Where is Indian Architecture headed? Is it going back to its roots in indigenous and biophilia?
The concept of biophilic architecture isn’t new to India. If we went back to see the way our traditional houses were built or markets, towns and villages are set up, we will see that all built up spaces took nature into great consideration. Be it the central courtyard of houses that were open to the sky and the outward facing rooms that allowed natural sunlight. Not to mention the courtyards that had the Tulsi plant as its centrepiece with other flora within these spaces to traditional “lavatories” providing for compost pits that was then used for agriculture. Walls, pillars and wooden ceilings were often built with material available locally and the dwelling would be very well integrated to the local surroundings.
Subsequently we saw the incorporation of modern building materials and structures that were more invasive to the natural surroundings rather than complementary; depleting greenery as well as resident fauna, using non-renewable energy to power their existence and upkeep, therefore adding to various types of pollution.
With a greater awareness towards “Sustainability” in the present times, we are seeing a mix of developments; modern structures coming up without disturbing existing landscapes and optimising what it has to offer and others going back to their roots when designing their built-up spaces.
This trend is not just likely to continue but to grow as new urban centres come up complementing and enabling the natural surroundings. Policy and legislation is going to hasten the process too. Large population concentrations are also likely to feed into the need of people incorporating natural and sustainable elements into their living and working spaces, most likely to drive down cost of construction.
So biophilic architecture is set to grow both from a need from the people as well as Government legislation towards having sustainable environments.
My designs, without the intent of positioning it as “biophilic”, always took into consideration the optimisation of natural sunlight to brighten the spaces I designed, natural air circulation, North-South windows, Skylights, higher ceilings, besides incorporating greenery indoors, outdoors and terraces.
Within the built-up spaces in my project, I have always used a range of environment sustaining products; Water saving fittings & fixtures such as low flow taps, dual flush for toilets, efficiently designed shower-heads for baths etc.
A key norm I follow is to source materials and products as much as possible, locally. This has multiple benefits; provides for the local economy, ease of service at a later time while also cutting down on impact on environment due to transportation.
Incorporating biophilic elements also involve explaining the practical architecture elements to clients. Take for example, sunshades. In a tropical country like India with harsh summers and heavy monsoon seasons, a sunshade is always advised for windows and doors. Use of horizontal shades in north/south windows and vertical louvres in east/west play an important role to keep the harsh sun away during summers and the rains lashing in during the monsoons. They also play a pivotal role in reducing heat gain inside rooms and therefore reducing our energy needs. Many “modern” architects tend to look at it as an eye sore and do away with it, but I do educate my clients about the importance of these.
What are some of the biggest challenges in Indian Architecture?
Government regulations; either regulations that aren’t grounded to reality or instances where you see regulations not being enforced. When it is, it is ad-hoc. The other challenges could come from climatic conditions, diversity of people, and designing for clients with varying cultural backgrounds and beliefs. At times, we also need to apply Vastu Shastra principles into the design which comes outlined with its own stipulations, making the task even more challenging. There could be certain limitations and site constraints we may face while having to accommodate green pockets specifically in highly populated zones. Taking all these considerations into account, the architect needs to create and put up structures that are expected to be functional in nature, economically viable, aesthetically pleasing, environmentally sensitive and above all, satisfy the various technical and structural requirements, the very basis on which it stands.
Government incentives need to be prioritised and should become such, that they will make these solutions the first choice for clients. What will help in the faster adoption will be educating consuming public and the State providing impetus to the early movers through incentives.
Sustainability is not just about making use of natural resources or renewable resources but reorganising our living conditions, our lifestyles and adapting to green work practices – all contribute towards a sustainable development.
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