Thought living in a high-rise Gurgaon building meant missing out on the green lawns of Delhi bungalows? The city’s landscapers disagree!
While there are many villa residencies and independent houses across Gurgaon, the majority of the city’s population is based in the high rises that dominate the sectors.
For a long time, the greenery in these houses was limited to a couple of mud pot plants, while balconies were considered to be storage spaces rather than a place where you enjoy your evening tea. But with the popularity of landscaping artistes and their Facebook pages, TOI realised there’s a growing demand in Gurgaon to make their houses greener and more welcoming.
Landscaping the balcony is now a rewarding one-time investment for many, and each house is adding the green element to their limited open spaces in an attempt to stand out in the concrete jungle. We spoke to people who are happily enjoying their newfound green corners and herb gardens, which, till some time back, was an unrealistic expectation from those who resides on the 15th floor of a Gurgaon high-rise.
Landscaping makes for a one-time investment
Just like getting a decorator to solve your designing woes is an expected norm, landscaping works in the same way. And in Gurgaon, you don’t need too much land or even be at the ground level, to get your own little garden space designed by a professional.
Rahul Sarin who is based in Icon in Phase 5, shared with us, “We came to know about professionals after we visited one of our neighbours’ house, who had got their balcony renovated recently. We’d never expected that a storehouse space could actually look so beautiful! We got in touch with the landscaping professional soon after. We spent around a lakh on the entire project and it’s completely worth it. We considered it to be a one-time investment. We now have this additional space, which was just being wasted otherwise.”
Shikha Kavra, a teacher based in Sector 49, agrees and adds, “We had the right amount of space in the form of an extended balcony, and at our personal level, we had tried to utilise the space by putting in some furniture and would make it a point to sit in the open space, but it still didn’t feel the way it should. So we took professional help which has worked wonders for our space. Like one hires interior decor artistes, landscaping should also be handled by a professional, and without money constraints. In Gurgaon, one’s forever trying to maintain their individuality, and our balcony lawn, which has been designed as an extension of our personalities, is perfect that way.”
Our green corner’s a venue for get-togethers
Once the balcony space is ready after the designer makeover, the homeowners become proud hosts, and the little undiscovered open space becomes the favourite zone in the house for many.
Surbhi Verma, who stays with her family on Sohna Road, told us, “My high-rise house in Gurgaon is as different as can be from the Chandigarh or Bangalore houses I lived in before marriage. I was so used to a garden and I knew it was such a big stressbuster that I really missed here.”
When I first saw the work of these landscaping artistes on Facebook, I was really surprised. So, I got my balcony space done up completely, and now I can’t believe it’s the same Gurgaon flat. Thanks to my herb garden, my lawn and my plants within my balcony, I can proudly say that we’re close to nature while in Gurgaon because that is something no one expects when living in this concrete jungle. Our little green corner has become the venue for all our friends’ parties and get-togethers, and so many of our acquaintances are also getting similar projects done now.”
According to Neeta Loomba, who stays in The Magnolias, a house is incomplete without greenery. She shared with us, “I planned beforehand the kind of green elements I wanted in my house. Personally, I feel you can get the best decorator, the best furniture and accessories, but a house is incomplete without greenery. So, even in my home on the 21st floor, we have a green wall, and different-sized plants, which make my outdoor space my favourite zone of the house. Yes, every society has these big lawns and gardens but there is nothing personal about them and honestly, one hardly goes there to relax.”
Professional help a must because of lack of time, space
Once the new space is set up, the designers offer regular consultancies and visits to keep their busy clients satisfied. Many Gurgaon residents agree to take professional help due to major space and time constraints.
Mudit Khurana, who stays with his family in Phase 1, adds, “My wife and I are both working. I have grown up with a fondness for plants and gardening, and wanted my son to develop a similar hobby. But one hardly has the time for that here. We wanted a garden but we didn’t have the time to pick the plants from the nursery, or even the required knowledge about their maintenance. So, we took help from landscaping professionals who not only put our garden together, but also offered regular consultancy. They have timely visits to keep a check on the plants, and offer advice and tips, from which my kid is learning a lot.”
“My previous residence had a lawn and a terrace space, where I had collected a lot of plants and could innovate and use the space well. But when I moved to Gurgaon, I suddenly found myself in the middle of the sky, up on the 15th floor. To execute my elaborate plans, I opted for professional help. I now have a water body in my living room balcony, and a herb garden in my tiny kitchen balcony,” Rachna Chawla, who stays in DLF Phase 5, shared with us.
Customized packages and consultancies bring customers back: Designers
We spoke to the landscaping artistes, greenery advisers and decorators who lead to such happy customers.
Ruchira Sarin, from Humanize and Harmonize, shared with us, “People in Gurgaon appreciate professional inputs in all aspects of their life. So, even when I was starting out, I didn’t face problems convincing people for the need of getting a professional landscaping person to do up their balcony and terrace spaces. Other than the designing, one also goes in for green advice and consultancy to keep their plants in good condition and basically getting their investment going for a longer time.”
Humanize and Harmonize offers premium packages, starting `1 lakh onwards and budget packages for smaller spaces and limited plants at `25,000 onwards.
Ritu Mathur from Upavan also has an active Facebook page for green advice and conducts regular workshops for gardening enthusiasts. She shared with us, “People in Gurgaon are willing to experiment with their spaces. So, it’s not just about aesthetically beautiful plants but also smaller, easy-to-grow edible ones too. A lot of people have moved here from bigger houses, which had those vedas and backyards. So, creating similar, greener environments in lesser spaces is a popular demand.”
Ashok from Garden View added, “The popularity of garden designing has just grown over the years. Whether it’s just a small balcony space, or one combined with a terrace and deck area, the prices vary accordingly. But everyone wants to bring in green elements to make their homes stand out in the flat culture.”
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