Reducing the building’s need for artificial energy sources while maintaining a comfortable interior is the aim of climate-responsive design. A building design that adapts to the climate reflects the local weather in the location where the structure is built. The design takes into consideration variables including seasonality, sun, wind, rainfall, and humidity, and makes use of data on the region’s weather patterns. A building’s energy consumption can be limited by several factors depending on the site-specific circumstances. As an illustration, the building envelope plays a crucial role as a mediator between the internal and external environments. To reduce unnecessary energy waste, various assemblies are needed for the envelopes in different climatic zones.
HMTX Industries’ new world headquarters
In response to the mounting concern about climate change and in keeping with its mission of sustainability, HMTX Industries declared the opening of its new headquarters located in Norwalk, Connecticut. Working with one of the most prominent figures in the world of design and the green building movement, Jason. F. McLennan, the creator of McLennan Design, the 24,000-square-foot structure, which broke ground in April 2021, has designed the greenest structure in the state of Connecticut.
One of the structure’s distinctive qualities is that it is positioned above the ground to keep as much of the natural environment as possible. Constructed using the healthiest non-toxic materials possible, it will gather and reuse rainwater, produce zero carbon emissions, and generate more energy on-site than it consumes. Additionally, there are places for artists-in-residence design studios within the environmentally sensitive complex.
TERI building
Sanjay Mohe is the Architect who designed The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI) in Bengaluru, India. The design, which is set in a region with a mild climate, shows how the constructed form interacts with the five elements of nature – air, water, sky, earth, and fire (sun) – to achieve comfort on the levels of sound, temperature, and sight. The building’s east-west orientation was the most straightforward approach to adapting to the climate. The south wall lets the air pass over the structure, while the building opens out towards the northern wall to take advantage of the glare-free light. Filler slabs and roof gardens were used as insulation strategies to reduce the heat gain from the roof.
After thorough research, the atrium integration and fenestrations were planned to reduce the amount of artificial lighting used during the day. The building’s convection currents are aided by the air chimneys. Water conservation is aided by an effective rainwater harvesting system, which benefits both landscape and lavatory usage.
Populous unveils Munich’s first Climate-Neutral event arena
Populous architecture will design Munich, Germany’s new multi-use, climate-neutral event arena. By building a “compact, efficient, and visually stunning” venue that will be instantly recognizable and represent the culture and character of the Bavarian metropolitan region. The structure hopes to offer a unique experience that will establish itself as a new landmark. The 20,000-seat facility honors its Bavarian roots with a support system modeled like the lozenge form found in the state flag of Bavaria.
In addition to the possibility of district heating and geothermal energy, thousands of solar panels will be installed on the arena’s roof and surrounding property, guaranteeing that the energy needed to run the arena may be produced and provided locally. The arena’s sustainability and climate plan were framed by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and it will be certified by a globally accepted sustainability standard.
ITC Royal Gardenia achieves LEED Zero Carbon certification
After ITC Windsor in Bengaluru and ITC Grand Chola in Chennai, ITC Royal Gardenia in Bengaluru became just the third hotel in the world to have received the LEED Zero Carbon certification in 2022. ITC Gardenia has become a model of environmental stewardship by utilizing innovation, state-of-the-art technology, and architectural integration to enable energy efficiency, water efficiency, and significant decarbonization with zero carbon process. The hotel successfully integrates natural elements with its construction by using a series of ecological measures and practices.
The Royal Gardenia is undoubtedly the ideal fashion of luxury and environmental concern. Being one of the world’s most highly regarded green buildings is concealed by the ease with which every green practice melds with the modern surroundings.
Rain Tree House designed by Khosla Architects
Khosla Architects are well-known as passionate contextualists. The firm’s work is like quiet talk with times, location, and purpose in an era of noisy architecture. The company is situated in Bengaluru. The style established by late Sri Lankan Architect Geoffery Bawa, was by nature and by sustainability means, and Khosla Architects have adhered to these values.
Entering the house under the shade of the rain tree, you are shown through the south court to a cozy living area featuring four sliding doors that open to a big koi pond and a garden, almost like a magic trick. When the doors are opened, the breeze comes through because of the house’s north-south orientation. Building a home around an existing tree on a site seems absurd at first- it would be like constructing a car around its horn. However, Architects Sandeep and Amaresh were aware of Chennai’s climate, so it made perfect sense to them. With two stories and 9,350 sqft. of indoor and outdoor space, the residence is now a mash-up of internal and external outdoor areas, the construction of which began towards the end of 2014. Here, nature reigns supreme, and the trees-as one might expect-have the strongest personalities. Specifically, there is an old, multi-trunked raintree that crosses the entrance of the complex, its thick canopy casting shadows and light across the home.
Reference list:
Biju, Arathi. “Examples of Climate Responsive Architecture in Indian Cities.” RTF | Rethinking the Future, 19 Aug. 2020, www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/rtf-fresh-perspectives/a1539-examples-of-climate-responsive-architecture-in-indian-cities/.
HMTX INDUSTRIES CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING OF NEW WORLD HEADQUARTERS BUILDING IS ONE of the GREENEST in the STATE of CONNECTICUT.
“ITC Gardenia Achieves LEED Zero Carbon Certification.” Www.itcportal.com, www.itcportal.com/itc-stories/itc-gardenia-achieve-leed-zerocarbon-certification.aspx.
Mishra, Divya. “Khosla Associates Design a Climate-Responsive Chennai Home around a Beloved Rain Tree.” Architectural Digest India, 21 May 2022, www.architecturaldigest.in/story/khosla-associates-design-a-climate-responsive-chennai-home-around-a-beloved-rain-tree/. Accessed 2 Mar. 2024.
Malekafzali, Ahoo. CLIMATE-RESPONSIVE DESIGN.
Stouhi, Dima. “Populous Unveils Germany’s First Climate-Neutral Event Arena in Munich.” ArchDaily, 9 May 2022, www.archdaily.com/981577/populous-unveils-germanys-first-climate-neutral-event-arena-in-munich?ad_campaign=normal-tag. Accessed 28 Feb. 2024.
