Why is Sustainable Architecture important?
For years, we have struggled to ensure the use of natural resources and renewable energy in our building design and construction. For a safer and greener planet, it is important to cease exploitation of our natural surroundings and adhere to sustainable means of development. Sustainable Architecture is in some ways, a return to the basics. Sustainable Development recognises the interconnection between social, economic and environmental factors. It also aims to find a balance that promotes progress while ensuring the preservation of our planet. Bringing sustainability in architecture is the best way to show gratitude towards ‘Mother Earth’ for all the resources that he has given us. The impactful benefits given by sustainable architecture are energy consumption from renewable resources without harming the climate and maintaining ecological balance. Personal benefits include lower operational costs due to self-sustaining energy generation. A better environment promotes better health thus leading to increased productivity.
Relation between Sustainable Architectural Practices and Indigenous Communities
Sustainability is a deeply rooted concept that has been practised by various Indigenous communities spread across the globe for centuries. These communities offer wisdom that provides and guides us with invaluable lessons in dealing with contemporary design issues due to increasing environmental challenges. Sustainability enhances cultural identity by playing an important role in composing both tangible and intangible cultural resources.
Sustainability and eco-friendliness are the key components of indigenous architectural practices which are responsible for constructing structures that cater to both humans and the environment. These sustainable construction practices prioritize the reduction of the overall carbon footprint by using natural buildings during the construction process. Indigenous practices emphasize green infrastructure and biodiversity-friendly construction, promoting the preservation of the ecosystem and a healthier environment. To create a global shift toward a more environmentally conscious future, today’s architects need to integrate indigenous knowledge with sustainable architectural practices.
Keeping Indigenous Knowledge Alive with Sustainable Practices
Indigenous knowledge refers to the collective set of knowledge and skills developed by communities over generations through interactions with the environment. This deeply rooted knowledge of the natural world reflects a holistic approach to sustainability that prioritizes environmental health over economic gain. Indigenous communities adopt environmentally conscious techniques. These techniques rely on traditional knowledge that involves minimal machinery and equipment, thus reducing the amount of energy required to construct a building. These techniques have also led to the development of ‘Biophilic Design’ which seeks to create buildings that are inspired by nature and incorporate natural elements such as green roofs, vertical gardens and living walls.
The emergence of vernacular and indigenously styled construction practices lays the foundation for architectural reimagining by creating informal spatial layouts, and selection of materials and building techniques while also allowing integration of innovation and contemporary expression. Architects practising sustainability can create a significant impact by carefully blending tradition and modernity through an Indigenous approach with available resources rooted in their context, therefore minimizing the ecological impact of construction. One of the contemporary examples that explains this concept is ‘Eco-villages’ which are defined as intentional communities designed to be environmentally and economically sustainable. These Eco- Villages embrace co- housing model of community which is based on oriental living and thriving on low-carbon practices.
Vernacular Architecture is a profound combination of values and traditions and is implemented by using locally available materials and construction techniques referring to the uniqueness of the region. Revival of Vernacular Architecture can be a direction to rural conservation and adaptation which also preserves what we already have, for instance, the potential to protect and enhance the natural environment and processes based on their historical, archaeological and scientific interest, landscape, wildlife habitat and cultural values. Designing in remote locations unshackles the architect and possesses the potential to create freeborn, sustainable design interventions with myriad benefits to the environment and socio-economic culture of the region.
Contemporary Examples Inspired by Indigenous Sustainable Practices
Globally, various successful projects have set an astounding example of the integration of indigenous practices with sustainable architecture. Firstly, the Biobosch Museum in the Netherlands was designed to blend in with the surrounding landscape, thus minimizing its environmental impact. The construction of the museum involved the wise selection of sustainable building materials and renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and a ground source heat pump.
Another example is The Earthship Biotecture project in Taos, New Mexico Is a landmark project demonstrating the use of indigenous knowledge for constructing a self-sufficient home design. Self-efficiency in terms of sustainability of these homes is achieved through the use of recycled materials, such as old tyres and glass bottles. The overall sustainable design approach is based on traditional building practices such as passive solar heating and natural ventilation and reliance on solar and wind power to create a comfortable living environment without the use of fossil fuels. The above-discussed examples demonstrate that we can create buildings that respect the environment and honour the cultures of Indigenous communities through an effective combination of traditional building techniques and modern eco-friendly construction practices.
Sustainable architectural practices have achieved global recognition and are now placed at the forefront because of current economic and environmental challenges. Embracing such sustainable practices helps us to reduce waste, minimize our carbon footprint and create healthy, beautiful and functional aspects for generations. The crucial integration of sustainable architecture along with indigenous practices plays a significant role by involving factors like traditional building techniques, culturally sensitive architecture and community engagement to achieve sustainability at its core. By drawing lessons from the past, we can create structures that are not only sustainable but also culturally rich, technologically advanced and aesthetically compelling.
References:
- Indigenous-knowledge-and-sustainable-architecture-a-global-perspective. Available at : https://constructive-voices.com/indigenous-knowledge-and-sustainable-architecture-a-global-perspective/
- Mathur A, Bagul A, Rajhans K. Indigenous Practices for Achieving Sustainable Construction. Curr World Environ 2024;19(2). Available at : https://volzero.com/news/view/decoding-the-language-of-buildings-a-journey-into-architectural-symbolism
