Top 8 Apartment Amenities You Can Enjoy Within a Reasonable Budget

Written By: Sumita Roy

If you talk about amenities within homes, the possibilities are endless. In fact the more money you spend the more charming assortment of amenities you can enjoy. It can range from private pool, wine cellars, pet spas, staff suites, skating rinks on roof decks, well equipped athletic gym, bowling alleys and so on.

But with rents escalating 10 percent every year, most of us need to revise our budget and choose smartly. Our ordinary budget cannot afford extraordinary homes with luxury amenities. 

Therefore, in order to make the best use of living in a good apartment complex, your money must get you bang for the buck. 

So, here is a list of amenities that can help you save extra costs, yet live conveniently and enjoy life within the periphery of your home.

State of the art gymnasium 

A good gymnasium in the neighbourhood is a great idea. It saves you the time of commuting to the gyms outside and saves you the cost of expensive membership card. Being a member living in the community, you can get great discounts on membership fees.

Also if you are a lazy lad, then walking to the gym within the compound would not need your Herculean effort, plus it will save gas and also give you time flexibility. You can work out whenever you want to, and stay there for as long as you need. 

A tight packed schedule is what greets you at regular gyms, outside home. Also some of the community gyms have swimming pool and outdoor work out facilities as well. While searching for a home on rent, be on the lookout for such kind of facilities.

Wi-Fi connectivity, or better, a Business centre 

Today with the increasing ratio of people preferring work from home, getting an internet connection within a housing society is becoming a common trend. Next time when you start house hunting, keep tabs on the community offering internet services. 

If you live in a housing complex offering similar services, you can disconnect your broadband services and save yourself the hassle of calling customer care service whenever your internet is not working properly. When it is a combined connection, more people get involved and jobs get done in a far more urgent basis.

Or better, you can also hunt for an apartment complexes which have community business centres so that you can have video conferencing facilities nearby your home whenever required. And if the community pays for the maintenance and internet charges, the total value you need to pay for it would not amount to much.

Residents' facilities 

Due to the different types of new ideas, you can exactly find an apartment which completely matches your privileges. Though chances are low that you will get whatever you need, but it never hurts to look for something extra. 

For example, a few years ago a project was launched which was made kid friendly. To buy a unit within the complex would have been a lot for most people, but for renting one of the offered units, would have cost you something around 1-3 percent of the total property value.

If you have a child in your home, and want to give home everything his childhood demands, opting for a home within this complex would have been completely convenient- from a parent’s perspective. 

Party hall/ community centre 

It is always an A+ quotient when you have a community centre at your disposal. You can clean it and make arrangements for your baby’s birthday party without making a wreck out of your own house. 

Same goes for an anniversary. You can invite family friends, neighbours and have every one enjoy within the familiar premises. You also do not need to worry about kids loitering here and there, because the boundaries of the community keep them safe from going out.

And since most community centres have kitchen facilities, you can either cook the food in the same or order food and keep it stacked there. With a help of a few friends make your party awesome.

Cab service 

This is a thing that you should go for, or, at least, propose to your community members. If you find there are not many people who have personal commuting medium, they will definitely go for this option. 

A daily cab facility from your doorstep to your office, with shared fare can help make your life easier.

​In a car sharing service, you have a reliable vendor who guarantees to pick you up every morning and drop you off on the same spot. 

This service will definitely make living in the community profitable from an end user and daily office goers perspective, 

Special offers 

This is a new one- well not entirely new if you look at the diversification.  Some apartment complexes have grilling areas, sky deck, pet lovers’ park, car washing zone and so on. So while going house hunting try to check out what a particular complex has to offer as a speciality factor. 

Sometimes, special facilities may not entirely relate to pleasure and luxury. It may also mean a necessity like automobile repairing, veggie markets, grocery stores, laundry etc. 

These will keep you from going everyday to the market to get new supplies, whenever your family needs it. An automobile repairman, or for that matter any other repairman, like a plumber, gardener, lift repairman etc. can be life savers at times of necessity.

