Foreign hands building India

Time was when there was only the occasional eruption of concrete. Today, India's skyline is a work in progress. But while the towering new skyscrapers, sprawling IT parks, glitzy airports and swanky townships reflect desi aspirations, the blueprint, more often than not, is foreign.

Be it a slum redevelopment project in congested Mumbai or Kolkata's new museum of modern art, the global imprint on the country's fast-changing urban landscape is evident. Made in India but designed by a clutch of foreign architects looking to cash in on the country's real estate boom. For Edinburgh-based RMJM, the company behind the distinctive Scottish Parliament, a foray into India four years ago has translated into business of £1 billion. That, the company says, is unprecedented for a UK architecture firm doing business in India. "There's a cue here for UK business — we need to be in India in a very big way," says RMJM CEO Peter Morrison. RMJM, which currently has 38 projects under way in India, is now looking to establish a permanent base in Mumbai.

Many others have taken the cue. Celebrated British architect Lord Norman Foster, who shaped London's skyline with buildings such as the Gherkin and designed the Reichstag in Berlin, has entered India in a tie-up with a Mumbai real estate firm, the Neptune group. Other big UK names in India are Laing O'Rourke, Davis Langdon and Mott MacDonald. Not just UK, firms from Canada (Arcop) to Australia (Omiros One) have designs on India.

But does India really need foreign architects or is it just about getting a brand on the brochure? Most builders agree it's as much about star power as it is about international quality. After all, well-heeled buyers respond to designers with international reputations as much as they respond to a luxury label like Gucci or Prada. "When people purchase an expensive apartment, a famous architect is extra validation they're making a good choice," says Kunal Banerji of Ansal API which signed up US firm Chelsea West to design Manhattan-style condos at its Aquapolis project in Ghaziabad.

The Mahindra group's real estate arm Mahindra Lifespaces, which has roped in US-based architect and design firm HOK (of Dubai marina fame), says their reasons go much beyond the brand. "The selection of an international architect or planner is driven by the unique needs of the project. For instance, the 325-acre Mahindra World City project is one of the largest such developments under implementation and to that extent the width and depth of on-ground implementation experience is currently available only with international firms who have conceived and implemented such projects in different parts of the world," says Anita Arjundas, COO of Mahindra Lifespaces.

Size does matter and with Indian developers going beyond stand-alone commercial blocks and residences to converting huge swathes of land into townships and IT parks, a 'foreign hand' does come in handy. "Foreign firms can visualise and handle massive scale. Also, their designs are very innovative. They create landmarks and not just buildings," says Shantanu Malik, DGM-Architect, Unitech Ltd.

It's a win-win for Indian architects as well. "Working with foreign firms gives us exposure to international standards. There is a lot to learn from their use of detailing and modern materials," adds Malik.

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Use color to fool the eye

Few people are offered the perfect room to decorate or to live in. Unless you are part of the planning and building of a home, you'll probably be faced with a room that's too large or too small, cramped or cavernous, cold or dark.

Debbie Zimmer, paint color and decorating expert for the Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute says "Paint color, sheen, pattern and texture can be combined to create a number of interesting and individual looks for the home.” She continues, “Color is often the first consideration when redecorating but to successfully create today’s contemporary looks it’s helpful to have some understanding of basic design principles and the role of paint within a space.”

By using color, in fabrics, wall coverings, and paints, you can work miracles to help make a room more comfortable. Follow some of these tips to create the look you want.

• Debbie says that "Monochromatic color schemes are generally easy to create and impart a sophisticated feel within a space. A monochromatic palette consists of different tints or shades of the same color."

  If you're trying to create the look of uniformity or to unify two or more spaces, it's a good idea to use the same base color for all the walls. The rooms will flow and blend rather than stand alone.

• Debbie continues, "Contrast can be a powerful element. Often, when two contrasting colors are used, one appears warm and the other cool. Contrasting colors do not have to be bold; they can be soft and subtle. Take your cue from the room--bold in the living or family room and a softer contrast in the bedroom."

  If you have a space that just feels too big, break up the color. Paint one wall a wild orange or strong brown. You could even use a near-black as a dramatic backdrop for furniture and art. These bold, strong colors will draw the eye and fool it to think the space is smaller. If you prefer subtle color changes, choose different hues of the same color in a soft tone and paint adjoining walls in the different hues. The look will be harmonious and not jolting to the eye, but the space will definitely appear to be broken up.

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India rises in real estate transparency index

The domestic real estate market, which is grappling with slowdown in demand and a tight liquidity situation, may have some reason to cheer. When it comes to the level of transparency in commercial real estate within Asia Pacific, both India and China have improved their position — moving up from low transparency to semi-transparency, according to Jones Lang LaSalle.

“Five markets moved from Tier 4 (low transparency) to Tier 3 (semi-transparent): China, Dubai, India, Romania, and Ukraine. Vietnam, moved from Tier 5 (opaque) to Tier 4. Although Venezuela’s score declined, it did not move to a lower tier,” the Global Real Estate Transparency Index 2008, said.

The transparency has been measured on parameters such as availability of data on real estate market, data on real estate performance indices, accounting standards and regulations, governance, clarity in taxes, planning codes, land registry, ease of transaction (sale or lease), professional standard for agents, amongst others; hence an improvement in a market’s position in the index augurs well.

“In India, the issue of real estate transparency at a sub-national city level is gaining importance as real estate investors and corporate occupiers extend into new regions in their search for higher returns or cost-effective locations.

“International investors and occupiers are moving into secondary and tertiary cities, which have not been traditional targets of the real estate community,” Mr Anuj Puri, Chairman and Country Head India, Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj, said.

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Colors and Feng Shui

Incorporating the five basic elements of feng shui into your space is easier than you think. A feng shui expert explains the elements and how to use them in your home.

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Have you ever stepped back to admire your new paint job, only to realize you also added color to a few unintended items, like your couch? Find out how to remove those scary paint stains from your rug, furniture, and clothes.

Real estate boom to continue in smaller cities in India

The world's two fastest growing economies China and India will continue to witness boom in the real estate segments in smaller cities as both countries are expected to record strong growth in residential demand in the coming years, says a report. Further, investments volume in the two neighbouring nations is projected to go up in the next few years. According to a report prepared by the research group of Germany's Deutsche Bank, the long-term growth prospects for both countries "remain very good." "All commercial real estate segments continue to boom Tier-II cities will gain particularly... Investment volumes are still very low. This will change rapidly in the next few years," the report titled Real Estate Investments in China and India: Big returns in big countries? said. Although, strong residential demand growth is expected, the bank noted that "dangerous exaggerations can occur." An important growth driver for the real estate market would be the increasing urban population in both countries. India and China are projected to witness increased number of urban population especially by the end of 2050. From just about 30 per cent, India's urban population is anticipated to touch 55 per cent by 2050. According to the report, another growth driver for both countries would be the rising population of working age. In the near term, that population is expected to touch a peak of over 70 per cent in China. The working age population in India is projected to be on the upward curve in the coming years and would be above 65 per cent by 2050. (via Times of India)