Visit to Kopai resort project-site was really interesting. Presentation to the client-team went well and client in principal has given a go-ahead for the project.
The project has been split into two phases, this gives us flexibility in terms of allocating the resources in developing part of the premise completely and bring it into operations, and then we move onto the remaining part of project.
phase-I = It involves construction of 4 individual cottages, 8-guest-rooms, part of the elevated path-way which connects all the rooms, Common-amenities block which has Kitchen-Restaurant-Administration and Reception facility.
phase-II = It involves construction of 8-guest rooms, common amenities like parking structures, gazebo's, Waste-water treatment, landscaping, water-harvesting structures etc.
The Phase distribution of project-cost is
phase-I = 75 Lakh Rs.
phase -II = 30 Lakh Rs.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Monday, August 25, 2008
Kopai Resort near Shantiniketan
Design Proposal
Kopai-resort is an interesting project which we are currently working on. The resort is proposed by a small motivated group of professionals headed by Mr. Sunil Oberoi. Mr. Sunil Oberoi has a keen interest in communities, settlements and various aspects of Rural India.
Kopai resort is proposed at Bolpur, not more than 5 kms from Shantiniketan, Calcutta. The surrounding of the site is pictureque and the place is a tourist-attraction as it is so near to Shantiniketan, place which is world-famous for being the birth-place of Gatanjali.
Our concept for the resort is well-captured in the following one-liner,
" Sustainable in nature, Responsible in approach and Meaningful in its experience."
The overall built-up area is about 12000 Sq.ft. we are working on developing some two-story structures as Guest-rooms using bamboo. one of the concepts being explored is to connect the guest rooms using a elevated pathway which in itself becomes a kind of element on the resort-site.
The site has lots of reference points to pick from and work with, Shantiniketan-Ravindranath Tagore, the crafts and arts of Ballabhpur Danga, temple architecture of Bishnupur. It would be a challenging exercise how we are able to assimilate these references and build using bamboo as primary building material.
Kopai-resort is an interesting project which we are currently working on. The resort is proposed by a small motivated group of professionals headed by Mr. Sunil Oberoi. Mr. Sunil Oberoi has a keen interest in communities, settlements and various aspects of Rural India.
Kopai resort is proposed at Bolpur, not more than 5 kms from Shantiniketan, Calcutta. The surrounding of the site is pictureque and the place is a tourist-attraction as it is so near to Shantiniketan, place which is world-famous for being the birth-place of Gatanjali.
Our concept for the resort is well-captured in the following one-liner,
" Sustainable in nature, Responsible in approach and Meaningful in its experience."
The overall built-up area is about 12000 Sq.ft. we are working on developing some two-story structures as Guest-rooms using bamboo. one of the concepts being explored is to connect the guest rooms using a elevated pathway which in itself becomes a kind of element on the resort-site.
The site has lots of reference points to pick from and work with, Shantiniketan-Ravindranath Tagore, the crafts and arts of Ballabhpur Danga, temple architecture of Bishnupur. It would be a challenging exercise how we are able to assimilate these references and build using bamboo as primary building material.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Today on the 15th of August, when Tri-colour is flowing with all its grace and beauty and a sense of celebration is everywhere to be seen; at Wonder Grass are leafing through the pages of the writings of Shri. Aurobindo, who shares his birthday with that of the modern
Shri. Aurobindo who could understand and articulate the idea of Nation and ideal of nationalism, in a way very few before him or after him have been able to do (rather only some that would be counted on fingers), may help us try and situate our initiative and enterprise in a larger context of India as nation.
AS we leaf through his writings and musings, we invariably draw vigor and vitality which is so important for us to cruise further and achieve our vision for Wonder Grass, without feeling weak or helpless.
