Advocate Selvakumar

Friday, July 29, 2016

Wardrobe specifics

In a world where the living spaces have become smaller and lives so hectic, there's simply no time for home management. Consequently, people choose their furniture solutions wisely today. Urban homes demand compact, smarter and low-maintenance furniture which does not clutter the space. Organizing and maintaining a wardrobe is the most difficult and time-consuming task. Nothing makes life more peaceful than a tidy and well-organized wardrobe.

Adding to this is the fact that today; people are well-traveled with lots of aesthetic sensibilities. They are constantly on the lookout for a good design with equally good functionalities; in short, the end product should be a beautiful marriage of design and functionality, which works for the users and not vice versa.

Thinking of everything

Choose your wardrobe in such a way that it works for you and you are not spending too much time trying to organise it. You might hear people say wardrobe management is an art but here are a few tips that will make it a quick and easy process. By not having to organise your wardrobe every other day, these suggestions will help make your life much simpler in the long run:

His and hers: The wardrobe of the master bedroom is usually much larger than the ones in any other room. This gives better opportunities for more compartments and sections in the wardrobe. Couples can use smart internal configuration to ensure each partner gets not just a designated section for themselves, but for each item in their wardrobe. For instance, a section for ties, belts, socks and handkerchiefs and a section for scarfs, westerns and other accessories.

Mirrored wardrobes: Having mirrored wardrobes can have advantages both in terms of functionality and the look. Mirrors make any room look larger. It reflects the natural light and thus add brightness and dimension to the room, making it feel airier and spacious. Full-length mirrors in the wardrobes also help people make quick decisions when it comes to dressing. And not to forget the fact that you might also end up saving that space for the mirror somewhere else in the room.

Planned internals: Indian attires need special functionalities in the wardrobes. Thick shawls, heavy lehengas and embroidered saris demand racks with a lot of depth. You definitely need a separate space to hang saris, a section for those expensive suits or sherwanis or even those crisp shirts. The provision of planned internals for sari racks, trousers racks, suits and ties help decongest the space and keep it organised. This way, all your expensive clothes will be safe and won't get mixed up with your daily apparel.

Lighting and sensors: When it comes to wardrobes, people mostly talk about the space utilisation and aesthetic factors. But your wardrobe is definitely incomplete without a proper lighting system. Lights outside and sensors inside not only lift the chic look of the wardrobe but provide better visibility to the farthest corners of the various pull-out drawers, baskets and racks. This helps finding things more easily in the night without disturbing anyone else.

Wire baskets: Most of us don't immediately think of these when deciding the design of our wardrobes but users come back to say that it is a brilliant addition in any wardrobe. With the wire basket, all wardrobes are equipped to act like a self-organiser for smaller things, apart from the storage. Installation of pull-out wire baskets is the best option as this system offers a great solution for storing difficult items like waist belts, socks, underclothes, in a systematic manner and makes it easily accessible. It also helps in maintaining hygiene in your wardrobe as the wire baskets permits air flow. When necessary, one can even keep the basket outside under the sun with its contents and fix it back when done, thus avoiding any unpleasant odour that some stored clothing might have.

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Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Ageless beauty of stones

Ageless beauty of stones

An evergreen building material, stone is widely popular in homes because of its rugged and ageless appeal. Of course, its innate strength also works to be a major advantage. In fact, we all know that large stone blocks are vital for the strong foundation of a building.

We can find many buildings whose exterior facade is covered with stone slabs or blocks or tiles. In Bengaluru itself, we can find many such examples. One of the major landmarks of the city, Bangalore Palace which is built on the architectural style of London’s Buckingham palace, is one such building. Another age-old beauty is the General Post Office building, whose exterior is built completely with stones. Even VidhanaSoudha, the heart of the State’s governance, was built using specially selected stones from Chikkaballapur. Residential spaces are also utilising stones these days. Jal Vayu Vihar located at Kammanahalli is a beautiful structure made of stones.

