Mahadev Foundation / Samagram
Samagram is the Foundation's initiative for entrepreneurs. It helps green business ventures to start and to grow, so that ecological work can pay for itself after the grant money stops.
Samagram's first business, in Bangalore. A single table, seating three, in a cabin built from eighty per cent recycled material, set inside the Avni backyard food forest. It ran by reservation, and guests were taken on a tour of the forest.
A design practice for farms and rainwater harvesting, incubated under Samagram and now operating on its own. See its work.
Zero waste, closed loop — every output is an input somewhere else. Ingredients came from the community of natural farmers we work with, so we knew the source of what was served. The vision: revive the Garden City ethos with a sustainable, low-investment, nature-friendly experience, with local and conventional recipes.
Nature, delicacy and you: a table in a food forest.
One table, in a cabin built from about eighty per cent recycled material.
“A good ambience amidst a whole system, reused materials build. Nice place to hang out and create.”
“Like-minded people will like this place as it is holistic and nature positive, along with good coffee.”
“Lovely hosting, good innovative work, and the energy you guys are creating.”
“A hidden gem with a cosy ambience — coriander rasam, biryanis, pineapple grills, eaten in a garden with a tour of the backyard forest. The farm-to-table concept and the warm service make it memorable.”
“A unique experience with nature and friendship. Located in a mini-forest, it promotes upcycling and Indian delicacies in a cosy setting, with a focus on restoring ecological balance.”
“Set in a beautiful garden, a unique and artistic experience. The rasam was a standout, and the ginger tea prepared for my cold was a thoughtful touch. Flavours, nature and mindfulness together.”
Lichen.design reads a piece of land before it changes it: sun, wind, slope, and where the rain goes. Then it draws the water, the zones and the planting, and helps build it.
Its site is on the way. Until then, here is some of the thinking, drawn for a farm.
lichen.design is opening soon.
First the land: sun, wind and access. Then where the water goes. Then the whole plan.
If you are starting a venture that earns a living from ecological work, write to us about Samagram.
Mahadev Foundation