A really cool project had come up in Joka, southwest Kolkata, comprising 12 types of affordable bungalows. It had already won Credai Bengal’s 2022 ‘Best Ongoing Villa Project’ award. It was called Gems Bougainvillas and each bungalow came with a front and side lawn, a backyard and a private terrace, among other things. It was my opportunity…
I discovered that Gems Bougainvillas Joka was a more than 50- acre residential bungalow project with over 600 independent houses for sale, near Joka Metro. It had the right mix of privacy and community living, alongside a host of upscale lifestyle amenities and daily conveniences! The project had earmarked 65% as open space, was in the midst of nature and comprised 2, 3, 4 BHK bungalows and 5BHK villas – each of the 12 types with a rather fetching name.
Gems Bougainvillas Joka seemed to be telling me that the notion that stand-alone properties cannot be affordable was untrue.
Eventually, I chose a 3BHK that had a compact front-and-side lawn, not too large and not too small, with a backyard that could be used for a kitchen garden. Inspired by the words, “Staying close to the soil is good for the soul” I was simply raring to go – get together with my near and dear ones and grow things in my garden; not just in one, but THREE – front-and-side, in the backyard and on the terrace!
A garden, however tiny, can be really tony if it is on a rooftop. This impression probably crept into my mind because once upon a time penthouse suites, on the top floors of luxury towers, were the ones associated with rooftop gardens. Now, Gems Bougainvillas was giving me that option. What a pleasure!
The past decade has seen the dawn of a new awareness: for the need to live amidst greenery, not just for the aesthetics of sight and scent, but for all the goodness it can bring to the body and soul. Against a backdrop of rising levels of air pollution and tree cutting (to make way for development projects) it appears that garden plants have emerged as our conscience-keepers.
Modern day apartments don’t come with the delight of gardens and private terraces. Gems Bougainvillas bungalows and villas, near Joka Metro, do! Each one of them. No wonder bookings have picked up, as home buyers are indeed looking for exclusive yet affordable bungalows and villas for, apart from all else, the freedom of private open spaces!
So, what’s stopping you from cultivating that enviable little garden, nay three, like me? Just keep in mind a few things:
- Pre-plan the spaces – With each space available, pre-plan for the type of plants – vegetable, flowering, foliage or both – and garden furniture & accessories.
- Give them themes – Depending on each space decide on a theme. It can be a vegetable or herb garden, a rockery or one which has a water body in the middle e.g. a sweet little fountain.
- Pick the right plants – Opt for plants which have shallow or short roots for pots on the terrace. Cacti varieties are low on maintenance and so are plants with deeper roots. Some like the sun, others the shade.
- Try designer planters – Do away with boring pots; make space for new troughs and designer planters, in charming shapes and sizes; some hanging, some on pedestals.
- Throw in some furniture – A small outdoor swing or a cane recliner is all you need to breathe life into a garden sit-out space. For a bigger space, install a temporary canopy e.g. kiosk or gazebo, to make the setting an all-weather one.
Visit the Gems Bougainvillas site near Joka Metro and discover all about bungalow living.
