For the modern traveller

5 surprising design clues that hide in Taj Bengaluru's new extension

03 Jul 2025

Despite waves of change, Bengaluru’s identity as the Garden City has endured. Yet to define it in singular terms would be reductive. At the new Taj Bangalore Extension sprawling over 1.8 acres, Morphogenesis captures the spirit of this multifaceted metropolis.

Envisioned by Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) and the Taj Group, the hotel presents a fresh perspective on hospitality, rooted in people, purpose and a strong sense of place. Sonali and Manit Rastogi, Founding Partners at Morphogenesis, explain, “Staying true to our core philosophy of climate-responsive and contextually rooted design, we set out to create spaces that feel both intimate and intuitive, where architecture weaves together light, material and movement to enhance the everyday experience of the traveller.” Here are five design clues that hide in plain sight.

“The project builds on the success of the existing property while responding to the evolving rhythms of Bengaluru — a city now firmly established on the global map as a hub for technology and innovation,” — Sonali and Manit Rastogi

The dining spaces at Taj are framed by sleek glass and interiors that exude quiet luxury; Photography by Paul Raftery

WINDOW TO VIEW

Just a short distance from Kempegowda International Airport, the hotel is designed to make the most of its location, with a C-shaped layout that frames views of the airfield while offering guests privacy and daylight. The fifth floor features a semi-open restaurant that elevates the experience with sweeping vistas of the runway.

SOUTH INDIAN SPLENDOUR

“The design draws from three foundational inspirations: Bengaluru’s lasting reputation as the Garden City, the spatial intelligence of traditional South Indian courtyard homes and the city’s rising stature as a global hub of travel and technology,” say Sonali and Manit Rastogi of Morphogenesis. The interiors subtly reference this heritage through bespoke carpets, wall panels and curated artworks.

The timber screens allow natural light to enter, which forms rhythmic shadows on the walls; Photography by Paul Raftery

The glazed bridge offers views of the airport runway, connecting the old wing with the new; Photography by Paul Raftery

AN UNEXPECTED BANYAN TREE

At the centre of the atrium, a five-storey mosaic inspired by the banyan tree stands as both a cultural symbol and a striking visual feature. Echoing Bengaluru’s green heritage, this sculptural piece roots the space in its context while creating a moment of pause within the dynamic flow of a transit setting.

TIME WARP

“The project builds on the success of the existing property while responding to the evolving rhythms of Bengaluru — a city now firmly established on the global map as a hub for technology and innovation,” note the designers at Morphogenesis. To connect the new extension to the older structure, the architects use a glass bridge that links the third floor of the extension to the fourth floor of the original hotel, acting as both a functional and experiential connector. Referencing the design of airport aerobridges, it offers framed views of the runway and reinforces the project’s setting within a transit-oriented campus.

SUSTAINABLE STONE

The facade combines local Sadarhalli granite with glass to reduce environmental impact while ensuring optimal light and ventilation. The building’s massing and orientation harness prevailing winds for passive cooling, lowering overall energy use.