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Sohum Spa at Gokulam Grand Hotel and Spa
The spa is designed by architect Kaushik Mukherjee, conceptualized on the ancient temple architecture of Southern India. Kaushik Mukherjee’s work is influenced in Sri Lankan style architecture of Channa Daswatte. The spa is divided in various functional sections like reception, consultation room, ayurvedic massage rooms, facial rooms, hydrotherapy area, and salon and relaxation room spread over an area of 4000 square feet.
Concept
The ancient temples of the south are associated with a “pradakshina” which leads the penitent believer to “moksha” The spa here is seen as a journey to comparable emancipation even if only a physical one through a series of treatments and experiences.
The entry is designed to be into such a “pradakshina” which leads the visitor to the different treatments spaces and experiences within the spa with the same colours feel and textures as might be felt in an ancient temple to an unknown god.
Look and Feel
The interior is a contemporary take on and ancient feel of southern temples. The textures of old stone, old timber, beaten copper and painted surfaces come together to caress the senses as the visitor proceeds to the treatment rooms.
In the treatments rooms themselves, the soft light is controlled through the use of soft linen blinds behind louvered shutters and a painted ceiling hung with a white panel on above the treatment bed makes for a calm atmosphere.
The ceiling murals in the main area of the SPA have the tree of life done by the famous Kalamkari painters from Machilipatnam. The work is done by a NGO that works to uplift village artisans.
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