Ma+rs Serenity Retreat Anchors Hillside Residence in New Zealand
Amy Duong — February 28, 2026 — Art & Design
References: dezeen
Ma+rs Serenity Retreat is a thatched wildlife retreat completed in Tamil Nadu, India, that places a cluster of earthen-inspired pavilions within a lush forest landscape. The project by Indian studio Ma+rs uses a series of interconnected huts topped with locally sourced thatched roofs that echo vernacular forms and aim to blend into the surrounding terrain.
The arrangement frames views of the dense tropical vegetation and creates shaded outdoor courtyards and circulation paths that connect the individual volumes. The design uses natural materials to mediate between built form and forest edge, allowing the retreat to read as a quiet observer within the landscape while providing shelter and communal spaces.
Interiors are organized to offer retreats for small groups with openings oriented to capture dappled light and breezes. The structures sit lightly on the ground and are linked by narrow walkways that trace through trees and undergrowth. Earth tones, timber elements, and woven thatch harmonize with the forest palette, and the spatial layout encourages movement between interior rooms and exterior courtyards for both solitude and communal gathering.
Image Credit: Studio f/8
The arrangement frames views of the dense tropical vegetation and creates shaded outdoor courtyards and circulation paths that connect the individual volumes. The design uses natural materials to mediate between built form and forest edge, allowing the retreat to read as a quiet observer within the landscape while providing shelter and communal spaces.
Interiors are organized to offer retreats for small groups with openings oriented to capture dappled light and breezes. The structures sit lightly on the ground and are linked by narrow walkways that trace through trees and undergrowth. Earth tones, timber elements, and woven thatch harmonize with the forest palette, and the spatial layout encourages movement between interior rooms and exterior courtyards for both solitude and communal gathering.
Image Credit: Studio f/8
Trend Themes
1. Biophilic Micro-pavilions - Small clustered pavilions designed for low-impact stays create modular, scalable retreat experiences integrated with surrounding ecosystems.
2. Vernacular Material Revival - Renewed use of thatch, earthen walls, and timber highlights locally sourced, low-embodied-energy materials that reshape sustainable supply chains.
3. Indoor-outdoor Permeability - Porous thresholds, shaded courtyards, and narrow walkways blur building boundaries with forest, generating new spatial programs focused on passive comfort and sensory connection.
Industry Implications
1. Eco-tourism Lodging - Boutique nature retreats prioritizing immersion and low-impact operation attract premium guests seeking authenticity and conservation-aligned experiences.
2. Prefabricated Natural Building Materials - Suppliers of standardized, weather-treated natural components respond to demand for quicker assembly and vernacular aesthetics without synthetic finishes.
3. Landscape Architecture and Conservation - Site designers emphasizing canopy protection and undergrowth connectivity elevate the role of habitat services and long-term ecological monitoring in development planning.
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