Teakayen Ecofarms, Kodai Hills

Teakayen Ecofarms is an eco-community layout in Sembarankulam, Kodai Hills. Exquisite ecological landscapes are designed with sculpted, artful landforms and experiential sequencing of spaces. The master plan was developed after careful ecological analysis of the sloping terrain. Water movement patterns are conserved and expertly integrated in an elaborate water management system which features many manmade lakes and reservoirs. The layout is planned and designed with the central theme of health and wellness.

Wild Orchid Estates, Yercaud

Wild Orchid is an eco-community layout in 75 acres designed by Idea Design. The layout features outstanding landscaped spaces in the form of a Central Park in 4 acres, Lakeside Gardens in 2.5 acres, Stream Gardens and Play Gardens etc. Multiple club houses for incorporating sports, adventure and leisure facilities are well designed with express gardens and careful site engineering. Luxury Villas, Guest Houses, SPA etc. are also part of the layout.

Good Earth Resonance, Bangalore

Cluster planning has been a characteristic feature of Good Earth Malhar-Resonance. The emphasis has been on streets as friendly, social and interactive spaces. These streets, with chatty street corners and cluster parks, loop around the neighborhood and converge at the plaza and lead to a large playground. The open spaces are planned at different levels, in response to the natural topography of the land, and are linked to each other, though densely wooded pedestrian paths.

GoodEarth Malhar Resonance has won the 2015 NDTV Design & Architecture Award

Good Earth Palmgrove, Bangalore

Set in a coconut and arecanut plantation, Good Earth Palmgrove is an eco-community layout that is based on ecological site planning and landscape, such that the entire layout enjoys large central open spaces that have various character catering to different age groups. Artful contouring of land and artistic installation of stone boulders make the campus a delightful experience. Indigenous flora adds colour, texture and aroma that would engage the visitor’s sensual experience of the campus.

Ecological Retrofit of Wipro EC4, Bangalore

Wipro Electronic City Campuses of EC3 and EC4 used to have a manicured garden with large lawns and exotic plants. However the management thought that the campus needs to be more ecofriendly and sustainable and started many initiatives to bring in eco-sensitive solutions in all aspects. Idea Design worked on the landscape and redesigned them to bring in elements of the Deccan ecosystem, in land formation, geology, hydrology and soil conservation. The retrofitted landscape was sculpted to create a fresh composition of indigenous plant communities annotated with ecological information as eco-art in local stone slabs. The central courtyard which was developed as a butterfly garden, now witnesses thousands of blue-tigers and other species nesting during the season.

The project won W-ELITE Best Sustainability Partner Award in 2014

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Greenfield, Yercaud

This environment friendly project office of Greenfield Shelters is perched on the exotic location on the eastern ghats overlooking the enchanting valley view. Built with reused steel frames, silver oak wood, bamboo, stone, mud and thatch it is a structure built to capture the nature surrounding it. A zero energy building which is off the grid, uses biogas based generator, wind power and solar power for all its requirements. The landscape incorporates big boulders of the site in its contours interspaced with a collage of mountain grass species and ground covers. The waterbody which penetrates the building and culminates in a vertical garden wall becomes the central feature. The Vertical garden itself is made of reused mineral water-bottles, stalked on metal frames and wrapped with geotextile. Organic vegetable garden, waterless toilets, mud-floor, bamboo floor, bamboo furniture and several other elements which exhibit strong commitment to ecological design principles.

The project was shortlisted finalist for the Indian Institute of Architects National Award 2015 for Excellence in Architecture

Adyar Ecopark, Chennai

Adyar wetland reserve and the Tholkappia Poonga Ecopark is an environmentally significant project in the city of Chennai. Idea Design worked on this project as landscape architecture and urban design consultants with Mr. Joss Brooks, renowned ecological restoration specialist of Pitchandikulam Forest Consultants, Auroville. A combined fresh-water / salt-water ecosystem has been revived to make it an ecologically rich and diverse system for migratory birds and estuarine ecosystems along with coastal vegetation being the significant link to tie them together.

Environmentally sensitive approach is given for the water and waste management. The sewage and waste water which flows from the city to this creek is treated using ecological planning techniques. Each aspect of the park demonstrates a strong commitment to the environment. An ecoforum is proposed where man can interact and interpret different ecosystems of the park. The park will also become a center for education and environmental awareness. Demonstration of working models of sustainable technologies for human habitation is another important feature of the park. Idea Design worked as part of the team who prepared the Ecological Restoration Master Plan. The Project was implemented by Pitchandikulam Forest Consulatnts and Idea Design provided detailed design services working together with ecologists from PFC.

Once a garbage and debris dumpsite, the park has recently recorded more than 100 species of birds, 100 different species of fish, 56 species of butterflies and 25 species of reptiles. The white-bellied sea eagle for the first time in these parts a month ago. Flamingos and painted stork have also returned here. This richness in biodiversity is in itself an indicator of the success of our restoration efforts.  A total of one-and-a-half lakh saplings of 400 indigenous species of plants have been planted in the restored area. Being a brackish water ecosystem, seven different varieties of mangroves and associates were planted on the site, and was able to successfully restore the estuarine wetland ecosystem.

The Project won the Indian Institute of Architects National Award 2020 for Excellence in Architecture

Wetland Park, Wipro EC5, Bangalore

Idea Design has worked on the Wipro Electronic City Campuses of EC3 and EC4 in ecologically retrofitting their campuses with indigenous landscape bringing in elements of Deccan ecosystem in these urban campuses. As a continuation, a detailed ecological regenerative landscape is proposed which will rejuvenate and enliven huge amount of recycled water from STPs of Wipro’s electronic city campuses, taking them through root zones, aeration, flow-forms through a large constructed wetland system, which also becomes a public space, to make the water more lively and making the campus more sustainable.

Good Earth Orchard, Bangalore

Good Earth Orchard was planned around cluster homes and intimate open spaces. The idea germinated from the natural landscape of the site and also the essence of community living. Each individual home responds to the context and climate and to the environment around them in terms of spacious verandahs, courtyards, backyards, gardens and boulevards. These elements integrate the homes with nature and thus bring about balanced planning. The clusters are linked by streets, purposefully not kept too wide to avoid heavy vehicular movement making it safe and more user friendly.

Science Centre, IUCAA, Pune

IUCAA – Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Pune is a campus that is designed by the master architect Charles Correa. IDLA was asked to do the landscape for the science centre at IUCAA. The science centre is engaged in scientific experiments and outreach education, which involves school children. IDLA came up with the concept of the solar system, in which all planets will be symbolically part of the landscape in relative scale. The inner planets are represented by spheres made by different natural stones, the astroid belt is represented by a storm water drain that cuts the site in two and the outer planets are represented by large mounds. A dome-theatre is included inside the jupiter mound, where children can enter, lie down and watch spherical projection of the sky and learn about stars and constellations.