Nahar Group unveils brand campaign to promote ‘verified smart homes’

Nahar Group has launched a new brand campaign for its Amaryllis project, titled ‘verified smart.’ Positioning itself as the provider of ‘smart homes for smart people,’ the company seeks to revolutionize the real estate sector by focusing on modern smart homes tailored for today’s customer demographic. The campaign capitalizes on the insight that individuals aspire to be ‘verified’ on social media, creating a sense of uniqueness. In a similar vein, the campaign emphasizes the concept of ‘smartness.’

Amaryllis Towers, the latest offering from Nahar’s Amrit Shakti, caters to consumers seeking well-planned residential setups with smart home automation and amenities in a prime location. The property offers affordably priced 1, 2, and 3 BHK homes starting at just Rs 1.09 crore.

Manju Yagnik, Vice-Chairperson of Nahar Group and Senior Vice President of Naredco-Maharashtra, remarked, “Amaryllis Towers provides homes with ample space designed for optimized layouts, a well-connected location, and state-of-the-art amenities. As customers increasingly adopt a digital lifestyle, a surge in demand for smart home accessories is expected.”

Given the prevalence of digitization and automation in contemporary living, the real estate sector must promptly embrace this trend. Creating modern smart homes is crucial to establishing an ergonomic environment that enhances the quality of life. Consequently, smart interiors are transitioning from being a luxury to becoming a necessity for homes.

Casagrand launches Casagrand Southbrooke from Rs 17 lakh onwards

Casagrand has introduced Casagrand Southbrooke, an expansive and affordable residential community priced at Rs 2,999 per square foot. This community is situated within a forward-looking 10-acre land parcel and encompasses 671 sophisticated and aspirational 1, 2, and 3 BHK apartments. Conveniently located just 5 minutes from Kelambakkam, Casagrand Southbrooke stands out as the sole children-themed residential enclave in the area, offering an impressive array of 85+ lifestyle amenities.

Designed as a well-planned gated community, Casagrand Southbrooke showcases meticulous planning with 1.3 acres of verdant greenery and 1.2 acres of central podiums landscape. Vimesh P, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Casagrand, emphasized, “Affordable homes are often associated with compact and cramped spaces, lacking in comfort and proper ventilation. Casagrand, through its innovative residential approach, has established itself as a prominent name, addressing these concerns.

Moreover, it is the only project with a children’s theme in this region. With this launch, we are confident in strengthening our ties with every aspiring homebuyer, ensuring they benefit from the project’s grandeur and convenience.”

Greenply demonstrates commitment towards contractors’ and carpenters’ community

Greenply Industries, a leading manufacturer of plywood, block boards, decorative veneers, flush doors, and related products, has made a commitment to prioritize the health and safety of carpenters and contractors, as well as environmental concerns. The company is focusing on product innovation with zero emissions (E-0) and implementing health and wellbeing programs for its stakeholders, recognizing their crucial contributions to the industry.

Greenply’s E-0 product innovation specifically targets the health and wellbeing of carpenters and contractors who are frequently exposed to harmful emission gases from plywood during interior applications. The zero-emission plywood (E-0) developed by Greenply eliminates formaldehyde emissions, providing a safer working environment and reducing health hazards for the community.

The E-0 innovation has already reached more than 1 million households, and Greenply continues to raise awareness among its stakeholders through various communication channels. In a move towards environmental sustainability, Greenply has achieved Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for its plantations in Tizit, Nagaland, ensuring ecological harmony and assuring consumers that the sourced products are sustainable.

As part of its commitment to employee safety, Greenply offers accident insurance coverage of Rs 4 lakh to its contractor partners through a leading insurance partner. Sanidhya Mittal, Joint MD of Greenply Industries, expressed, “We believe it is our responsibility to provide opportunities and support to carpenters and contractors associated with Greenply throughout India. Recognizing their contributions and providing them with medical, educational, and other support aligns with our core values of care and inclusive growth.”

In addition to these initiatives, Greenply runs Green Samriddhi, a relationship program for the contractor and carpenter community. This program involves regular upskilling training programs in collaboration with the Furniture & Fittings Skill Council (FFSC) and provides digital interventions to enhance business operations.

Trehan Iris leases 2.75 lakh sq-ft in Iris Tech Park

Trehan Iris has secured a lease for approximately 2.75 lakh sq-ft of space in Iris Tech Park, situated in Sector 48, Gurugram. Spanning three towers, Iris Tech Park stands as a prominent landmark on Sohna Road. Within this expansive tech park, multiple brands from various sectors now occupy 2.75 lakh square feet of the total 3.36 lakh square feet project area.

Among the noteworthy lessees are prominent brands such as Stago India, Investor Clinic, Data Bridge Market Research, Applicable AI, Windy Street, AIG Business Solutions, Prometric Testing, Prospecta Soft Trans American Information Systems, Oodles Technologies, State Bank of India, Bullmen Realty, India Accelerator, Hear.com, and Mayekawa India.

Additionally, two floors in the building have been leased to McDonald’s, complete with a drive-through facility. Abhishek Trehan, Executive Director of Trehan Iris, expressed, “We have successfully leased out more than 70% of the total area and are eager to collaborate with many other esteemed brands.” The strategic location of Iris Tech Park ensures easy accessibility to NH 8, the Golf Course Extension, HUDA City Centre, and the Southern Peripheral Road (SPR).

