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How This Surat Home With 800+ Plants Stays 10°C Cooler, Hosts 25+ Bird Species
In Surat, entrepreneur Nishit Nitin Kapadia turned his city home into a green sanctuary with over 800 plants, 25 bird species, and a naturally cooler microclimate.
By
Khushi Arora
May 2, 2025 • 2 Min Read
In a residential lane of Surat, Gujarat, one home stands out — not for its size or structure, but for the sheer volume of life it holds.
The home belongs to entrepreneur Nishit Nitin Kapadia, who set out to build the green space he had always dreamed of after years of living in rented flats that didn’t allow him to plant trees. Today, the space he shares with his family hosts over 800 plants, 90 species of trees, and over 200 flowering plants, including adeniums, krishna kamal, and madhumalti.
Thick layers of creepers blanket the exterior walls, reducing heat and creating a natural barrier against rising temperatures. Even during peak summer, the house remains eight to 10°C cooler than outside.
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A home that gives back
This green cover does more than cool the home. The family also composts all their kitchen waste, enriching the soil and cutting down on waste. In addition, they’ve planted bamboo, a species known for aiding groundwater recharge through its deep roots and high leaf area index, helping slow runoff and promote better water absorption.
Over time, this careful landscaping has turned the home into a thriving habitat. More than 25 bird species — including sparrows, bulbuls, tailorbirds, and even hummingbirds — now visit regularly. Some build nests, others stop by for food or shade. During butterfly season, the garden transforms yet again, buzzing with colour and activity.
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The house has been recognised by the Gujarat government as a model eco-home, serving as an example of how urban living can be aligned with biodiversity and climate resilience.
Without leaving the city, this family has created a space that cools the environment, supports wildlife, and recharges natural resources, all within the footprint of a single home.
Would you like to live in a space like this?
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Edited by Vidya Gowri
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