SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainable Architecture

Word “Sustainable Architecture” means to me

According to my studies and understanding on this term or similar term like green buildings; is a building which is self-sustain in terms of energy and water. The process or output after achieving term “self-sustain” for any building or any built/un-built form of structure is “Sustainable Architecture”.

Sustainable Architecture can benefit human and nature with tangible as well as intangible aspects. The tangible benefit includes energy saving and water saving. The intangible benefit includes enhanced air quality, excellent day lighting which affects human health & well-being and conservation of national & natural resources. It also minimize the negative impacts on ecology and environment.

Key Issues

The major National issues related to sustainability are as follow:

      1. Energy efficiency,

2. Water efficiency,

3. Conserving natural resources,

4. Handling of consumer waste,

5. Reduction in fossil fuel use for commuting, and

6. Enhanced occupant’s health, productivity and well-being.

The Green and Sustainable concepts in building sector can help to address and resolve above national issues.

Features and aspects of Sustainable Architecture

Sustainable Architecture facilitate the effective use of site resources, water conservation, energy efficiency, handling of household wastes and optimum material utilization. I like to describe some of the features in detail as follow:

1. Sustainable Design and Site Selection & Planning

·    Preservation of fertile top soil for future reuse.

·    Location of site to nearby basic amenities.

·    Proximity of public transport.

·    Preservation of natural topography and vegetation.

·    Preservation or transplantation of trees.

 

2. Water Conservation

·    Provision of Rain water harvesting.

·    Provision of water efficient plumbing fixtures.

·    Management and Designing of landscape considering water requirements.

·    Waste water treatment plant and reuse of treated water in landscape or in flush.

 

3. Energy Efficiency

·    Use of HVAC equipment CFC free and minimum BEE – 3 star rating.

·    Use of on-site renewable energy. (Solar energy, Wind power, Biomass, etc.)

 

4. Building Material and Resources

·    Segregation of waste.

·    Safe disposal of hazardous waste.

·    Maximize use of Salvaged material or use of material with recycled content.

·    Maximize use of local material.

5. Indoor Environmental Quality

·    Maximize fresh air ventilation

·    CO2 monitoring.

·    Maximize day lighting.

·    Promote outdoor views.

·    Use of low VOC materials for interior.

·    Provision of well-being facilities.

Need to Care about

Urbanization and population growth leads to increase in urban issues like; intensive urban growth can lead to greater poverty, air pollution due to automobile exhaust, large volume of uncontrolled waste, loss of urban green covers, increase in slum or informal settlements, lack of infra-services, transmission of agricultural lands into residential or institutional zones, etc.

Yes, As an architect we are and we should be responsible to take precautions while site planning and designing any project. Our aim should be to direct the future development in sustainable manner considering newly emerging urban issues, by preserving environment & natural resources and protecting agricultural lands.

I would like to introduce some aspects and concepts of sustainable architecture on which we should think like; urban agriculture, vertical farming, sustainable community development, dump site to landscape transmission, etc.

“The FUTURE depends on what you GROW TODAY…”

“Conservation of NATURAL Resources Go WRONG,

Nothing else will go RIGHT”

URBAN FARMING    SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE