Promoting green architecture
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Panel discussion focuses on efforts that will help develop green architecture
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Photo: S. Siva Saravanan
On right concept: (from left to right) Architect Philip Fowler, Fowler & Fowler; Mini Fowler of Fowler & Fowler; Arivudai Nambi, chairman of Coimbatore Chapter of the Indian Institute of Architects, Kamalhassan Ramaswamy of Cuboid Architects and A. Sridharan, joint secretary of Coimbatore Property Developers’ Association, at a panel discussion on green architecture held in Coimbatore on Thursday. —
Reuse of materials, conserving old buildings and a change in mindset are some of the efforts that will help develop green architecture, according to a panel of architects and builder.
Business India Exhibitions Private Limited and Indian Institute of Architects organised a panel discussion in Coimbatore recently on “The practice of Green Architecture in the Indian Context”.
Challenge
The ultimate challenge of the 21st century seems to be climate change and global warming.
With service sector dominating the economy, over 50 per cent of population is living in the cities world-wide. So energy and dependence on fossil fuel are key factors in global warming.
Buildings can be sustainable with the materials used, structure and design, according to Architect Philip Fowler of Fowler & Fowler, who moderated the panel discussion. “Man has to harmonise with Nature to bring in balance,” he said.
Conservation
Kamalhassan Ramaswamy of Cuboid Architects spoke on the relevance of conservation in green architecture. “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle are the 3Rs of Green Architecture,” he said.
With more construction, natural resources were being depleted. Buildings needed to be preserved by prolonging their life.
Old buildings were made by skilled workers using quality materials.
So, they were worth preserving. The building as a whole should be recycled not just a part of it, he said.
Mr. Ramaswamy had photos of some of the heritage building projects that showed how the skeleton of an old structure could be retained for modern use. Conservation would help in saving energy and money.
Sustainability
Mini Fowler of Fowler & Fowler spoke about sustainable architecture in India. She said that eco-friendly buildings and healthier environment brought in sustainability.
Natural, non-toxic materials such as stone, earth, bamboo and clay could be used. Natural flow of solar and wind energy helped conserve electricity.
Bamboo could be a substitute for wood.
Incentives
The government now offered incentives for use of non-conventional energy sources in buildings.
Wind towers, ponds, fly ash bricks and the chimney effect design were some of the subjects that she spoke about.
M. Arivudai Nambi, Chairman of the local chapter of the Indian Institute of Architects, said “Green is not a brand but an attitude.” He said it was important for end consumers and architects to be aware of the energy used and be judicious about it.
The main way to go green was to develop the right attitude towards the issue, he said.
A. Sridharan, Joint Secretary of Coimbatore Property Developers Association, pointed out that green buildings meant creating a healthy, clean and green environment.
Sewage
He explained how sewage could be reused for garden purposes, natural sunlight could be used for daytime lighting inside the building and underground water could be tapped for domestic use.
The initial investment cost would be higher for such efforts.
However, it would result in relatively low maintenance cost.
The end users should be educated on the benefits of these initiatives. Responsibility was not only with the builders but also the residents.
Summarising the proceedings, Mr. Fowler added that the State should provide incentives for use of renewable energy and should conserve old buildings and arable lands.
Individuals should promote the green concept in the design and material use.
MEENAKSHI NAUTIYAL
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