Published on - 02-Jul-2018
Sustainable Architecture
The central idea behind sustainable Architecture is to work with nature; to build in a manner that is least intrusive to natural eco-systems. Almost all modern building materials in recent construction are excavated, manufactured and processed by depleting natural eco-systems. Entire processes from the mining and processing of natural resources to manufacturing, transporting and product delivering consumes energy. There is an urgent need to understand embodied energy of building materials; nature and extent of energy/natural resources they consume for their production.
The key to architectural sustainability is to work with, rather than against, nature; to sensitively exploit and simultaneously avoid damaging natural systems. Sustainable architecture in an ideal condition, should attempt to position and promote human activities that are not obtrusive to ecological landscape.
Pratitioners’ View
The latest market-driven trend in green building has had some success at bridging the gap between current building practices and true sustainability. As a mainstream architecture firm working with businesses and governments in urban environments, we constantly introspect to identify strategies that can be aligned with limitations of building programs and budgets.
Designing with nature in urban habitats is about recognizing sun paths, breezes, shade trees and micro landscape that can be used to create something that people can inhabit comfortably. Since buildings consume close to 40% of worlds energy, it is incumbent on us to design buildings that are built, operated and reused in an ecological and resource efficient manner. Buildings that are designed sensibly in reference to site, location, climate and adaptability of use for future, help immensely reduce the adverse impact to the environment.
Passive design strategies can dramatically affect building energy performance. These measures include building shape and orientation, passive solar design, and the use of natural lighting. Careful positioning of openings, use of appropriate materials and the rooftop solar plant dramatically reduce buildings’ energy need from fossil sources.
One case in point is our recent project for Makhanlal University in Rewa.
http://kushwahandkushwah.in/mdetail.php?news=13
The proposed campus of Makhanlal Chaturvedi University of Mass Communication and Journalism in Rewa will be a satellite campus comprising of the Academic block, an Auditorium, Student- activity Centre, guest house, Hostel and staff residence. When fully functional the small campus will be home to about 1500 students, faculty and staff.
At the outset of design process, the team proceeded with clear goal of planning the campus with diverse range of covered and open spaces that foster creativity and collaboration; to have a building with minimum energy footprint and a campus that is sensible in reference to site, location and climate.
The design envisages a dynamic configuration of forms which carve out public spaces, green terraces, and common areas. The east-west orientation of main building provides daylight without much heat gain. Staggered terraces, covered entrance plazas and a big solar roof on top of the building are meant to keep the outdoor spaces cool.
Careful positioning of openings, use of appropriate materials and the rooftop solar plant dramatically reduce campus’s energy need from fossil sources.
Though the debate on sustainable Urban architecture is mainly limited to quantitative aspects and use of technology to achieve the numbers, it is necessary to create habitats that are aligned with socio-economic and cultural realities of ecosystems they are located in. As Indian cities struggle with rampant and unsustainable development, well-designed buildings will pave the way for a more holistic development.