Sustainable Architecture

Prof. Avlokita Agrawal

Lecture – 12
Flavours of Sustainable Architecture

Good morning. Welcome back to this lecture of online course on Sustainable Architecture. I
am your course instructor Dr Alvokita Agrawal, Assistant Professor at Department of
Architecture and Planning IIT, Roorkee. So, we have been discussing the characteristics and
different aspects of sustainable architecture. We have looked at the socio-economic aspects so
far and we also have huge environmental aspects.

(Refer Slide Time: 00:56)

Now, environmental aspects are also the most tangible aspects as compared to social aspects.
For example, identity of a place it is not a very tangible aspect. Though we understand it, we
easily apprehended, but yet it is difficult to put in tangible forms while most of the
environmental aspects are very tangible. All these environmental aspects can be clubbed in
bins of the five basic elements of nature which are earth, air, water, fire which I say energy
and space.

So, all these five elements are the elements which directly govern the environmental aspects
of buildings. For example, when we are talking about the earth we are talking about site, soil,
vegetation, materials, construction waste and the waste which is produced from the buildings
while they are occupied. So, all these come within the earth element of the environmental
aspect. Next we have air; here we discuss about the air quality, the indoor environment
quality in the buildings we talk about air pollution and the toxic compounds which are
emitted into the air. All of that comes under the domain of air with an environmental aspect.

The next and one of the most important ones is water. So, we have quality as well as quantity
of water discussed here and the wastewater which is produced and treated. So, all of that
comes under water. And, a fire we talk about energy consumption and also energy generation
for example, renewable sources of energy will be discussed here. And, in space we talk about
say daylight in buildings. So, all of that all of these aspects are very tangible, they can be
quantified, they can be calculated and hence an assessment can be made.

Now, so far I have been talking about sustainable architecture. However, when we look
around we often look at buildings which are not called as sustainable architecture, but there
are many interrelated concepts, for example; green buildings. Now, green buildings is a very
common terminology which almost everybody is using. They are often synonymous, but there
are slight difference, but there are differences between the each of these terminologies and
sustainable architecture though the fundamentals remain the same.
(Refer Slide Time: 03:53)

So, green buildings as per USEPA these are or this is the practice of creating structures and
using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a
building’s life-cycle from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation
and deconstruction at the end of the life of building.

So, here green buildings mainly focus on the environmental dimension of sustainability and
the other dimensions which is the social dimension specially takes a little backseat. I am not
saying this is not being addressed at all, but there is a greater focus on the environmental
aspects when we talk about green buildings. The next is climate responsive buildings. Now,
these buildings respond to climatic constraints through their design and construction.

However, the aim of these buildings is to only respond climatically. Fortunately, many of the
climate responsive buildings traditionally qualify to be called as sustainable buildings because
they do not they not only respond to climatic conditions, but while doing so, they use the best
of materials, they use the best of the available resources and also the ones which are
renewable which are easily renewed in the nature.

However, the main aim of these buildings is to respond to the climate of the place. Next one
is ecological buildings, now these buildings are structures that are designed to create and
sustain mutually beneficial relationships with all of the elements of its local ecology. So, the
buildings local ecology or environment is made up of particular physical and biological
elements and their interactions.

(Refer Slide Time: 06:07)

Now, these definitions will be more clear when we look at these examples. For example, for a
climate responsive building Hawa Mahal is an apt example an appropriate example. Now,
Hawa Mahal though it is resource intensive because it uses stone extensively, but it creates
absolutely comfortable environment indoors because it responds to the climate.

So, that is what the main aim of the building was – to create climate responsive and thermally
comfortable a comfortable environment indoors. So, this is climate responsive building.

