Manish Banker has spent over three decades redefining the way we perceive luxury — proving, time and again, that indulgence need not come at nature’s expense. An award-winning architect and educator, his philosophy blends ecological wisdom, spiritual depth, and contemporary design innovation. In this conversation with Anirban Dasgupta for Travellers’ World, he speaks about moving beyond greenwashing, bringing meditative calm into built spaces, and why the future of luxury is inseparable from sustainability.
You are a long-standing champion of sustainable and eco-sensitive design. In your opinion, how can luxury hotels and resorts move beyond greenwashing to truly embody environmentally responsible architecture while maintaining an aura of opulence?
Manish Banker: Thank you, Anirban, for inviting me to share my thoughts with Travellers’ World, a platform I deeply respect for its thoughtful exploration of global travel narratives. I’m happy to be a part of this important conversation.
There’s a common misconception that opulence and sustainability are at odds with one another. To me, true luxury is born from harmony with nature. When architecture works in alignment with ecological principles, it gains depth, beauty, and timeless appeal — qualities any “luxury” space should aspire to.
To move beyond greenwashing, we must return to fundamental principles: “design for context, climate, culture, and conscious materials.” Every choice — from energy use to textures, colours, and materials — should support both human wellbeing and the natural world.
Sustainability isn’t an afterthought to luxury; it’s its very foundation. Authentic architecture creates a dialogue with nature, offering guests an experience that’s indulgent yet deeply rooted in ecological and cultural wisdom.
Having worked at the Osho commune and drawn inspiration from spiritual approaches to spatial design, how do you integrate those philosophies into creating spaces that invite guests to connect with both themselves and the surrounding natural environment?
Manish Banker: I consider myself fortunate to have been introduced early in life — thanks to my parents — to the vision of Osho, Rajneesh. He was not just a philosopher but a contemporary master who guided people toward both rituals and spirituality. This sparked a lifelong journey of inner exploration for me.
Working and apprenticing alongside diverse artists, engineers, and designers from across the globe, I learned that a truly sensitive design approach must be deeply human at its core. Meditation taught me the value of silence, integration with the natural world, and the realization that we are never separate from nature — we are an extension of it.
As architects, we shape spaces more than just forms. The form is simply the by-product of creating environments that fulfil practical needs while enabling people to feel their connection to nature. Every breath we take is part of an unbroken cycle with the environment — so how can we disregard its wellbeing without damaging our own?
When designing any space, I strive to:
– Use the least possible energy,
– Prioritize sunlight, fresh air, and seasonality,
– Celebrate every element of life — trees, birds, flowers, animals.
In luxury hospitality, this philosophy translates into environments where people can slow down, feel rooted, and recognize their place in the vast rhythm of nature. The goal is to design “sensitive spaces” that nurture this connection and enrich every human experience.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face when implementing eco-friendly features in large-scale hospitality projects? How do you balance clients’ commercial goals with the imperative for sustainability?
Manish Banker: Sustainability is a beautiful idea— though, admittedly, it’s often misunderstood. For me, it’s not just about protecting the environment but also creating business models that endure. Commercial viability is part of sustainability.
I don’t see client expectations as obstacles. Instead, I view them as opportunities to show how sustainability can be a win-win — benefiting the planet and the bottom line. Clients are usually quick to see the long-term advantages: reduced operational costs, healthier environments for guests, and enhanced brand value. As I always say, good design is good business.
Today, the global sustainability movement is helping us rediscover our own wisdom. Done right, sustainable hotels can be luxurious, beautiful, and in harmony with nature.
Could you share an example of innovative green technologies or design strategies you’ve incorporated into recent projects — and their impact on both the environment and guest experience?
Manish Banker: One of my favourite examples is Project Swastik, completed last year near Pune. We approached it not to tick certification boxes, but to truly perform as a sustainable retreat.
The site — a lush valley by Kadakvasa Lake in the Sahyadri ranges — dictated much of our design. We carefully followed the land’s natural contours, preserving slopes, trees, and even the local wildlife, including the peacocks of ‘Peacock Valley’.
“Sustainability isn’t an afterthought to luxury — it is its very foundation.” – Manish Banker
For the guest cottages, we avoided traditional methods that would disturb roots or terrain. Instead, we crafted *guha*-like (cave-inspired) structures using lightweight ferrocrete. This reduced foundation work, respected the hillside, and allowed us to blend the cottages seamlessly into the landscape — some with green roof gardens that merge into the hillside.
Inside, we opted for natural cotton, reclaimed teakwood, ceramics, and low-VOC finishes. Water-saving fixtures, rainwater harvesting, and strategic landscaping ensure minimal resource use while supporting year-round greenery.
The result? A resort that’s cool without excessive air-conditioning, visually harmonious with its surroundings, and deeply immersive for guests — both emotionally and physically.
As an educator and juror in architecture studios, how do you inspire the next generation of architects to prioritize environmental consciousness — especially in luxury hospitality design?
Manish Banker: True luxury today is no longer about extravagance alone. It’s about wellbeing — clean air, mental peace, connection with nature, and spaces that heal. Wealth without health or harmony is meaningless. Guests now actively seek silence, freshness, and even spiritual nourishment in their travel experiences. This awareness gives the next generation of architects a rare opportunity: to design aspirational spaces that also champion sustainability.
In teaching, I encourage students to engage with real-life examples — built projects where eco-sensitivity enhances rather than limits luxury. Our work in hotels, villas, and resorts proves this possible, inspiring them to see sustainability as an ally, not an obstacle.
Ultimately, architecture should create humanized spaces — sensitive, soulful, and sustainable — where luxury is defined not by gold-plated surfaces, but by th
