The first edition of Commercial Design Awards 2022 was about the celebration of the creative best and talent powerhouses from India’s commercial real estate and design industry. Out of all the intriguing categories, The most environmentally conscious and green project- ‘Green and Sustainable Designer of the Year’ was awarded to the Centre For Sustainable Built and Natural Environment (C.S.B.N.E).
Presenting the awards were Nitin Sable, Deputy General Manger – Commercial Air Conditioning, Bluestar and Alhad Gore, Principal Architect, Beyond Design. The award was given to Tara Pandala and Ajay Abey, Directors at Centre for Sustainable Built and Natural Environment (CSBNE) from Kochi.
Project Submitted: A Bio-diversity inclusive sustainable environment
Salient features
Rib and Skin shell slab system- The merits of the rib and skin shell systems are:
- No formwork is required.
- The thickness of concrete can be considerably reduced to only 1.5inch saving cement/sand and aggregate.
- The use of GI metal mesh instead of steel Reinforcement bars reduces weight as well as cost and conserves resources and energy.
- Cement, sand and water usage can be reduced by up to 60%.
- A single mason and two helpers can cast 1000 sq. ft in 2 days’ time reducing labour costs.
- The technology can be easily trained to local artisans. The Shell slab infill is made with non degradable solid waste such as plastic, glass, etc. Resource saving of construction materials and re-use of waste materials are emphasized in the process.
Multilayer roof system
The 3 cm air gap between the reused terracotta tile and the roof sheet assists in convective cooling and keeps the structure cool throughout the hot summer. Qualities/benefits of multi-layer roofing • Reduces heat emission and cools naturally through convective process.
- Convective cooling is facilitated due to the large volume and the additional span achieved through a lightweight roof.
- Recycling and reuse made possible through the use of old terracotta tiles as roof texture.
- GI roof structure and fabrication can future proof the structure for solar panel installation.
Lightweight masonry system
The walls are built of lightweight aerated concrete blocks made up of fly ash, a by-product of industry. A.A.C blocks require no water curing on site so as to save the water resources.
Cost-effective and environmentally friendly finishes
Masonry walls are mud washed which retains the property of masonry as breathable walls and gives a chemical-free surface coating. The windows and doors are made out of thin layers of wooden sheath.
Results and lessons learned
- With small labour force and in lesser time, the building can be erected on site.
- Light weight results in savings on materials and foundation.
- Better spatial planning, ventilation, plumbing and waste management makes the house more suitable for human occupation.
- Maximum land is put to use with stilt platform and light weight floor.
- A holistic built environment of clean and healthy surround ings pleasing to the aesthetic sense and possibility of local economy development through backyard farming, cattle, poultry, fish rearing etc can be achieved.
- Coordination functional planning, structural planning and construction methods, yields economical solutions.
- Use of locally available building materials and special type of form work for efficient construction results in time saving.
- Modular planning and construction techniques results in material and time saving.
- Locally made special type of form work for efficient con struction methods and time saving.
- Depending on site-specific contexts like accessibility the cost of constructing a building is at least 50% cheaper than a conventional building.
- Depending on site-specific contexts like accessibility the cost of constructing a building is at least 50% cheaper than a conventional building.
- Region-specific construction methodology can serve as a conceptual framework to address the affordable and sustainable housing scenario across India and internationally.