Myst Luxury Eco Residences

Myst is a new luxury eco-development comprising 28 villas and 48 apartments with associated facilities in the foothills of the Himalaya.

Biodiversity by Design were ecological assessors and designers for this project. Working with the international architect Ken Yeang and his colleagues at LDY, and two eminent academics from Rajasthan and Punjab. We undertook a detailed analysis of the ecological context of the site, including social values of native habitats and plants, ecosystem threats, fire risk, pest and desired fauna, and ecotourism opportunities. We then set out the principles for the development of the site in terms of biophilic design and the long-term management of created, enhanced and preserved habitats.

To undertake the project we visited the site and undertook habitat survey and consultations; this work was then supplemented by extensive desktop research. We presented the overall landscape design concept to Tata design team meetings in Delhi.

On a very vertiginous site subject to monsoonal rains and soil erosion, we proposed sustainable techniques of habitat creation linked to soil protection and repair. We suggested the provision of artificial refuges for fauna and habitat design to attract target desired faunal species, and provided a predictive faunal matrix. Biodiversity by Design presented a landscape and vegetated architectural design strategy based on the principles of biophilic design. Tata now herald the scheme as India's first residential development designed along biophilic principles.