4 minute read
Lighting for Body, Mind, and Spirit in Maharashtra
from June 2025
By Dr. Amardeep M. Dugar, IALD, IDA, IES, FISLE, FSLL Founder and Principal, Lighting Research & Design
Photos courtesy of Energise Boutique Resort
A Sanctuary of Healing and Design
Nestled within the Satmala mountain range near the sacred city of Trimbakeshwar, Maharashtra, Energise Boutique Resort offers a gateway to divine serenity. Located near the revered Trimbakeshwar Temple—home to one of India’s twelve Jyotirlingas—the resort sits at the intersection of spiritual tradition and modern wellness.
Uniquely, this Jyotirlinga symbolizes the Trimurti: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, representing creation, preservation, and destruction. Designing a resort amidst such profound spiritual context required a highly intentional and layered design approach.
A three-layered wellness resort design framework (Schweder, 2022) guided the project to ensure meaningful, consistent experiences for guests. The design considered the masterplan, external and internal adjacencies, and individual facilities, allowing even apprehensive visitors to pursue personal transformation within a thoughtful and balanced environment.
A Harmonious Blend of Nature, Luxury, and Sustainability
Energise Boutique Resort has been meticulously crafted to provide guests with a place to disconnect, heal, and rejuvenate amidst breathtaking landscapes. The resort reflects a commitment to holistic well-being, balancing luxury with sustainability.
Eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient design, and locally sourced resources form the backbone of the resort’s philosophy. Tranquil gardens, elegant architecture, and curated wellness experiences help guests form deep connections with nature while honoring the surrounding environment.
Layer One: Masterplan Lighting –Calming and Community-Building
At the masterplan level, lighting balances privacy with opportunities for communal engagement. The nighttime lighting design offers a soothing atmosphere that considers not only guests but also the region’s flora and fauna.
Key artifacts and pathways are carefully highlighted, guiding pedestrian and vehicular circulation while amplifying nature’s therapeutic presence. The layout ensures therapeutic benefits while respecting nocturnal life.
Layer Two: External and Internal Adjacencies – Arrival and First Impressions
The arrival experience is both welcoming and environmentally considerate. Inground LED linear grazers highlight textured, vernacular architecture, while backlit perforated terracotta tiles cast dappled illumination beneath pitched roofs.
Lotus-shaped marble sculptures glow softly, reflected in the water feature at the reception, with focusable lensed projectors from Flexalighting precisely mounted on the pergola. The cozy reception’s warm indirect lighting creates an immediate sense of comfort, despite the resort’s smaller footprint compared to larger properties.
Layer Three: Individual Facilities – Comfort, Wellness, and Versatility
Lighting for the wellness center—including the spa, one of the resort’s most frequented areas—was designed to be soft, inviting, and calming. Indirect lighting integrated into architectural coves creates a soothing environment, while pendant fixtures at the spa reception add a decorative touch.
A flexible conference room, used for both off-site training and informal group sessions, features a backlit stretch ceiling with tunable white LED strips, offering diffuse illumination adaptable to various uses.
Dining areas provide diversity for guests partaking in wellness programs throughout the day. Decorative pendants create playful shadow patterns in the main dining space, paired with SmartLight adjustable track spotlights for functional lighting.
For family guests, children's play areas are subtly lit, and these areas have been thoughtfully separated to ensure tranquility for all guests.
Energy-Conscious Design
The built forms are positioned to maximize natural light, airflow, and scenic views, minimizing reliance on artificial cooling and heating. Locally sourced, natural, and durable materials—including the lighting equipment—require minimal maintenance while supporting sustainability. The carefully crafted environment fosters both personalized wellness experiences and organic guest interactions.
Whether guests are beginning or continuing their wellness journey, Energise Boutique Resort offers a deeply enriching environment that reconnects visitors with nature and themselves.
