When Bengaluru residents Mahesh and Sajitha decided to build their dream house, they were sure that it would be the epitome of sustainability.
Their new home, a striking reflection of their earlier 40-year-old home, is replete with environment-friendly aspects from the floor to the ceiling.
Sajitha says she wanted the house to be warm, sustainable, and easy to maintain.
The couple has repurposed all the salvageable from the old house in constructing the new one.
The architects carefully took down every door and window of the old house to reuse in the new one, Sajitha says.
“Jyothika (the architect) also built us a rainwater harvesting pit, providing for all our water needs during the rainy season. We also have solar panels on the roof, which supply electricity to most of the house, like the lift,” she says.
The house also has a sump pit to harvest rainwater. The pit has a capacity to store 8,000 litres of water.
The roof area, of about 700 square feet, has been fitted with solar panels to harness the sun’s energy.
The four-storied house also has vertical gardens as there was no space outside.
The terrace of the house grows bougainvillaea, and herbs like tulsi, coriander, and green chillies.
“We sandwiched used liquor bottles — white, green, red, and brown, between two sheets of glass. It looks quirky and wonderful,” says the architect.
By harnessing solar energy and rainwater harvesting, the couple is able to save Rs 6,000- 7,000 on electricity which amounts to Rs 72,000 every year.