We would like to describe, not a village in the backwaters of
Kerala or in the distant comers of Tamil Nadu but a gated complex with villas
in the centre of Bangalore. It is known as Armadale built by Chaitanya
projects.
You may see smooth Chettinad columns, dormer windows of the
Kerala style, and Jaglis of Andhra Pradesh decorating the houses standing among
the coconut and chikkoo trees. Iron swings, pergolas and such old-world charm
mark the end of one villa and where another one starts. Sloping roofs of Mangalore tiles makethe scenecomplete.
Many people have an attachment to traditional architecture that
reminds them of their childhood and their roots. However as the times have
changed this kind of old architecture is not practical for the interiors. Here
is traditional and contemporary architecture enters the scene giving the charm
of bygone days along with the functionality of today’s world.
Every small detail at Armadale is taken care of to produce
period architecture. Steps with a concrete parapet wall lead up to the main
entrance. Both sides of the main door have small niches to put diyas.Jaglis outside the main door welcomeinmates to comeand rest with a book to read or to listen to the chirruping ofbirds in thetrees that frame the house.
The joint Managing Director of Chaitanya projects says that
people like to have a link to the past without doing away with the comforts of
modem interiors. It is not sensible to have total period architecture because
of the practical problems involved. The traditional appearance should be
limited to the outer parts.
There are little spikes on top in the Dormer windows that
emphasize the period look. Outer walls are painted with a double color of
yellow and cream divided with red oxide as in past days. They have done their
best to keep the trees by building the villas around them. In some cases they
have been replanted around. Chettinad columns support the slopingtiled roofs at the entrance of everyvilla. Wooden support to the roofs makes itlook genuine.
People opposed the small size windows as they prefer to have
larger ones. However they decided to keep the smaller size in order not to
spoil the traditional appearance. Multiple win- dows were provided to give
light and ventilation. Modem architecture means large windows whereas period
architecture has small ones. Large windowshave been rejected for medium sized ones.
When you enter the villa it is like all other homes with granite
and marble structures and the contemporary fittings. The lamps in the garden
are like the antique ones. Corridors with columns running round give the
appearance of a typical period bungalow of south India very much like a picture
postcard.
Whenever one steps out of the house one is greeted by the
atmosphere of a different age. One of the residents thinks it is fascinating
and charming. He wanted to have the period appearance in the house too but had
to give it up on account of practical problems. He used traditional Attangudi
tiles on the floor to make the inside with a period look also.
Whether the structure is Scottish, Tudor or traditionally Indian
there is definitely a demand for a blend of the styles to help people relate to
it according to their thinking. Architecture does not have to be strictly
blended out of modem and traditional. They have created Scottish style
exteriors in other projects as well as a Tudor style like in others at
Whitefield.
The Press Note 2 of 2005 makes it mandatory to have minimum
capitalization, minimum area of development and three year lock-in period
to allow the flow of Foreign Direct Investment in real estate. Attempts were
made within the government to gain exemption for real estate projects from this
Press Note on the condition that they include hotel and tourism components.
Foreign Direct Investments in real estate would not be exempt
from the compulsory three-year lock-in period where 'mixed' projects that
include hotel and tourism activities are concerned. Various proposals were considered inthe consultationbetween ministries and following this the Department of
Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) sent round a note for the Cabinet
Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) to consider which states that the lock-in
should remain.
The perspective thinking within the government is that for the
flow of FDI in projects including hotel and tourism activities exemption could
be provided from minimum capitalization and minimum area of development. Such
an exemption will be subject to 50% of the total built-up area in such projects
being kept for tourism activities and 20% of the total built-up area being set apart
for hotel rooms. A note to this end has been submitted by the Dipp to the Prime
Minister's Office and ministries handling the subject. According to highlyplaced governmentsources it would be sent to the CCEA with the remarks ofother departments.
A project that wants to be eligible for this exemption must be
at least 50% composed of restaurants, resorts and tourism complexes that give
accommodation and connected services to tourists. The 'tourism facility'
categorization would also be for travel agencies, tour operators, transport
agencies, units dealing with cultural activities and wildlife, entertainment
services, sports amusement parks and health facilities.
Apart from this at least 20% of the full built- up area of the
projects should be composed of hotel rooms. According to this at least 30% of
the full built-up area should be earmarked for tourism activities besides hotel
rooms. Theobjective ofthe exemption is to give a thrust to tourism infrastructure in FDI.
The concerned authority would control the construction projects
carried out with mixed development. There would be no misuse of residential
buildings for non-residential purposes. Some of the other conditions to be
fulfilled according to the Dipp note sent to the PMO are adequate parking
space, structural safety of the buildings, rain-water harvesting and providing
barrier-free environment.
In order to make sure that the flow of foreign money did not
cause speculation in the real estate business the government had made clearance
to FDI in real estate and construction conditional through Press Note 5. A
warning has been issued by the Reserve Bank about a 'real estate bubble' and
foreign venture capital funds in this sector have slowed down in investment. Real estate developers havesimultaneously been urging for open-minded FDI norms as they are encounteringpressure because of a downturn in demand and falling valuations.http://www.bangalore5.com/news.php?id=101
The first draft for the CCEA on FDI in 'mixed' projects had
suggested exemption from compulsory lock-in also. The present one is the second
draft.
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