Kodihalli - A Regenerative Co-living initiative

Sustainable building through passive measures

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The design integrates passive & evaporative cooling, mimicking a windcatcher (Badgir) for cross-ventilation in the hot & dry climate. Cool air enters at the shaded lower level & is further cooled by a solar-powered sprinkle fountain & a water body. Strategically placed upper ventilators expel hot air ensuring a current of air. Gabion walls with hydrated lime enhance thermal mass, improve air quality, & deter insects. North-facing openings provides indirect daylighting, reducing energy use. Vegetated rooftops with hollow clay blocks, reinforced lime concrete, & poly-aluminum boards minimize heat gain. The roof captures 30% surplus rainwater sustaining the paddling pool. The western facade is finned to cast shadows to reduce embedded heat.

Efficient construction and operations:

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The gabion walls are constructed with the rocks available on site, thus cutting down carbon emissions owing to the transport of raw materials to the site.  This makes the soil more arable for growing vegetation in the 5.2 acre property. Poly-aluminum boards are used for roofing are made from regenerated aluminium and plastic from  packaging materials of juice & milk cartons & biscuits and chips wrappers. For every ton of these boards, we save about 4 tonnes of carbon emissions. The board can be recycled if the building needs to be brought down The structural steel framework of the house is made up of steel can be reused after its first life or recycled without loss of quality. The hydrated lime sequesters carbon in the long run. At the end of the life cycle of the building, 90 to 92% can either be reused, recycled or upcycled.
The gabion walls use rock sourced on site, reducing carbon emissions from material transport while enhancing soil arability on the 2.13 hectare site. Poly-aluminum roofing pannels, made from regenerated aluminum and plastic waste from packaging of juice & milk cartons, chips & biscuit wrappers, saves four tons of carbon per ton produced and is fully recyclable and is a circular building material. The structural steel framework allows for reuse or recycling without quality loss. Hydrated lime sequesters carbon over time. At the building’s end of life, 90–92% of materials can be reused, recycled, or upcycled, ensuring minimal environmental impact. The chosen material pallet for the superstructure does not go in to a Land fill.

The gabion walls use rock sourced on site, cutting carbon emissions from transport while improving soil arability on the 2.13-hectare site. Poly-aluminum roofing panels, made from regenerated aluminum and plastic waste from juice and milk cartons, chips and biscuit wrappers, save four tons of carbon per ton produced & is one of the circular materials. The structural steel framework enables reuse or recycling without quality loss. Hydrated lime sequesters carbon over time. At the building’s end of life, 90–92% of materials can be reused, recycled, or upcycled, ensuring minimal environmental impact. The chosen material Pallet for the structure will not end up in landfills. Handrails & internal walls use eco-friendly plywood from harvested wood.

Landscape & Biodiversity Integration

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450 trees of 68 different species & 28 varieties of shrubs including IUCN red-listed varieties have been planted to enhance the biodiversity of the land and the surroundings. Swales have been introduced to reduce the rate of surface water runoff, prevent erosion & retain soil moisture longer, thus aiding the growth of the vegetation. Recharge pits have been positioned strategically to restore water to the aquifer. Permaculture principles have been adapted to start the regenerative process of the land and its surroundings.  Biodigesters & Reed bed treatment has been incorporated to treat the black & grey water. The treated grey water is recycled to irrigate the vegetation.

A total of 450 trees from 68 species and 28 shrub varieties, including IUCN red-listed species, have been planted to enhance biodiversity and ecological resilience. Swales mitigate surface runoff, prevent erosion, & improve soil moisture retention, fostering vegetation growth. Strategically placed recharge pits facilitate groundwater replenishment. Permaculture principles guide land regeneration, promoting long-term ecosystem health. On-site biodigesters & reed bed treatment systems process black and grey water, with treated greywater sustainably reused for irrigation, closing the water loop and supporting the landscape’s regenerative process of the site and the surroundings.

