Author: Meena Murugappan, Director (Product Strategy & Innovation)
Co-Author: Chaithanya Ravilla, Architect (Product Design
Imagine a place where the urban hustle gives way to serene green spaces, where your family can retreat, rejuvenate, and reconnect with nature. A place designed with your well-being and the planet's health at its core. Welcome to our innovative forest community, 180 homes on 50 acres, where each 4-bedroom home is not just a dwelling but a sanctuary, carefully crafted to provide comfort, sustainability, and a deep connection to the natural world. Nestled near the quaint village of Aloor, just 50 minutes from Gachibowli, Hyderabad, this community promises a lifestyle that balances modern conveniences with timeless rural charm.
The Design Intent: A Vision for Sustainable Living
Our design philosophy is rooted in creating spaces that foster health, happiness, and harmony with nature. The 4750 sq ft, 4-bedroom homes are conceived as retreat homes for city-dwelling families, offering an escape from urban stress while maintaining close proximity to the city. The land component spans 1000 sq. yards, with the home occupying 430+ sq. yards, and the remaining allocated for communal farming, forestry, and amenities. This arrangement not only optimizes land use but also creates a mini-village atmosphere, enhancing community interactions and shared responsibilities.
The primary goal of our design is to create a living environment that benefits both residents and the planet. By integrating biodiversity from day one, we ensure that our community supports local ecosystems and wildlife. The homes are designed to be self-reliant, producing their own energy, capturing water, and growing fresh food. This prosumer neighborhood not only reduces the environmental footprint but also fosters a sense of independence and sustainability. By creating a linear garden home typology, we provide each resident with a private oasis while contributing to the larger communal green space.
The organization of the home is carefully considered to enhance user experience and functionality. As you enter, you are greeted by a large double-height open living space that seamlessly connects to the garden courtyard. This space, flooded with natural light from a skylight, serves as the heart of the home, blending elements of art, nature, and sculpture. To the right, ample seating invites relaxation, while to the left, the dining and kitchen areas facilitate family gatherings and culinary creativity.
The ground floor features a beautiful bedroom with views of the backyard and the landscaped area outside the home, offering a peaceful retreat. Another bedroom enjoys a private garden court, providing a secluded sanctuary. A staircase leads to the first floor, where an additional bedroom with an ensuite dressing room and bathroom awaits. The floor also includes a versatile home office, which can double as a fourth bedroom, accommodating various needs.
One of the standout features of our design is the incorporation of green roofs. These living roofs are not just an aesthetic choice but a practical one, significantly enhancing the building's performance. Green roofs provide natural insulation, reducing the need for artificial cooling and lowering energy consumption. They also absorb rainwater, reducing runoff and promoting water conservation. Moreover, green roofs create a natural habitat for local flora and fauna, contributing to the biodiversity of the area. By integrating green roofs, we ensure that our homes offer superior thermal comfort and energy efficiency, making them more sustainable and comfortable for the occupants.
We've designed these green roofs with a unique philosophy: to replace the footprint of the home taken from the ground and return it to the rooftop. This approach ensures that every square foot of land utilized for the house is compensated by an equal amount of green space above, maintaining the overall ecological balance. The rooftop gardens not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the home but also provide additional recreational space, bringing nature right to your doorstep.
Nature is intricately woven into the architecture and programming of our homes. The tree-lined main street, with its lush Indian landscape, sets the tone for the entire community. Pedestrian streets branch off from this arterial road, creating intimate pathways lined with vegetation. These walkways not only facilitate buggy and service vehicle movement but also encourage residents to engage with their surroundings, fostering a sense of community.
Inside the home, the garden courtyard acts as a focal point, bringing the outdoors in and creating a seamless flow between interior and exterior spaces. Large windows and skylights ensure that natural light permeates every corner of the home, reducing the need for artificial lighting and enhancing the overall ambiance. The use of local materials and contemporary Indian aesthetics, combined with loft-style elements, creates a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity.
Purchasing a home in this community offers numerous benefits for families. Beyond the obvious allure of a beautiful retreat, these homes provide a healthy living environment that promotes well-being and sustainability. The integration of green roofs, energy production, water capture, and food growth means that residents can enjoy lower utility costs and a reduced environmental footprint. The communal areas, including farming and forestry spaces, create opportunities for families to engage in outdoor activities, fostering a connection with nature and each other.
Furthermore, the strategic location near Chevella, with its evolving infrastructure, ensures that residents have easy access to urban amenities while enjoying the tranquility of rural life. The proximity to the city, coupled with the burgeoning connectivity offered by the national highway, makes this community an attractive investment with high potential for appreciation. Families can take pride in owning a home that is not only a sanctuary but also a positive contribution to the planet.
Our 4-bedroom homes are designed to offer an unparalleled living experience that harmonizes with nature and prioritizes sustainability. By embracing innovative features like green roofs and communal green spaces, we provide a home that is both luxurious and responsible. This community is not just a place to live but a lifestyle choice that promises health, well-being, and a deep connection to the natural world.
If this vision resonates with you, we invite you to connect with us at [studio@organo.co.in](mailto:studio@organo.co.in) to learn more about this evolving design. As this project is a work in progress, we are constantly refining our approach to ensure the best possible living experience for our future residents. Join us in shaping a future that cares for you and the planet.
Our Collaborators
FHD Group – https://fhdindia.com/
We are a cross-functional and research-focused team of architects, engineers, and technical experts, who ideate, refine and detail eco habitat products, components, and solutions. Our core intent is to co-create and manifest apt rurban lifestyles across all eco-habitat components to celebrate the living for respective user groups. From earth-friendly neighborhoods to home interiors, we’ve got it all covered.
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Website :https://www.organo.co.in/studio-organo
If you’d like to know about our design explorations or if you would like to be part of our user research as we refine the design, please email us at studio@organo.co.in
