Choki dhani Jaipur Case Study

1. Chokhi dhani is“A placid complex begetting a panoramic countryside view.” In the magical land of
Rajasthan where the heat shimmers like phantom water , where the things one sees are not really
there and where the things that vanish behind veils of illusion, stands Chokhi Dhani, an ethnic village
and resort with a blend of rustic environment and modern amenities making it an important
destinationin Pink city. INTRODUCTION GENERAL INFORMATION Designer:Prof. Chinmay Mehta,
Total area:18 Acres Cost:1.30 crores (approx.) Year of completion:Phase I 1992Phase II 1995 The site
is on the outskirts of Jaipur, located on Jaipur- Tonk highway, 6 kms from the airport and 18 kms.
from the city centre. LOCATION Site covers an area of 18 acres, of which a five acre land is
earmarked for future projects. It has been divided into two parts: the first is meant for a resort (for
the tourists stay) while the other caters to the needs of day-today visitors (i.e.)choki dhani village
SITE DESIGN APPORCH Prof. Chinmay Mehta, an artist-designer .He made 3- Dsketches in lieu of
architectural drawings, plans, etc. to visualize the idea. SITE • Chokhi Dhani Resort literally meaning
the "Fine Hamlet" • Chokhi dhani’s concept is to join the Rajasthani tribes from the world. • Tourists
are very much aware of Rajasthan and its culture, but still they are far-far away from its roots. • This
mainly focuses to reveal the real Rajasthan like the paintings..., Art bani thani..., The wall
decorations..., The cow dung plaster..., The pure food..., The fresh air..., The evening performances,
the enthusiasm, the 'manuhar' (mouthful catering), the traditions, the costumes etc… • Thus,
preserving and encouraging the village art and culture, to get today's generation closer to their past,
to change the philosophy of world about Indian village culture. THE CONCEPT CHOKI DHANI VILLAGE
CHOKI DHANI RESORT SITE PLAN N 1

2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 12 12 13 14 1516 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 24 28 29 30 24 24 24
24 3132 33 34 ZONING OF CHOKI DHANI VILLAGE: 1. Entrance Gate 2. Guard Room 3. Panwari Hut 4.
Office Hut 5. Welcome Beat (Nagara) 6. Sangri Restaurant 7. Chaupar Restaurant 8. Soft Drink
Counter (Jaljeera) 9. Rabbit Cage &Bird Cage 10. Jaisalmer Ki Dhani 11. Rath Khana 12. Resting kiosks
13. Kalbeliya Dance Stage 14. Dry Veg. Shop 15. Hut for Henna Wali 16. Magic show 17. Puppet
Shows 18.Artisans village 19. Bioscope, Bird Astrologer, Astrologer 20. Museum 21.Village bazaar
22.Elephant ride 23. Open Air Theater 24. Stage for Dance 25. Studio 26. Maze (Bhul-Bhulaya) 27.
Snake & Ladder 28. Boating Shed 29. Lake 30. Shiva Temple with bridge 31. Jungle Theme 32. Cave &
Water Falls 33.National haat 34. Camel & Bullock Cart Rides ZONING OF CHOKI DHANI ETHNIC
RESORT: Entrance gateway Car parking Waiting room Security kiosk Admin block Lilly pool temple
toilet Conference hall Reception hall Restaurant & kitchen Swimming pool pool bar haveli hut •
Cluster planning • Functionally inter-related spaces were clubbed together and segregated in a
haphazard manner • The entire theme of Rajasthan was depicted in terms of jungle, lake side ,desert
side etc..the proximity of these spaces were a beautiful amalgamation to the visitors • Open spaces
were rightly acknowledged with right use of activities like merry-go-rounds , camel rides , chaat
shops etc… • Zoning enabled the visitors to view the whole place (open planning)and explore places
of their interest. ZONING ANALYSIS-Choki dhani village: PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION 2

