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On the outskirts of Bengaluru lie a collection of ‘tiny properties’, located amid lush natural farms and reasonably dense forest covers. These will not be your common lodge or homestay — they arrive as movable buildings that intention to embrace minimalism and “a return to nature”.
Designed by architect and entrepreneur Arsh Bansal, these have been arrange beneath the aegis of Tenpy, a journey startup that builds tiny properties in Karnataka.
The thought, the 29-year-old says, was impressed by his childhood within the hills, which constructed his inclination for tranquility and the setting.
“Although I used to be born in Lucknow, I grew up in Mussoorie, a serene land away from the hustle of the town. Once I moved to Bengaluru for schooling, that’s what I missed probably the most — the lull of timber and sight of hills,” he tells The Higher India
After his bachelor’s in structure, Arsh took up a postgraduate diploma in environmental design and later labored in a number of internships in sustainable structure practices. He says that following these, he felt an urge to place collectively one thing of his personal. That is when he revisited the subject of tiny properties, which he had learnt about throughout his MSc years in the past.
In 2020, Tenpy opened its first house in Doddenahalli. “Rusty, my first challenge, was designed fully from scratch and constructed beneath my steering. The thought of the journey startup is to give you tiny properties in nature for digital detox and as a getaway from metropolis life,” he shares.
The canopied tents
“The title Tenpy,” Arsh explains, “is a mixture of two phrases — tent to spotlight temporariness, and cover for permanence.”
The startup at present has six properties, and is developing two extra in Maharashtra, that are set to open inside two months. Arsh personally selects every spot for the properties.
“I often search for natural farms or secluded areas not too far-off from the town. In some circumstances, if there are homestays already working within the locality, I take them over and rebuild the construction. This may assist the homeowners with extra revenue. Additionally, the staff in every of those homes would be the native inhabitants, majorly households, the place one takes care of cooking and others in housekeeping or help,” he explains.
Arsh says he doesn’t go behind common vacationer locations, as an alternative intending to supply sluggish, sustainable, agri-tourism choices.
“I might have simply discovered land in Chikkamagaluru, Coorg, or every other crowded vacationer spot in Karnataka. However my intention was to choose locations positioned in a radius of 60-70 km from the town, the place there are many farmlands and a relaxed setting,” he says.
Arsh firmly believes that nature has the ability to deliver out one’s inventive instincts. His properties encourage digital cleansing by offering areas with out WiFi or TVs. Now and again, he invitations artists, singers, and photographers to the properties to encourage visitors to discover their very own creative sides.
“This was additionally a way of selling Tenpy. Social media is our solely promoting area. We additionally invite influencers and vloggers who perceive the idea of tiny dwelling and sustainability,” he provides.
Initially, Arsh selected delivery containers to arrange his minimal homestays. However he ultimately discovered it troublesome to experiment with designing there and heating, too, got here up as a difficulty because the containers are product of steel.
He then shifted to a hybrid method, the place each native supplies in addition to prefabricated buildings are used to finish the construction. “Virtually 70 per cent of all of the tiny properties are moveable. For the remaining 30 per cent, brick and cement are used,” says the architect, including that the properties are majorly made with chip boards, cement boards and bamboo.
“We let all of the visitors know that this isn’t a traditional lodge or resort with loads of facilities. Actually, we ask them to hold the trash (non-biodegradable) with them whereas leaving to make them really feel accountable, and in addition as a result of we don’t have any measures to compost it. Tenpy is principally a cushty keep within the wild the place you get a complete do-it-yourself (DIY) type of expertise. Our concept is to scale back the carbon footprint and promote sluggish tourism,” he says.
“All this stuff account for us enhancing the general expertise of sustainability however we’re very far-off from what we need to obtain.”
Tenpy additionally offers actions like trekking, climbing, swimming, rafting, and natural farming. “However the precise concept is to do nothing,” Arsh smiles. “The massive glass home windows and pure air flow will deliver you the texture of nature to the house itself. All you must do is chill out and luxuriate in it.”
The worth of keep in Tenpy per evening is Rs 4,200 for 2, and an additional Rs 1,000 per head for all meals of a day. Since its inception, the properties have seen a median of 60 per cent occupancy via the yr.
Arsh is all set to launch 4 extra properties round Bengaluru and increase to areas like Sakleshpur and Dehradun, the place alternatives to develop are loads.
Arsh is of the opinion that sustainability is manifold.
“One is the development facet, the place we use recycled, eco-friendly supplies and pre-structured buildings by not making new ones. The opposite one is expounded to the psychological wellness facet. Having a life-style centered on dwelling a decluttered life that leans in direction of a extra sustainable concept is essential. It is so simple as saying no to a plastic bag and reusing a bottle, or rejecting a name whereas on a staycation, or not replying to a piece mail on a weekend,” he says.
For extra info, you may go to Tenpy’s web site.
Edited by Divya Sethu; Photograph credit: Arsh Bansal
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