For all purposes

Stone, as a building material, is highly durable and can be chiselled into any form or design to suit one’s style of decor. Its rustic appearance and natural texture lend a sense of beauty and lavishness to the buildings. Since stones are rugged, you can expect them to last a lifetime. No amount of rain and shine will do any damage to them. Slates, limestone or the commonly used Cuddapah and Shahabad stones are much preferred.

Stones can work beautifully in your home’s interiors too. They can be used for the interior walls or certain sections of a room. Cladding all the four walls may not lend a good ambience to the place. If one wall is decorated with stone slabs, the other walls can be in wood or matching colours so as to complement the stone. A living area where there is a provision for a bar section gets an aesthetic look if that part is clad with stones. Stones can also be used on an arch separating two sections of a room or even in a space connecting two rooms. Why, even your dining table can have a stone-clad top for that rustic look.

One of the best features of stone is that it can be blended with wood. So, you can include it on the ceiling on a stone-clad wall or on either sides of the wall. The shape and size of the stone used for cladding should be in proportion to the space , only then will it enhance the ambience. If you are unsure about what to use, it’s best to go in for slim rectangular-shaped stones.

Want your home decor to be the perfect mix of contemporary and traditional? Go in for stone tiles, decorative stone walls, arches and columns. Slabs are widely used for flooring, thereby giving the place a rustic look when compared to other polished surfaces. For flooring, naturally polished stones are your best bet. They require very less maintenance. Stones also come in handy as display stands, shelves and decorative ledges.

For those who don’t fancy a rustic theme at home, stone pebbles can work wonders. Available in varied forms, pebbles can be used both in the interiors and the exteriors. Use these pebbles in cobbled pathways, pergolas and water fountains. Why, pebbles can also be made into wall murals. Using decorative materials made out of pebbles can give an antique look to the entire building.

Install simple blocks of stone in the verandah or your garden for seating and watch the space transform into a charming zone instantly. For the porticos, the flooring and walls can be clad with stone slabs with hanging baskets fixed to the walls at appropriate places. Since it is the rainy season, put a tray filled with pebbles right next to the main door for your wet shoes. This way, when you come back home from a downpour, you don’t have to worry about dirtying the entire house.

Now is the time to indulge in some beautiful stone decor for the stunning new look of your abode.

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Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Being square in a green way

Being square in a green way

The gardening world, in the past few years, has changed immensely. This is particularly true for urban spaces today, as people are looking for alternative sources for their food. One such method that homeowners are resorting to is urban gardening, which offers to make our food as 'local' as possible. Within urban gardening, there have been several methods that have sprung up - and they don't necessarily need to be planted in the ground.

One such method is 'square foot gardening', which is a perfect way to add a bit of green to your home without spending too much or putting in too much effort. It is an easy, minimal work, low-weed and chemical-free way to grow plants in a small area. As a result, it makes for an ideal gardening option in urban or suburban areas where space is a major constraint.

Developed by Mel Bartholomew in the late 1970s, square foot gardening was his solution to the belief that the conventional gardening system of planting in rows was a waste of time and space. This method continues to be a popular form of gardening today as it's easy to manage and produces high yields of quality food. If you are wondering why, it is primarily because one can produce a greater number of produce in less space with less work.

Bound by four sides

So, what does it entail? Unlike regular gardening, the plants are arranged in blocks of squares instead of rows. Each block, which is small square sections, contains a different vegetable, herb or flower. It is essentially a 12"X12" square with a grid that is divided into nine squares with equal lengths of four feet on each side. As a result, one can bring in a lot of diversity in their box by bringing in different plants together. All of this makes it easy for a gardener, especially someone who is just beginning.