3. ZONING ANALYSIS-Choki dhani resort: • The site layout depicts a typical village plan with hierarchy
of spaces: • Focally placed village head i.e. thakur’s haveli with luxury amenities nearby.,Then the
rest of the village huts spreading all around • The villages huts were grouped togther in one
compound bringing in the feel of rajasthani villages • Swimming pool is isolated from the resort in
rear side ensuring privacy VEGETATION ANALYSIS • Placement of temples in the resort are here and
there thus brining in the village scenario COMPONENTS OF CHOKI DHANI RESORT KEY PLAN The
magical allure of Chokhi Dhani embraced in Rajasthani architecture welcomes with beautifully
carved Ganesha Temple GANESHA TEMPLE The architecture depicts historical clock tower and the
ancient craft of shopping arcade at its best. SARGAHSULLI SHOPPING ARCADE The reception hall cum
lobby magnificently erected with mud plastered floor,bamboo net ceiling adorned with Rajasthani
paintings and murals will captivateyour imagination. KOTRI Chokhi Dhani has 31 Village Huts & 34
Executive Huts. VILLAGE HUTS KOTRI EXTERIORKOTRI INTERIOR :The grandeur of this dining hall is
truly breathtaking. It serves breakfast, lunchand dinner of Indian & Chinese tastes. BINDOLA The
Shekhawati Haveli with 8 royal suites is expressly designed for quiet,intimate moments, languorous
daydreaming and restful solitude enjoyed byThakurs. SHEKHAWATI HAVELI SUITES The conference
hall accommodating 120 persons with all secretarial services MANDANI The place forms an ideal
venue for board meetings and conference SAJJAN GOTH Large traditional swimming pool like the
one kings enjoyed in historic times and an adjacent health club KUND 3

4. Facilities for billiards, table tennis and chess etc RECREATIONAL ROOM Slightly descending from
the ground level is a square shaped cocktail bar with its machan on the second floor. It has four
decorated underground spaces made of wood and bamboo. BAKHARI RESTAURANT A cluster of huts
encircles the centrally erected restaurant and banquet hall, with streets on both sides leading
towards the haveli.The open space near the kund becomes a dining space for parties. 1.GORBANDH -
THE OPEN DINING AREA • This area had a compound wall for .9m and it was richly coloured with
floral motifs.it was an open dining area and it can be viewed from the entrance plaza itself. • The
serving counters were circular kiosk supported by wooden columns and the roofs were bamboo
thatched • The preparation counters behind were richly coloured with stories of hunters etc…
"Gorband" is an open area dining at semi round shape ground in form of "kalis in a Ghagra" or
Crease in skirt. KEY PLAN COMPONENTS OF CHOKI DHANI VILLAGE 1 2 SCHEMATIC PLAN OF
GORBANDH AND SANGRI 2.SANGRI – THE VILLAGE DINING HALL • This was a closed restaurant with
an outer verandah around with wooden cots . • The columns in outer vernadahwere shaped like tree
branches SCHEMATIC PLAN OF CHAUPAD JEEMAN GHAR • The interior flooring was finished with
cow dung and the inner walls were thatched with palm leaves for insulation. • The interior columns
were richly colored with vegetable colors. EXTERIOR INTERIOR • Apart from sangri there is another
ethnic dining hall specially known for its shape - chaupad jeeman ghar. • In india chaupad is an
ancient game of royal families like today's ludo, which has four straight paths joint in center. • This is
what "chaupad jeeman ghar" has in its shape. • It has four straight rows meeting at center. • Each
row has 20 persons‘ sitting capacity 3.CHAUPAD JEEMAN GHAR 4

5. Jammu and Kashmir Kerala Goa sikkimWest Bengal Maharashtra Gujarat Rajasthan Tamil Nadu.
NATIONAL HAAT Craft's bazaar is an attempt to bring under one roof the sights, sounds, smells,
tastes, arts and crafts of the 9 most distinctive states of the country viz. Rajasthan, Maharashtra,
Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Goa, Sikkim, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. PLANNING SIKKIM
GUJARAT TAMIL NADU JAMMU AND KASHMIR VIEW OF THE CLUSTER GOA MAHARASHTRA • The
"NATIONAL HAAT" is built like a giant map of the country with a boutique of each state built on its
geographical location on the map. • Handicrafts from each state are available for sale in the
boutiques. • Every month, the national haat celebrates a festival for one state. • While artisans and
cultural troupes demonstrate the arts and crafts of that state, visitors also get to taste its rich
culinary traditions. RAJASTHAN WEST BENGAL ARTISAN VILLAGE ENTRY TO ARTISANS VILLAGE Eating
kiosk VIEW OFARTISANS VILLAGE SCHEMATIC PLAN SHOPS INFORMAL ACTIVITIES 5

