Welcome to Anaamaya, an Ayurvedic sanctuary where every wall, window, and walkway tells a story of rebirth, restoration, and reverence. Set within a historic estate in Kollam, Kerala, Anaamaya is not merely built—it is reclaimed, repurposed, and reimagined.
Through meticulous adaptive reuse, Anaamaya honors the artistry of traditional Kerala and colonial-era architecture while transforming historical artifacts into functional design. Each piece is a conversation between the past and the present, carefully placed to preserve cultural memory while serving modern hospitality.
Then: A large, all-wood storage box used in Kerala homes to hold harvested rice paddy.
Now: Transformed into a linen storage cabinet, this traditional Nellara sits at the heart of Anaamaya's utility spaces, keeping essentials neatly hidden while showcasing time-worn grain and handcrafted joints.
Design Note: No new wood. Just a new story.
Then: A humble Kerala cowshed with open walls and a laterite base.
Now: A buffet staging zone for our restaurant, complete with a restored vintage Malabar coffee press. The raw charm of the cowshed is preserved, making it a rustic yet elegant culinary backdrop.
Design Note: Original footprint retained, modern use layered in.
Then: The timber truss of a now-demolished temple.
Now: Reinstalled as the restaurant's structural and aesthetic crown, giving sacred geometry a new place in daily life. Every joint and notch carries a spiritual legacy.
Design Note: Structure reclaimed from multiple disassembled heritage sites.
Then: 200-year-old slabs brought from Gujarat on spice-trading ships.
Now: Set into Anaamaya's reflexology paths, these stones provide both historic grounding and therapeutic pressure points underfoot.
Design Note: Each stone hand-placed for walkability and flow.
Then: Petromax lamps used in noble processions and temple festivals.
Now: Restored and refitted as ambient lighting fixtures, these lamps glow with a new kind of reverence—casting light over tranquil lounges and guest rooms.
Design Note: Original detailing preserved, wiring concealed.
Then: Timber panels from a now-defunct colonial-era church ceiling.
Now: Given a second life as a dramatic vertical wall feature, echoing ecclesiastical grace and craftsmanship.
Design Note: Carefully restored to avoid paint stripping or staining.
Then: "Kilivathil" – a traditional Kerala window paired with Bawa's architectural ideology of the framed view.
Now: An artfully aligned vista, where heritage design and tropical minimalism merge into Anaamaya's signature window experience.
Design Note: Position chosen to align with sunrise and garden axis.
At Anaamaya, architecture is sustainable storytelling. By giving historical materials new purpose, we avoid demolition, reduce waste, and bring emotional and cultural depth to modern hospitality.
"We don't build new stories. We restore old ones—and let them speak."