If only other govts would follow this example.

KOLKATA: The state government has made owners of heritage buildings an offer they cannot refuse. The state will reimburse 50% of the cost if they get their buildings renovated. If it works out, it will change the cityscape.

For now, the scheme is for Grade-I heritage structures. "We may extend it beyond government buildings. Grade-I private heritage buildings will be covered under the Great Kolkata Tourism project. The city's heritage is a major focal point of the scheme jointly implemented by the tourism department and ministry of culture," said principal secretary, tourism, Raghavendra Singh.

PARADISE GARDENS 
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Gardens aren't just a form of landscaping. To some, they're a refuge and a retreat from the hassles of everyday life, a physical embodiment of beauty, relaxation and abundance. This sentiment is echoed by the form of garden known as a paradise garden, an embodiment and reminder of heaven on earth.

Functionally, a paradise garden is an enclosed garden. The word “paradise” is derived from a Persian word meaning “walled garden.” The enclosure keeps out unwanted plants and blocks the outside world from view. Strong geometric motifs, specifically rectangles and squares, are common stylistic features of paradise gardens. Many paradise gardens showcase water with pools, fountains, ponds or streams. Fragrance and fruit trees and shrubs are often planted to attract birds.

The Moghuls adapted the Persian form of Charbagh garden since it was well suited for the climatic conditions of India. A Charbagh is a style of garden that originated in ancient Persia. This type of garden is generally very regular in design and layout, and is often split into geometrically identical portions, as evidenced by the fact that the term charbagh roughly translates as "a garden in four parts."

A Charbagh is typified by a careful and meticulously ordered layout. In a Charbagh, the space is typically divided evenly into four parts, with pathways or water used to divide up the garden. Any formal structures included in the Charbagh are usually located at the center of this organizational pattern or on the periphery. In larger examples of this type of garden, each quadrant may be further divided, yielding sixteen smaller gardens of identical size.

Normally these gardens are laid out at a lower level and have a Pavillion at a higher level from where the entire garden can be seen. An example of this is the Brindavan Garden of Mysore. This garden is laid on a North South axis and has three levels descending from the South to a large lake, and three ascending levels towards the North.

Green Architecture is an approach to sustainable building, which has become progressively more prevalent in the last three decades. Also known as sustainable design, Green Architecture is a method of simpler design that minimizes the impact of building on the environment. Green Architecture is not only designed for present use, consideration is also given to future uses as well. The materials used in its construction are designed to facilitate ease of recycling and reprocessing of materials at end-of-useful-life.

Buildings consume a variety of materials in their construction. Green design reduces the dependence on resource intensive products and materials. There are an increasing number of products available made from efficient,earth-friendly or recycled materials. In a green building, consideration is also given to the construction process itself. Materials that minimize waste or can be recycled, help contribute to an efficient and environmentally sensitive construction process. Attached are photos of the School of Art, Design and Media at Nanyang Technological University. Singapore. It’s covered with a green roof that blends with the environment and serves as a gathering place.The unique form of the roof sweeps down to the ground.

It also serves to insulate the building, cools the surrounding air and collects rainwater to irrigate itself and the surrounding landscape.The curved building is embracing a courtyard with water features and plants. The reflection of the trees and nature can been seen on the all-glass exterior.