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Wednesday, 5 October 2016

A future that brings back nature

A future that brings back nature

The ultimate goal of design should be to formulate an innovative built environment that responds to the needs of a given time and society, He believes in the collective responsibility of transforming human habitats into a futuristic, intelligent environment that spontaneously responds to and meets the human need for space, amenities, health, finance and social equality without endangering heritage or natural and non-renewable resources.

What's the role of an architect today?

The architect today is not only endowed with the responsibility of designing spaces, but also the imagination and innovation of a larger environment that fulfills future aspirations of a rapidly developing, peaceful and healthy society. Architecture, in the contemporary context, stands as one of the most significant disciplines as it is among the saviours of our built environment, social and natural landscape. Today, more than ever before, its significance is in the hope of a future that brings back nature, culture and art into the built environment. In order to respond to the contemporary issues regarding sustainability and smart and intelligent development, architectural designs have moved beyond the design of buildings to involve planning and configuration of larger complexes and urban spaces consisting of buildings, nature, structures and infrastructure.

The ultimate design goal...

Whether it is residential design, urban design or any other design discipline, the ultimate goal should be to formulate an innovative built environment responding to the needs of the time and society. Architecture today is perceived as a collective response of different design disciplines like interior design, residential design, commercial design, conservation, urban design and urban planning. The need of the design fraternity is to imagine a multi-disciplinary approach towards imagination, innovation, and planning of spaces - whether at a building level or a city level.

What's your most memorable project till date?

I believe that every project is a reflection of its time, context and environment. Each project is like a journey of rediscovering the significance of space, its function and persona with respect to its requirements. For us, every project is memorable and special as we believe that each of them has allowed us to redefine the role of architecture and architects in shaping the future of our built environment.

Let's talk about energy...

At present, there is an urgent need for saving our rapidly depleting natural and non-renewable resources - the most important one being energy. The industry is currently experimenting with technologies and designs of buildings and urban environments that save, store and produce energy, and in the same respect, 'zero energy buildings' (which consume zero energy) and 'net positive buildings' (that produce energy) are trends to watch out for. Buildings of tomorrow are gradually being envisioned as urban generators of energy, which would not only save resources, but stand as a hope for sustainability.

Two sides of a coin...

Architecture and interior design are like two sides of the same coin - both are intertwined in their pursuit of a perfect expression of the built environment. A perfect design should seamlessly blend the two to create continuity in the spatial experience from inside to outside, both aesthetically and functionally.

Where do you find inspiration?

Two of the most inspiring architectural designs for me are Fatehpur Sikri Complex at Agra and the Louvre at Paris. The former is an age-old complex, which I believe is extremely contextual, as it is a magnificent example of a great architecture which simultaneously bears the character of an outstanding urban design. It is a truly inspiring example, which exhibits how good environmental design, space aesthetics, public space design, and art can coalesce into one masterpiece. Fatehpur Sikri, to me, is not only a well-designed complex but a space bearing the cultural heritage of Agra. The Louvre, on the other hand, exhibits how traditional architecture can coexist with a modern masterpiece in harmony. The glass pyramid is a modern intervention, which has immortalised the historical context on which it stands.

What makes for an iconic design?

An iconic design must stand out and ideally become a flag-bearer of a new trend or an idea. It must go beyond its own age into the future and exhibit a significance that has not been previously explored and hence, show a new direction in the field of design and technology. Essentially, iconic architecture should involve innovation of aesthetic statements, technology or ideas about a better environment and society.

Retaining our 'Indianness'...

Today there is a need to look at avenues which embrace our cultural continuity even though we may cruise ahead in technology and global economy. Our cultural symbols, which have been preserved as activities, rituals and faith in different corners of India, deserve to be conserved and must find their rightful expression in our future built environment. There is a long unfinished responsibility of defining 'Indianness' in global modernism through aesthetics, functions and technology, which still remains a major challenge for all Indian architects.

We need to search hard for the signs and symbols that have identified our land and us for ages; methods are needed to be innovated to translate these symbols and messages into architectural vocabulary. We believe that the search for global Indian modernism will be a great pursuit for our future generation that would collectively require the contribution of conservationists, urban planners, urban designers, geographers, historians and anthropologists in defining a future development that would simultaneously act as a tool to conserve our cultures and our identities.

How does one select the right architect?

The same way one selects a doctor or a lawyer. The most important thing is the comfort factor; the architect must be able to understand and respond efficiently to the aspirations of the client. The architect's past body of work, approach towards architectural design, time commitment, number of current assignments and the ability to respond to contemporary socio-economic conditions and aesthetic trends in design are some other factors worth considering.

Architecture in Bengaluru...

Bengaluru has historically enjoyed an amazing natural geography, climate and a beautiful terrain with immense greenery. The city became an important business hub during the economic liberalisation of the country in the nineties.