Guest suites

Accommodating guests for a night when you have no space in your home can be a hassle. Many a times, for a friend's get together in your studio home, you invite friends to come over and have a good time. 

But many do not feel like going back all the way to their houses. What will you do in such cases? Offer them your couch?

Well, for one person this will do, but for two or more, you will need to have some space. You can do it easily if your community has guest suites, which can accommodate guests for a night, and sometimes, for more than one night.

At a minimal cost, your friend can stay the night in close proximity to your home and sleep peacefully. Not many condominiums offer this convenience, but if you have the eye to search for it, you can always find one with such flexibility.

Toddler room 

This comes as a blessing to most young parents. When you are a moderately new couple with few years old baby, at times you feel the necessity to have some fresh air to keep going. 

But being a parent is like a 24*7 duty.  To such parents toddler’s room/ crèche come as blessings. These have the best hands where your baby can feel at home, play and learn- or do everything at the same time.

Having a toddler’s room saves you the cost of first searching and then finding a reliable baby sitter. With your baby in the neighbourhood, with familiar people watching over her, you can easily have a pleasant night out, without worrying about her safety.

Though most of us search for apartments with conveniences like finance, distance from office and social infrastructure as major issues in mind, it never really hurts to search for something extra as well. These small things add a great value to your life, if you take a closer look. 

Of course, not all of these go for everybody. Crèches would be preferred by only young parents, gyms are for people who have the habit of working out, cab service is for people who do not own any means of commute and so on. To select what is best for you and using it conveniently is something I would suggest when you are in the lookout for a new apartment on rent. 

Indian Real Estate Favouring Modular Green Construction for Commercial Buildings

Written By: Sumita Roy

Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) of CII has spearheaded the Green Building Movement in the country. 

With the support from the stakeholders it was triggered upon awarding Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre building in Hyderabad with the Platinum rated Green Building Award. 

Since this movement, green building in India has gained tremendous impetus.

Today more than 2110 buildings are registered as green building projects. The total area these cumulatively offer amounts to 1.52 billion square feet. This has made India one of the top 5 countries in the world green building map.

In Mumbai, Vice Chairman of CII, Gurmit Singh Arora, said that at present Mumbai has 295 buildings registered as green. These offer a total of 229 million square feet of environmentally viable spaces. 

As the number continues to grow, these not only benefit the corporate sector with more area for offices, but also the environment.

Most of these building are endowed with modular construction technology- making them efficient not only from the environmental point of view but also from speed, quality, and efficiency perspectives. Let us check out the ubiquitous benefits of modular construction.

Modular prefabricated technology offers flexibility of budget and layout

One of the pre-conceptions about environment friendly building is they are expensive to built. This is not entirely true. 

Using pre fabricated technology for construction lowers one's budget, rather than the other way round. 

First, you save on labour cost for an extended period of time. Second, the cost of material transportation. Third, you offer a healthy environment to the employees; and much more. 

This also offers the flexibility of dismantling an existing structure and reassembling the materials in another location.

In terms of budget, modular buildings offer the option of renting temporarily or purchasing permanently depending on your affordability. Modular construction technology offer made to order spaces where you can meet the specific requirements. You can choose from a range of designs and finalize the one that stays within your budget.

Quick construction does not imply compromise on quality

The controlled environment in the factory in which each model is built is closely monitored to ensure quality of the construction material. 

During the construction within the factor timely inspections are done by engineers who ensure top notch quality for the finished products. 

While on-site assembling, state-imposed codes and regulations are there to which the construction companies must adhere.

One example of such extraordinary creation is a 57 storey building which was completed in 19 days in China. 

This was achieved by combining quality construction, effective and skilled manpower with minimum record timing. 

Indian real estate can gain a lot from embracing this new technology and emulating standard building norms. 

Pre fabricated buildings are energy and resource efficient

The defining feature for modular construction entails resource efficiency. This entails lesser waste of time, material and energy as compared to traditional construction. 

It reduces energy consumption by saving around 67 percent of the energy- it also reduces cost of occupants.

Energy efficiency is taking over almost all kinds of structures: schools, homes, offices, hospitals, shops, even prisons. 

