Who Are They: Shibanee Sagar(40) and Kamal Sagar(41)
What Do They Do: Architects, they are the brains behind Bangalore-based home builder Total Environment
Their Challenge: Offering customised homes with gardens at apartment-like prices
How They Did It: Rejected outsourced construction, developed in-house capabilities, built own software
What Next: Scale experience and know-how to much larger projects, expand footprint beyond (primarily) Bangalore
By keenly observing and listening to the needs of individuals and families, instead of buyers and investors, Total Environment is able to design apartments that are thoughtful and elegant. For instance the concept of a private garden for every home on every floor came about from the resistance the Sagars encountered among Bangalore women when they were selling their first project. “Most of them said they would prefer their own independent bungalow to an apartment. When we asked what the difference between the two was, the most common answer was a garden. So we thought, why couldn’t all our flats have a garden?” says Shibanee.
The Challenge of Scale
(This story appears in the 06 May, 2011 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)
An absolute joy to see real vision in architecture. Wishing you all the success and hope people can see the difference.....
on Aug 8, 2016beautiful homes
on Nov 5, 2015These guys take half the money as advance without even getting approvals. Tell stories and irritate customers buy giving the quality and whatever. Wind Mills of the wind is just a haphazard project. It is just some round tower apartments with some bricks outplayed. These are ordinary construction and these guys tell it is great. They are slow like snails. Nothing is perfect from the architects to the everyone. They do not know how to handle big projects. Just tardy fellows who talk about quality.
on Apr 12, 2014I don\'t live in Bangalore, but I came to know about TotEnv when I visited friends in Bangalore and saw a couple of buildings in Indiranagar from outside, and man they looked awesome. Completely in tune to the surroundings and they feel so right for Indian weather system as compared to giant monoliths produced by the \"top builders\". Kudos.
on Jul 4, 2012Great job done
on Oct 16, 2011They are definitely my role models... I am proud , having joined the team. The philosophy, Quality and Honesty in the structures are tremendous.
on May 13, 2011Being an architect myself, my brother was asking why don't builders and developers offer customised apartments like we buy PCs and laptops.. well here is the answer...would like to work with these guys someday.. Gr8 wrk! All the best in your endeavour..
on May 9, 2011These guys are an inspiration. Passion, Honesty & brains - Deadly combination. Would love to buy a home from them if they develop something in Kolkata/Ahmedabad. Dont know about how much it will cost but would love to own one someday. Keep it up guys. You guys will rock.
on May 6, 2011I am big fan of their architecture. They are coming out with one more project on kankapura road. Their concept of garden on each floor is very green and earthy. Hope we can afford someday.
on May 5, 2011It is good to see passionate, honest people with a commitment to quality in the real estate space. May their tribe increase!
on May 5, 2011keep up the good job, love green everything.
on Apr 29, 2011