Midway Shelters for Sabarimala Pilgrims by Creative Architects and Interiors

Creative Architects and Interiors bring to life the Kerala government’s vision for midway shelters for the Sabarimala pilgrims, establishing a local identity that celebrates the heritage of Kerala Architecture.

Sabarimala Sannidhan Darshan is one of the most important pilgrim spots in Kerala with numerous Ayyappa devotees visiting from across the country. The shelters en route to the pilgrimage centre will act as comprehensive support facilities for the comfort of the pilgrims.

Project 5:
Project Name: Midway Shelters for Sabarimala Pilgrims
Project Location: 5 places – Maniyankode, Sukapuram, Chirangara, Chenannur, Erumeli, Nilakkal, & Kazhakkoottam.

CORE CONCEPT: To draw inspiration from vernacular architecture and design pilgrim shelters that blend seamlessly into the surrounding and establish a local identity as they represent Kerala’s heritage.
SITE: This project comprises 7 sites and 15 buildings including dormitories and dining facilities. One among them, Nilakkal, which is situated closest to Sabarimala, is a masterplan development consisting of dormitories, dining facilities, shops, vast parking grounds, a sewage treatment plant, administrative buildings, and other infrastructure.

All 7 sites are heavily contoured and uneven, making it difficult to plan the levels and driveways. Wherever steep slopes are encountered, the buildings are designed with more than one plinth level to align with the natural terrain as much as possible. This ensures minimal cutting and filling of the land, preserving the environment, and causing it minimal harm.

DESIGN & PLANNING: Architectural elements such as the sloping roofs, typical columns and verandah railings, eaves, gutters, and bands inspired by the traditional buildings of Kerala, are incorporated into each of these 15 buildings spread across 7 sites.

Clay tiles used as the roofing material and laterite stone cladding for the exterior walls contextually root the buildings with the traditional architecture of Kerala. The passive cooling techniques and strategic placement of openings aid seamless ventilation, enabling user comfort in the tropical monsoon climate. The corridors are designed as multifunctional elements, where on the one hand they protect the interior spaces from heavy rain and sunlight and on the other, act as liminal spaces, securing the nature-user connection.

The main requirement addresses the provision of ample space for Annadhanam (meals provided as a charity) and resting. Since Annadhanam is a group event, the plans provide for large dining spaces for a large number of people. Similarly, the dormitories are provided with large spaces for accommodation to cater to heavy footfall during the peak season. Given the large spaces, minimal columns help achieve unobstructed spaces. Providing a sloping roof structure for such huge spaces was another challenge. Therefore, the roof is designed with a break at multiple levels to achieve – efficient structural design, seamless ventilation via stack effect, ample natural light ingress, and finally, a break in the monotony of the structure.

The verandah spaces around the buildings act as buffers and shading elements to protect from the heavy rains and changing climate. They also provide good circulation, spatial hierarchy, and viewing points. All the buildings are designed to be barrier-free, with seamless connectivity via ramps, lifts, and toilet facilities.

Status: Work in progress.

Creative Architects and Interiors’ contemporary and thoughtful body of work seeks to explore the physical and cultural qualities of a project through investigation and observation. The results achieved combine originality with a sensitivity that is responsive and friendly to the environment.