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The first two homes that flag off the nascent Amarja Estates in Lonavala provide eloquent testimony to the potential of using natural resources to power residential projects, says Shraddha Jahagirdar-Saxena.

Two windmills whir in the brisk breeze on top of a mountain near Lonavala; and closer to terra firma, a short distance away, is an energy-powering unit. They are busy harnessing the solar and wind power that’s an integral part of Amarja Estate – the eco-friendly, zero-maintenance project offering luxury ‘second’ homes.

The drive up to the plot is steep – the gradient of the narrow road, in many places unfinished yet, rising sharply before twisting and turning to reach the site 3,000m above sea level.
At the top is an uninterrupted view of the terrain. The area overlooks the Pauna Dam and has in its sights the Lohgad Fort, Karla Caves and several peaks of the Sahyadri range.
This is Nanak Properties’ first eco-friendly project. As Manoj Sainani, managing director, Nanak Properties, explains: “It is a retreat to revitalisation. In the midst of unexplored nature, it will provide luxury homes. And although many people are planning to come up with similar projects, currently we are the only ones to do so in that area.”

The principal architect, Sunil Yadav, adds: “It may not be completely green in the conventional sense. But we will be keeping the natural foliage as it is, and adding water bodies and plantations.”

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Targeting the well-heeled of the neighbouring cities, Mumbai and Pune in particular, the company is reportedly investing Rs25 crore in the 55-acre project. Plans for expansion of the project’s scope are on the anvil. Sainani says: “We will acquire more land as per the requirements in the future.”

The land will be divided into minimum 1 acre/4,000 sq m spots. Of the 100 bungalows planned, currently only two are standing. The brown wooden bungalows, set amidst a landscaped garden, have a distinctly countryside feel.

The completely wooden structure smells and feels as good as it appears. A climb up the steps takes you to the upper floor, where a balcony affords ample space for sitting. As yet, the detailing of the kitchen and bathrooms is to be worked out.  

Both Sainani and Yadav emphasise, “The wooden homes require no maintenance. The prototype bungalows have been made using genuine Russian pinewood sourced from Germany. Pinewood is the best material for houses because it is particularly resistant to decay and is characterised by a high share of core wood, pores rich in resin, and slow but even growth. With constructions such as wood buildings, the choice of the raw materials is essential for perfect quality.”

The bigger bungalow has its inviting swimming-pool in place. The wooden bungalows, if the clients so desire, come with an eco-friendly 15x 40 sq ft ready-to- install swimming-pool offering a depth of 4.4 ft. Since the project will have a recycling plant, the hassle of changing the water is taken care of. Moreover, the circulation and filtration system keeps the water sparkling clean.

The windmills have been imported from Australia. “All the external lighting for the streets and common areas will utilise solar energy, while the electricity needed for the bungalow will be generated by the windmills,” explains Sainani. “It’s a hybrid system, and we tested the renewable resources at the site with our experts. Residents don’t have to pay anything for their consumption.”