(Refer Slide Time: 06:52)

While this one is actually an ecological building now, it this entire building this entire setup
merges with the surroundings. It consumes the materials which are most conveniently
available locally and they use it in a manner that it does not affect the ecology around these
buildings and such buildings only enhance the ecology around. So, they do not disturb the
ecology around them.
(Refer Slide Time: 07:27)

The most popular concept is that of a green building. It is a building which uses less water,
optimizes energy efficiency, conserves natural resources generates less waste and provides
healthier spaces for its occupants as compared to a conventional building. Now, out of all the
concepts which are related to sustainable architecture green building concept has become very
popular for few reasons. And one of the most important reason is that green building rating
systems have come into place and because of these rating systems we can assess the
performance of our buildings. We know where the building stands.

So, there is a benchmark there are comparisons between building to building and we know
what performs and what does not. In this way people can monitor their performance vis-à-vis
with others and get motivated. This has actually driven the market. Because of these rating
systems green buildings are the most popular concept in sustainable architecture as a larger
domain.

(Refer Slide Time: 08:49)

So, we hear about green buildings and the rating systems almost every day. The fundamental
reason I will repeat again is the measurement which is possible through these assessment
tools.
(Refer Slide Time: 09:02)

So, when we look at green buildings the broad categories of these parameters which are
parameters of assessment they are sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere,
materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, awareness and education and
innovation and design with location and linkages.

So, these parameters in different rating systems are being given different weightages. So, in
some of the rating systems these vary from country to country. So, in some of the rating
systems energy and atmosphere is the most weighted one. However, in some others the
material and resources or sustainable sites are the most important ones and like that. In some
cases awareness and education is totally absent and so on. So, these different parameters of
assessment are present in different rating systems in different weightages.
(Refer Slide Time: 10:11)

So, there are many many rating systems in the world which are there, for example, BREEAM
which was the oldest one to lead; we have GRIHA which is our own Indian one; we have
Green Star; we have Living Building Challenge and CASBEE from Japan and a lot of these.
We go to each one of these rating systems if we compare each one of these we find a lot of
similarities in the approach and the basic approach being that of measurement and verification
and through this measurement we are able to benchmark the performance.

Now, green or sustainable is often used interchangeably and we have already discussed about
the characteristics.
(Refer Slide Time: 10:53)

Now, if we are looking largely at the environmental characteristics we look at the efficient
management of energy and water and also material resources. So, efficient use and
management of resources; we look at restoration protection of environmental quality and the
health and indoor environment quality.

We look at a reinforcement of natural systems and we are always looking at the lifecycle of
the building not just in a part of a phase of life of the building and we are looking at
integration of the design decision making process.
(Refer Slide Time: 11:36)

If you look at the benefits of green building so, it is not just because the entire green building
rating program measures, monitors and verifies the performance of building, green buildings
come with a lot of benefits. There are individual benefits, there are regional benefits and there
are global benefits. At the individual level it reduces the bills for energy and water, it
improves the air quality and it reduces the maintenance which is required.

At regional level we are talking about the system such as water systems, groundwater
recharge, we are looking at vegetation, we are looking at ecology, we are looking at waste
management. At global level we are looking at benefits like global warming, getting away
from global warming, climate change; we are looking at the forest protection and all these.
(Refer Slide Time: 12:37)

So, green buildings come with a lot of environmental, economic and social benefits through
the characteristics and also the aims which we have set for green buildings.
(Refer Slide Time: 12:55)

So, the green building in general reduces energy use by at least 24 and it may go as high as 50
percent that of course, depends upon how the buildings are being designed, but from a
conventional building this is what we are able to achieve the carbon dioxide emissions are
reduced by a third. The water use water consumption at times reduces to around 50 percent of
the conventional one and the solid waste through the process of construction and afterwards is
significantly reduced at times to 70 percent.
(Refer Slide Time: 13:32)

Owing to these benefits the green buildings become a hugely popular concept.
(Refer Slide Time: 13:38)

However, if we look at what sustainable building versus a green building is we often have
contradictory discussions, contradictory opinions on what the sustainable building and green
building implies.
(Refer Slide Time: 13:48)

Now, green building often looks at the environmental dimension while sustainable building
looks at all the three-dimensions in an equal capacity. However, when we go on to monitor it
as I was mentioning initially also that environmental aspects are the most tangible one. They
are the easiest to monitor, they are the easiest to calculate quantify and hence benchmark
unlike the social benefits.

