The sustainable project eco system, by virtue of being in greater numbers than a decade ago, is seeing a more conscious new generation of architects and professionals.
Arpan Johri - Principal Architect, AW Design
The construction industry is a major contributor towards pollution. The advantages offered by green buildings not only help reduce this pollution but also help mitigate the damage done. For its long-term advantages, not just residential and commercial, but also industrial, townships, transit hubs etc. should go green. By doing so, substantial savings could be achieved in both tangible (by way of material and financial resources) and intangible (water, environment, user health) domains. Scientifically designed and implemented green projects also benefit from optimization of infrastructure and reduction in the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
The design process of projects at AW Design is no longer an expression of only functional and aesthetic project needs; projects are now designed around the core values of sustainability. Measures like site design and management, water efficiency, energy efficiency, the way material resources are used, and indoor environment quality form the basis of the design intent in our projects. Based on site specific needs, the magnitude and implementation of these measures may vary. Our core intent in projects is to reduce our carbon footprint, both during and post-construction.
Now, scientific building design guidelines specific to the Indian context are available through the Bureau of Energy Efficiency in the form of Eco Niwas Samhita, Energy Conservation Building code, ventilation guidelines through ISHRAE, and our National Building Code itself is more inclusive, with chapters detailing the criteria wise sustainability concerns, and how they have to be addressed.