His take on the nationalist provides us a very powerful idea of what is the need of the hour, the way we should be if we want to build Wonder Grass and achieve its vision for bamboo,
“The Profession of nationalist should not be lightly made but with full sense of what it means and involves. The privilege of taking it is attended with severe pains and penalties for those who take it lightly. If we are few, it matters little, but it is of supreme importance that the stuff of which we are made should be sound. What the mother needs is hard clear steel for her sword, hard massive granite for her fortress, wood that will not break for the handle of her bow, tough substance and true for the axle of her chariot. For the battle is near and trumpet ready for the signal.”
A Call to the Youth of
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Living-spaces for Construction Artisans
Wonder Grass, in its quest for developing building systems and solutions which are applicable for mass-scale is now developing a solution for Construction workers and artisans who spend close to 2-3 years on project-site and then move on to another project-site.
A common experience tell us that (on most of the project-sites) the conditions for these workers are neither healthy nor very pleasing. The colonies where these artisans live, are not places to live and stay but only place to cover your head when its hot, raining or windy.
One feels dumbfounded at the apathy and utter ignorance from the construction industry for the very fundamental building-block of the whole industry, the construction artisan himself.
And more interesting is the fact that nobody seems to be really bothered or thinking about it.
we at Wonder Grass asked, why? can we find a solution that will be able to provide a better living place for a construction artisan.
And we believe that we are nearing the solution. The solution is not only to be found in the design and innovative use of materials to arrive at elegant, efficient and cost-effective building system, but it also needs a rethinking from all the stakeholders of the construction industry most crucial of which are the construction-companies and the clients of these construction companies, to look at the situation more empathetically.
Wonder Grass is ready with a solution and a will to explore and develop the solution further as we move along, we are looking for partners from industry who are willing to participate with us in the process.
A common experience tell us that (on most of the project-sites) the conditions for these workers are neither healthy nor very pleasing. The colonies where these artisans live, are not places to live and stay but only place to cover your head when its hot, raining or windy.
One feels dumbfounded at the apathy and utter ignorance from the construction industry for the very fundamental building-block of the whole industry, the construction artisan himself.
And more interesting is the fact that nobody seems to be really bothered or thinking about it.
we at Wonder Grass asked, why? can we find a solution that will be able to provide a better living place for a construction artisan.
And we believe that we are nearing the solution. The solution is not only to be found in the design and innovative use of materials to arrive at elegant, efficient and cost-effective building system, but it also needs a rethinking from all the stakeholders of the construction industry most crucial of which are the construction-companies and the clients of these construction companies, to look at the situation more empathetically.
Wonder Grass is ready with a solution and a will to explore and develop the solution further as we move along, we are looking for partners from industry who are willing to participate with us in the process.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Ready-to-assemble structural system
The work on modular structure has led us to develop, prototype and test the structural system which would come as a kit-of-parts that could be easily transportable and assembled on site with relative ease.
Ravi has put in lot of work to make this idea of modular structure a possibility. we understand that this is the first attempt and it will go through a series of refinements for it to become a really good product.
The first prototype is already in place at our workshop in Peth, Nagpur. Master artisan Prashant and Naresh bhau joined hands to complete the prototype against odds and difficulties. Vasantha made sure that we also have precast RCC pedestals to go along.
The work happening on the design and development of a modular building system in encouraging and exciting for all of us at Wonder Grass. we believe that if we continue working and developing it further we can certainly improve it immensely.
We are already processing initial inquiries with couple of enthusiastic clients.
The work on modular structure has led us to develop, prototype and test the structural system which would come as a kit-of-parts that could be easily transportable and assembled on site with relative ease.
Ravi has put in lot of work to make this idea of modular structure a possibility. we understand that this is the first attempt and it will go through a series of refinements for it to become a really good product.
The first prototype is already in place at our workshop in Peth, Nagpur. Master artisan Prashant and Naresh bhau joined hands to complete the prototype against odds and difficulties. Vasantha made sure that we also have precast RCC pedestals to go along.
We are already processing initial inquiries with couple of enthusiastic clients.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Modular Structure
Works on the proposed modular structure is progressing well. we have been working on the joinary system using 2mm MS plate which will simplify and bring in a kind of standardization in the system.
