As the effects of global warming continue to unfold, architects are stepping up to the challenge, embracing new approaches and technologies to create sustainable and environmentally conscious structures.
We had the privilege of engaging with 3 established architects and designers to delve into their thoughts and insights.
Keeping it natural
Lately, Designers have thoroughly been careful about their sustainable practices to provide the best green buildings, Keith Menon, Architect & co-founder of Spiro Spero, avers, “By integrating sustainable principles from the very beginning, we prioritize the use of eco-friendly materials and leverage evolving technologies. Our focus lies in creating a low environmental impact, achieved through recycled content, responsible wood sourcing, and materials with low VOC emissions. Moreover, by harnessing smart technology, we unlock efficient energy management, enhanced occupant comfort, and resource monitoring.”
A green-tech affair
With the growing trend of combining sustainability with technology in architecture, Kunal Sharma, Founder & CEO, Flipspaces, elaborates, Â “Integration of smart technology and advancements in technology over the past decades, has allowed architects in the current day and age to adopt and integrate smart systems into buildings, which enables more efficient energy management, occupant comfort in commercial spaces, and monitoring of resource consumption.“
He adds “Net-Zero Energy structures nowadays are an key aspect when we talk about sustainable design and It is also pivotal for an architect to always try to achieve this via an amalgamation of design which is energy-efficient, the use of advanced energy management systems along with on-site renewable energy production including with the use of automated lighting which can be LEED certified, HVAC controls, and real-time energy monitoring systems to cite a few examples.”
Bringing her expertise to the same, Meghana Nimmagadda, Designtales, Founder and CEO adds, “From using Virtual Reality to assess the design before implementation and reducing resource waste due to changes to using Artificial Intelligence to predict future behaviours to avoid renovation, technology has become indispensable in the fight against climate change.”
Vernacular essence
Vernacular architecture has been revolving around for decades. This design method is not just reliable but also provides the best natural solution for climate change. Nimmagadda explains, “Designers are taking cues from vernacular architecture and using materials such as local mud, stone, lime, rammed earth, and bamboo, incorporating verandahs and courtyards to enable passive cooling for energy efficiency. Using these ancient construction techniques and incorporating new-age technology to integrate renewable energy systems and machine learning that adapts to occupancy patterns, and learns user preferences helps optimise every aspect of design.“