The reason why everybody is turning Green today can be attributed not only to environmental consciousness, but also to the fact that it has many benefits attached to it. Not only do you save up to 30% of energy and 50% of fresh water, but you also cause 70 % less air pollution.
And that’s the message ‘Green homes’ convey today. A Green home, through better setting, design, construction, operation, and maintenance, increases the efficiency with which buildings use resources — energy, water, and materials — reducing the building’s impact on human health and the environment during the building's lifecycle. Every Green home receives a certification from IGBC (Indian Green Building Council) once it fulfils certain parameters.
Few builders in India have adopted the Green Home concept. Aliens Space Station 1 from Hyderabad is the first of its kind. They have the highest rating (Platinum pre-certification) by IGBC. Palais Royale and Mahindra Splendour (both are in Mumbai) are some others who have chosen to go green like the Aliens group. It’s still a long way to go but the trend is fast catching up. Embracing a greener lifestyle isn't just about helping to preserve equatorial rain forests, it also means improving your health, padding your bank account, and, ultimately, improving your overall quality of life.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Structural technologies in smart homes
Hi5 homes not only refer to luxury and home automation and other features, these are typically structurally also very strong and the life of the building is much longer than a normal building.
Raft foundation: A foundation (usually on soft ground) consisting of an extended layer of reinforced concrete is called a raft foundation.
The advantages of a raft foundation are that it distributes the loading from a building relatively evenly over the footprint of the building and also minimises differential settlement of the columns.
For any building, the first need is to work out the maximum pressure and ensure that the clay can safely take this concrete filling without undue settlement. Then you dig down to the formation (if there are no basements, this should be at least 1.5-2 m below ground level depending on local conditions), place around 75mm of blinding/weak concrete, over which you may need to apply waterproofing, over which you put some protection boards, over which you place the rebar, then put up formwork around the perimeter and pour in the concrete.
For thick rafts you will need to control the heat of hydration for about 5-7 days. For a 5-storey building the raft will not be very thick (say 600-900mm), but this depends on punching shear from the heaviest loaded columns. For a 30 storey building, the raft is very thick to increase the life of the building and to be able to withstand load.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Quality of construction in hi5 homes
A home is for a lifetime unless we purchase it as an investment option. In India home buying is like a dream come true with thousands of sentiments attached to a new home and a new lifestyle. Yet simultaneously its also true that real estate is one of the best sectors to churn out money from and this generally leads to unscrupulous developers duping innocent home buyers.
Hence it becomes absolutely essential that while buying a home an individual buys the concept and reputation of a builder as well. There are Builders in Hyderabad who have come out with techniques to ensure that there is no compromise on the quality while the construction progress slackens in the downturn. For instance Aliens Group has introduced a tower crane at the construction site which will help to fulfill the claim of the builder to build one of the tallest Residential Projects in Hyderabad. They have also introduced a raft foundation concept which will enable to speed up the construction process without compromising on the quality. Raft Foundation
Isolated footing is used as individual foundation helps in transferring the load to the earth however limits load and cannot withstand extra load as there are no links between individual footings. Raft foundation is a mass footing/foundation wherein a single mass takes the load distributes uniformly over a large area and to the earth. This builds stronger foundation and increases the life of the building.
The structure is built on RCC (Reinforced cement concrete) framework which gives well defined requirements during any eventuality.
Normal building consist of columns which is designed on concrete frame structure cannot withstand heavy wind and earthquake force along with the dead load (building weight) and live load (people living in the building and things being used by them) which are acting continuously on it where as sheer wall in a building uniformly disperses wind pressure and get strong grip to the ground thus resist any external force. Sheer wall helps in uniformly distributing wind and light at all direction hence benefiting people living in any part of the building with proper ventilation and light.
