Homes and gardens

Why builders are prioritising green terraces and sky lounges

Why builders are prioritising green terraces and sky lounges

Getty Images/iStock | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStock Indiaโ€™s cityscape is changing rapidly as builders across the country embrace the rooftop revolution, transforming once overlooked terrace spaces into lush green retreats and sophisticated sky lounges. It is more than simply cosmetic โ€” it is a physical manifestation of how we are re-thinking our attitudes towards space-use, environmental sensitivity, and resident well-being at a time when urban density continues to grow ever higher and green open spaces become few and far between.This revolution is driven by the growing awareness of environmental sustainability and urgent response to alleviate urban heat islands in Indian…
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5 design houses redefining Indiaโ€™s furniture through craftย 

5 design houses redefining Indiaโ€™s furniture through craftย 

Furniture design today is less about the piece and more about the process. Itโ€™s storytelling,interwoven with heritage, wrapped into an elegant objet dโ€™art. While the world is looking at India for its heritage crafts and textile traditions, Indian designers are marrying traditional artforms with contemporary purpose. Most designers tend to agree that the craft and materiality are often the muse. We speak to five design houses across the country to find out their inspiration, materiality, forecasts, process, and pet peeves.Scarlet Splendour, Kolkata Straw imported from France is dyed in Kolkata to create intricate weaves at the workshop. Founded in 2014…
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Sreejith Jeevanโ€™s Rouka opens an experiential store in Kochi

Sreejith Jeevanโ€™s Rouka opens an experiential store in Kochi

Sreejith Jeevanโ€™s new Rouka store in the part of Kochi known as Ernakulam, near Durbar Hall, is dramatic. The celebratory red and white of the floor and walls, dresses hanging from the ceiling and saris from tall carved wood racks, and the embroidered artwork in shades mango leaves and jackfruit on the wall. Completing the scene are the red curtains of the trial rooms that flank a wall of the 600 sq. ft store. This space, where nostalgia and memory intertwine unapologetically, announces โ€˜Kerala Modernโ€™, fashion designer Jeevanโ€™s design aesthetic.While stubbornly sticking to his roots, Jeevanโ€™s take on Kerala via…
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Gen Z living reimagined – The Hindu

Gen Z living reimagined – The Hindu

Indiaโ€™s first-ever generation to have access to computers and smartphones, quality education, who flip between websites, apps, and social media feeds, and lead an elevated lifestyle, is transforming real estate offerings. Born between 1997 and 2012, Generation Z is reimagining housing beyond the pure-play aspects of location, affordability, and connectivity. Instead, they are increasingly opting for greater comfort, enhanced services, and a digital-first experience. This shift is primarily led by growing disposable incomes, a social media-driven lifestyle, and complete freedom provided in comparison to traditional paying guest models. These factors are leading to the rise of student and co-living services…
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If walls could speak: 4 wallpapers that redefine home decor

If walls could speak: 4 wallpapers that redefine home decor

One of the easiest and most efficient ways to add colour, depth and texture to your walls is by the use of wallpaper. โ€œWallpaper has seen a remarkable resurgence in Indian homes because it offers something that paint alone cannot, that is, a chance to tell a story, to infuse character, and to evoke emotion in a space. Unlike plain walls, wallpaper allows homeowners to create distinctive focal points, layer textures, and experiment with colour and pattern in ways that transform a roomโ€™s personalityโ€ says Apourva Sharma co-founder, Life n Colors.Further, the convenience that wallpapers offer cannot be denied. โ€œIt…
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The Hindu Tamil Nadu Real Estate Summit 2025

The Hindu Tamil Nadu Real Estate Summit 2025

Urban growth in Tamil Nadu is entering a decisive new phase, driven by a confluence of policy reforms, technological advancements, and a rising demand for sustainable, inclusive development. For the first time, The Hindu Group is set to organiseย The Hinduย Tamil Nadu Real Estate Summit 2025 on August 5 at Rajendra Hall 4, 5 & 6, ITC Grand Chola, Chennai, from 10 a.m. The event is presented by Casagrand and co-presented by G Square.The summitโ€™s central narrative revolves around urban transformation: exploring themes such as smart cities, budget housing, green construction, real estate-fintech integrations, and investor outlook for Tamil Nadu. Shiv…
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Making room for pets – The Hindu

Making room for pets – The Hindu

A home is no longer an oasis just for people. With the number of pets in Indian households growing sharply from 26 million in 2019 to 32 million in 2024 (according to a report by consulting firm Redseer), Indian homes are now being conceptualised, designed, or retrofitted to suit the personalities of all residents โ€” fur babies included. With Gen Z and millennials choosing to be pet parents and seeking safe homes for them, we speak to a canine behaviourist, a canine nutritionist, and architects on what it takes to meet this unique brief โ€” whether youโ€™re designing a home,…
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Prefab construction reshapes real estate

Prefab construction reshapes real estate

The Indian real estate sector is undergoing immense change as prefabricated structures move from the margins of the building industry to disrupt conventional building techniques. Prefabricated structures currently account for only 1%โ€“2% of the $100 billion Indian real estate market, but prefabricated technology is rapidly advancing, and some reports estimate the prefabricated market will grow from $2.7 billion in 2024 to $5.47 billion by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate of 12.32%. This level of growth makes it clear that prefabricated solutions are not just a flash in the pan; they will provide practical answers to problems such as…
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A checklist every homebuyer should know

A checklist every homebuyer should know

The inspection then moves on to the essential systems that make a house liveable.ย  | Photo Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto The decision to buy a home in India is a significant one โ€” often a lifelong aspiration accompanied by a substantial financial commitment. As exciting as the thrill of a new place and a shiny brochure can be, the true condition of a home often lies in what you donโ€™t see. This is where a professional property inspection becomes invaluable โ€” uncovering issues that could undermine your vision of the ideal home. Far more than a quick walk-through, an inspection assesses…
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Are coworking spaces entering apartments?

Are coworking spaces entering apartments?

Economically, this model benefits both developers and tenants.ย  | Photo Credit: Getty Images Coworking locations are increasingly being integrated into residential townships, blurring the lines between work and living. This type of real estate proliferation represents a paradigm shift in urban development, driven by sustained demand for remote and hybrid work. A large percentage of the workforce has adopted fully remote work, at least part-time. In response, the residential sector has begun incorporating professional-level workplace infrastructure into apartment buildings and exurbs, offering amenities that support a live-work lifestyle without the burden of commuting.Suburbs leading the chargeThis blurring of work and…
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