Akruti Developers has tied up with Peppermint Hotels to manage the overall operations of Afallon, their recently launched first of its kind project.
Peppermint Hotels is part of the Royal Orchid Group of Hotels. The agreement was recently signed in Bangalore between Peppermint Hotels and Akruti Developers. On completion of the Afallon project, the property would be called ‘Peppermint Hotel and Residence’ once the management is taken over.
Nikhil Jadhav, MD, Akruti Developers, said, “This agreement with Peppermint Hotels, the leaders in operations, should help us strengthen our brand and give the most to our buyers and guests staying in the property.” Echoing the same sentiment, Arjun Baljee said, “We are delighted to be partnering with Akruti Developers to develop and manage the “Peppermint Hotel and Residence” in Whitefield.
Located in the IT corridor of Bangalore, the project Afallon consists of studio apartments, which is a relatively new lifestyle concept. Studio apartments which have been widely accepted in various parts of the world, especially in the extended stay segment of the hospitality sector, are now making their mark in Bangalore. Ranging from 650 to 800sq ft and available in different ownership and tenancy models, the apartments at Afallon are fully furnished and come equipped with custom designed mintbox beds, wardrobes with inbuilt safes, LCD TVs, DVD, iPod Docks, as well as deluxe fittings like rainshowers, LED reading lights and the like.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Quietly elegant
GREAT HOMES Ahead of World Environment Day, Aruna Chandaraju zooms in on an eco-friendly home in Bangalore with walls made of hollow clay blocks, making it a few degrees cooler than it would have been if made with bricks. Earthen pots for water storage, skylights, terracotta tiles make the Nayaks’a fuss-free, green home.
It is a simple, fuss-free, and quietly elegant house dotted with antiques and built with as many eco-friendly features as the budget, size and location would allow. This home of chartered accountant Lalit Nayak and his wife Dr Loramala Nayak is divided into three levels of 900 sq ft each.
Terracotta tiles line the floor of this home designed by architect Edgar De Mello giving it an earthy, ethnic look. The furniture is mostly wooden since “we like its warm, cosy look”, say the Nayak couple. They are almost all in antique teakwood and thus in old-world style. A hundred-year-old rocking chair is placed near the door. It was sourced from Goa and is all in teakwood and a favourite of Loramala where she loves to sit and read.
Inspired by Nrityagram
Next to it is a muneem-desk, also in teakwood and an Australian boomerang––again, a wooden artifact––on the wall alongside. A raised platform acts as a low seating area or divan which is ideal for lounging around, reading magazines or for the children’s study time. These features were inspired by Nrityagram, the classical-dance centre on the outskirts of Bangalore, known for its ethnic Indian architecture and design, and to which the owner was a regular visitor.
The sofa is the sole modern furniture element in the drawing room and is a traditional Gujarati-style ie a Sankhede set in lacquer finish with gold motifs...A Chettinad horse painting adorns the wall on the other side––this one too is an antique and nearly two centuries old! A small woollen rug from France is draped on the floor below.
Like many ecofriendly houses in Bangalore, the walls of this home too are made of hollow clay blocks. These blocks act to trap air and thus have an insulating effect. Hence, a home like this remains a few degrees cooler than it would have been if made with bricks. The natural coolness also means saving on electricity bills.
In fact, we remember that while growing up, we rarely used the fan or even lights for that matter during daytime, say the daughter Maanika and son Mihir.
Two large skylights and an atrium-like feature as well as large windows ensure plenty of natural light and fresh air washing through the house. A mesh covers all windows, enabling them to remain open all day and take further advantage of the outside light and air, while keeping out insects. The outer walls don’t use plaster––another saving that walls made of hollow clay blocks ensure
Minimalist, clutter-free
A few small artefacts objects placed on low tables and a couple of wall-hangings are all that make up the décor objects of the living room.
We have consciously tried to keep our home minimalist and clutter-free, say the Nayak couple. The kitchen and dining room are simple and utilitarian and we noted the use of earthen pots for water-storage since the family prefers this over refrigerator-cooled drinking water.
The bedrooms have antique teakwood beds and the deep, sober colour of the wood is offset by the brightly hued bed-linen and furnishings.
There are several potted plants lining the outside walls and at the entrance to the staircase leading up to the house.
All of them use organic manure and there is a natural compost maker too.
The children love these elements and the terracotta tiles, etc., since they studied at a well-known school which encouraged environment-friendliness and love of nature and where pottery, was actually a subject included in the curriculum.
