent behind the project was clear: to create a place where guests could disconnect from routine urban life and reconnect with calmness, openness, and simplicity.
Unlike many hospitality spaces that rely heavily on ornamentation or excessive luxury, Chunda Shikar Oudi follows a more restrained and thoughtful approach. The architecture does not compete with the landscape; instead, it quietly frames it. Every suite, verandah, sit-out, and transition space has been planned to celebrate natural light, fresh air, and uninterrupted views of the lake. The experience here feels less like checking into a resort and more like entering a carefully composed pause within nature.
Design Vision: Luxury Through Simplicity
The philosophy behind Chunda Shikar Oudi revolves around balance — balance between built form and landscape, between comfort and restraint, between local identity and contemporary living. Rather than creating spaces that overwhelm the senses, the architects focused on creating spaces that feel emotionally grounding.
The design language is intentionally minimal yet warm. It avoids unnecessary visual clutter and instead relies on proportion, materiality, texture, and natural openness to create atmosphere. This approach allows the architecture to age gracefully while maintaining a timeless quality.
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What makes the project particularly engaging is its understanding of modern luxury. Here, luxury is not expressed through excess but through comfort, calmness, privacy, and sensory experience. It is reflected in the way morning light enters a room, the way a window frames the lake, the tactile warmth of sandstone underfoot, or the silence experienced while sitting beside the private pool overlooking distant hills.
Context and Connection to Udaipur
Udaipur’s identity has always been deeply connected to water, palaces, stone architecture, and layered landscapes. Chunda Shikar Oudi draws inspiration from this context without becoming overly literal or traditional. Instead of replicating historical architecture, the project interprets the essence of Rajasthan in a contemporary and understated manner.
The retreat responds sensitively to its natural surroundings. Openings are strategically positioned to maximize views and cross ventilation, while shaded verandahs and sit-outs create transitional spaces that remain comfortable throughout the day. This relationship between architecture and climate becomes one of the defining features of the project.
The experience constantly shifts between indoor and outdoor living. Large windows dissolve physical boundaries, allowing nature to become an active part of the interiors. Whether seated beside a window, relaxing in the lounge, or soaking in a freestanding bathtub facing the lake, guests remain visually and emotionally connected to the landscape.
Material Palette and Local Craftsmanship
One of the strongest aspects of Chunda Shikar Oudi is its use of materials. The project embraces a palette that feels deeply rooted in Rajasthan while maintaining a refined contemporary character.
Natural sandstone flooring forms the base of the interiors, bringing warmth, texture, and earthy authenticity into the spaces. Locally sourced stone not only strengthens the project’s regional connection but also contributes to thermal comfort, helping interiors remain naturally cool.
Teak wood furniture adds richness and durability while balancing the rawness of stone with softer tactile qualities. Linen drapes, textured rugs, handcrafted decor pieces, and subtle upholstery further soften the interiors, creating an atmosphere that feels intimate and relaxed rather than overly styled.
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The role of local craftsmanship is also central to the project. Instead of relying on imported luxury elements, the design incorporates handcrafted details that celebrate regional artisanship. This approach gives the project a human touch and reinforces the idea that luxury can emerge from authenticity and craftsmanship rather than excess.
The floral-upholstered chairs, artisanal lighting pieces, and carefully selected textures create visual warmth while maintaining overall simplicity. Every material appears intentional yet effortless — contributing quietly to the overall atmosphere rather than demanding attention individually.
Spatial Planning and User Experience
The planning of the retreat focuses heavily on emotional comfort and user experience. Rather than maximizing built density, the project prioritizes openness, breathing spaces, and visual continuity.
Each suite is positioned to capture natural light, fresh breeze, and expansive lake views. The rooms feel airy and uncluttered, allowing guests to experience a sense of mental calmness. Furniture placement remains minimal yet functional, ensuring movement feels fluid and unrestricted.
The common sit-outs and verandahs become some of the most meaningful spaces within the project. These transitional zones encourage slowing down — reading, conversing, observing the landscape, or simply sitting quietly. In many ways, these in-between spaces define the emotional quality of the retreat more than the enclosed rooms themselves.
Particularly striking is the two-tiered villa with a private pool overlooking the serene lake and distant hills. Here, the architecture carefully choreographs privacy and openness simultaneously. The pool area acts as an extension of the landscape, blurring the distinction between built space and natural surroundings.
