Begihalli Homestead

The design for this project aimed to convert a compact urban site into a dense, regenerative food forest and create a landscape that supports its own food, water, and energy needs. The design team carried out a detailed contour mapping exercise as professional surveyors’ maps did not provide detailed topographical information at the sites’ scale. The neighboring plots were at a higher elevation than the client’s site, thus an accurate understanding of the sites’ topography was crucial to properly manage stormwater runoff during the peak of monsoon season. Since the site also had high groundwater levels, the management of the abundance of water formed the backbone of the design. Site analysis covering drainage patterns and slope conditions allowed for the design of earthworks that could help divert, infiltrate and store excess rainwater when needed.

While the mature raintree was preserved as an ecological focal point, the design included multi layer food forests planted with native fruiting and flowering species. In order to create a buffer around the site and increase biodiversity through habitat creation, a thick living fence was planted to support local ecological networks.

Built interventions, like the temporary deck under the canopy of the raintree, were kept minimal. The site was contaminated from past construction activity, hence interventions on the land had to focus on the rebuilding of soil health and fertility. In the future, the client plans to have a small home built with natural materials after the trees mature.