After successfully running the Aaananda Permaculture Project near Chandigarh, Manisha Lath Gupta and her family realised that it was time to live in the environment where they grow their produce.
Living with nature meant living in a home built using natural materials. Aanandaa sustainable house is built using sustainable materials like rammed earth, stone, lime, brick, and traditional roofing systems.
The natural building materials were sourced locally and Manisha also ensured that they hired local crafts persons. Some other features of the house include the underground cellar to store the produce, rainwater harvesting, waste water management and a biodigester.
The sustainable architecture at Aanandaa is designed and directed by the Studio Aureole team lead by architect Jitesh Malik. Studio Aureole is a conscious practice, often bridging the artificial divides of product, interior, architecture and landscape.
Architectural practice at Studio Aureole is about creating spaces that have the power to re-connect us with nature, with ourselves and with our communities.
Their definition of sustainable goes beyond materials to include the social and ecological fabric that we inhabit. At Aanandaa, the approach has been to bring together environmental sensitivity with a contemporary design sensibility and a socio-cultural imagination that fosters collaboration.
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