Even the bathrooms are designed experientially rather than functionally alone. Freestanding bathtubs placed beside wide openings transform routine moments into immersive experiences. These gestures elevate the emotional quality of the space while remaining subtle and refined.
Light, Air, and Stillness as Design Elements
At Chunda Shikar Oudi, intangible elements like light, breeze, silence, and shadow become active components of the design. Instead of filling spaces with decorative features, the architects allow these natural qualities to shape the atmosphere.
Morning light gently filters through linen drapes, creating soft textures across stone surfaces. During the day, cross ventilation keeps spaces naturally fresh and connected to the outdoors. In the evenings, the architecture transitions into a quieter and more intimate mood as warm lighting highlights textures and material depth.
This sensitivity toward natural rhythms gives the retreat a calming emotional quality. The architecture never feels static; it changes subtly throughout the day depending on light, weather, and seasonal conditions.
The stillness of the surrounding water further amplifies this experience. The lake becomes more than just a scenic backdrop — it acts as an emotional anchor for the project. Reflections, silence, and openness continuously influence the mood of the spaces.
Why the Design Feels Relevant Today
In contemporary hospitality design, many projects focus on visual impact designed primarily for social media visibility. Chunda Shikar Oudi takes a different path. Its strength lies not in spectacle but in emotional resonance.
The project reflects a growing shift toward mindful living and slow travel — where guests seek experiences that feel personal, calming, and connected to nature. Instead of overstimulation, the retreat offers clarity and pause. It understands that modern luxury increasingly lies in privacy, silence, authenticity, and meaningful spatial experiences.
This makes the project particularly relevant in today’s context. It does not attempt to impress instantly; rather, it leaves a lasting emotional impression through simplicity, restraint, and atmosphere.
Architectural Identity of Singh Designers
Through Chunda Shikar Oudi, Singh Designers demonstrates an architectural language that values contextual sensitivity and emotional experience over superficial aesthetics. The project showcases a mature understanding of proportion, materiality, and spatial rhythm.
Ar. Vikram Singh’s approach appears deeply rooted in creating architecture that feels timeless and grounded. Instead of following short-term trends, the design prioritizes longevity, comfort, and a strong relationship with place.
The project also highlights how contemporary architecture in tier-2 cities like Udaipur and Jodhpur is evolving thoughtfully — blending modern sensibilities with regional identity and craftsmanship.
About Design Unfiltered
This project is featured on Design Unfiltered, a contemporary architecture and design platform dedicated to showcasing thoughtful, original, and context-driven work from across India. The platform especially focuses on projects emerging from tier-2 and tier-3 cities, giving architects and designers the recognition they truly deserve. Through carefully curated stories, Design Unfiltered celebrates architecture that is rooted in place, materiality, culture, and human experience.
A Place Designed to Be Felt
Ultimately, Chunda Shikar Oudi is not just about architecture, interiors, or hospitality. It is about creating a feeling — a feeling of pause, calmness, and quiet connection.
It is a place where architecture recedes enough for nature to take center stage. A place where luxury is experienced through light, silence, comfort, and simplicity. A place where every space encourages you to slow down, breathe deeply, and remain present in the moment.
Rather than demanding attention, the retreat gently stays with you — through the memory of still water, warm stone, open skies, and the rare comfort of doing absolutely nothing in a beautifully designed space.
Project Name: Chunda Shikar Oudi, Udaipur
Location: Udaipur, Rajasthan
Studio: Singh Designers, Jodhpur
Principal Architect: Ar. Vikram Singh
Project Duration: 2022–2023
FAQs
1. Who designed Chunda Shikar Oudi, Udaipur?
Chunda Shikar Oudi, Udaipur was designed by Singh Designers, Jodhpur under the leadership of Principal Architect Ar. Vikram Singh. The project was developed between 2022 and 2023 as a boutique holiday home cum resort focused on simplicity, luxury, and a strong connection with nature.
2. What makes the design of Chunda Shikar Oudi unique?
The project stands out for its calm and minimal architectural approach that blends seamlessly with the natural landscape of Udaipur. Using local materials like sandstone, teak wood, linen fabrics, and handcrafted elements, the design creates warm, open, and nature-oriented spaces with uninterrupted lake views.
3. What is the design philosophy behind Chunda Shikar Oudi?
The design philosophy revolves around balance, stillness, and contextual luxury. Instead of excessive ornamentation, the architecture focuses on natural light, ventilation, proportion, craftsmanship, and emotional comfort — creating a peaceful retreat where guests can slow down and reconnect with nature.
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