The project was to design an integrated plan to create a habitat for the Desai family at their parcel of land near Thol Village. To this end, we created a beautiful place for the family that is food and water secure, and has a highly diverse native ecosystem that reflects the cultural and nutritional diversity of our bioregion.This system has many moments and shaded spots for coming together, rest, and rejuvenation. As the site was completely barren, we addressed the urgent need for green cover and privacy by planting a dense and impenetrable living fence with native thorny and hardy plants that would shield the site from prying eyes and from hot dry winds in the summer, to create a micro-climate within the site. We designed a food forest ecosystem consisting of a wide variety of edible and fruit producing trees that are supported by various other ornamental, medicinal, and timber producing species that perform various beneficial functions like supporting pollinators, harbouring predators of insect pests, fixing atmospheric Nitrogen in the soil, cycling minerals, providing aesthetic beauty and creating fields and fragrances that are pleasing to us.

We developed a polyculture based system which takes care of the land while providing a healthy yield. The supportive species rejuvenate the soil, create a rich fungal network, and decrease if not eliminate the need for constant fertilization. The layout is thus less commercially productive than the conventional system, but will perform better over the long term while yielding higher quality of fruit.

The project involved designing an integrated plan to create a sustainable habitat on a parcel of land near Thol Village. The goal was to establish a beautiful, food- and water-secure space with a highly diverse native ecosystem that reflects the cultural and nutritional richness of the bioregion. This thoughtfully designed system includes numerous shaded spots for gathering, rest, and rejuvenation.

As the site was initially barren, addressing the urgent need for green cover and privacy was a priority. A dense, impenetrable living fence was planted using native thorny and hardy species to shield the space from prying eyes and hot, dry summer winds, creating a comfortable microclimate within. Additionally, a food forest ecosystem was developed, incorporating a wide variety of edible and fruit-bearing trees, supported by ornamental, medicinal, and timber-producing species. These plants serve multiple functions, including supporting pollinators, providing habitat for beneficial insects, enriching the soil, cycling nutrients, and adding aesthetic and sensory appeal.

A polyculture-based approach was adopted to nurture the land while ensuring a healthy yield. Supportive plant species enhance soil fertility, foster a rich fungal network, and significantly reduce or eliminate the need for constant fertilization. While this system may be less commercially intensive than conventional models, it is designed for long-term resilience, ultimately yielding higher-quality produce and fostering a thriving ecosystem.