Eco-friendly homes catching on
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With people becoming eco-conscious, demand for eco-friendly homes is on the rise.
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— Photo: S. Ramesh Kurup
Be with nature: Eco-friendly homes have many takers these days.
A green revolution is slowly treading into the real estate business. Builders today sell the concept of eco-friendly homes to woo buyers.
Earlier, established developers in Kozhikode city attracted customers with value additions such as a modern and urban lifestyle. But eco-friendly homes seem to have become more than a value addition. “Most clients are aware of quality products.
Their sensitivity to nature has become part of their lifestyle,” says Sonoop C. Viswam, manager of Good Earth Estate.
Eco-friendly homes emphasise less energy, water and natural resources. A 16-unit project, “Hermitage,” of Good Earth Estate at Chevayur focusses on that theme, he says. “The response has been tremendous from people.”
Mr. Viswam says the overall construction is based on eco-friendly principles and energy conservation. “Our homes use renewable energy and we do it through rainwater harvesting and provision for biogas plants. The green and peaceful environs ensure customers live in an oxygen-rich zone as well as are free from noise pollution. Each villa has a proper sewage and waste disposal system,” he says.
Low maintenance
The architecture ensures that the maintenance costs are low. “It can take on the vagaries of the weather without burning a hole in your pocket. The homes consume low energy. Each unit has been given provisions for natural lighting and thermal insulation. Care has been taken to provide an ambience of healthy living thereby reducing the lifestyle cost,” he says.
Zealots Property Management general manager P.K.M. Kamaluddin says that nowadays everyone has become environment- conscious. So, builders are compelled to launch innovative ideas to get new home aspirants away from the cacophony of urban life. “Besides, people do not mind investing in eco-friendly homes. Clients are happy to recharge their life and be with nature,” he says.
Misty Woods, a recently launched project of Zealots at Vengeri, offers clients all amenities of modern life, yet giving peace and tranquillity, he adds. The elegantly crafted luxury villas have ample play area for children, landscaped garden and wide tarred roads. Another feature is that the villas are close to the new bypass at Malaparamba.
A similar project is Terra Valley located 150 metres from Mavoor Road at Chevayur. Each villa is thoroughly detailed and planned for a feel of elegance and splendour, Mr. Kamaluddin says.
Space occupies an important part in eco-friendly homes. “Our homes are designed to give maximum space utilisation to each individual. Each unit gives the resident a feel of quiet space and calm by ways of its architecture,” Mr. Viswam says.
Light, air and temperature are other aspects connected with these specialised homes.
These are designed to enable maximum daylight even in the deeper parts of the buildings. Rooms receive natural lighting because of more external walls and maximum ventilation.
Mr. Viswam says right breathing leads to a calm and serene living.
“Our homes are designed to optimize air circulation and make the space oxygen rich. The sky gardens act as wind scoops, creating air currents, drawing air into the house.”
Apart from that, the nature-friendly location ensures that occupants get to breathe fresh clean air. Another is the right temperature balance. The walls with three air cavities, terracotta blocks on the outer side and bricks on the inside keep the interiors cool.
The success of some projects has made developers build on the theme again. “Our new project is going to be launched on Florican Hill at Malaparamba,” Mr. Viswam says.
Cubix Builders chief executive officer Shabin K. Muhammed says eco-friendly homes have become the in-thing.
“We will be focussing our new projects on green development. Our aim to conceive housing and commercial projects that generates zero waste, recycles wastewater and uses solar energy,” he says.
A green shopping mall having multi-terraced gardens has already been designed at Parancheri on Mavoor Road. Another housing project on the anvil is a green villa in the city. This will be launched within a month, Mr. Muhammed says.
Globally, green development promoted by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) in the U.S. awards green ratings to buildings based on developers’ response to environment, use of natural resources and sensitivity to the needs of the community. Today, this rating is getting prominence worldwide, he says.
Do green buildings involve higher cost over traditional structures? Yes and no. Sometimes, developers use construction materials that may be expensive. But these are maintenance-free and last a lifetime. And, that is the unique selling proposition of eco-friendly homes.
Satisfied customers do not mind doling out extra bucks to tuck into the lap of nature. A villa is valued in the range of Rs. 40 lakh to Rs. 70 lakh. “Our new project at Malaparamba has 16 units.
Villas have an area ranging from 1,700 to 3,000 square feet. And these are priced between Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 2,700 a sq.ft,” Mr. Viswam says.
BIJU GOVIND
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