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 endeavors. An off shoot 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 that 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 that 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-traveled, 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 and
indigenous 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 heritage 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 truly
an architecture of regal elegance. The stairway in the central part of the
hotel 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.