Bringing this form of gardening to Bengaluru is Squarefoot Farmers. Started by Vishwas Makam, Arun Gundmi and Ritesh Nahar, the Bengaluru-based firm aimed "to do something nice and also make it economically sustainable". They set up food gardens, edible landscaping and at times, a mix of both in their clients' gardens. However, their focus is on setting up small gardens that are organic in nature, which are customised according to the needs of the customers."We started out spreading the knowledge we had about growing food to interested people. One thing led to another and we started setting up small gardens," says Vishwas. Additionally, they focus on bringing to their customers a holistic, natural and organic solution. What makes the square foot gardening more unique is the fact that you can have complete control over it.

As gardening is often thought to be labour intensive, many people tend to shy away from doing it themselves. However, square foot farming is quite the opposite and setting up one is quite simple. It can be set up using a simple wooden frame or as a more elaborate vertical garden. It can be designed using any material available (such as wood and concrete) that can hold the soil above ground. Square foot Farmers offer boxes that are made out of repressed coir and pine.

The rationale of keeping it above the ground is that by using potting soil instead of dirt, one will enjoy the benefits of having perfect soil conditions from day one, making it less labour-intensive. "As a result, it makes it easier to do the growing in balconies or terraces," elaborates Vishwas. However, if you are using wood, it's important to stay clear of pressure-treated wood, as the arsenic and other chemicals can leach into your beds and your vegetables.

Today, many people are beginning to realise the importance of clean, good food and want to start a garden in their terrace and/or backyard. "Shifting to square foot farming has been really convenient as I was keen on growing vegetables that I use on a day-to-day basis," says Sheila Gupta, a resident of Jayanagar, who was looking to expand her garden when she came across Squarefoot farmers. With their help she has set up around 20 square foot gardens, placed at convenient heights, growing a variety of greens and microgreens mostly.

Salient features

What makes such a garden unique is the fact that it is easy to maintain, easy to keep pest-free and fetches different vegetables at every harvest which is apt for small, nuclear families in urban spaces. "When you understand what you really want, the whole process becomes rather simple and helpful in the long term. I would advise everyone to grow at least greens as they last much longer than the ones you may get at the store," suggests Sheila.

Square foot Farmers also hold periodic workshops, which enable one with self-sustainable methods of composting and offer a wide array of flowering and edible seeds as well.

But if you are still wary about giving it a try, wondering how different it could be from regular gardening, the answer is simple. It differs with respect to its soil medium, alignment, and is mostly done above the ground. The soil medium consists of vermiculite, cocopeat and compost, which makes the garden very friable as it can hold high amounts of water and is nutrient rich. While this concept has picked up very well among many urban dwellers, the fact remains that the plants need regular watering and maintenance. This can prove to be difficult for those who frequently travel. "However, there are a lot of equipment that help automate gardening today," says Vishwas.

To ensure that these are maintained well, it is important to have the ideal space to help the gardens thrive. Such a space would get ample sunlight (at least five to seven hours of direct sunlight) and should also be away from tree roots and shadows, and should let water flow easily. If sunlight is less, the plant selection becomes a narrower process. One can plant anything that they want to. However, seasons play a crucial role in what can be grown when. For example, vegetables like carrots and cauliflowers can only be grown during the winter season. Bengaluru's weather, however, makes it convenient to grow most of the vegetables through the year. Outdoor terraces are the most ideal in urban spaces.

Maintenance-wise, there is much to be kept in mind, particularly if you are looking to grow organically. "Regular sprays of neem, sour curd and cow urine needs to be administered to keep the plants immune from diseases and keep the pests at bay," advises Vishwas. "This will help in maintaining the plant's overall growth and health." What can also help maintain the plants' health is ensuring that there are no pests behind its leaves and that they have good compost, which is key for growing in small spaces. Having good compost would mean good health for the plant as it is their food. All the kitchen waste generated at homes can be composted and be used to enable their growth.

However, it is important to start slow before you delve into it completely. "It takes not more than 30 minutes of your weekly time, which is more than enough to produce clean, good food that is fresh and sustainable. Knowing how to grow your food can turn out to be a very valuable asset in the near future," signs off Vishwas.

