Sembra Valley is an eco-sensitive development in the rare folds of the true nature of Kodai Hills far away from human habitation. A place is created, submerged and surrounded by nature, where an ecological garden becomes the canvas and eco-sensitive architecture plays out as eco-lodges, eco-topos and eco-forums. An organic vegetable farm becomes part of the planned facility, which promises ultimate naturopathic experience.
Saraswathy Vidyaniketan is one of the leading CBSE school of central Kerala. The current master plan and proposal for School’s Main Block, Auditorium and Sports Facilities aim at taking the school to greater heights in academics and sports. An eco-friendly approach to site planning and master plan is conceived to utilize the gently sloping terrain to the advantage of locating structures and sports fields.The blocks radiating from a central courtyard provide privacy, noise reduction and result in increased ventilation and day-light. Framed structure with exposed hollow blocks is part of the eco-sensitive approach to building design. While it is helpful in heat insulation, the load of the structure is brought down thus saving on structural cost. Plastering is completely avoided to further reduce cost. An elegant approach to landscape for the foreground and courtyards and an eco-friendly landscape approach to the rest of the campus is devised.
Living earth is a nature living project in the Cardamom Hills of western ghats. An eco-sensitive approach to carve out living spaces in the canvas of tall and wild trees, spice plantations and breathtaking surroundings. Trails are made without disturbing a single tree, paved with stabilized mud-paths. Drainage swales are made of reused terracotta tiles. Cottages use dry-rubble masonry for retaining walls and foundations. Stabilized and rammed earth walls for super-structure and mountain grass for roofs. Rustic interiors, oxide floors and robust wooden furniture. Zero use of concrete is maintained throughout the project. Climate allows for a low energy footprint.
This resort is planned in one of the virgin valleys of Kodaikanal in the Palani Hills on the Western Ghats. All one could see from the location is stunning views of mountains and valleys wrapped with stone boulders and green meadows. Taking cues from the location’s natural beauty, an architectural language is derived, where the resort itself looks as a blend of granite stones and green meadows.
An eco-friendly approach involving organic farming, use of alternative energy, water harvesting and biological treatment and reuse of all wastes is adopted. The site planning is developed with minimal disturbance to the natural terrain of the site. A detailed site analysis preceded the planning exercises enabling conservation of soil, vegetation and storm water channels of the site. Innovative modern techniques are developed for creating living roofs. Selection of the indigenous palette of meadows makes it easy to maintain.
A layout and villa designs was prepared for Kutralam Hill Eco-community Project in about 30 acres of land is located in a scenic area inside a mango orchard in Courtallam Hills. The fertile soil and humid climate allowed a highly ecological approach to planning and landscape. A total water harvesting plans including couple off large reservoirs were planned. A full fledged club house, landscaped gardens and other amenities and services were also incorporated. Stabilized mud roads and stone pitched swales are planned to minimize use of concrete in the layout. The villas are built with CSEB bricks and mud plastered finish. Use of traditional Tamil Nadu wooden columns and bamboo roofs completed an eco-sensitive approach in material application.
An eco friendly resort conceived in the western ghats with the naturally beautiful site full of tall trees and large rocks creating a forest atmosphere. The site has a long water frontage of about 400m of the Kallar River, which continuously makes the humming sound of flowing water where the river bed is full of rocks. The entire theme is worked out for an eco friendly site planning and development, which will make least disturbance to the land, trees, rocks, streams and so on. This land of 12 acres have many caves within it which almost connects from one end to the other end of the site. The architecture is to follow the traditional style of the tribal huts with a bamboo theme, with tree cottages becoming a specialty.
This project is located in a remote and serene location at Sembarankulam on the Western Ghats. The first phase consisted of developing an organic farm in 100 acres of land. The farm is one of the largest organic farms in southern india supplying organic vegetables to select shops and bulk-buyers in Chennai and Bangalore. Ecological site planning encompassing several large reservoirs has ensured most-effective water-harvesting & soil conservation and at the same time, adding aesthetic appeal to the organic farm.
The Farm retreat project is located in 5 acres of land right in the middle of the organic farm. The project is conceived as 100% prefabricated construction technique, using Tata Bluescope’s ‘eazy-build & smart-build’ options for the shell and Gyproc for the interiors. As the project is in remote location, it was very difficult to find skilled-labour for construction. The pre-fab approach proved to be eco-friendly, cost-effective and time-saving.
Wetland Park a conservation and research centre for Wetland eco-system, its flora and fauna is proposed in one of the islands in the Vembanad Estuary. The park itself will be a live demonstration centre for wetland ecology, mangroves, life cycles of its avian, terrestrial and aquatic fauna.
The project consists of an interpretation loop comprising of walkways, boardwalks, hanging bridges and a parasol ride. A wetlnd interpretation centre is proposed, where initial orientation will be given to the visitors. The eco-sensitive design of the interpretation centre follows the theme of traditional boat architecture. A wetland resech station is proposed in the site, which will become an on-site research station for the department of environmental studies at the local university.
A unique resort project planned in 2 Phases. 36 exclusive waterfront cottages planned for the resort with combination of one bedroom and two bedroom cottages placed around waterbody within the site. Another 40 room hotel block is planned for Phase 2. The Architecture follows the traditional theme of the place with thatch roof and interiors with all modern facilities. The theme is of the resort is “mind, body & soul” and Naturopathy becomes a specialty for the entire development and landscape in 14 Acres with Meditation and Catharisis centers in the layout. (Status: Unbuilt)
While Dravidians dominate the south and dictate urban culture, tribal communities still inhabit some hills and jungles. In the Nilgiri hills of northwest Taml Nadu live the Toda, and other smaller tribal groups survive in the dense rainforest of the Western Ghats. Toda’s are most interesting and least numerous, tribal people of Tamil Nadu.
Biley & Chitra went on a study trip to the Nilgiris and sketched down some interesting aspects of Toda Architecture and Site Planning.
TODA ARCHITECTURE – Study by Biley & Chitra
