The new-age (greener) fairytale - Home: Part 2
Neeti Mahajan
Normalising Sustainability through Conversation & Impactful Storytelling for People and Planet ?? Climate Change Consultant | GIS Engineer ??? 2x Linkedin News India Featured ?? [email protected]
It is always the little things that make life feel worth it, but these are the same things we often take for granted. When I go for a walk today, I forget how in the pandemic I could not even step out of my own house. It is the sunlight and sunsets, greenery and blue skies, the inexplicable sacredness of clean air and an open view from a window that we humans really need - but industrialization and development has rather gotten the better of us.?
Living in urban jungles, especially in metropolitan cities, uniform structures and schedules have been feeling monotonous, a lot of us have forgotten how open spaces feel like, or how being under a tree is more than therapeutic.?
The modern-age fairytale is so much more than moving to a wonderland - it is about creating one for ourselves!
Imagine, if you could live without this air conditioning, if your electricity metering was not as high as it usually is, your home or workplace could be getting more sunlight and accessibility for you, weren’t an issue.?
Well the world has sensed this, and the closest we have come to living in a fairytale house, is to live in a ‘green building’.
As per global norms and regulations, a green building is designed from a sustainable perspective. With a cradle-to-cradle approach than with a cradle-to-grave one. Fundamentally using sustainable construction materials and a diverse team, the aim is to deliver a built space that is green, sustainable, holistic, environmentally-better, prone to getting more air, light, greenery and is also comfortable internally for aspects like acoustic, wellbeing, hygiene and all things fundamental to life. These are tried to incorporate into a building's life-cycle, across phases, from planning to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition.
There are multiple standards and rating organizations which facilitate the creation of a green building. There is the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) based in the United States. The United Kingdom has its own standard of Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) and across other global systems, we have in India, the Indian Green Building Council’s (IGBC) GRIHA.
While these systems are tailored for their home country and relevant requirements, overall asks include a focus on energy efficiency, water conservation, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, site and ecology, health and wellbeing, innovation and economic performance.
In today’s day and age, a few low-hanging greener fruits also include the inclusion of solar panels and wind energy for powering any built space. Talking from an Indian regulatory perspective, the Indian government offers tax benefits under the Income Tax Act for developers of green buildings, allowing up to 100% depreciation on certain green assets like solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems. Low-interest loans are available through the Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) for projects with green certifications, and many state governments provide additional Floor Area Ratio (FAR) incentives for buildings that achieve certifications from GRIHA, IGBC, or LEED, effectively rewarding developers for sustainable practices.
In some cases, certified green buildings may qualify for expedited approval processes and reduced fees, making it financially attractive for developers to pursue sustainability.?
There is a huge gap in the commercial real estate sector which needs stringent oversight, checks and balances and the need to build internal capacity - because sustainability is fundamental, and better living spaces for a huge Indian population, should also be fundamental.?
(To note: this article does not talk about disparity, human rights, or any ideal situation or a state of governance. This is mainly for education and awareness.)
More and more government buildings and offices are now choosing to be LEED Platinum certified, owning up to be more and more energy and resource efficient, putting the occupant’s wellbeing first.
While the concept of green buildings feels new and western, we often forget how our ancient architecture was holistic and futuristic, even back then. Ancient Indian architecture employed various sustainable techniques, such as utilizing natural light and ventilation, incorporating open spaces and courtyards, and positioning water storage and prayer rooms in specific directions for solar disinfection. These practices were deeply rooted in Vedic philosophy and aimed to create harmonious built environments that respected nature and promoted well-being. One of the key techniques used in ancient India was the utilization of natural light and ventilation. Buildings were designed with large openings and strategically placed windows to maximize the entry of sunlight and fresh air, reducing the need for artificial lighting and mechanical ventilation systems. This not only minimized energy consumption but also created healthier and more comfortable living spaces.
Another sustainable technique employed was the incorporation of open spaces and courtyards. These open areas served multiple purposes, including providing natural cooling, promoting cross-ventilation, and creating a connection with nature. They also facilitated social interactions and community bonding, reflecting the holistic approach to architecture in ancient India.
Furthermore, water storage and prayer rooms were positioned in specific directions to harness the power of the sun for disinfection purposes. The ancient Indians understood the benefits of solar energy and used it effectively to purify water for drinking and bathing. This practice not only ensured access to clean water but also reduced the reliance on chemical disinfection methods. The stepwells and ‘jaalis’ seen across the Imambada’s of Lucknow, Rajputana stepwells across Rajasthan and Gujarat and the maze-like textures even at the Taj Mahal, justify this narrative more than ever. Indian history has always been futuristic and it is us today who can learn and understand more from the past. I had previously covered history and sustainability, here.
Even in the present-day, there are universities like mine, TERI, IIT Gandhinagar and CEPT Ahmedabad have utilized these green building and design concepts from the past, to build a resilient future.
In the cities we work in, and we often live in as well, don’t often give us the privilege in India to breathe in cleaner air, or consider thinking about the emission intensity of our electricity bills, our lifestyle with regards to consumption has become so common place for all of us, that we have forgotten that there is a way beyond this. I will cover more on sustainable living practices in my next article, but it is essential for all of us to incorporate the concept of greener homes and greener workplace into ourselves and in those around us. Built spaces often define our whole life, If your building is going for redevelopment, or if you are looking for a renovation or a new purchase, these factors won’t only put the earth first, but mainly give you a better standard of living in all aspects.
The least we can do is know and educate, remember and impart - all that is fundamental, especially for the betterment of our own lives.?
For a deeper dive, please refer to:
Breast Cancer, Laparoscopy and GI Surgeon, Nagpur, India
2 周I loved this! Yes, the concept of Indian homes in the past were in sync with the local topography and climatic conditions. Although the urban population explosion doesn't allow that type of structure, it could be still woven into the way each apartment is constructed and decorated