design DYNAMICS 2006: WHO IS TO BE BLAMED

design DYNAMICS 2006: WHO IS TO BE BLAMED

WHO IS TO BE BLAMED

In 2007 I had the opportunity to work as a landscape design consultant on their first ever resort construction in India by the famed resort chain tree - Banyan tree resorts. Down a year I was no longer part of the team since the landscape consultant for whom I was freelancing withdrew from the project. The project, as I found out, was abandoned after construction, entangled in legal hassles.

The project should never have got an approval because it violated rules pertaining to backwater construction. An island and part of the surrounding water was reclaimed and the construction was completed. The ban and order to demolish came next.

The same thing happened with the DLF Riverside, an apartment by the water front. People booked premium apartments and the construction was stayed because they violated the rules. Again, the apartment plans were approved by the corporation.

Imagine the plight of the buyers. And who is responsible for this state of affairs?

The developers, who either in ignorance or manipulation, disregard the local statutory rules? Or the Statutory bodies themselves who approve the construction and wash away their (greasy?) hands when the court intervenes? At the end of the day, its the locals and the buyers that suffer.

And what a shame to our country when an international brand learns the bitter truth that laws in this country is a joke. INCREDIBLE INDIA INDEED.

http://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/demolition-orders-for-banyan-tree-luxury-resort-41860

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/kerala-high-court-orders-demolition-of-dlf-project-in-kochi/

Residence for Mr Venugopal, Thalassery, Kerala

The Second residence planned by us has been completed. Landscaping remains to be done.

The plan includes a front foyer/ sit out, a back yard patio and a first floor terrace.

at the moment, two bed rooms have been planned on the ground floor while one is built on the first floor.

Kids' room

Done in a soft shade of green with pink highlight, the feature is a cubby to store everything from books, toys to stationery and board games. The cubby also presents a worktop. A reading corner by the window, low height clothes hook, and a white board( chalk board is avoided because of the chalk dust residue) are provided. Also a movable mirror makes it convenient for a child of any age to use it. Particularly important in rooms where kids love to dance!

the bed is low height. Just a mattress on a mat. So there is more free space to play

Coats closet

In small apartments where space is a constraint a built-in closet comes in handy.
This here is finished in black gloss and steel laminates for a plush look. Handles have been avoided so that it isn't obvious that it is a cabinet.
The top half accommodates a hanger rod and a clothes hook plate. The lower half accommodates drawers for foot wear.
This niche was created at the construction stage, borrowed from the kitchen corner.

Apartment bedroom

Aesthetics can be achieved on low budget. A simple color coordination with interesting highlights can transform a small room to an interesting ambience.
Wall highlight- Asian paints textures stucco finish

Partition book shelf

We designed a half height room separator that also is a book shelf. The Zigzag pattern also accomodates the seating thus saving space. The width is 40cm. The height is 5'. This piece is made out of top grade hard plywood and finished in GREENLAM laminate.

Residence for Mr Venugopal @ Thalassery, Kerala - foundation

Residence for Mr Venugopal @ Thalassery, Kerala.

Foundation in place as of June 2013