The sustainable design aims to reduce buildings’ negative environmental effects by improving efficiency and moderation in the use of materials, energy, development space, and the ecosystem as a whole.Sustainable architecture is concerned with energy and environmental conservation while designing the built environment. The objective of sustainability, also known as ecological design, is to ensure that our present usage of available resources does not have negative effects for our collective well-being or make future access to resources problematic.
Timeline of sustainable development
There is no disputing that the environment and the future are inextricably linked. In the twenty-first century, the sustainable movement has developed and changed quickly. This movement is a response to the different challenges in the human-earth interaction that appear to be more disruptive and seemingly intractable. Many new concepts and approaches emerge once the period of sustainable development emerges, such as biophilia, cradle-to-cradle, resilience planning, natural step, permaculture, living buildings, eco-districts, transition cities, integrative and biomimetic design, and so on. The abundance of these hypotheses points to a concept of sustainability that isn’t yet fixed and massive, and it piques interest in finding its end-point.
The advancement of pesticide technology resulted in soil, water, and air pollution, the free use of chlorofluorocarbons, which caused ozone depletion, and the use of nuclear technology, which is still not secure. Since the 1960s, these challenges have fueled a stronger environmental movement that has evolved into an ecological movement. Previously, environmental movements were mostly led by Americans. After that, the notion of sustainability evolves and grows in popularity across the world. Furthermore, living circumstances deteriorated, and an energy crisis resulting from the oil embargo occurred, motivating environmentalists to do more to safeguard the environment.
They formed Green Peace, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the American Green Building Council as environmental protection organisations. and pronounced Earth day. As time goes by, the awareness related to the importance of preserving nature develops and continues to grow for maintaining life’s sustainability on earth.
Famous architects and their views
The climate issue has become a mainstay of architectural debate, with the discipline gradually recognising its role in environmental challenges and attempting to redefine its principles and practices. Emerging practices, organisations, and entrepreneurs are carving out a new architecture practice, gently but steadily shifting the paradigm away from “green” add-ons and technological equipment. The following are some of the architects who have reframed the building’s connection with sustainability on numerous levels, from policy and design methods to materials and construction procedures.
Jean Nouvel – Think into the future
The architect of the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Philharmonie de Paris, who won the Pritzker Architecture Prize, is well-known for his innovative work in sustainable architecture.
“More than ever, sustainability is at stake…,” Nouvel said, encouraging sustainable architects to consider how their designs may adapt to long-term changes.
“…Because we live in a world that is constantly changing and profoundly changing, architects must drastically rethink how we design. New phrases are required to represent new paradigms and technological advancements. Our ideas must be able to project far into the future and withstand the test of time.”
Glenn Murcutt – Choose your materials mindfully
Glenn Murcutt is frequently referred to as Australia’s most well-known architect. Murcutt, the only Australian to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize, is a strong advocate for sustainability. A big component of that mindset is material selection.
“It’s about: where did that stuff originate from?” says Murcutt. What kind of damage has the extraction of the stuff caused to the land? How will it finally be returned to the Earth, or can it be reused, recycled, or put together in such a manner that it may be torn apart, modified, and reused?” Touching the ground softly, according to Murcutt, entails taking into account the environmental impact of every design decision, not the least of which is selecting the appropriate building materials.
Scott Caesar – Keep the comfort of the occupants in mind
Scott Caesar is an architect who recognises the symbiotic relationship between sustainability and occupant satisfaction. With buildings like 4 Times Square, Ceasar, a principal of Cosentini Associates, has helped to bring sustainability into the mainstream.
While some designers consider sustainability and occupant comfort to be independent concerns, Ceasar believes they are intertwined. “We choose solutions that will go the furthest toward decreasing energy use and boosting occupant comfort,” he says of how a space’s sustainable design will influence inhabitants. The message is that sustainability and occupant comfort must coexist seamlessly.
Dharmesh Jadeja – Contextual sustainability
This studio is an Auroville-based architectural design firm. This group has dedicated its efforts to creating a sustainable living environment via its activities. They’ve planned and built a variety of projects in and around Auroville, as well as in other regions of India. Their projects have a distinct personality that is culturally acceptable for the built environment.
We’re talking about Dharmesh Jadeja, an inventive leader whose expertise and current methods, when combined, develop solutions that are ecologically friendly, commercially feasible and energy-efficient.
Benny Kuriakose – Innovation with materials and arts
This renowned Chennai-based architect has designed everything from private buildings to resorts utilising locally available and environmentally friendly materials such as clay, stone, and lumber for over three decades.
He works on catastrophe rehabilitation, restoration, and conservation projects in addition to building structures from the ground up. Another important component of his work is the application of indigenous knowledge in the construction of buildings.
Sonali Rastogi – Sustainability through passive design
With offices in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and New Delhi, Morphogenesis is one of the leading Indian award-winning architecture and urban design firms. For a distinct contextual language, the company reinterprets regional architectural traditions and constantly applies passive design solutions. Their goal is to play a significant role in the global discussion about Indian architecture.
India and sustainability
It is unfortunate to note that just a small number of architects/builders are practising sustainable architecture. But, once again, increased awareness and the next market-driven fad in green building has highlighted the gap between current construction standards and actual sustainability.
Is India constructing a long-term future? It’s critical to recognise that sustainable development attempts to fulfil today’s housing and working environment demands without jeopardising future generations’ capacity to meet their own needs. When architectural quality, transferability, and technical advancements are integrated, sustainable construction integrates components of environmental performance, economic efficiency, and social responsibility – and contributes to the maximum degree possible.
Final thoughts
Working with nature rather than against it is the key to architectural sustainability. Architectural sustainability reflects the view that it is important to make human activity a non-damaging part of the ongoing ecological landscape — ever-enduring by the belief that ‘its nature who knows best’. Hope these famous architects in India and around the world inspire you and your work. It’s time to give back to nature.
References:
- LIVE KINDLY. 2022. What Is Sustainable Architecture? The Future of ‘Green’ Buildings, Explained. [online] Available at: <https://www.livekindly.co/what-is-sustainable-architecture/> [Accessed 21 March 2022].
- Bonenberg, Wojciech & Kapliński, Oleg. (2018). The Architect and the Paradigms of Sustainable Development: A Review of Dilemmas. Sustainability (Switzerland). 10. 10.3390/su10010100.
- ArchDaily. 2022. From Past to Future: The Urgency of “Green” in Architecture. [online] Available at: <https://www.archdaily.com/958188/from-past-to-future-the-urgency-of-green-in-architecture> [Accessed 21 March 2022].
- A. Djoko Istiadji et al 2018 IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 213 012016
- TerraMai. 2022. 6 Famous Architects Share their Top Sustainable Design Tips – TerraMai. [online] Available at: <https://www.terramai.com/blog/6-famous-architects-share-their-top-sustainable-design-tips/> [Accessed 27 March 2022].
- Go Smart Bricks. 2022. 12 Famous Architects In India Who Adopt Sustainability As A Vital Feature In Their Work. [online] Available at: <https://gosmartbricks.com/indian-architects-who-are-renowned-for-their-sustainable-practice/> [Accessed 27 March 2022].
