Ecoscaping

In India, nature has always been placed at the centre of living. The forces of nature, wind, sun, water and light have been incorporated into design since time immemorial. We, thus, place nature at the centre of our development.

As we progressed in building our residential projects, our understanding of the ecology and the interconnectedness of everything in the natural environment grew deeper.

Along with craftspersons, masons, carpenters, engineers, architects, and designers, naturalists too became an integral part of our team at GoodEarth.

“At GoodEarth, environment, people, design, and management form the four pillars.”

-Stanley George, Co-founder .

Malhar eco-village, GoodEarth’s signature project comprises seven communities with two ongoing projects, wherein more than 600 families live. This lush urban eco-community is envisioned as a functional ecosystem where people, flora and fauna share a common habitat.

Through careful selection of diverse trees, shrubs, creepers, groundcovers, we have created an ideal habitat for birds, butterflies, bees, dragonflies… Small water bodies accentuate life in the ecosystem.

The fragrance, touch, colours, trees flowering and the unravelling of seasons summoning Antonio Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons,’ thick foliage housing birds, butterflies, bees, and insects create the drama of life.

"GoodEarth sees itself as a role model. We encourage people to come and build many more communities such as Malhar all over. We are an open book. Come and see what we do and learn, so that you can replicate it wherever you are in the world."

-Jeeth Iype, Co-founder .

"As one walks in the meandering pathways, one can pluck a berry and eat it too!"

As trees and plants grow, they tower over the buildings providing shade and enclosing the community in a verdant cocoon. Planting provides privacy to homes through careful designing of the landscape that’s not only aesthetic but also serves as a habitat for the insect world!

It’s details such as these that make the walk along the communities an enriching experience.

Various details are incorporated into the design of an ecoscape, starting from aquifer and watershed mapping to channels that guide the flow of water. Myriad options of mounds, berms, or sunken gardens are created in shaping the earth, while understanding the drainage at the site.

Rolling meadows and tree roots ensure there’s ample percolation of water into the soil. Trees with dense foliage help build humus through its leaf litter, fruiting trees allow birds to feed on and nest. It’s all planned to regenerate the ecosystem, as people too begin to make the development their home.

While we emphasise functionality of the space in our architecture, we keep our design open allowing it to change and evolve over the years. Details like pathways, street lighting, stormwater drainage and irrigation are woven into the design.

Our discovery of mud pathways, a blend of mud and concrete has been a success in getting the proper language or feel of the space and functionality.

A big mound at the entryway of a community piques one’s curiosity and encourages people to work their way through to see and experience our design. Using what’s already available at the site without much modification, be it big rain trees, creates design forms that inspire.

A grassy mound in a corner that slopes toward the green where people could sit; its shadows in the evening light creates a sculptural effect that elevates the spirit.

Careful use of earthy materials that reflects light variedly resulting in the play of light and shadow; pastel-coloured flowers that jump out at one from an arbour with a black frame makes one’s heart leap with joy.

Ample and mindful use of earthy materials throughout; bricks made of mud that took millions of years to develop, stones that reflect the rocky top of the mountains evokes emotions that’s rustic and a deep sense of time.

You may sit on stone benches and boulders; children may climb on, play and enjoy its form and texture too. It’s not only about making the land look beautiful but also creating spaces for people to have different experiences; active recreation or meditative spaces.

Parks, gardens, and open spaces seamlessly integrated with the built environment is captivating.

Today Malhar is a thriving ecosystem with over 500 species of plants and trees, hundred plus birds and butterflies and the biodiversity continues to expand, exciting the community. As many as 144 species of birds are recorded, including winter visitors such as Indian Pitta, Indian Paradise Fly Catcher, Red-naped ibis, Grey Wagtail, uncommon sightings of Red Avadavat, Verditer flycatcher, Blue-bearded bee eater…

Ecoscaping at GoodEarth, thus, is not only driven by the functional needs of the spaces but also provides a unique experience of the natural world with a healing touch.

With the vast experience of ecoscaping in our residential communities, GoodEarth is now extending this service to external projects.

One such external project has been the Toyota Ecozone. In collaboration with Idea Design, GoodEarth successfully transformed a 25-acre derelict area within the Toyota Kirloskar Motors (TKM) campus in Bidadi, Bangalore, giving rise to the Toyota Ecozone. This initiative serves as a practical embodiment of our ecoscaping and environmental education approach.

Featuring 17 educational theme parks, including the Education Building, Wetland Diversity, Climate Change, and Solar Energy, the Toyota Ecozone offers a comprehensive exploration of sustainable practices.

Through careful consideration of materials, implementation techniques, and public showcase, the project serves not only as an ecoscaping endeavour but also as an educational platform with the aim to enlighten the public on the significance of sustainable practices.