World’s skinniest skyscraper opens doors for first residents; check out the prices

The New York City skyline boasts an array of breathtaking skyscrapers, and among the recent additions is the Steinway Tower, also known as 111 West 57th Street, acclaimed as the world’s narrowest skyscraper. Developers proudly announce the completion of its exterior cladding, marking the commencement of residency.

With an unprecedented height-to-width ratio of 24:1, the Steinway Tower soars to a height of 1,428 feet, securing its position as the third-largest building in the western hemisphere. It stands in the illustrious company of two other prominent NYC structures—the World Trade Center at 1,776 feet and the Central Park Tower at 1,550 feet.

Nestled on Billionaires’ Row in Midtown Manhattan, the tower graces the skyline with a view overlooking Central Park. Comprising 60 apartments across 84 floors, including the adjacent Steinway Hall building, the residences cater to a discerning clientele. The pricing spectrum starts at $7.75 million for a studio unit, while the opulent penthouse commands a listing price of $66 million.

Conceived by the renowned New York architecture firm SHoP Architects, plans for the tower were unveiled in 2013. Gregg Pasquarelli, an architect at SHoP, describes the Steinway Tower as “a project of extraordinary proportions and epic grandeur,” emphasizing its significance in redefining the New York skyline while paying homage to the area’s historical roots.

Inspired by the golden age of Manhattan skyscrapers and New York’s Art Deco heritage, the tower’s design features terracotta tiles adorned with bronze accents. The realization of this architectural marvel reflects the team’s departure from conventional notions, presenting an opportunity to create something entirely unprecedented in the realm of New York City developments.

Security doesn’t come with gates, it comes from relationships: BV Doshi

Balakrishna Vithaldas Doshi, hailing from a generation tasked with the formidable challenge of nation-building, distinguished himself as a stalwart in modern Indian architecture by seamlessly blending functionality and aesthetics using a harmonious fusion of traditional methods and contemporary technology. Renowned for his contributions to sustainable design, Doshi counted Le Corbusier and Louis Kahn among his esteemed friends. Notably, he collaborated closely with Kahn on the design of the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad.

Born into a family with a two-generation legacy in the furniture business in Pune, Doshi, now 87, has amassed numerous accolades, including the prestigious Padma Shri in 1976. Currently, he is taking a reflective journey through his illustrious career. His granddaughter, Khushnu Panthaki Hoof, has curated a retrospective at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi. This exhibition offers a comprehensive glimpse into Doshi’s architectural legacy spanning 60 years, featuring blueprints, models, and canvases painted by Doshi himself. The showcase serves as a tribute to the intersection of architecture and art, celebrating the enduring impact of Doshi’s visionary practice.

Report on explosive-resistant buildings sees no progress

The state government’s initiative to establish guidelines for buildings resistant to explosives has encountered a lack of progress, despite the committee entrusted with addressing the issue submitting its report in February of the previous year. Originating in response to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, the state government had hailed this endeavor as a pioneering initiative.

M.V. Mirani, the committee chairperson who presented the report, remains optimistic that the recommendations outlined in the report will be given due consideration. Despite submitting the report in February and following up in March, with detailed manuals prepared by September, there has been no substantial discussion on the recommendations for the entire state. Mirani expressed, “We had readied manuals for safety and security, encompassing guidelines for a physical protection system, a reference manual on surveillance systems, electrification, fire safety, and the evaluation and auditing of buildings vulnerable to terror attacks.”

The government resolution aimed to establish a committee to assess the feasibility of explosive-resistant buildings and integrate surveillance systems into public buildings. However, a state government official cited a lack of review meetings for the report due to officers being preoccupied with other matters.

The Urban Development Department had issued directives, and based on the committee’s recommendations and terms of reference, the government was expected to implement necessary changes in the development control rules regarding the security aspects of such buildings.

The eight-member committee, including representatives from Southern Command, Pune, the Anti-Terrorism Squad chief, deputy secretary of the UDD department, Bombay Municipal Corporation chief engineer, chief fire officer, an expert on blast-resistant buildings, and deputy director of town planning, had set forth design parameters for explosive-resistant buildings, surveillance systems, building illumination, and police chowkies in all public buildings.

Punjab’s first green building comes up in Mohali

In Mohali, the inaugural ceremony of the Punjab Forest Complex in Sector 68 is set to be officiated by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal this Saturday, marking the first-ever implementation of cutting-edge “green building design” principles in the region. The new facility will serve as the state headquarters for the Forests and Wildlife Preservation department, consolidating various wings currently operating from different rented spaces in Chandigarh.

Impressively, the construction of the complex, hailed as a noteworthy achievement, overcame significant technical challenges due to its unique curvilinear design in both plan and elevation, resulting in distinct designs for each floor. Commencing with the laying of the foundation stone by Badal on October 7, 2008, the civil construction work for the basement, ground, and seven stories was swiftly completed in record time.

Aligned with “green building design” principles, the Forest Complex prioritizes energy conservation. The façade features high-performance glass, enabling ample light penetration while mitigating heat. Moreover, the integration of sensors ensures the automatic shutdown of air-conditioners and lights in unoccupied areas. A notable feature contributing to natural cooling is the expansive central courtyard featuring a cascading waterfall.

The construction process, a testament to collaborative efforts, involved a workforce of over 200 skilled individuals working with urgency to bring the project to fruition. The result is a state-of-the-art building that not only meets functional requirements but also sets a precedent for sustainable and environmentally conscious architectural practices in the region.