And energy efficiency includes heat repellent glass for windows, geothermal system usage (and not HVAC system) and installation of water heaters and solar panels.

The new creation in China named Sky City had used 200000 tons of steel for construction so that it can resist earthquake damages of up to 9.0 Richter scale and withstand fire hazards for up to three hours. 

On the positive side, this high rise housing creation of 220 storeys has offered residence to 31400 and has used just one-fifth of the entire energy required for building through conventional methods.

Low maintenance

Energy efficient buildings are more durable as compared to conventional form of construction. 

Screws, instead of nails, are used and joints are maintained through string adhesive glue to maintain structural integrity during transport.

Around 10-20 percent of more lumbar is used to keep the construction more stable. 

Modular wall panels are made of durable materials and require little maintenance apart from occasional surface cleaning. Repainting and surface repairs are mostly never required.

Focus on greater detail

Almost 60-90 percent of the office is built outside the main site. 

Since each module is factory built, in a controlled environment it is easier to make them as per the exact requirement of the client-customized to the core. 

Individual construction makes it possible to pay attention to detail per unit. 

Due to this parameter, construction by using pre-fab technology is almost always better than conventional form of construction.

Pre fabricated buildings are recyclable

The materials used for modular construction is usually recyclable. Whether it is glass, wood or metal- 100 percent recycling makes these building environmentally viable. 

Each module in this construction can be used and re-used over and over again. Demolition of buildings does not occur in this type of construction. Modular contractors and modular construction is still very small, but is growing with each passing day.

Labour issues

Since this consumes lower energy, lesser days and consequently smaller manpower, this will overcome the labour issues which is rampant in India. 

Almost 6 out of 10 buildings’ construction and delivery are delayed due to lack of manpower. 

Effective and skilled manpower would be readily available if this construction technology invades the market. And since this requires very limited time for construction, delays in project completion would be completely obliterated.

Thus we see that India, with its growing awareness of the necessity of eco friendliness, is embracing methods in the real estate sector and construction technology, which makes them naturally viable. And it is just a matter of time that the real estate industry becomes fully aware of the multifarious benefits of modular construction.

10 Most Awesome Penthouses Around the World

Written by: Sumita Roy

Penthouses are the most spacious units in residential tower sprawling over larger area than in the rest of the apartments in the same building.

These are further differentiated by luxurious features that are not present in any of the other apartments within the same building. 

Sometimes penthouses mean they have their own set of facilities like chauffeur service, private elevators, or extravagant features like vaulted ceilings, fireplace, private terraces, oversized windows, granite counter tops etc.

But luxury does not have any bounds. Uber rich milieu just need to think and there you have another exclusively beautiful feature sitting in their penthouses.

Have you ever thought of the budget they spend on having a house like that or exactly what do they pay for. Let us have a look at some of the most beautiful and luxurious penthouses in the world, their location and heir approximate prices.

Old Trees Penthouse

Geographical location: Barbados, North America

Worth: 8 million dollars

This is a 3 storied beach front residence in Barbados. It overlooks the idyllic Caribbean beach.

The interior comprises of 4 bedrooms, 4 huge bathrooms and a spacious living room. The entire penthouse sits on an area measuring 5900 sqft.

The living room has magnificent sea views of Paynes Bay. This room opens up to a terrace which features royal blue sofas, vaulted ceiling, chandelier, and ornate accessories.  The colorful kitchen within the household has stainless steel appliances and breakfast bar.

Two king size bedrooms are individually decorated and have private en-suite bathrooms.

There are additional exquisite features such as partially covered pool deck, plunge pool, swimming pool, private Jacuzzi, wet bar and barbecue area.

This privately owned penthouse unit also has a personal elevator along with fully trained staff, cooks, housekeeper, laundry service and high tech security.

Quintessential Penthouse

Geographical location: Los Angeles

Worth: 10.9 million dollars

Penthouse does not always mean you need to use it as a family home. Which means you can use it as a bachelor pad- a luxurious one where you can spend time with yourself and revel in its beauty.

