Footings Phase I
Phase I of the footings is complete. The site is busy like a beehive at the moment. While concreting takes place two to three times a week on some footings, the carpenters and steel fixers work simultaneously on the other footings.
Waterproofing
Steel in footings
Concreting in progress ...
Some of the completed footings
The excavation continues
The excavation of the first layer of 2.5 mts is almost complete. 
The excavation begins!
Excavation begins!
Finally, the South West monsoons have receded and we have begun with the excavation! It’s very sad to see some of our old trees go. But we’ve actually designed the building to minimize the damage. Off course we’ll replant as many as we have to cut down. Some young coconut trees are also being relocated to our farm in Rivona.
Apartments in villages in Goa
The following was recently published in the Times of India under the heading “Builders suffer blow at Carambolim meet” on the 31st of July 2012.
“OLD GOA: Carambolim locals have decided to act tough against builders who undertake projects of five flats and more in the jurisdiction of Carambolim panchayat in the future. Read more >>
Bioclimatic Architecture
Bioclimatic Architecture
Bioclimatic architecture seeks to create an architecture which is fundamentally more responsive to location, climate and human needs.
The buildings are characterized by the use of elements including walls, windows, roofs and floors, combining available materials and technologies, to manage energy flows and thus provide comfortable conditions in the occupied parts of the building at all times of the day and year.
Arjun Tree One has evolved from the study and careful analysis of local climatic conditions and other natural variations that arise from the site and its surroundings. It is a conscious effort to form a bridge between nature and the built environment making use of natural wind, day lighting and natural materials so as toreduce the impact of the building on the environment.
Bioclimatic architecture at Nisargha in Bangalore
We stayed at a small boutique hotel called Nisargha in Bangalore that was designed by our architects, Jayakumar and Associates, with the same design concepts as we are using in Arjuntree One with the hollow bricks and all. We had our meetings in one of the rooms where the owner had set up a small table and some chairs for us. While it was around 36 degrees Celcius on the outside Read more >>
Arborist Needed!
We have designed our building to save trees on our site; Especially one large slightly off center twin tree. We are now looking for an arborist, preferably in Goa, who can give us some advice on managing the tree(s) during and after the construction phase. Can anyone help? If you can please send us an email through our contact us page or call on +918975766032.
Bamboo House India
Bamboo House India is a social enterprise that focusses on providing sustainable livelihoods to rural and tribal artisans in the bamboo sector. Brainchild of two first generation entrpreneurs, Aruna Kappagantula and Prashant Lingam, is supported in it’s initiative by some bigwigs like the National Mission on Bamboo Applications (NMBA, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT – Delhi), Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL & FS) etc. Check them out at bamboohouseindia.org.
Specifications & Features
ECOFEATURES
- RAINWATER HARVESTING for ground water recharge and reuse.
- WASTE MANAGEMENT Sewage and grey water fully treated and reused with adequate Sewage Treatment Plant. Appropriate solid organic waste management system.
- PAINTS Low VOC Paints for internal walls
- COMMON AREA & EXTERNAL LIGHTING Timer controlled system and low energy fittings.
- BIOCLIMATIC ARCHITECTURE Lowers energy consumption. This is achieved by natural day lighting and ventilation throughout the building. Large openings towards the windward and leeward sides. SKY GARDENS to shade and protect lower floors and act as wind scoops that create air currents to draw air into the houses.
SPECIFICATIONS
- STRUCTURE: RCC framed structure with columns and beams.
- EXTERNAL WALLS: Composite masonry of aesthetically done exposed terracotta perforated brick / exposed laterite masonry on the external surface and laterite plastered on the internal surface for external walls. Finished with a combination of painted and exposed Terra Cotta blocks.
- INTERNAL WALLS: Laterite blocks masonry plastered on either surfaces for internal walls. All internal walls except utility/ work area and toilets rendered with putty and low VOC paints.
- FLOORING:
- Rustic series Vitrified tiles 60 cm x 60 cm for foyer, living, family living, dining, kitchen, balcony and bedrooms (Rustic series ceramic tiles 60 cm x 60 cm.)** For utilities and bathrooms first quality anti-skid ceramic tiles on the floor & first quality ceramics tiles for bathroom walls. Matt finished tiles for the lobby & stairs.
- DOORS AND WINDOWS:
- Front door** – Teakwood, melamine finished with Godrej or equivalent quality lock.
- Internal Doors** – Molded paneled and painted doors with engineered wood door jambs.
- Toilet Doors – White laminated flush doors with PVC lipping and engineered wood door jambs.
- Windows – Powder-coated aluminum windows using INDAL or equivalent sections with standard hardware. French doors for balconies & terrace gardens.
- SANITARYWARE & PLUMBING: Wall mounted western style closet with twin flush open cistern. White sanitary fittings CERA or equivalent. All CP items Jaguar or equivalent.
- ELECTRICAL WIRING: Three phase wiring. All wiring using Finolex/ Havells or equivalent make copper cables, concealed in PVC conduit pipes. ELCB – 40 A (30ma) and MCB’s MDS or equivalent.
- SWITCHES: Modular switches and sockets.
- KITCHEN PLATFORM**: Granite counter, dado tiles, sink and tap. All provisions for electrical and plumbing connections.
- INTERNAL DRIVEWAY: Driveway with interlocking pavers to enhance rain water percolation.
- COMPOUND WALL: Layout will be surrounded with a solid 5 ft masonry compound wall.
- WATER SUPPLY: PWD /Rain water for domestic uses and treated open well / recycled water for flushing and gardening. Automatic pumping system.
- COMMON AREA & EXTERNAL LIGHTING: Timer controlled system and low energy fittings.
- LANDSCAPE: Tropical and sustainable landscape as per master plan.
- LIFTS: One automatic passenger lift and one automatic utility lift.
- RAINWATER HARVESTING: Collection and treatment as per norms. Techniques adopted for ground water recharge.
- WASTE MANAGEMENT: Sewage and grey water fully treated and reused with adequate Sewage Treatment Plant. Appropriate solid organic waste management system.