Karnataka, India

Category:           Affordable, Social, and Community Living Housing
Year:               2022
Architects:         Jayakumar & Associates
Lead Architect:     Jayakumar Soman
General Contractor: Prashanth Palanisamy, Good Earth Eco Futures Pvt. Ltd.
Client:             Good Earth Eco Futures Pvt. Ltd.
Photographers:      Prasanth Mohan, Running Studios

Malhar Medley redefines what a premium housing community can be in India’s rapidly growing cities, showing that luxury and meaningful social integration coexist within a thoughtfully designed environment. This 4-acre project in Bengaluru challenges the typical gated-community model through four distinct housing types, each meeting the needs of diverse family structures and life stages. Set within Malhar Eco Village, the development dedicates 70% of the site to open spaces and integrates sustainable technologies and high-quality materials to support a healthy, intergenerational lifestyle. With 119 carefully planned homes, it fosters community spirit while upholding high-end residential standards.

The layout is shaped by natural topography, offering a layered spatial experience unfolding organically through gardens, pathways, and courtyards. At the entrance, a landscaped forecourt with a stone pavilion, pond, and oxide-finish seating serves as a communal threshold, setting a welcoming tone for the community within.

Landscape significantly enhances daily life. Extensive open spaces include rooftop gardens, shaded walkways, and basement-level gardens. Native planting supports biodiversity and seasonal variations in fragrance, colour, and birdlife. The entire community is pedestrian-friendly, encouraging slower movement, social interaction, and universal accessibility.

Townhouses: Two-level homes arranged around shared courtyards, with front and rear gardens inspired by traditional ‘Aangan’ planning. The design balances privacy, interaction, and natural ventilation.

Villaments: Single-level homes featuring backyard gardens and front verandahs, ideal for older residents or gardening enthusiasts, providing seamless indoor-outdoor connections.

Walk-up Homes: Designed for multigenerational families, these units offer separate yet connected living spaces with independent access, combining privacy and proximity amid greenery.

Apartments: Centered around a green atrium, these two- and three-bedroom units include terrace gardens. Corridors become open forecourts, creating welcoming transitions from shared to personal spaces.

Sustainability is embedded throughout. Homes use compressed stabilised earth blocks made on site, reducing embodied energy. Passive design ensures ample daylight, airflow, and thermal comfort. Rooftops support solar systems, and water is managed through harvesting, recharge, and on-site recycling.