Introduction: In a city where hospitality often means grand gestures and predictable luxury, The Aldott in Gurugram dares to be different. Designed by Studio AVT Architects Pvt Ltd, this 32-room boutique hotel delivers a mind-boggling blend of architectural innovation, intimate scale, and sustainable thinking. From its striking triangular jali façade to the elevated courtyard sanctuary, every element is conceived as both an aesthetic statement and a functional solution.
In the bustling heart of Gurugram’s DLF Phase III, The Aldott is not just another boutique hotel. It is a study in how architecture can blur the lines between luxury, community, and sustainability. Spanning 15,500 sq ft over multiple levels, the 32-room property, designed by Studio AVT Architects Pvt Ltd, has already begun to reshape the conversation around boutique hospitality in India. It is not merely a space for travellers to stay, it is a curated environment for living, working, socialising, and engaging in a uniquely cosmopolitan yet grounded setting.
A HOMEBASE FOR GLOBAL NOMADS
Lead Architects Ankita Sweety and Pratyoosh Chandan envisioned The Aldott as more than an upscale property. “The brief was to create a community-oriented hospitality space that merges living, working, creativity, and professional engagement,” notes Sweety.
Common amenities like library, café, rooftop lounge, and versatile event spaces were designed not as “add-ons” but as integral social anchors. The team approached the project as a multi-sensory brand experience, from scent and sound to material touchpoints and visual identity, where every element works to foster belonging and cultural exchange. Chandan adds, “It is not just a hotel, it is a hybrid, living space brimming with life and connection.”
INDIAN TRADITION REIMAGINED
From the street, The Aldott commands attention with its modern façade layered with intricately crafted jali screens. The southwest-facing triangular screens are both an aesthetic signature and a high-performance climatic feature, reducing heat gain and enhancing natural cooling. The architectural vocabulary blends clean, linear geometry with natural textures. An approach that not only honours Indian craft traditions but also integrates seamlessly into Gurugram’s contemporary skyline.
“The triangular jali screens and circular planters don’t just decorate, they perform.”
ELEVATED COURTYARD SANCTUARY
Perhaps the most unexpected feature of The Aldott is its second-floor central courtyard, a tranquil oasis suspended above the bustling avenue. This open-air courtyard is framed by lush greenery, a calming water feature, and curated artworks. It acts as the social heart of the hotel, connecting guest wings while also doubling as a quiet meditative retreat. The architects intentionally elevated this space to shield it from street noise and pollution while still allowing daylight and ventilation to flood the interiors. “We wanted the courtyard to be a place where guests could disconnect from the city without leaving it,” claims Chandan.
INSIDE THE GUEST EXPERIENCE
Each of the 32 rooms is a study in privacy, natural light, and green integration. Every balcony hosts a triangular jali screen paired with a circular planter, merging architectural rhythm with biophilic design. Interiors feature earthy tones, natural wood finishes, and bright accent artworks, reinforcing the sense of personal space while celebrating Indian visual culture. A living wall in the reception greets guests upon arrival, setting a biophilic tone that carries through hallways, lounges, and private quarters.
Design Highlights
- Triangular Jali Facade – Reduces solar gain & adds visual identity
- Circular Balcony Planters – Infuses greenery into every room’s outlook
- Central Courtyard – Elevated for serenity and cross-ventilation
- Rooftop Restaurant – Panoramic city views paired with seasonal, locally sourced cuisine
- Versatile Event Spaces – From corporate meetings to intimate weddings
DINING ABOVE THE CITY
The rooftop restaurant is both a hospitality and design statement. With sweeping views of the Gurugram skyline, it offers seasonal menus anchored in local sourcing. “By night, the space transforms into a warm-lit social terrace, ideal for sunset cocktails or starlit dining,” emphasises Sweety.
Engineering Sustainability into Luxury
Sustainability is not a postscript here; it is embedded in the hotel’s DNA:
- Jali Screens reduce dependence on artificial cooling
- Rainwater Harvesting & Greywater Reuse systems support water efficiency
- Locally Sourced Materials cut transportation emissions
- Eco-friendly Construction Methods minimise carbon footprint
“For us, sustainability was about performance, not just compliance.”
The Mind-Boggling Edge
While most boutique hotels focus on either aesthetics or guest comfort, The Aldott achieves three converging goals:
- Architectural Brilliance: A façade that is both identity and climate control system
- Social Heartbeat: An elevated courtyard that functions as a sky-level sanctuary
- Eco-Luxury Synergy: Merging high-end design with measurable sustainability outcomes
A NEW BENCHMARK IN BOUTIQUE HOSPITALITY
With The Aldott, Studio AVT Architects has crafted a project where design thinking meets hospitality storytelling. It is a place that honours local traditions while embracing contemporary demands for sustainability, social connection, and adaptive luxury.
It is not simply about where you stay, it is about how you feel while staying there. And that, perhaps, is the real mind-boggling achievement.
Why It Matters?
In an era where hospitality often swings between impersonal luxury and budget functionality, The Aldott demonstrates how Indian architectural traditions like jali screens can be reimagined for contemporary performance, reducing energy loads while enhancing character. More importantly, it proves that sustainability and sophistication can co-exist, offering a replicable model for boutique urban hospitality that responds to both environmental imperatives and evolving guest expectations.