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Monday, July 25, 2016

A future that brings back nature

A future that brings back nature

The ultimate goal of design should be to formulate an innovative built environment that responds to the needs of a given time and society, He believes in the collective responsibility of transforming human habitats into a futuristic, intelligent environment that spontaneously responds to and meets the human need for space, amenities, health, finance and social equality without endangering heritage or natural and non-renewable resources.

What's the role of an architect today?

The architect today is not only endowed with the responsibility of designing spaces, but also the imagination and innovation of a larger environment that fulfills future aspirations of a rapidly developing, peaceful and healthy society. Architecture, in the contemporary context, stands as one of the most significant disciplines as it is among the saviours of our built environment, social and natural landscape.

Today, more than ever before, its significance is in the hope of a future that brings back nature, culture and art into the built environment. In order to respond to the contemporary issues regarding sustainability and smart and intelligent development, architectural designs have moved beyond the design of buildings to involve planning and configuration of larger complexes and urban spaces consisting of buildings, nature, structures and infrastructure.

The ultimate design goal...

Whether it is residential design, urban design or any other design discipline, the ultimate goal should be to formulate an innovative built environment responding to the needs of the time and society. Architecture today is perceived as a collective response of different design disciplines like interior design, residential design, commercial design, conservation, urban design and urban planning. The need of the design fraternity is to imagine a multi-disciplinary approach towards imagination, innovation, and planning of spaces - whether at a building level or a city level.

What's your most memorable project till date?

I believe that every project is a reflection of its time, context and environment. Each project is like a journey of rediscovering the significance of space, its function and persona with respect to its requirements. For us, every project is memorable and special as we believe that each of them has allowed us to redefine the role of architecture and architects in shaping the future of our built environment.

Let's talk about energy...

At present, there is an urgent need for saving our rapidly depleting natural and non-renewable resources - the most important one being energy. The industry is currently experimenting with technologies and designs of buildings and urban environments that save, store and produce energy, and in the same respect, 'zero energy buildings' (which consume zero energy) and 'net positive buildings' (that produce energy) are trends to watch out for. Buildings of tomorrow are gradually being envisioned as urban generators of energy, which would not only save resources, but stand as a hope for sustainability.

Two sides of a coin...

Architecture and interior design are like two sides of the same coin - both are intertwined in their pursuit of a perfect expression of the built environment. A perfect design should seamlessly blend the two to create continuity in the spatial experience from inside to outside, both aesthetically and functionally.

Where do you find inspiration?

Two of the most inspiring architectural designs for me are Fatehpur Sikri Complex at Agra and the Louvre at Paris. The former is an age-old complex, which I believe is extremely contextual, as it is a magnificent example of a great architecture which simultaneously bears the character of an outstanding urban design. It is a truly inspiring example, which exhibits how good environmental design, space aesthetics, public space design, and art can coalesce into one masterpiece.

Fatehpur Sikri, to me, is not only a well-designed complex but a space bearing the cultural heritage of Agra. The Louvre, on the other hand, exhibits how traditional architecture can coexist with a modern masterpiece in harmony. The glass pyramid is a modern intervention, which has immortalised the historical context on which it stands.

What makes for an iconic design?

An iconic design must stand out and ideally become a flag-bearer of a new trend or an idea. It must go beyond its own age into the future and exhibit a significance that has not been previously explored and hence, show a new direction in the field of design and technology. Essentially, iconic architecture should involve innovation of aesthetic statements, technology or ideas about a better environment and society.

Retaining our 'Indianness'...

Today there is a need to look at avenues which embrace our cultural continuity even though we may cruise ahead in technology and global economy. Our cultural symbols, which have been preserved as activities, rituals and faith in different corners of India, deserve to be conserved and must find their rightful expression in our future built environment. There is a long unfinished responsibility of defining 'Indianness' in global modernism through aesthetics, functions and technology, which still remains a major challenge for all Indian architects.

