PC Kaghan

S pread out on approximately 50 kanals, divided on more than 20 levels, home to hundreds of rooms, chalets and tree houses, harboring not only commercial and residential activity but also an observatory and skywalk, Pearl Continental Resort, Kagahan, is one of the biggest projects Architects’ Cube has taken on.

Fondly known as a prime vacation spot in the Northern Areas of Pakistan, Kaghan is known for its mountainous terrain and our site is no exception. The design approach while tackling this project was context sensitive and rested heavily on the terrain and the resultant terraced housing that the area has been accustomed to since centuries. Connected through a central access point, the building is separated through an array of terraces stacked neatly on both sides of the main road. The resort is divided into three clusters; Cluster 1, the connecting cluster, houses 10 levels which includes an outdoor food forum, a business center, family rooms and all necessary allied facilities. Cluster 2 also includes 10 levels, 3 of which are dedicated to parking; the others include more rooms and the rest lead up to the grand observatory and skywalk. Finally, the third cluster contains more rooms along with a fitness center and a swimming pool which overlooks the Kunhar River which also serves as a key element of the site. All three clusters are sandwiched between chalets and designated activity spaces for horse tracking, bouldering, mini golf etc.

The mindful treatment of the exterior spaces of the resort cannot go unnoticed, especially with the presence of the many green roof terraces which mimic the organic landscape of the area. The central core of the building which shifts from cluster to cluster is conveniently accessible from all sides of the building and makes use of stone which is indigenous to the region. The observatory that rests on top of the structure is shaped much like a tree as to not stray too far from the context – the shading devices in the outdoor food forum also mimic this free flowing, tree-like form which helps create a sense of cohesiveness in the overall design.

The design of the resort is very fluid and does not in any way, break the celebrated monotony of the mountainous region and the building itself is built on standards which follow energy efficient and sustainable design, all to reaffirm that this project ticked off the design brief in many more ways than one.