The Quintessential Penthouse is an example of such a hideout- a dazzling masterpiece crafted deftly through smart maneuvering of glass.

Style and a bad ass attitude are doused over this space. It is built over 6480 square feet space which includes 4 master bedrooms and 5 bathrooms.

It has two storeys and a spacious living room in the center highlighted by a wicked spiral staircase and fibre optic chandelier.

The overall image of the penthouse is that of an enlarged den- an immensely masculine space for chosen few.

Saint Petersburg’s Penthouse

Geographical location: St. Petersburg, Russia

Worth: 15 Million dollars

Saint Petersburg may have many penthouses, but not all of them have the same name.

This name is given to a special penthouse apartment which is a triplex sitting over one of the tallest skyscrapers of the city.

It offers 360 degrees view of the entire cityscape.

The custom furnishings are modernized with little or no traditional significance. This private residence has two large terraces on the upper floors.

Each floor has internal staircase connecting one level to the other. The lower level has living and private spaces, and utility spaces providing a unique loft like structure.

In the middle level is the entertainment and business spaces and the upper most level has the conservatum that provides breathtaking views of the city.

Highlights within this grandiose design are: ten meter high central ‘palm’ made of onyx, back lighting to create a backdrop, curved wall surfaces, and Wenge wood flooring. Bathrooms have Onyx flooring.

A signature feel is created by fitting in the dining and breakfast tables, bed, coffee table guest room, bath tub and office desk.

Spencer Condominium

Geographical location: New York

Worth: 29.5 million dollars

Spencer Condominium Harbors the story of the journey of a ballroom turned into a luxurious penthouse private residence in the upper east side mansion.

Designer Horace Trumbauer turned this spectacular space into a penthouse suite. It is presently owned by Joan Rovers. 

The 5190 square feet neo-French condo features penthouse attributes like four bedrooms, five bathrooms, stunning 2-storeys gallery, a living room, 23 feet ceiling height, Parquet-De-Versailles flooring and two fireplaces.

This 42 feet wide mansion is one of the few remaining examples of ‘great houses’ in New York.

A private elevator provides a dramatic entry to the double storey height gallery. In addition the unit has entertainment zone and reception rooms as well.

The original architectural layout has been painstakingly been restored by museum trained professionals. The library and dining room have 18th century French design and original wooden fireplace.

The top floor has commodious master bedroom that overlooks the south facing terrace and offers views of Manhattan’s Central Park and the City.

The suite features a huge bathroom and a corner office on the second floor. Lowest level has a sitting room with wood burning fireplace, two additional bedrooms and an en-suite bathroom.

Sydney Harbor Front Penthouse

Geographical location: Sydney

Worth: 30 million dollars

Australia’s most expensive penthouse is situated in between Circular Quay and Botanic Gardens, Macquarie St.- a posh locality sitting adjacent to the water body.

Sitting over an area measuring 700 square meters this house features uber lifestyle features.

Some of these are private elevator lobby, billiards room, master bedroom, quite a number of dressing rooms, wine cellars and a breathtaking view of the Opera House and Harbor Bridge.

This house magnificently blends in architectural pedigree with chic contemporary reinterpretation of sheer good taste.

The complete structure is endowed with various spaces: namely, graciously paneled security lobby, main living room, dining or sunroom with Juliette balcony, bay front  large sitting room, butler’s pantry, contemporary bathroom, 4 bedrooms, landscaped garden large sunny pool and so on.

All in all it presents the 18th century architectural masterpiece blended seamlessly with the modern era.

One 57 Penthouse

Geographical location: New York

Worth: 90 million dollars

One 57 Penthouse in New York is one of the priciest and most spectacular penthouses in the city.

The spectacularly laid out structure spreads lusciously over 13500 square fee area and occupies the 75th and 76th floors of the tower that goes by the same name.

This winter garden penthouse is endowed with amenities like: swimming pool, private enclosed garden, 2500 square foot of the loft all overlooking Central Park.

The mansion comprises of six bedrooms, a library, a steam room and an indoor movie theater. In addition it has top of the line facilities and amenities- all personalized.