Hence it becomes absolutely essential that while buying a home an individual buys the concept and reputation of a builder as well. There are Builders in Hyderabad who have come out with techniques to ensure that there is no compromise on the quality while the construction progress slackens in the downturn. For instance Aliens Group has introduced a tower crane at the construction site which will help to fulfill the claim of the builder to build one of the tallest Residential Projects in Hyderabad. They have also introduced a raft foundation concept which will enable to speed up the construction process without compromising on the quality. Raft Foundation
Isolated footing is used as individual foundation helps in transferring the load to the earth however limits load and cannot withstand extra load as there are no links between individual footings. Raft foundation is a mass footing/foundation wherein a single mass takes the load distributes uniformly over a large area and to the earth. This builds stronger foundation and increases the life of the building.
The structure is built on RCC (Reinforced cement concrete) framework which gives well defined requirements during any eventuality.
Normal building consist of columns which is designed on concrete frame structure cannot withstand heavy wind and earthquake force along with the dead load (building weight) and live load (people living in the building and things being used by them) which are acting continuously on it where as sheer wall in a building uniformly disperses wind pressure and get strong grip to the ground thus resist any external force. Sheer wall helps in uniformly distributing wind and light at all direction hence benefiting people living in any part of the building with proper ventilation and light.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Home automation in hifi homes
The construction industry involves vast implementation of latest technology to bring the modern look, convenience factor and safety measures in residential, commercial, infrastructure projects.
The new intelligent technologies being used in smart/intelligent homes is named under the umbrella term called Home Automation or Network to home. Home automation is an upcoming trend that the public looks for in residential houses, apartments, and commercial businesses. The technology remains same in the commercial and residential spaces, however the application differs. For example, biometric access system used in the house is for security and convenience, for a commercial purpose the same system is configured for inventory check, tracking employees attendance etc.
The intelligent building technologies provide convenience and luxury. An automated home can be a very simple grouping of controls, or it can be an automation extravaganza where just about anything that is plugged into electrical power is remotely controlled.
Few builders like Aliens Group have embedded home automation features in their projects to make their customers life more comfortable and secure. A variety of features like Wi-Fi connectivity, touch panel integrated automation system, CCTV/motion sensor cameras at common areas and parking lots, video streaming of visitors in the main gate, electrical fencing, centralized billing of water, power, & gas, smoke/gas leak detection system, fire alarm, wet sprinklers and other home automation benefits are available in these homes.
Other builders in Hyderabad like Lodha Group have incorporated video security, remote access, motion sensors, touch panel systems in their projects for enhancing customers lifestyle. Mantri & DLF have also incorporated basic home automation features such as video security system. Many others will soon follow the footsteps of these builders.
Today’s luxury by means of advanced automation system may sound too futuristic, however while moving towards future, requirements gradually increase and these features will continue to enhance & match even your future lifestyle. An investment made today will last for generations.
The new intelligent technologies being used in smart/intelligent homes is named under the umbrella term called Home Automation or Network to home. Home automation is an upcoming trend that the public looks for in residential houses, apartments, and commercial businesses. The technology remains same in the commercial and residential spaces, however the application differs. For example, biometric access system used in the house is for security and convenience, for a commercial purpose the same system is configured for inventory check, tracking employees attendance etc.
The intelligent building technologies provide convenience and luxury. An automated home can be a very simple grouping of controls, or it can be an automation extravaganza where just about anything that is plugged into electrical power is remotely controlled.
Few builders like Aliens Group have embedded home automation features in their projects to make their customers life more comfortable and secure. A variety of features like Wi-Fi connectivity, touch panel integrated automation system, CCTV/motion sensor cameras at common areas and parking lots, video streaming of visitors in the main gate, electrical fencing, centralized billing of water, power, & gas, smoke/gas leak detection system, fire alarm, wet sprinklers and other home automation benefits are available in these homes.
Other builders in Hyderabad like Lodha Group have incorporated video security, remote access, motion sensors, touch panel systems in their projects for enhancing customers lifestyle. Mantri & DLF have also incorporated basic home automation features such as video security system. Many others will soon follow the footsteps of these builders.
Today’s luxury by means of advanced automation system may sound too futuristic, however while moving towards future, requirements gradually increase and these features will continue to enhance & match even your future lifestyle. An investment made today will last for generations.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
What are hi5 homes?
What's a hi5 home?
