How Architects Can Build Sustainability
Forbes India|September 27, 2019
With Odisha’s Krushi Bhavan being shortlisted for a global architecture award, we look at how architects bring sustainability to what they build.
Taruka Srivastava
How Architects Can Build Sustainability

As sustainability becomes a concept that is increasingly being adopted in various fields, it is finding its way into architecture with structures and buildings that minimise their negative impact on the environment. According to the US Green Building Council (USGBC), India ranks third, after China and Canada, with more than 899 green building projects and a total area of more than 24.81 million gross square metres.

The ITC group, for instance, has built four green buildings in India. The group’s luxury hotel ITC Maurya in New Delhi is one of the world’s first and largest LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum-rated hotels, and has won numerous awards for being eco-friendly. Among various other initiatives, the hotel recycles more than 90 percent of its waste. The ITC Green Centre in Gurugram too has received a LEED certification from USGBC.

Among public sector buildings, Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan in Delhi, built in 2013 as the office of the Ministry of External Affairs, is designed in sync with its environment and surroundings. The external design of the building, derived from Edwin Lutyen’s era, incorporates features from traditional Indian architecture, while the interior is contemporary and uses state-of-the-art technology.

For instance, insulated walls and ceilings, and double-glazing on windows keep the building cool in summer and reduce air conditioning requirements by 30 percent; solar panels heat water for the kitchens, while mirror optic fixtures, CFLs and occupancy censors ensure efficient energy use.

This story is from the September 27, 2019 edition of Forbes India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 27, 2019 edition of Forbes India.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM FORBES INDIAView All
Home-Cooked Meal Is Now Greatly Valued
Forbes India

Home-Cooked Meal Is Now Greatly Valued

The pandemic has also brought with it an improved focus on hygiene, use of technology in dining, rise of cloud kitchens and resurgence in popularity of Indian ingredients

time-read
8 mins  |
May 21, 2021
Paytm 3.0 - Reaching Near Breakeven In Two Years
Forbes India

Paytm 3.0 - Reaching Near Breakeven In Two Years

As of 2020, Vijay Shekhar Sharma’s super app for financial services had run up losses in thousands of crores. Now, as digital payments gets yet another boost courtesy Covid-19, he’s hopeful of reaching near breakeven in two years

time-read
10+ mins  |
June 4, 2021
THE PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED WOMEN GREATER LABOUR PAIN
Forbes India

THE PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED WOMEN GREATER LABOUR PAIN

Covid-19 has shown that women are more likely to face the brunt of job losses than men, and find fewer opportunities when they want to resume. That apart, several have to deal with increased hours of unpaid work at home and even domestic abuse

time-read
8 mins  |
May 21, 2021
LEADERSHIP WILL BE ABOUT SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE
Forbes India

LEADERSHIP WILL BE ABOUT SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE

Leaders must not only guard their teams first during a crisis, but also deal with stakeholders with respect and dignity. And apart from pursuing business goals, they should remain committed to our planet and the environment

time-read
7 mins  |
May 21, 2021
PHILANTHROPY SHOULD BE HUMBLE, BUT NOT MODEST
Forbes India

PHILANTHROPY SHOULD BE HUMBLE, BUT NOT MODEST

Apart from building a flexible and resilient framework for the future, philanthropists, civil society and the government must work in tandem so that every rupee is absorbed on the ground

time-read
9 mins  |
May 21, 2021
INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE, TECH WILL DISRUPT SECTOR
Forbes India

INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE, TECH WILL DISRUPT SECTOR

While clinical research will get a boost, having a skilled workforce and public spending on health care will be challenges in the near term

time-read
8 mins  |
May 21, 2021
DIGITALISATION WILL HELP IN VALUE CREATION
Forbes India

DIGITALISATION WILL HELP IN VALUE CREATION

As the pandemic brings technology and innovation to the core of business and daily life, the next decade will see about 150 million digital-first families in India

time-read
8 mins  |
May 21, 2021
Industry 4.0: Climate Revolution?
Forbes India

Industry 4.0: Climate Revolution?

Augmenting sustainability alongside digital capabilities is an economic, competitive and global opportunity for India’s businesses, but regulations need to reflect intent

time-read
10 mins  |
June 4, 2021
EV Dream Still Miles Away
Forbes India

EV Dream Still Miles Away

Electric vehicles have remained a buzzword in India for years. But not much has moved on ground due to high upfront costs, range anxiety and charging infrastructure

time-read
6 mins  |
June 4, 2021
Living Waters
Forbes India

Living Waters

A virus has caused us to scramble for oxygen but our chokehold on the environment is slowly strangling the very waters that breathe life into us. The virus is a timely reminder: We are merely consumers, not producers of life’s breath on this planet

time-read
4 mins  |
June 4, 2021