6. • Kala gram is indeed a earnest effort to heighten the acknowledgement of all the solitary arts of
the villages of rajasthan. • This place is arranged to display the use of rajasthani art and craft in the
modern daily life. • The kalagram recreates the magic of 1.Blue pottery 2. Paper mache 3. Bagru
print 4. Koftgari art 5. Carpets & durries 6. Marbel craft 7. Wooden craft 8. Jaipuri rajai 9. Mojri work
10. Gem stone painting 11. Tarkashi art 12. Leather items 13. Tie and dye 14. Bone jewellery 15.
Rajasthani fancy jewellery 16. Puppet making 17. Miniature painting 18. Barmeri cloth • Kalgram
also had some performing stages, cow -shed, chaat kiosk • The artisans village had a grand opening
with a vast spread land with circular bhunga shaped shops spread over the entire space uniformly . •
Fluidity in pedestrian movement can be felt in the circular flow • Lots of circular patches were
distributed for seating, lights and other informal activities. • Doll shop was artistically shaped out like
a doll, prayer articles shop was carved out like kumbham etc… • VILLAGE ENTRANCE PANGHAT
REGISTAN RE DHANI PANI PATASI • Panghat showing ancient way of pulling out water from well
whereas Tel Re Ghani represents the ancient way of getting oil by moving bullock round and round a
central mechanical system. • Garadiya Luhar shows the working of Indian Blacksmith, who never
take rest till the work lasts. • In Mevar Re Dhani and Registan Re Dhani ,the special style village huts
are present which represent the Mevar culture and Desert's special cool huts which stay cool in hot
summer without any A.C. Eati ng kiosk FOREST THEME HUTS TEMPLE WITH ARTIFICIAL WATERFALL
LAKE NATIONAL HAAT KEY PLAN Chokhi Dhani has its own beautiful village Lake "Tal Talaiya" where
one can enjoy boating. The waterfall at the end adds just the right touch of romance to the scenery.
BOATING - TAL TALAIYA • Gufa Jharni is an artificial water fall in a dark dreadful cave • Jungle Sair is
a theme park based on forest theme where one will find animals roar while Bheel tribes dance to the
beat of jungle drums. The theme park was a big favorite with the kids Live dance and enthralling
performances all through the evenings is one of the major attractions at Chokhi Dhani Village FUN
ZONES 6

7. Beautifully hand painted temple in the top of the mountain beneath I waterfalls TEMPLE -
MANDIR DEVRA Dance stage with seating outside Resting sheltersKiosk PLANNING OF THE CLUSTERS
VIEW INTO THE CLUSTERS GARADIYA LUHAR GHANTA GHAR CAVE TEMPLE JUNGLE The roof
structure was thatched conical top with supporting columns either at centre or at the circumference
• There are many folk dances in Rajasthan and all are performed here on different occasions. Like
Ghoomer, Potter Dance, Kalbeliya - the Snake Dance, Bhopa- Bhopi Dance etc. THE PUPPET SHOW -
KATHPUTALI RO NACH The pupet show was set up in a rectangular room imitating the decorations
for the façade from early puppet theatres. The puppeteer made episodes and scenes from their
lives. THE MAGIC SHOW - JADU RO KHEL The magic show was taking place in an enclosure similar to
the Rajasthan village magic show in an open space where the audience where seated in a platform
running along the circular structure. BHOOL BHULAIYA was a maze where one has to find the way
out from complex tunnels. SANP-SIDHI RO KHEL was a simple snakes and ladders' game on a huge
board and dice • The open spaces were managed with merry-go- rounds, see-saws, film-seeing and
other traditional village games • The gaming zone like shooting ,bottle hitting etc. were present in
arched openings similar to the palatial architecture of Rajasthan • Ride on the luxuries of the bygone
era - be it camel, a horse drawn tonga or an elephant. • This gives an excitement and fun of riding on
some of the earliest modes of the transportation humans developed in this part of the world. • This
will have a round of whole village in style, savoring the sights and sounds at a leisurely pace. 7