A combination of consumer electrical goods, videotex services, home security systems, heating and lighting sensors, home automation etc in a smart home makes it a hi5 home.
It captures the idea that the material environment of the home and domestic tasks are automated. This home is intelligent/smart because it makes domestic chores and makes life easier or more convenient.
What does a hi5 home have?
1) Fixed appliances with predefined pre-established functions.
2) Programmable applications and devices
3) Home automation
4) Biometric Access
5) Light and motion sensors
6) Control of doors and window shutters
7) Security and surveillance control systems
8) User friendly control interface
9) Video streaming
10) Virtual home
And many more...
A combination of consumer electrical goods, videotex services, home security systems, heating and lighting sensors, home automation etc in a smart home makes it a hi5 home.
It captures the idea that the material environment of the home and domestic tasks are automated. This home is intelligent/smart because it makes domestic chores and makes life easier or more convenient.
What does a hi5 home have?
1) Fixed appliances with predefined pre-established functions.
2) Programmable applications and devices
3) Home automation
4) Biometric Access
5) Light and motion sensors
6) Control of doors and window shutters
7) Security and surveillance control systems
8) User friendly control interface
9) Video streaming
10) Virtual home
And many more...
Friday, July 24, 2009
Hi 5 Homes in India
The cutthroat competition and breakneck pace of real estate sector is legendary. But trends in real estate in India take quite some time for acceptance from the public, to break away from the conservative outlook of the builders and public.
Tight-fisted, sparing only the bare essentials . Doors. Walls. Provisions for a showcase. Plain cupboards. Aesthetic impression and smart living was definitely not their top priority. The mindsets and trends are changing.
Wealthy part-time residents, deep-pocketed golfers, affluent families and a richer middle class have quietly transformed India into a luxury-home hub in less than a decade. People who were investing in luxury homes were, predominantly, not affected by the rising interest rates and the market was robust health then. More and more builders are defying the prevalent limitations of exhibiting opulence in building apartments. Most real estate biggies shifted to luxury apartments and catered maximum to this niche segment. Then came the market slump. This luxury segment was hit hard during the slump and now walks with crutches. Though people want to now invest safely, with such cut throat competition in the market and each builder competing to offer more than the other, the age of opulence in buildings is far from over.
Air conditioned homes. Home automation. Glass facades. Structural opulence. Swimming pools. Security systems. Gourmet or designer kitchens, and home theaters and more! What was luxury yesterday is a necessity today! When was the last time you heard a builder hawk these product features? Today morning’s newspaper? Hifi homes have become the order of the day. Soon a day will come when Jacuzzis in the bathroom will no longer fascinate the public! Sooner than you can think!
We shall look into more hifi homes of day, imbibe some features, learn the nuances, builders that provide these features so on and so forth in the coming blog posts.
Tight-fisted, sparing only the bare essentials . Doors. Walls. Provisions for a showcase. Plain cupboards. Aesthetic impression and smart living was definitely not their top priority. The mindsets and trends are changing.
Wealthy part-time residents, deep-pocketed golfers, affluent families and a richer middle class have quietly transformed India into a luxury-home hub in less than a decade. People who were investing in luxury homes were, predominantly, not affected by the rising interest rates and the market was robust health then. More and more builders are defying the prevalent limitations of exhibiting opulence in building apartments. Most real estate biggies shifted to luxury apartments and catered maximum to this niche segment. Then came the market slump. This luxury segment was hit hard during the slump and now walks with crutches. Though people want to now invest safely, with such cut throat competition in the market and each builder competing to offer more than the other, the age of opulence in buildings is far from over.
Air conditioned homes. Home automation. Glass facades. Structural opulence. Swimming pools. Security systems. Gourmet or designer kitchens, and home theaters and more! What was luxury yesterday is a necessity today! When was the last time you heard a builder hawk these product features? Today morning’s newspaper? Hifi homes have become the order of the day. Soon a day will come when Jacuzzis in the bathroom will no longer fascinate the public! Sooner than you can think!
We shall look into more hifi homes of day, imbibe some features, learn the nuances, builders that provide these features so on and so forth in the coming blog posts.
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