6. Nov-Dec 2010

Architecture
Rather than just a restaurant for passing traffic, I saw the
location as an end destination. Almost central to Kathmandu,
Pokhara and the Chitwan valley, an inspirational location
awaited. My colleagues were quick to grasp the vision, and
arose to the spirit of entrepreneurship to do something
challenging. Riverside Springs Resort (RSR) eventually set its
own precedence in the leisure and resort industry in Nepal,
with more dreams for the future .
Although some said that it was too far off from the road, events like the
wishing well were placed along the path to make walking an exploration.
It all fell together at this special Kurintar site. The barren, rock
strewn thorny plateau edge falling away to a wide river beach
was a blank canvas. My partners gave me free reign to write
the brief and to interpret it. Their enthusiastic encouragement,
participation and support took us from phase to phase,
creating delights after delights in this special location. The
partnership was rich with resources of entrepreneurship, good
horse sense, local expertise ignited with a thirst for something
not done yet in ‘modern’ Nepal.
Five Pebble Fish
The place for the restaurant was obvious and pre-ordained,
although some said it was too far from the road, “... older folk
will find the walk too steep ...” some commented. Like precious
stones on a necklace, I placed events along it to make walking
an exploration. Mr Tamang, the manager, said he has not had
any complaints about the approach! And as a sequel ‘spin off’
to the nearby Mankamna experience, a sympathetic fantasy,
a fairy tale wishing well is one of these. The instructions for its
use took the form of a small poem I wrote, etched on two brass
plates affixed onto the well.
“Khoi tha? Yan-tha chaina rai cha tha hou?” (Where is it then, it is not here?) - designed by nature, the
restaurant and river suddenly unfolds at the ‘gazebo where paths cross’.
www.spacesnepal.com 46
November-December 2010