Land use & Transformation

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Here you can provide context to the site's existing land use patterns and subsequent regenerative transformation associated with the intervention.
The previously overexploited farmland is envisioned to be a forest garden and contribute to the biodiversity, enrich the water table, reduce the ambient temperature, prevent topsoil loss & create an enhanced microclimate on-site & the surroundings. The strategy employing Anthropocentric, permaculture principles is founded on an understating that one needs a healthy planet for a healthy society. The site is also transformed to be more arable by the basic fact of collecting loose rocks and stones to build the structures. The off-grid energy generated by solar power has no pressure on the external system. Low-intensity farming around the house takes care of a large amount of the fresh vegetable needs.

The previously overexploited farmland is envisioned as a thriving forest garden that enhances biodiversity, replenishes the water table, reduces ambient temperatures, prevents topsoil erosion, & fosters an improved microclimate both on-site and in the surrounding areas. The transformation strategy is rooted in anthropocentric permaculture principles, recognizing that a healthy planet is fundamental to a healthy society. Additionally, the site's arability is improved by repurposing theloose rocks and stones, for the structures. The integration of off-grid solar energy ensures sustainability without placing any burden on external systems. Furthermore, low-intensity farming around the residence supports a significant portion of the household’s fresh vegetable needs.

This proposal outlines a visionary approach to transforming a previously overexploited farmland into a thriving, self-sustaining forest garden. By leveraging regenerative principles, this intervention aims to restore ecological balance, enhance biodiversity, and create a resilient, sustainable environment that benefits both the site and its surroundings.

Objectives
• Ecological Restoration: Establish a forest garden to promote biodiversity, replenish the water table, reduce ambient temperatures, and prevent topsoil erosion.
• Sustainable Land Use: Implement permaculture strategies that reinforce the intrinsic connection between a healthy planet and a thriving society.
• Enhanced Productivity: Improve soil fertility and arability by repurposing loose rocks and stones for structural development.
• Energy Independence: Integrate off-grid solar energy solutions to ensure sustainability without reliance on external systems.
• Self-Sufficiency: Develop low-intensity farming around the residence to provide a steady supply of fresh vegetables.

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Implementation Strategy
• Forest Garden Development: Transition degraded farmland into a biodiverse, multi-layered ecosystem.
• Water and Soil Regeneration: Employ strategic interventions to enhance water retention and soil health.
• Sustainable Infrastructure: Utilize locally available materials, such as repurposed stones, for construction.
• Renewable Energy Integration: Install solar energy systems to minimize environmental impact.
• Community and Environmental Impact: Create a model for sustainable living that inspires broader ecological restoration efforts.

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Conclusion

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This project is not merely a transformation of land but a commitment to sustainable, regenerative living. Through thoughtful planning and ecological stewardship, this initiative will foster a resilient landscape that nurtures both nature and human well-being. By investing in this regenerative transformation, we pave the way for a future where sustainability, self-sufficiency, and environmental harmony thrive.

The once-overexploited farmland is reimagined as a forest garden, enhancing biodiversity, replenishing the water table, reducing temperatures, preventing soil erosion, and improving the microclimate. Rooted in anthropocentric permaculture principles, this transformation recognizes that a healthy planet sustains a healthy society. The site's arability is improved by repurposing loose rocks for the structures. Off-grid solar energy minimizes reliance on external systems, while low-intensity farming around the residence meets a substantial portion of fresh vegetable needs.

Participatory Design

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The 5 stakeholders who initiated this co-living were actively involved with the architects who adopted the principle of design through discussion. The stakeholders are not only into holistic living but also want to make a positive change in the local population by bringing awareness to the locals through the best practices that we adopted for this benchmark project. Moreover, the intention of the clients being IT professionals and lawyers is to offer digital literacy and legal awareness, with the hope of reducing the gap between the locals and the rest of the world.  The lower space level -1 is envisioned to have discussions, training programmes, wellness workshops and women's wellbeing. These perspectives were considered after repeated discussions with the locals.

