_OPOLIS

The project is located on an 8 acre contoured site within the Western Ghats of Maharashtra. The site was on the windward slopes (south facing) overlooking Mulshi lake. The site had panoramic views of the lake, the valleys beyond, the majestic Mulshi dam and the Western Ghats behind it. The project involves a 15,000 sft fully self sustainable master plan for a Reiki Healing Center. The autonomy of living, farming and working are all key aspects to the nature of such a land, and with this came our research into developing structural bamboo typologies for a variety of programs. The aim was to keep the land self sufficient for food (except pulses), water and energy.

One could explore the concept of land (farming) to hand (Harvesting/ tilling) to mouth (consuming) experience for food. The site was to house a maximum of 50 persons and the aim was to manage within the footprint (ecological) of the site. The project uses alternative building materials of (bamboo and wood composites) to create an architecture i.e. at once enduring to the landscape and the surrounding environment at the same time dramatically cutting the embodied energy of the building materials. The Bhramasthan (meditation centre) is the focus of the Plan set amidst farming lands. The campus aims at a self sustaining life where food, water and energy are all close loops within the campus itself.