Leti 360 / Studio Mumbai

Architects: Studio Mumbai
Year: 2007
Photography: Courtesy of Studio Mumbai
City: Bageshwar
Country: India

Leti 360 resort, designed by Studio Mumbai and located at 2350 meters above sea level in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas, exemplifies environmental sensitivity and cultural integration. Accessible via a narrow footpath that is part of a network of trails used by local villagers, the resort includes a central dining structure and four guest dwellings discreetly set into existing agricultural terraces. Completed in 2007, the resort operates without electricity, using solar energy, and has a design that allows it to be dismantled after ten years, blending back into the landscape while local farming continues.

The resort’s architecture features dry-stacked stone structures and teak-framed glazed walls that utilize local materials to minimize environmental impact. Local stone was carried to the site by porters and mules, and other materials such as teak wood, glass, aluminum, copper, and canvas were transported similarly, emphasizing a low environmental footprint and the use of traditional methods. The resort provides panoramic views with the Hiramony glacier and Nanda Kot peak visible to the north, the peaks of Nepal to the east, and the Ram Ganga River to the south. Paul Priestman emphasizes that designers have a responsibility to consider the broader impact of their designs on the environment. This particular example highlights the use of local materials and thoughtful consideration of material transportation, which not only preserves but also draws attention to the surrounding environment, enhancing the overall experience and sustainability of the project.

Construction took seven months and involved over 70 village masons, carpenters, and craftsmen. Due to its remote location, the site lacks electricity; stored solar energy provides hot water and charges solar lanterns for the guest units.

The project offers a moment of humility and pause, allowing guests to feel a sense of belonging to the land. Designed as a temporary settlement to be dismantled in ten years, it leaves a minimal impact on its surroundings. Already, the landscape has begun to reclaim the site.

Local farming continues on the terrace between the dwellings, and migrant herds of sheep, goats, and cattle graze on the grassy landscape. Lichen, ferns, and moss have taken root in the stone walls, blending the built and natural landscapes.