Sustainable architecture is based on ecological thinking and it involves science and imagination based on nature’s creation. The main aim of sustainable architecture is to change or evolve perceptions, lives, and expectations without damaging the ecosystem. Before the Industrial Revolution, most of the architecture was in nature as they were based on the adaptation of climate and local materials to meet the demands of the people. If we look back at the history of the architecture we can get to know how our ancestors used to build sustainable architecture using different construction methods and local materials available.
Let us go back to before the starting of civilization to the Stone Age. When we think about the Stone Age the picture that comes to our mind is of the Palaeolithic Age, the earliest period of the Stone Age. Survival was of utmost importance for the people of this era because they had very little technology. These people were nomadic and moved from one place to another and they used to have temporary settlements and we don’t have much evidence of them.
From the cave paintings, we come to know that these people made their homes in caves. They also used to build huts which had stone bases, walls made up of straws or woods and straw roofs, these huts were for temporary use. Paleolithic people also used to build stone fireplace or hearth in their caves and huts which they used for cooking or simply to keep their house warm.
All the structures constructed were according to the orientation of the sun and wind directions. A modest workman’s house used to have three or four rooms within a rectangular plan. The kitchen was usually situated away from the living area and bedroom. There were small windows to keep the heat outside and to lower the inside temperature.
The building materials used for the construction in the Indus Valley civilization was similar to that of the Egyptian civilization, the only difference was that the people of Indus Valley civilization also used kiln burnt bricks. The houses were rectangular in plan oriented in North-South direction with small openings to lower the internal temperature and achieve the highest indoor thermal comfort.