We need to search hard for the signs and symbols that have identified our land and us for ages; methods are needed to be innovated to translate these symbols and messages into architectural vocabulary. We believe that the search for global Indian modernism will be a great pursuit for our future generation that would collectively require the contribution of conservationists, urban planners, urban designers, geographers, historians and anthropologists in defining a future development that would simultaneously act as a tool to conserve our cultures and our identities.

How does one select the right architect?

The same way one selects a doctor or a lawyer. The most important thing is the comfort factor; the architect must be able to understand and respond efficiently to the aspirations of the client. The architect's past body of work, approach towards architectural design, time commitment, number of current assignments and the ability to respond to contemporary socio-economic conditions and aesthetic trends in design are some other factors worth considering.

Architecture in Bengaluru...

Bengaluru has historically enjoyed an amazing natural geography, climate and a beautiful terrain with immense greenery. The city became an important business hub during the economic liberalisation of the country in the nineties.

Unfortunately, the aspirations and the development envisioned could not be efficiently contained in the broader planning model, which has put a huge pressure on the incongruous urbanisation of Bengaluru today. Both built and natural infrastructures are being stressed and are seen to be struggling to match the rapid growth of the city. This calls for an urgent need for a holistic vision of sustainable urbanisation.

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VAASTU FOR FINANCIAL GROWTH AND WELL BEING

VAASTU FOR FINANCIAL GROWTH AND WELL BEING

We live in a materialistic world today and most of our needs revolve around money. Sometimes, our efforts turn to naught and bring no results despite putting in extra work. Ever wondered why this is happening? It would be a great idea to check the Vaastu of your living space or office premises. This 2000 year old science of Vaastu Shastra shows that energy imbalances in our surroundings can make or break our destiny.

Finance fundas

For a business of any size, funds and cash flow play a crucial part. Finance is the soul of a business and money is its nerve centre. Raising capital, managing fund flow, support of financial institutions, investor confidence, achieving faster growth is allimportant for achieving success in business. As per Vaastu, any built up space in which you residework from, affects every decision you take, which in turn can make or break the success story.

Early practitioners of Vaastu Shastra were also trained in Artha Shastra. Money , success and your space are all interlinked. A perfect balance of your space can create tremendous harmony and help attract growth and money. Vaastu Shastra, the art of balance through the Five Elements or the Panchttatva, can be put into use for financial gains and success. Even Chanakya, the king maker of the Maurya dynasty used the guidelines of the directions of alchemy from Vaastu Shastra for expansion and monetary gains of the kingdom.

Strong zones

According to Maha Vaastu, there are 16 vastu zones in every building and each of these governs different aspects of your life. Similarly, colours too, when applied on the walls of the buildings in different directions zones have a positive or negative effect on your life. For example, Green when applied on the west wall creates an imbalance of the Five Elements.When green plants are placed in the west, you will not get financial gains and the desired results of your efforts.To ensure a healthy financial growth, you must ensure that the west is clean and clutter free. North is the zone of money and opportunities. Its energy helps you to attract more and more money and generate new opportunities.Therefore, keep this zone clean and clutter free to get plenty of opportunities and money in your life.

Tips for offices

Avoid placing a pantry kitchen in the north zone of your office. A pantry in this zone will adversely affect cash flow and receivables
Is your business looking to increase the number of or ders from both new and ex isting customers? Then, avoiding red or pink colour on the walls of the north zone will help in getting new business
Placing green plants in the north zone of the office brings in new opportunities
Avoid dumping all the unused and junk materials in the east zone of your office or factory to prevent financial losses. It can also lead to clashes with influential people.
A toilet in the north-west zone of your office will not allow you to get financial support through loans.
Placing a pair of white horses in the north northwest zone of your building will ensure financial support from banks and other institutions.