8. Very minute detailing has been done to enhance the theme and to create a realvillage scene. The
whole environment is adorned with such elements as • Chakki • hal • bamboo bridge • lanterns •
chakkas • potteries • cots • well • chabutaras (platform) • aalias (nooks) for deepaks. ELEMENTS,
ENHANCING THEME PLAN OF CIRCULAR HUT ELEVATION PLAN OF RECTANGULAR HUT ELEVATION
VIEW OF THE RECTANGULAR HUT VIEW OF THE CIRCULAR HUT CONSTRUCTION DETAILS The walls
are decorated with relief murals, created with brick motifs andrelief work designed with thick
cement plaster in tempera, mainly withclay colors geru (Indian red), pilli rnitti (ochre) and saphed
rnitti (whiteclay) The roofs, wherever air-conditioning was not planned, have been erected with iron
pipes and purlins, which are covered with bamboo net and terracotta tiles (keloos), brought from
different parts of the region. Simple brick masonry work is done than the use of concrete mixture.
Plaster is used either in the form of traditional cow dung mixed with special type of sand and some
thatch waste, also at some places POP is used widely Typical wall patterns. Use of red stone with
some local materials is done TYPICAL THATCH ROOF AC SHEETS WITH BLACK COATING TYPICAL TILES
PATTERN The hut structures are provided with windows and doors at times with ‘aaliyas’ covered
with built-in spaces for deepaks (terracotta lamps) indifferent shapes. 8

9. • The foundations have been generally filled with stones and walls built with stone or brick. • The
straight lines of the walls have been broken and rounded before a thin plaster of cement is put and
then treated with a combination of mud, cow dung and husk by the village women from the
neighbouring areas. • The layout design has village temples, devaras, brick jalis and wooden en-
closures. • Bamboos have been used extensively to integrate one structure with another. Thus
creating harmony. • The architect has utilized local materials and manpower for the construction.
Roof top finished with thatched coir grass which gives a cool environment in the interiors. These
were seen in open air performing stages Bamboo structure supports the roofing Wooden columns
support the bamboo framework DETAILING OF DOOR AND WINDOWS DETAILING OF FOUNDATION
DETAILING OF ROOF GROUND CRITICALANALYSIS • Site provides no natural views, which are
supposed to be essential for a project like ethnic village but this shortcoming has been entirely
subsided by the environment created with in the resort. • Parking area is not detailed is not covered
and not given much importance in planning. • Walkways after car parking are long and unprotected
from rain and sun. • No covered connections between any two units, but problems aroused by this
are taken care by efficient management. • Reception hall area, capacity, and facilities are grossly
insufficient. • Visitors and recreation areas are well segregated from residential units providing
privacy and avoiding cross circulation patterns. • Underground bar ,indoor restaurants , performing
arenas although elegant and intimate but also gives feeling of congested ness. • Variety in design is
achieved through different forms provided to huts, variation of interior facilities and the variety of
detailing both in interiors as well as exteriors- give a sense of individuality and belongingness to the
visitors. • Strong unity and harmony are achieved through the use of materials, detailing and forms.
Also striking contrast can be seen in haveli ,swimming pool ,huts,jungle sair etc. • Choki dhani village
is open to public only in the evening time and the this eighteen acres spread gets drenched in
darkness so the beauty and the architectural value of this place goes unrecognised and people come
here for mere entertainment . • 40% of the space is open to sky ,and its not properly managed with
climatic shelters. • Services are not properly managed in kitchen which has led to the smoke getting
deposited in the nearby buildings thus spoiling the beauty of exteriors. • A/c units fitted and seen in
exteriors of all units could be taken care off. • Loss of sense of direction, also handled efficiently
through proper sign boards and attentive management • Exploitation of local material and labour
has been done in its full causing very low cost of construction. • Maintenance and repairs are effort
taking but cost low. • With all its typical ambiance and Chokhi dhani has gained popularity more like
another tourist destination in Jaipur to know and experience the real Rajasthan under one roof. 9