Odisha’s legacy meets contemporary hospitality at this hotel in Bhubaneswar.
Project Name : The Crown
Project Location : Bhubaneswar, India
Architect/Interior Designer : Designers Group
Principal Architect/Designer : Khozema Chitalwala
Photographer: Prashant Bhat
In Bhubaneswar, a city layered with centuries of spiritual and architectural heritage, The Crown emerges as a thoughtful reinterpretation of Odisha’s cultural identity. Designed by Designers Group for IHCL SeleQtions, the project was shaped by a unique challenge. While the hotel’s rooms had been renovated only a few years earlier, the design lacked a clear connection to its context. The task, therefore, was not to rebuild entirely, but to reimagine the narrative of the space with sensitivity and intent.
The design team approached this challenge by grounding the project in the legacy of its owners, the Patnaik and Das families. Known historically as record keepers dating back to the era of Kalinga, their lineage of documenting genealogy and cultural histories became a powerful point of departure. This idea of memory and documentation informed the conceptual direction, transforming the hotel into a space that holds and reflects stories rather than simply offering accommodation.
The influence of Bhubaneswar’s temple architecture is woven subtly into the design language. One reference stands out in particular: a rare local temple where both Shiva and Vishnu are worshipped together. This idea of duality is interpreted within the guest rooms through the motif of twin lotuses, quietly embedded into the graphic language of the interiors. The lotus, typically associated with specific deities, takes on a broader symbolic meaning here, representing devotion and balance.
Another significant inspiration comes from the torana, an ancient arched gateway carved from a single stone, remarkable for its sculptural clarity and timeless presence. Its geometry informs the design of portals, screens, and interior transitions throughout the hotel. These elements reinterpret traditional forms in a contemporary manner, creating spaces that feel rooted yet current.
Materiality plays a key role in shaping the atmosphere of the interiors. The palette draws from the natural surroundings, enriched by colours inspired by a vibrant regional bird known for its striking hues. These tones appear across textiles and upholstery, adding a sense of energy to the otherwise grounded composition. Warm wood, polished stone, and glass provide balance, ensuring that the spaces feel composed and enduring. Within the constraints of the existing structure, ceiling heights and volumes were carefully reconsidered. Services were reworked, walls adjusted, and proportions refined to allow the interiors to feel more open and fluid.
The cultural language of Odisha is further expressed through the delicate integration of alpana motifs. Traditionally seen in textiles and ritual floor art, these patterns are reinterpreted with subtlety. They appear as embroidery on cushions, as quiet imprints on headboards, within carpet designs, and even in the detailing of door handles. Each instance is restrained, yet collectively they create a rich and tactile narrative that connects the guest experience to local craft traditions.
The transformation extends beyond the interiors. The façade, while structurally unchanged, has been given a renewed identity through an ikat inspired surface treatment. This intervention lends the building a distinct visual presence within the urban landscape, anchoring it firmly in its regional context.
Across its 80 rooms, public spaces, and exterior expression, The Crown does not rely on nostalgia or replication. Instead, it offers a contemporary interpretation of heritage, where tradition is distilled and reimagined with clarity. The project stands as a reflection of place, where history, culture, and design converge to create an experience that is both rooted and relevant.
Project Name : The Crown
Project Location : Bhubaneswar, India
Architect/Interior Designer : Designers Group
Principal Architect/Designer : Khozema Chitalwala
Photographer: Prashant Bhat