It is a simple, fuss-free, and quietly elegant house dotted with antiques and built with as many eco-friendly features as the budget, size and location would allow. This home of chartered accountant Lalit Nayak and his wife Dr Loramala Nayak is divided into three levels of 900 sq ft each.Terracotta tiles line the floor of this home designed by architect Edgar De Mello giving it an earthy, ethnic look. The furniture is mostly wooden since “we like its warm, cosy look”, say the Nayak couple. They are almost all in antique teakwood and thus in old-world style. A hundred-year-old rocking chair is placed near the door. It was sourced from Goa and is all in teakwood and a favourite of Loramala where she loves to sit and read.
Inspired by Nrityagram
Next to it is a muneem-desk, also in teakwood and an Australian boomerang––again, a wooden artifact––on the wall alongside. A raised platform acts as a low seating area or divan which is ideal for lounging around, reading magazines or for the children’s study time. These features were inspired by Nrityagram, the classical-dance centre on the outskirts of Bangalore, known for its ethnic Indian architecture and design, and to which the owner was a regular visitor.
The sofa is the sole modern furniture element in the drawing room and is a traditional Gujarati-style ie a Sankhede set in lacquer finish with gold motifs...A Chettinad horse painting adorns the wall on the other side––this one too is an antique and nearly two centuries old! A small woollen rug from France is draped on the floor below.
Like many ecofriendly houses in Bangalore, the walls of this home too are made of hollow clay blocks. These blocks act to trap air and thus have an insulating effect. Hence, a home like this remains a few degrees cooler than it would have been if made with bricks. The natural coolness also means saving on electricity bills.
In fact, we remember that while growing up, we rarely used the fan or even lights for that matter during daytime, say the daughter Maanika and son Mihir.
Two large skylights and an atrium-like feature as well as large windows ensure plenty of natural light and fresh air washing through the house. A mesh covers all windows, enabling them to remain open all day and take further advantage of the outside light and air, while keeping out insects. The outer walls don’t use plaster––another saving that walls made of hollow clay blocks ensure
Minimalist, clutter-free
A few small artefacts objects placed on low tables and a couple of wall-hangings are all that make up the décor objects of the living room.
We have consciously tried to keep our home minimalist and clutter-free, say the Nayak couple. The kitchen and dining room are simple and utilitarian and we noted the use of earthen pots for water-storage since the family prefers this over refrigerator-cooled drinking water.
The bedrooms have antique teakwood beds and the deep, sober colour of the wood is offset by the brightly hued bed-linen and furnishings.
There are several potted plants lining the outside walls and at the entrance to the staircase leading up to the house.
All of them use organic manure and there is a natural compost maker too.
The children love these elements and the terracotta tiles, etc., since they studied at a well-known school which encouraged environment-friendliness and love of nature and where pottery, was actually a subject included in the curriculum.
How about a pool at home?
Love swimming and aquarobics, but haven’t the time to travel to the pool? Relax. Now, you can swim at will, right at home! While the cost of home in-ground pools is intimidating, above-ground swimming pools are an economical alternative.
Portable and easy-to-install, these pools can be accompanied by waterfalls, hot tubs, seating benches or spillover spas.
Aesthetics and entertainment are obvious advantages. But, potential for mishaps, loss of precious yard-space, high cost and effort of regular maintenance and repair besides higher electricity and water bills are deterrents.
Economy or luxury?
Still coveting a home-pool? Then, it’s decision-making-time. Above-ground swimming pool designs range from simple to elaborate. So, choose from an economy or luxury model. Buttressed pools have diagonal bracing along the sides to counter the water’s pressure. Round pools are usually buttress-free and hence ideal for smaller yards. Oval pools can be either buttressed or buttress-free.
Choose from a variety of sizes and shapes. Simple geometric shapes complementing your landscaping (squares, rectangles, circles and ovals) are recommended. Select a free-form, rocky pool for a natural garden and a geometrically-shaped one for a controlled landscape.
Choose a stylish design that your budget permits – say, a beach-like entry space or ornate stairs leading into the water. Adding a straight or curved pool slide provides lots of fun. The space available and your taste determine the optimum elevation. Select a small and secure slide if you’ve little kids.
Above-ground pools are usually installed on a firm sand-bed after clearing and levelling the land. Building an attractive wood/wood-composite deck eases accessibility by raising the surrounding surface upto the pool’s level. Install at a spot that doesn’t have telephone, power lines or trees overhead. A power-source is required in its proximity to run the pump.
Two types of liners – overlap type and the more expensive beaded one – come in different thicknesses, styles and colours. Choose a suitable filter and filter-pump.
Sand filters are the most common. The cartridge filter is an economical, low-maintenance option. Diatomaceous earth (DE) filters are the finest sieves and the most expensive.
Pool-grade tiles minimise the cracking and staining that exposure to water and chemicals cause.