Unfortunately, the aspirations and the development envisioned could not be efficiently contained in the broader planning model, which has put a huge pressure on the incongruous urbanisation of Bengaluru today. Both built and natural infrastructures are being stressed and are seen to be struggling to match the rapid growth of the city. This calls for an urgent need for a holistic vision of sustainable urbanisation.

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Being square in a green way

Being square in a green way

The gardening world, in the past few years, has changed immensely. This is particularly true for urban spaces today, as people are looking for alternative sources for their food. One such method that homeowners are resorting to is urban gardening, which offers to make our food as 'local' as possible. Within urban gardening, there have been several methods that have sprung up - and they don't necessarily need to be planted in the ground.

One such method is 'square foot gardening', which is a perfect way to add a bit of green to your home without spending too much or putting in too much effort. It is an easy, minimal work, low-weed and chemical-free way to grow plants in a small area. As a result, it makes for an ideal gardening option in urban or suburban areas where space is a major constraint.

Developed by Mel Bartholomew in the late 1970s, square foot gardening was his solution to the belief that the conventional gardening system of planting in rows was a waste of time and space. This method continues to be a popular form of gardening today as it's easy to manage and produces high yields of quality food. If you are wondering why, it is primarily because one can produce a greater number of produce in less space with less work.

Bound by four sides

So, what does it entail? Unlike regular gardening, the plants are arranged in blocks of squares instead of rows. Each block, which is small square sections, contains a different vegetable, herb or flower. It is essentially a 12"X12" square with a grid that is divided into nine squares with equal lengths of four feet on each side. As a result, one can bring in a lot of diversity in their box by bringing in different plants together. All of this makes it easy for a gardener, especially someone who is just beginning.

Bringing this form of gardening to Bengaluru is Squarefoot Farmers. Started by Vishwas Makam, Arun Gundmi and Ritesh Nahar, the Bengaluru-based firm aimed "to do something nice and also make it economically sustainable". They set up food gardens, edible landscaping and at times, a mix of both in their clients' gardens. However, their focus is on setting up small gardens that are organic in nature, which are customised according to the needs of the customers."We started out spreading the knowledge we had about growing food to interested people. One thing led to another and we started setting up small gardens," says Vishwas. Additionally, they focus on bringing to their customers a holistic, natural and organic solution. What makes the square foot gardening more unique is the fact that you can have complete control over it.

As gardening is often thought to be labour intensive, many people tend to shy away from doing it themselves. However, square foot farming is quite the opposite and setting up one is quite simple. It can be set up using a simple wooden frame or as a more elaborate vertical garden. It can be designed using any material available (such as wood and concrete) that can hold the soil above ground. Square foot Farmers offer boxes that are made out of repressed coir and pine.

The rationale of keeping it above the ground is that by using potting soil instead of dirt, one will enjoy the benefits of having perfect soil conditions from day one, making it less labour-intensive. "As a result, it makes it easier to do the growing in balconies or terraces," elaborates Vishwas. However, if you are using wood, it's important to stay clear of pressure-treated wood, as the arsenic and other chemicals can leach into your beds and your vegetables.

Today, many people are beginning to realise the importance of clean, good food and want to start a garden in their terrace and/or backyard. "Shifting to square foot farming has been really convenient as I was keen on growing vegetables that I use on a day-to-day basis," says Sheila Gupta, a resident of Jayanagar, who was looking to expand her garden when she came across Squarefoot farmers. With their help she has set up around 20 square foot gardens, placed at convenient heights, growing a variety of greens and microgreens mostly.

Salient features

What makes such a garden unique is the fact that it is easy to maintain, easy to keep pest-free and fetches different vegetables at every harvest which is apt for small, nuclear families in urban spaces. "When you understand what you really want, the whole process becomes rather simple and helpful in the long term. I would advise everyone to grow at least greens as they last much longer than the ones you may get at the store," suggests Sheila.

Square foot Farmers also hold periodic workshops, which enable one with self-sustainable methods of composting and offer a wide array of flowering and edible seeds as well.

But if you are still wary about giving it a try, wondering how different it could be from regular gardening, the answer is simple. It differs with respect to its soil medium, alignment, and is mostly done above the ground. The soil medium consists of vermiculite, cocopeat and compost, which makes the garden very friable as it can hold high amounts of water and is nutrient rich. While this concept has picked up very well among many urban dwellers, the fact remains that the plants need regular watering and maintenance. This can prove to be difficult for those who frequently travel. "However, there are a lot of equipment that help automate gardening today," says Vishwas.

