Our Journey
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An Introduction to GoodEarth
1988In 1988, the core group of GoodEarth started its journey as part of a loosely-knit group of architects and engineers inspired by the works of Laurie Baker on sustainable architecture, ideals of Mahatma Gandhi on decentralisation and caring for the environment and the people.
The late eighties and early nineties witnessed a surge in exploring alternate architecture and lifestyles all over India. Parallel efforts by Laurie Baker, Auroville, and Fukuoka inspired many. We at GoodEarth too were part of this exploration.
Our initial projects were mostly residences in and around Kochi.
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GoodEarth at 1990
1990In 1990, however, a formal consultancy was registered to facilitate professional practice in design and project management.
“We felt that the real test of any alternative idea is the market, and we ventured into business…”
“It also tested whether we could evolve into an ethical business group that delivers good projects and stays away from greed.”
-Natasha Iype, Chief Architect and Co-founder.
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GoodEarth at 1994
1994In 1994 GoodEarth was floated, the name inspired by Pearl S Buck’s novel ‘The Good Earth,’ to deliver residential development as an ethical organisation and the first development ‘Hamlet’ was commissioned in 1996. In Bangalore the consultancy practice started in 1994. So did the consultancy practice start in Calicut in the same year.
“A green or sustainable business needs to think beyond numbers and take conscious business decisions with an awareness…”
“…of the impact of such decisions on the lives of people, ecology, culture and humanity, with a sense of responsibility and care.”
-Stanley George, Co-founder.
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GoodEarth at 1997
1997Even as we were building our body of work as a consultancy, we bought farm land in Theni, Tamil Nadu, in 1997. We were eager to explore natural farming inspired by Masanobu Fukuoka.
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GoodEarth at 1998
1998In 1998, we designed the Centre for Learning.
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GoodEarth at 2000
2000In the next two years in 2000, we started design-build projects in Bangalore.
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GoodEarth at 2004
2004The first residential campus in Bangalore, ‘GoodEarth Enclave’ was built in 2004.
Also, Sambhavana Clinic, an independent community-based medical initiative concerned with the survivors of Bhopal Gas Tragedy in Bhopal, was built in 2004.
Organic Farmers’ Training Centre at Kasrawad, near Indore was also built in the same year, 2004.
Fireflies Intercultural Centre too was built in 2004 in Bangalore.
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GoodEarth at 2006
2006Whereas in 2006, the first high-rise project in Kochi ‘Hues of life’ was commissioned.
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GoodEarth at 2008
2008GoodEarth Orchard was built in 2008
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GoodEarth at 2010
2010GoodEarth Palmgrove came up in 2010.
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GoodEarth at 2012
2012We started Malhar Eco-village in 2010 and its first community Footprints was commissioned in 2012.
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GoodEarth at 2023
2023In 2023, we began the work of our eighth community Malhar Octave, a new addition to the family of Malhar Eco-village.
ABOUT US
We Build
Possibilities
GoodEarth is a multi-disciplinary organisation whose ethos stem from sustainability, harmony with nature and reversing global climate change. We work across an array of ventures that touch the grassroots of development spanning residential community development, design and development of communities; architectural design for enterprises and institutions, regenerative agriculture, ecological restoration, efficient water management, organic retail, interior design, landscaping and many more. Our communities and projects are designed around green living, sustainability, regeneration and living in tune with the nature.
Roots
At GoodEarth, we have been on a journey of discovery for more than three decades, a journey that continues. We ask deep questions about the spaces that we inhabit, seek to understand how better one can live in union with nature and the environment. We are a pioneer in the field of alternative architecture and environment friendly development. In this journey, we have realised that there are no time-driven answers; only experiments, innovation and discoveries that inform our decisions.
Philosophy
We revel in the joy of celebration, commitment and community. We firmly believe in Margaret Mead’s thought “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed people can change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” We are equally at ease with an innovator with effervescent spirit as we are with the quiet, shy thinker who whispers an opinion.
Culture
As a team we are intensely involved in the progress from design to delivery of any project. Attention to detail, common sense and diligence are as important as innovation and creativity. The aura is one of celebration, commitment and community. We seek and celebrate individuals who are hands-on, willing to multi task, passionate about what they do with an ability to think out of the box and the spirit to run that extra mile.