This co-living project was initiated by five committed stakeholders who actively collaborated with architects, embracing a design-through-discussion approach. Committed to holistic living, they aim to drive positive social impact by raising awareness among the local population through best practices implemented in this benchmark project. As IT professionals & lawyers, their vision extends beyond sustainability offering digital literacy and legal awareness to bridge the gap between locals and the wider world. The lower-level space (-1) is envisioned as a hub for discussions, training programs, wellness workshops, and women's well-being initiatives, thoughtfully integrated based on continuous dialogue with the local community.

Community Impact and Resilience

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The project has created local employment opportunities during the development of the land and will engage the local population during the construction process of the structures. The maintenance and upkeep of the food forest garden and the kitchen garden will provide long-term employment empowering a few of the local people with sustainable income sources. The initiatives by the clients will benefit the locals by slowly bringing them to par with the wider world. The site will add to the biodiversity and serve as a green zone, supporting pollination, improving air quality and creating cooler microclimates. The sequestered water will positively impact the surroundings by replenishing the water table and enhancing water security.
The cost-effective gabion wall construction can also address rural housing needs while maintaining environmental balance. Rainwater harvesting, swales and aquifer recharge enhance water security and reduces dependence on monsoon. The site will serve as a green buffer zone, supporting pollination, improving air quality and creating cooler microclimates. The project not only revitalizes the land but also promotes a resilient community.

The project has created local employment opportunities during the land development process and will engage the local population during the construction process of the structures. The maintenance and upkeep of the food forest garden and the kitchen garden will provide long-term employment empowering a few of the local people with sustainable income sources. The initiatives by the clients will benefit the locals by slowly bringing them to par with the wider world. The site will add to the biodiversity and serve as a green zone, supporting pollination, improving air quality and creating cooler microclimates. The sequestered water will positively impact the surroundings by replenishing the water table and enhancing water security, thus contributing to the regenerative process.
Here you can describe the details about the project’s challenges to the economic model, financial sustainability and long-term economic impact.

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Financial Feasibility.

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The preliminary challenge of high costs of construction due to the location has been mitigated by using the bulk of the material from the site itself. The project reduces infrastructure costs over time through the adopted systems & strategies as mentioned earlier. The efficient water management system harvests more water than needed for the yearly requirements and hence the recharge pits replenish the water table. The enhanced biodiversity, with the restored landscape, increases land value sequesters carbon & will aid in achieving long-term environmental goals. The structures are low maintenance, with reduced energy consumption. The kitchen garden & food forest garden will provide fresh produce, and the surplus can be distributed or sold in the village at subsidised costs.

Aesthetic Qualities and Cultural Integration

The project respects the natural terrain by adapting itself to the topography, ensuring non-intrusive construction. Traditional orientations are honoured, & architectural elements typical of the region have been improvised & integrated. The traditional trabeated system is manifested. The innovative use of polyaluminium boards instead of traditionally used mined granite slabs, reflects the appropriation of material. Large northern openings connect occupants with nature & facilitate a visual connection to the surroundings in the north and the opaque thermal mass on the south and west to handle the harsh sun.  The materiality of the building dominated by stone recalls the craggy, rocky, semiarid landscape of the region and blends with the surroundings. The aesthetic generates itself as it responds to the climate and the context.

The project respects the natural terrain by adapting the building to the land, ensuring non-intrusive construction. Traditional orientations are honoured, & elements typical of the region are integrated appropriately to suit today’s needs. The design blends modern aesthetics with traditional features, such as the trabeated system. An innovative use of polyaluminium boards instead of quarried granite slabs, reflects an appropriation of material instead of the traditionally used granite slab without compromising on the aesthetics. Large northern openings connect occupants with nature, responding to natural airflow and balancing opacity for climate control with transparency for visual connection to the surroundings. The building materiality used blends with craggy, rocky, semiarid landscape of the region

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