The facilities include 24 hours doorman, concierge, performance space, triple height indoor swimming pool, spectacular chandeliers, indoor Jacuzzi, onsite parking, catering kitchen, catering kitchen function room, private fitness center, yoga studio, pet wash room, art and craft atelier room and so on.

City Spire Penthouse

Geographical location: Manhattan

Worth: 100 million dollars

Sitting on the City Spire Tower in Manhattan, this is a rare kind of penthouse- an octagonal penthouse that spreads over three floors- 73rd, 74th and 75th.

Unlike the other penthouses, its unique structure becomes its most striking and distinctive feature.

It spreads over a total of 8000 square feet. It features six bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, a guest cum dining room with 20 seats, a conference room, a gallery and an entertainment room. a private elevator provides access to all the three floors.

The master bedroom on the 75^th floor comes with a 1000 bottle wine cellar, maids’ quarter along with 3000 sqft exterior space, indoor pool, and health club. It also comes with valet parking facilities.

 

Pierre Hotel Penthouse

Geographical location: New York 

Worth: 125 million dollars

This luxurious and spacious home spread over 12000 square feet. It occupies three level: namely 41^st, 42^nd and 43^rd of Pierre Hotel.

Though a part of a hospitality section, it served as the private residence of finance analyst Martin Zweig till 2013. In 1999 it was bought by Zweig at 21.5 million dollars.

Today the property is priced at 125 million dollars and is considered one of the priciest and most beautiful penthouses in the world.

On February 2013, after his death, his wife listed the property for sale at a lofty sum of 125 million dollars.

The chic space includes 5 master bedrooms, six full bath rooms and three half bathrooms, staff accommodation and separate suites for guests.

It also has 5 fireplaces, 4 terraces, main kitchen, private elevator, grand marble staircase, 23 feet ceiling height, four fire places and 360 degree view of Manhattan.

Hyde Park Penthouse

Geographical location: Knightsbridge, London 

Worth: 200 million dollars

Hyde Park is one posh and most secretive residential colony in the world. Set in Knightsbridge, this penthouse sprawls over an area measuring 17000 square feet.

The internal design speaks of a chic modern facade and ample space. 

This penthouse has a double storey structure and boasts of five bedrooms, study, private gymnasium, 24 hours room service, floor-to ceiling windows, bullet proof glass, private wine tasting facility, quality security service provided by British special forces and a panic room.

Like the Pierre Hotel Penthouse, this is also private property built over a hospitality project and in wait to get sold to the rightful owner.

This is a masterful creation by Candy and Candy. 

Monaco’s Tour Odeon Penthouse

Geographical location: Monaco 

Worth: 387 million dollars

Monaco is not only the city of casinos, high profile fun, exotic cars and luxury yachts; it is also home to the most expensive penthouse in the world.

The Odeon Tower is the tallest building in Mediterranean at 557 feet height above sea level. In this the top floor has the multistory penthouse that occupies a space of 30000 square feet. It overlooks the sea bed along with the entire city.

It comes with a water slide that plunges into an infinity pool. It also has a movie theater and a private lounge. The vision of the project was architect Alexander Giraldi- a master of “belle epoque” design- which is inspired by the early 20th century Paris atmosphere.

Thus we come at the end of our list of the top most prescient and coolest penthouses present all over the world. Each has more than a few unique features to look for. Sorry, but I think you would not like your home that much after viewing these modernized masterpieces. 

Why Office Design Matters? What Does It Say About Your Business?

Written By: Sumita Roy

Why does office design matter?

Over the last eight decades, the office building and their internal set up as undergone lot of transformation.

And though this transition is a continuous process and cannot be really pointed in an ongoing scenario- looking back we can definitely see the offices then and now differences.

In the 1960s, an office was seen as a communications system having floor plan that facilitated free flow of information- something like an open office.

But with time issues related to acoustic control, healthy and personally responsive environments, privacy, and individual office rooms became increasingly important. Thereby incorporating cabins meeting rooms, cubicle workstations etc.

