THE ARCHITECTURE OF ITC ROYAL BENGAL - AN ODE TO BENGAL’ S ARISTOCRATIC & REGAL HOMES

ITC Hotels ethos of ‘Responsible Luxury’ embodies the philosophy – ‘Lets put India first’. This philosophy is taken further through its various endeavours. An offshoot of this thought is building hotels whose architecture is inspired by local history and culture.

ITC Royal Bengal carries forth the culture and pays tribute to the towering achievements of the great minds of Bengal and its people who encouraged and appreciated the efflorescence of arts, science and the finest experiences that life can offer.

ITC Royal Bengal is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum-certified building under LEED USGBC New Construction Programme. LEED is an international symbol of sustainability excellence in green building that signifies a building has fewer carbon emissions, conserves resources and reduces operating costs while prioritizing sustainable practices and creating a healthier environment. ITC Royal Bengal's LEED Platinum Certification is one of the many reflections of ITC Hotels’ decade long Responsible Luxury philosophy which integrates world-class sustainable practices with contemporary design elements to deliver the best of Luxury in the greenest possible manner. Environment-friendly materials and products have been used in the building. More than 20% of the materials of the project’s total material have recycled content, in addition to more than23% of the construction materials being locally sourced. Materials which have a lower environmental impact have been thoughtfully employed.

These include materials with rapidly renewable content and low Volatile Organic Compound content. The landscaping of the Hotel has been designed with plant species which are native and help in promoting biodiversity with reduced irrigation water demand requiring low maintenance.

The personality of ITC Royal Bengal is of an enlightened soul, literary, liberal, and appreciative of the finer things in life, well-travelled, well-read and curious about the world.

ITC Royal Bengal conjures up this awe-inspiring world within a monumental, magnificent edifice. Envisioned and created with – the luxury of space, the burnished gleam of décor inspired by the finest buildings of this land and the hushed elegance of homes that have celebrated the finest nuances of culture, art, music and a zest for truly sublime experiences.

The architecture of ITC Royal Bengal is a fine blend of European andindigenous architecture found in erstwhile stately homes (Bonedi Bari), regal palaces of the Nawab era and churches of Bengal with contemporary comfortable design. Reflecting the rich heritage of Kolkata’s past, the
façade of one of the largest hotels of the City of Joy, is inspired by several heritag buildings of Bengal along with the aristocratic homes of Kolkata and the districts.

Stories that dead pillars tell, spring to life when one goes beyond the brick and mortar of ITC Royal Bengal’s outer frame. The classic Greco-Roman façade with its Horse Sloping entrance, is reminiscent of the stately homes and Hazarduari Palace of Murshidabad. The classical Greek architecture with ancient Doric columns that date back to 8th century BC, was introduced in Bengal via Bengal Renaissance Art and Architecture.

Cherishing the passion of the Nawabs of Bengal, ITC Royal Bengal is trulyan architecture of regal elegance. The stairway in the central part of thehotel taking you to the signature restaurants mirrors a culture of exceptional enterprise, extravagance and an eye for detail resonating with
the grandeur and the fine lifestyles of Bengal’s erstwhile nobility. It also reminds us of the rich elite intellectuals of Bengal. The black railing of the staircase has a 17th-century art style known as Cul de Lampe.

The exterior railings have a string of Balusters dating back to the Renaissance period. The Antis below the staircase is found at the Treasury Building of Kolkata and even in the interiors of different city churches reminding us that Kolkata was once the capital of erstwhile British Empire.

Even the door knobs of various rooms and the hotel’s Business Lounge is reminiscent of the Art Nouveau style, introduced by Abanindranath Tagore in his 19th century painting Abhisarika. Abanindranath was the nephew of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore and a famous painter and illustrator of the Bengal Renaissance period. There are several inspiring pieces of 18th
century furniture placed at different corners of the hotel. Take for example the Chest of Drawers at the Blockfront that are made like the ones seen in several stately homes of the region. The chair legs of different rooms are decorated as per Biedermeier, a Central European Decorative Art, that flourished between 1820-40, found in the Marble Palace of Kolkata.

The various motifs used on the glass partitions, floors and doors are Trefoil motifs seen in churches of Bengal or the Rib Vault decorations traced to Bonedi Bari. Interestingly, the Kalka design on the floor lobby marble counter was used extensively in the Benarasi and Baluchari sarees
worn by the women of regal homes of Bengal.

And once you step onto the welcoming green carpets in various apartment bedrooms, you will surely be mesmerised at the alpona motifs that were drawn in aristocratic Bengal homes.

Prints, kantha works and artefacts symbolising the Tree of Life (an age old concept shared across cultures) is found across the Hotel. Though it grows old it bears its seeds in its very essence. Over time it has come represent prosperity, positivity and progress. ITC Royal Bengal & ITC Sonar together
celebrate this eternal symbol. While ITC Royal Bengal celebrates ‘One of a Kind’ finest experiences, ITC Sonar, a luxury business resort is themed on a Bagaanbari (garden homes of erstwhile nobility). Branching into timeless traditions, they both pay tribute to the essence of Bengal.

With its passion for perfection and its pursuit of beauty and grace, ITC Royal Bengal represents the state and the unique fervour of its people for celebrating and nurturing the finest across the myriad facets of life.