To ensure that these are maintained well, it is important to have the ideal space to help the gardens thrive. Such a space would get ample sunlight (at least five to seven hours of direct sunlight) and should also be away from tree roots and shadows, and should let water flow easily. If sunlight is less, the plant selection becomes a narrower process. One can plant anything that they want to. However, seasons play a crucial role in what can be grown when. For example, vegetables like carrots and cauliflowers can only be grown during the winter season. Bengaluru's weather, however, makes it convenient to grow most of the vegetables through the year. Outdoor terraces are the most ideal in urban spaces.

Maintenance-wise, there is much to be kept in mind, particularly if you are looking to grow organically. "Regular sprays of neem, sour curd and cow urine needs to be administered to keep the plants immune from diseases and keep the pests at bay," advises Vishwas. "This will help in maintaining the plant's overall growth and health." What can also help maintain the plants' health is ensuring that there are no pests behind its leaves and that they have good compost, which is key for growing in small spaces. Having good compost would mean good health for the plant as it is their food. All the kitchen waste generated at homes can be composted and be used to enable their growth.

However, it is important to start slow before you delve into it completely. "It takes not more than 30 minutes of your weekly time, which is more than enough to produce clean, good food that is fresh and sustainable. Knowing how to grow your food can turn out to be a very valuable asset in the near future," signs off Vishwas.

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Tuesday, 4 October 2016

Ageless beauty of stones

Ageless beauty of stones

An evergreen building material, stone is widely popular in homes because of its rugged and ageless appeal. Of course, its innate strength also works to be a major advantage. In fact, we all know that large stone blocks are vital for the strong foundation of a building.

We can find many buildings whose exterior facade is covered with stone slabs or blocks or tiles. In Bengaluru itself, we can find many such examples. One of the major landmarks of the city, Bangalore Palace which is built on the architectural style of London’s Buckingham palace, is one such building. Another age-old beauty is the General Post Office building, whose exterior is built completely with stones. Even VidhanaSoudha, the heart of the State’s governance, was built using specially selected stones from Chikkaballapur. Residential spaces are also utilising stones these days. Jal Vayu Vihar located at Kammanahalli is a beautiful structure made of stones.

For all purposes

Stone, as a building material, is highly durable and can be chiselled into any form or design to suit one’s style of decor. Its rustic appearance and natural texture lend a sense of beauty and lavishness to the buildings. Since stones are rugged, you can expect them to last a lifetime. No amount of rain and shine will do any damage to them. Slates, limestone or the commonly used Cuddapah and Shahabad stones are much preferred.

Stones can work beautifully in your home’s interiors too. They can be used for the interior walls or certain sections of a room. Cladding all the four walls may not lend a good ambience to the place. If one wall is decorated with stone slabs, the other walls can be in wood or matching colours so as to complement the stone. A living area where there is a provision for a bar section gets an aesthetic look if that part is clad with stones. Stones can also be used on an arch separating two sections of a room or even in a space connecting two rooms. Why, even your dining table can have a stone-clad top for that rustic look.

One of the best features of stone is that it can be blended with wood. So, you can include it on the ceiling on a stone-clad wall or on either sides of the wall. The shape and size of the stone used for cladding should be in proportion to the space , only then will it enhance the ambience. If you are unsure about what to use, it’s best to go in for slim rectangular-shaped stones.

Want your home decor to be the perfect mix of contemporary and traditional? Go in for stone tiles, decorative stone walls, arches and columns. Slabs are widely used for flooring, thereby giving the place a rustic look when compared to other polished surfaces. For flooring, naturally polished stones are your best bet. They require very less maintenance. Stones also come in handy as display stands, shelves and decorative ledges.

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BHK Apartments in Bangalore

Monday, 3 October 2016

REAL ESTATE BANGALORE

REAL ESTATE BANGALORE

Wardrobe specifics

In a world where the living spaces have become smaller and lives so hectic, there's simply no time for home management. Consequently, people choose their furniture solutions wisely today. Urban homes demand compact, smarter and low-maintenance furniture which does not clutter the space. Organizing and maintaining a wardrobe is the most difficult and time-consuming task. Nothing makes life more peaceful than a tidy and well-organized wardrobe.

Adding to this is the fact that today; people are well-travelled with lots of aesthetic sensibilities. They are constantly on the lookout for a good design with equally good functionalities; in short, the end product should be a beautiful marriage of design and functionality, which works for the users and not vice versa.