Tips for your home

Avoid kitchen, bathroom and sink in the north zone, as it will drain away your wealth and career opportunities
Also, avoid placing the dustbin, broom, washing machine and mixer-grinder in the north zone to attract more money and opportunities
Keeps your working desk in the west zone of your house, as this will help you in quick and efficient decision making
A picture of a village scene in the west south-west Vaastu zone helps in ac quiring property easily and quickly.
A south-west entrance door will bring in debts, loans and financial problems.
As per MahaVaastu, place a pair of red horses in the south zone of your home to attract more money
Locate the safe, work table and your living room in the north zone of your home for continuous flow of money
Attract more money and wealth in your life by plac ing the idol of Lord Kuber in the north zone Hang a painting of a lush green landscape on the north wall or the north zone of your house to bring in new prospects and opportunities in your life
In addition to the above, you also need to take care of certain specific Vaastu zones which help to create trust, vision, understanding and bonding between different business partners, thus, supporting your financial vision for growth. Once you have got your office space programmed with the MahaVaastu technique, you get the financial security that you wish for.

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Friday, July 22, 2016

How to space the SIPs?

How to space the SIPs?

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is a tool to achieve financial goals through long-term investment planning. It is a better alternative, particularly for those who lack market knowledge. SIPs help save a fixed sum at regular intervals and inculcate financial discipline without getting into the business of timing the market.

Some fund houses also call them 'Sleep In Peace', 'Small Is Powerful'...

SIP in mutual funds is based on two most strong fundamentals - rupee cost averaging and power of compounding - thus helping you ride over market volatility and ultimately generate investment returns.

It gives more units when the markets are down and less when they are up. On that score, is it wise to apportion the sum in to smaller chunks and distribute it at various points through the periodic option, instead of at one-go at the beginning? After all, the markets are volatile over the course of a month or a quarter as much as over a year.

How to space the investment? There are weekly, monthly and quarterly payment options. While some fund houses offer 'daily' SIPs, we also have the option of 'yearly' SIPs, at the other end. So, how to opt? Which one provides better returns?

Why avoid yearly option? In the yearly option, a person will be able to invest once a year on a given date. Can a 'yearly' choice be construed an SIP? It is, nevertheless, possible that an annual SIP for over 12-15 years may provide the cost averaging benefit, the option depending on the cash flow and risk appetite.

But in the yearly mode, there is a chance of missing the payment date. We know that payment of annual insurance premium may be popular, also it has the lowest lapse rate and premium cost also works lesser. But the same logic is not applicable for annual SIPs.

Daily SIP might be just overdoing it If I choose a daily SIP for years, given that there are about 250 trading days, the number of entries in my bank account will make monitoring pretty cumbersome and operationally challenging, as most of us are monthly-salaried class. Some studies have shown that the annualized returns from the daily SIPs and monthly SIPs are almost the same.

Quarterly for non-regular income segments: A quarterly SIP option will give a shorter account statement, but the idea of the investible income lying idle for two months is not relished. Getting 'rid' of this money as soon as possible is best way to ensure financial peace.

Monthly SIP as ideal option: In monthly SIP, the investor is aware that a certain sum of money will be deducted from his bank account on a particular day and so he ensures that there is money in the account. If an investor has a lump sum, he can take the weekly or monthly SIP route.

The more staggered the SIP, the better the returns, as more regular investment helps catch market volatility better, as you invest during lows and highs. True, it merits reason. However, for monthly-salaried, it is convenient if the frequency is monthly, as it matches with the monthly cash flow.

Importantly, you should know whether you will be able to commit the fixed amount on the specified date. Choose the scheme wisely and relax to reap benefits.

When you target a longer period, say 12-15 years, the frequency may not really matter, whether you opt daily, weekly, or monthly.

Be it a good or bad market condition, stick to your SIP, this will fetch you the best returns over the long-term.

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