A textured tile is less slippery than a smooth one when wet. Coordinate the colour of the waterproof tile grout and cement with the tile-colour. Automatic swimming pool cleaners do away with long hours of manual vacuuming. There are models that can be plugged in or simply placed into the water.
Choose a pool cover that’s strong and sturdy with adequate overlap-length for firm anchoring to keep dirt, debris and animals out of your pool. Solar covers warm the water with energy derived from sunlight and help retain the heat once warmed.
Arrange for proper safety measures. Make sure an adult is present when children are near the water.
Remove toys from the pool area when swimming. Build a fence around the pool and secure with gate latches. Always keep lifesaving equipment within easy reach.
Maintenance
Pools need care. Twice a week, check and maintain pH and chlorine levels. Skim leaves,
insects and other debris from the pool surface.
Once a week, ‘shock’ the pool to destroy germs, banish organic contaminants and get rid of algae. Each month, get the water tested for these levels – alkalinity, calcium, hardness and stabiliser. Clean the filter every few months. The ideal water-level is between one-third and half the way up the opening of the swim pool skimmer.
Beautify the area around your pool. Energy-efficient LEDs are recommended for outdoor lighting. Avoid trees, plants that shed leaves, needles, fruits, flowers, seeds excessively, have thorns (roses, bougainvillea, cacti....) or invasive roots or attract bees. Select low-maintenance plants that can withstand your pool’s microclimate.
Portable and easy-to-install, these pools can be accompanied by waterfalls, hot tubs, seating benches or spillover spas.Aesthetics and entertainment are obvious advantages. But, potential for mishaps, loss of precious yard-space, high cost and effort of regular maintenance and repair besides higher electricity and water bills are deterrents.
Economy or luxury?
Still coveting a home-pool? Then, it’s decision-making-time. Above-ground swimming pool designs range from simple to elaborate. So, choose from an economy or luxury model. Buttressed pools have diagonal bracing along the sides to counter the water’s pressure. Round pools are usually buttress-free and hence ideal for smaller yards. Oval pools can be either buttressed or buttress-free.
Choose from a variety of sizes and shapes. Simple geometric shapes complementing your landscaping (squares, rectangles, circles and ovals) are recommended. Select a free-form, rocky pool for a natural garden and a geometrically-shaped one for a controlled landscape.
Choose a stylish design that your budget permits – say, a beach-like entry space or ornate stairs leading into the water. Adding a straight or curved pool slide provides lots of fun. The space available and your taste determine the optimum elevation. Select a small and secure slide if you’ve little kids.
Above-ground pools are usually installed on a firm sand-bed after clearing and levelling the land. Building an attractive wood/wood-composite deck eases accessibility by raising the surrounding surface upto the pool’s level. Install at a spot that doesn’t have telephone, power lines or trees overhead. A power-source is required in its proximity to run the pump.
Two types of liners – overlap type and the more expensive beaded one – come in different thicknesses, styles and colours. Choose a suitable filter and filter-pump.
Sand filters are the most common. The cartridge filter is an economical, low-maintenance option. Diatomaceous earth (DE) filters are the finest sieves and the most expensive.
Pool-grade tiles minimise the cracking and staining that exposure to water and chemicals cause.
A textured tile is less slippery than a smooth one when wet. Coordinate the colour of the waterproof tile grout and cement with the tile-colour. Automatic swimming pool cleaners do away with long hours of manual vacuuming. There are models that can be plugged in or simply placed into the water.
Choose a pool cover that’s strong and sturdy with adequate overlap-length for firm anchoring to keep dirt, debris and animals out of your pool. Solar covers warm the water with energy derived from sunlight and help retain the heat once warmed.
Arrange for proper safety measures. Make sure an adult is present when children are near the water.
Remove toys from the pool area when swimming. Build a fence around the pool and secure with gate latches. Always keep lifesaving equipment within easy reach.
Maintenance
Pools need care. Twice a week, check and maintain pH and chlorine levels. Skim leaves,
insects and other debris from the pool surface.
Once a week, ‘shock’ the pool to destroy germs, banish organic contaminants and get rid of algae. Each month, get the water tested for these levels – alkalinity, calcium, hardness and stabiliser. Clean the filter every few months. The ideal water-level is between one-third and half the way up the opening of the swim pool skimmer.
Beautify the area around your pool. Energy-efficient LEDs are recommended for outdoor lighting. Avoid trees, plants that shed leaves, needles, fruits, flowers, seeds excessively, have thorns (roses, bougainvillea, cacti....) or invasive roots or attract bees. Select low-maintenance plants that can withstand your pool’s microclimate.
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