<rt-red>The arrival sequence has been redefined by the creation of an elevated boardwalk through dense vegetation, leading to three interconnected courts.<rt-red> The first pavilion, framed by lily ponds, houses the reception; the second with its central water feature hosts the concierge, safari shop, and library-lounge; the third pavilion is an outdoor bar surrounded by water, inspired by a jungle watering hole. It is paired with an intimate indoor lounge that offers a moody, cabin-like atmosphere—a place for a quiet drink or an intimate conversation. The bar counter connects these two contrasting yet complementary spaces.

The pool, originally a stepwell, and its surrounds have been activated by three two-storey pavilions. One houses the specialty restaurant The Grill, which extends into a new al-fresco poolside bar, with the Whiskey Lounge above. The second contains a games lounge and multipurpose hall, while the third includes gym and banquet facilities. 

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Outside, the gentle shift in landscape from the upper to the lower levels is achieved through lush greenery in the form of foliage trees, flowering shrubs, and trailing creepers. <rt-red>Besides offering visual relief from the stone masonry walls, it creates shaded poolside lounging spots for year-round use. <rt-red>

With an emphasis on minimising the project’s carbon footprint, much of the existing structure has been retained, including the graphic black and white marble floors. That, along with the scale and formality of the volumes, informs <rt-red>a colonial-inspired design narrative. The sparse interiors are softened by layers of natural materials, tactile finishes, and hand-crafted elements. Regional flora and fauna motifs appear as a leitmotif throughout<rt-red>—in carved headboards, Rajasthani miniature-style forest scenes in the dining room ceilings, and furnishings. 

As with the public areas, the existing villas—despite their generous size—were characterised by excessive hardscaping and a lack of privacy. Grouped in clusters of four, they have been reimagined as bungalows in the forest. Wooden portals mark each cluster, and strategic planting provides privacy to the verandahs, outdoor courts and private gardens.

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The retained Kota stone floors are paired with timber furniture and bamboo mat ceilings to create a warm, restrained interior palette. <rt-red>It is layered with regional craft, celebrated in the bone inlay detailing of minibars, CNC–carved hand-finished wardrobe shutters and panels in an abstraction of tiger stripes, and textiles with block prints and textural weaves that evoke the surrounding forest.<rt-red>

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<rt-red>Through considered programmatic and landscape interventions coupled with a locally inspired material and craft narrative, Taj Sawai's revitalisation aims to establish an authentic, contextually appropriate identity for the project<rt-red>—where Ranthambore’s wilderness meets the refined elegance of the Taj experience.