The workplace concept got revolutionized further when people started moving from desktops to laptops. Europe and Asia started incorporating North American design practices for their commercial set ups. 

The distributed intelligence of the ubiquitous personal computer required improved facilities management, and lead to the inception of 'intelligent building‘concept.

In the later years, 1990s the industry further understood the impact of cabling, requirements along with pressure of spaces, and heating / cooling and indirect effects of changing organizations structures.

Types of impact an interior space has on business performance

Interior design and business literature suggest there are a number of impacts a business can have.

• Motivation and retention of staff;
• Productivity of staff
• Knowledge and skills of staff;
• Responsiveness to business or technological change;
• Innovation and creativity in the workplace;
• Customer attraction and retention;
• Catalyzing culture shifts;
• Optimization of total occupancy cost.

Uncertainty of the management team

One important thing is that the relationship between effectiveness and efficiency is a bit tricky. 

Saving budget through leasing smaller space brings in direct gains to business. With every inch of space saved the savings directly go into the corporate pocket.

However, contributions of greater effectiveness and more powerful expression are not-so-direct. There are no guaranteed returns. 

The potential through better design and interior placement has to be created by the management to exploit. It may work or it may not. Experimenting is the only way in which it can try to increase the knowledge and work effectively.

What Does It Say About Your Business?

Stepping back to think what kind of office space would keepyou happy both financially and operationally- you will have to think harder. You need to be aware of a few things: 

• The impression you create- on investors and employees; 
• The leit-motif it displays about your choices and the company’ functionality; 
• The inspiration it creates for your employees; 
• And the comfort zone

How to get the overall effect?

Desk Placement:

Start with the furniture of the space- meaning desks and their placement. In a traditional set up (in a cabin or meeting room) you have a desk between the owner and the client.

For ages this has become the most convenient setting that has the systems positioned aptly.

But what if you choose to let go off the traditional spaces and instead opt for a sofa with a center table at a low height to make it more personal.

This center table can act as a good equalizer in a negotiating setting. 

If you want to come across as a flexible and friendly business person/ partner, it is best not to put in any physical obstacle between you and your clients.

Décor:

Décor creates the ethos of the company.

If your company is an art design, or interior decoration company- then make sure the setting reflects the art you aspire to create. 

Similarly a manufacturer of baby products would need to create a cozy effect. An apt setting relays the ethos of your business operations.

A corporate office needs a welcoming effect. There are numerous ways to do it. 

You can put up a vibrant logo of your company against a white or monotone wall. Or use the main color scheme of your logo and do the walls in the same hue.

Foyer:

This is the very first space your customers and clients get introduced to.

So think hard about the kind of impression you want to create on them. 

As per the ultra chic standards you can obviously make the space prim and proper- with a professional reception and waiting area. 

But with the trending of more informal space why not make it more cozy and comfortable than strictly formal.

Adding in plants, art works, couches- even bean bags- can be a way to make it more relaxing for job interviewees as well as clients- who find the space amicable in their first interaction. 

Also make sure that the décor is in sync with the rest of your office design.  The transition from foyer to the meeting area or your cabin should be effortless.

Temperature:

It is one of the most essential factors that directly effects the mood of the people working within your office.

A cohesive work space requires a good and efficient heating and cooling system, a well ventilated space and light. 

A temperate environ will not only ensure comfortable working but also prove favorable for your clients.

I am not sure about the positive impact of temperate climate on your meetings, but I can definitely guarantee their negative impact if the heating / cooling effect is not working properly. 

Locality:

Having an office at a well connected and recognized locality always creates a good impression. 

For example: a client wants to come to your office. He reaches the destination by travelling through well constructed road and can spot your office easily. 

He will come in with a much better mood than the client who has to drive through the broken/ under construction roads and has to spend an hour spotting your office.

A good space requires a good rent- but it is a small price to pay against the benefits it will provide you.

If your office is a backend one and the employees live nearby- then may be just any space with low rent would do. But for a front end office- you definitely need a presentable space to create an impression by leasing out a space in a posh and happening colony.