The Modern Dhani… that UnFiltered Feeling of Rajasthani Homecoming
Gangana, Jodhpur
Diwakar Bhati
Diwakar Bhati Architects
Natural Plaster, Thatch, Wooden Furniture
Times have changed, and with times, have evolved our needs. Today, we work hard and take our leisure and pleasure even more seriously. And why not, when you know the nature of life has become so volatile, especially post the pandemic times. People now want to explore life with an empathetic lens that allows them to encounter different cultures and lifestyles across the country. However, another reason for sneaking into such vacations could also be cultural nostalgia that you can bring back, alongside all those regular, vacay memories.
Architects and designers often tend to make hospitality more warm and welcoming through their projects. And this holiday retreat is also doing exactly that. It is a weekend home that subtly tries to evoke the feeling of cultural homecoming. Moreover, it lets the visitors experience the authentic rural Rajasthani hospitality, which magnificently charms them throughout their stay.
UnFiltered (Brief)
In a time when everyone seeks to reconnect with their roots, this project embodies that sentiment — a return to simplicity, warmth, and tradition. The clients approached us with a vision to create a weekend home that would evoke the charm of an old Rajasthani village, often called a “DHANI.”
UnFiltered (Rajasthani Essence!)
The architecture captures the spirit of Rajasthan — earthy, tactile, and deeply contextual. Every detail, from the bamboo pergolas and carved wooden columns to the clay niches that frame flickering diyas, reinforces the project’s soul: a seamless dialogue between heritage and contemporary leisure.
Completed in about nine months, this retreat stands as a testament to slow living — an invitation to step away from urban rhythms and immerse oneself in the timeless beauty of Rajasthan’s cultural and rural life.
UnFiltered (Concept)
Set across approximately 1.5 acres of land, the retreat unfolds as a series of distinct spaces, each crafted with a unique theme and purpose. The layout celebrates both spatial diversity and cultural continuity , a bedroom hut designed for intimacy and rest, a formal western-style living area, a drawing room that bridges vernacular aesthetics with modern comfort, and finally, a traditional Indian-style dining space, where guests sit cross-legged on the floor to enjoy authentic Rajasthani meals.
UnFiltered (Material Stories)
While considering the materials for the project, again the cultural roots were kept in mind. The architect was keen on using mostly the naturally-and traditionally procured materials to keep the idea intact.
Each structure follows the traditional circular plan, with thatched roofs and hand-plastered mud walls crafted by local artisans. For the uninitiated, thatched roof is a traditional, eco-friendly roofing method devised from dried, locally available plant materials such as straw, reeds, or palm leaves.
The flooring is finished with Ahmedabad plaster, while the walls retain their natural earthen texture, no cement or synthetic materials were used. Last and not least, the lighting has been kept minimal and ambient, evoking the nostalgia of how rural evenings in the state would look back in the day.