Thinking of everything

Choose your wardrobe in such a way that it works for you and you are not spending too much time trying to organise it. You might hear people say wardrobe management is an art but here are a few tips that will make it a quick and easy process. By not having to organise your wardrobe every other day, these suggestions will help make your life much simpler in the long run:

l His and hers: The wardrobe of the master bedroom is usually much larger than the ones in any other room. This gives better opportunities for more compartments and sections in the wardrobe. Couples can use smart internal configuration to ensure each partner gets not just a designated section for themselves, but for each item in their wardrobe. For instance, a section for ties, belts, socks and handkerchiefs and a section for scarfs, westerns and other accessories.

l Mirrored wardrobes: Having mirrored wardrobes can have advantages both in terms of functionality and the look. Mirrors make any room look larger. It reflects the natural light and thus add brightness and dimension to the room, making it feel airier and spacious. Full-length mirrors in the wardrobes also help people make quick decisions when it comes to dressing. And not to forget the fact that you might also end up saving that space for the mirror somewhere else in the room.

l Planned internals: Indian attires need special functionalities in the wardrobes. Thick shawls, heavy lehengas and embroidered saris demand racks with a lot of depth. You definitely need a separate space to hang saris, a section for those expensive suits or sherwanis or even those crisp shirts. The provision of planned internals for sari racks, trousers racks, suits and ties help decongest the space and keep it organised. This way, all your expensive clothes will be safe and won't get mixed up with your daily apparel.

l Lighting and sensors: When it comes to wardrobes, people mostly talk about the space utilisation and aesthetic factors. But your wardrobe is definitely incomplete without a proper lighting system. Lights outside and sensors inside not only lift the chic look of the wardrobe but provide better visibility to the farthest corners of the various pull-out drawers, baskets and racks. This helps finding things more easily in the night without disturbing anyone else.

l Wire baskets: Most of us don't immediately think of these when deciding the design of our wardrobes but users come back to say that it is a brilliant addition in any wardrobe. With the wire basket, all wardrobes are equipped to act like a self-organiser for smaller things, apart from the storage. Installation of pull-out wire baskets is the best option as this system offers a great solution for storing difficult items like waist belts, socks, underclothes, in a systematic manner and makes it easily accessible. It also helps in maintaining hygiene in your wardrobe as the wire baskets permits air flow. When necessary, one can even keep the basket outside under the sun with its contents and fix it back when done, thus avoiding any unpleasant odour that some stored clothing might have.

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2BHK Apartments in Bangalore

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Saturday, 1 October 2016

INTERESTING PLANTERS FOR YOUR GARDEN

Nurture your green space creatively with unique containers

Having a garden once meant large open spaces in the front or backyard of bungalows, or on terraces of independent row houses.

However, now, with apartments being the order of the day, gardens are restricted to balconies, corners and shelves inside apartments. Bonsai may seem an ideal option, but it's no fun to restrict anything living, including plants. There's no need to be discouraged though as we give you simple ideas that you could use to make your little space green in a creative manner.

TIN CANS

Today, with consumerism on the rise, tin containers have made their way into homes, be it in the form of tea containers or aerated drink cans. However, once empty, despite being sturdy, these cans end up in the trash. Instead of throwing these away, you could use them in your garden. Use a blade to cut the top off for easy planting. Then, paint the can in colours of your choice. Once the paint dries, you can plant herbs such as parsley, basil, rosemary and mint, among others, and probably even paint the name of the herb on the can.

WOKS AND BOWLS

Most kitchenware is suitable to pot plants; however, the best looking container among them has to be the wok. You could use your old woks as pots and hang them in your balcony. Woks have handles, which allows you to tie a rope on either side. This way, you can hang them easily on a railing or hook. You could also turn your larger woks into fish bowls and grow water-friendly plants, such as money plant.

MUGS

Have too many mugs and cups at home and are clueless about what to do with them?

Just use them as pots for your plants. Since mugs, simply put, are smaller containers, you can plant different kinds of cacti in them. This way, they will be easy to maintain and can be kept indoors. And if you are struggling with an abundance of smaller tea cups, you could use them as pots too. Plant herbs in them and place them on your kitchen window sill. This way, you could use home-grown herbs in your food preparations.

TYRES

If you want to be a little more creative, use an old car tyre as a pot. If you don't like the black rubber container in your garden, just paint the tyre to make it look colourful.You could either place the tyre flat on the ground over a base of your choice, or hang it off the roof. If you place it horizontally, the tyre can accom modate either many little plants or a big one. However, if you choose to hang it on the wall or off the roof, only a portion of the tyre will serve as the pot. In case you wish to hang it, opt for flowering plants or asparagus ferns.

BOXES

Shoe boxes, take-away boxes, jute boxes, chocolate tin boxes and gift boxes are generally available at home. Use these as pots and place them in your balcony. You could paint them in the colours of your choice.Since most of the other containers are best suited for leafy plants, you could use boxes for flowering ones. The drawback, though, is that boxes are best utilized when they are kept in balconies. They don't look good indoors.

BOTTLES

No matter how much you try, it is almost impossible to avoid accumulating bottles. A nice way to put them to use is by turning them into pots.While wide-mouthed glass bottles make for pretty plant holders, plastic ones are equally good. Place the plastic bottle horizontally and cut out a small rectangular area to allow your plant to grow. Then, tie the ends of your bottle with a rope and hang it from your balcony railing. You could also slice the base of the bottles, hang them upside down and use them as pots.

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