Module size we have derived is 12' X 8', this came along keeping in mind the available roofing sheet size, the paneling sheet sizes like cement composite boards, the Bamboo Mat boards etc.
Structure; A Kit parts - Ready to Assemble
The approach we have is to treat this as a 'product'. Product is something which is available off-the-shelve, it is generic in nature and have multiple application within the broad field of applications.
The Kit we are proposing is also aimed to provide building solutions across the segments. The sectors we are hoping to target with this particular kit are
High-end:
1. Terrace top extensions and additions
2. Sit-outs and semi-open spaces in weekend retreats, farm houses
3. Gazebo's, Green houses in Resorts and hospitality spaces
Large-scale:
1. Construction companies like L&T, Sobha, GMR etc for the construction-workers quarters.
2. Semi-permanent housing for disaster affected regions.
3. Kiosks in rural and semi-urban areas, which have life span of 1-2 years.
We are working to erect first prototype structure towards the end of this month. The idea is to have a 4 day session where we would invite potential buyers.
Works on the proposed modular structure is progressing well. we have been working on the joinary system using 2mm MS plate which will simplify and bring in a kind of standardization in the system.
Our project at T-Zed proved that the circular plate compliments well with the tubular form of bamboo and can evolve into a system with multiple permutation-combination.
Module size we have derived is 12' X 8', this came along keeping in mind the available roofing sheet size, the paneling sheet sizes like cement composite boards, the Bamboo Mat boards etc.
The efforts are on so as to attain dimensional coordination amongst the individual components of the module as well. The idea is that standardization in the component will simplify fabrication process as well it will bring efficiency in the prodiction.
Structure; A Kit parts - Ready to Assemble
The approach we have is to treat this as a 'product'. Product is something which is available off-the-shelve, it is generic in nature and have multiple application within the broad field of applications.
The Kit we are proposing is also aimed to provide building solutions across the segments. The sectors we are hoping to target with this particular kit are
High-end:
1. Terrace top extensions and additions
2. Sit-outs and semi-open spaces in weekend retreats, farm houses
3. Gazebo's, Green houses in Resorts and hospitality spaces
Large-scale:
1. Construction companies like L&T, Sobha, GMR etc for the construction-workers quarters.
2. Semi-permanent housing for disaster affected regions.
3. Kiosks in rural and semi-urban areas, which have life span of 1-2 years.
We are working to erect first prototype structure towards the end of this month. The idea is to have a 4 day session where we would invite potential buyers.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Roofing structure at Farm house
Roof structure addition at the farmhouse, Bagluru
Client: Mr. NS Raghavan
Architect: Ar. Nilay Patalia
A roofing structure was added above an existing polycarbonate roof at the farmhouse, in Jain farms, Bagluru. The primary purpose of the structure was to cut-off extra light and heat that was coming through polycarbonate roofing and to act as a screen.
The salient features of this structure are,
1. We have been able to achieve relatively large spans of 27 feet using lattice bamboo beam. The beam is not carrying any live or dynamic load on top, yet to be able to sustain a self-weight and some dead-load of the panels, its performing really well.
2. The Panels, which primarily act as screen have come out pretty well in terms of its quality of construction.
3. The Work was completed in the span of 18 days, from the day of arrival of material on site.
Client: Mr. NS Raghavan
Architect: Ar. Nilay Patalia
A roofing structure was added above an existing polycarbonate roof at the farmhouse, in Jain farms, Bagluru. The primary purpose of the structure was to cut-off extra light and heat that was coming through polycarbonate roofing and to act as a screen.
The salient features of this structure are,
1. We have been able to achieve relatively large spans of 27 feet using lattice bamboo beam. The beam is not carrying any live or dynamic load on top, yet to be able to sustain a self-weight and some dead-load of the panels, its performing really well.
2. The Panels, which primarily act as screen have come out pretty well in terms of its quality of construction.
3. The Work was completed in the span of 18 days, from the day of arrival of material on site.
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