For example, place making, identity, sense of belongingness. Now, it is often difficult to
quantify and hence we do not have the benchmarking or rating systems developed for
sustainable architecture as we have for the green buildings.
(Refer Slide Time: 14:55)

Now, when I repeatedly talk about this difference between green and sustainable let me
clarify it by taking an example one which is a certified green building and a very highly
acclaimed green building versus a sustainable building.
(Refer Slide Time: 15:12)

So, let us start with this green building. So, the example that I have taken is of Suzlon One
Earth. Now, this campus Suzlon One Earth which is designed by Christopher Charles
Bonanza is also a green certified building. Now, Suzlon itself being the company which is
involved in renewable energy, they have their entire campus which is 100 percent renewable
energy campus.

They have installed windmills, they have added solar photovoltaic to generate the entire
electricity usage within the campus, on the campus and part of it off the campus.
(Refer Slide Time: 16:00)

So, they have all these on site and off site wind turbines and photovoltaics which cater to
these needs.
(Refer Slide Time: 16:03)

They have hybrid solar chargers which interchange between the mode of renewable energy
from wind to solar depending upon the availability.
(Refer Slide Time: 16:16)

Huge areas are covered.

So, that is the main point of this entire campus when and that it becomes a net 0 campus it
does not draw any energy from the grid because they generate 100 percent of their energy on
site or off site, but of their own. This is the production side; however, at the demand side they
have managed with very good systems – the first one being the correct orientation of the
building.

So, the building has been oriented in such a manner that all their workspaces are day lit
almost throughout the day without glare and without direct sun penetrating into the interiors.
(Refer Slide Time: 16:59)

The second important aspect is the use of materials. This particular building is constructed on
a hillside hillock and the material which was used in the building was the one which was
excavated from the site itself not 100 percent of it, but a large part of the building material
came from the site itself.
(Refer Slide Time: 17:29)

The next one is lighting because of the correct orientation and also the design for example,
the skylights that we can see and of the windows at a high level the entire workspace is they
lit without causing glare to the workspaces and without the use the need of any artificial
lighting throughout the day. So, majority of the workspaces are designed to ensure daylight.
(Refer Slide Time: 17:57)

The next is landscape. So, they have used the native tree species all around the campus which
are also requiring less of maintenance and water.
(Refer Slide Time: 18:17)

The next and one of the most important ones is water management. They recycle the 100
percent waste water on the site and the same water is fed back into the system for users like
flushing. So, there is a dual piping system. The water is also used for landscaping the same
water and hence the entire water consumption the loop is a closed loop with very little
drawing of water from the ground or from the municipality.
(Refer Slide Time: 18:59)
(Refer Slide Time: 19:00)

Now, we compare this building Suzlon One Earth which is a green building highly energy
intensive, but generates 100 percent of its energy on site and off site. It consumes a lot of
water, but recycles 100 percent of the water to keep it within the loop it has landscape which
is managed, but the native trees have been used.

Now, compare this building with this primary school which is in Gando, Burkina Faso. This
is a primary school which was built for the local children for the community.
(Refer Slide Time: 19:41)

Now, for construction they have used these compressed earth blocks; these bricks which were
made with the help of community participation. The parents of these children came together
to make these bricks. The stone is locally available the climate is climatic condition is a very
very harsh and this school was constructed for a very underprivileged community which was
living around.

So, the construction materials which are used are very low on embodied energy. They are
made out of materials which available locally and the type of construction which is used
which is this double roof.
(Refer Slide Time: 20:30)

So, a brick slab roof and it has a double roof on top of it which helps to keep the indoor
environment comfortable as it takes away all the heat; this cavity takes away all the heat
which is accumulated which is gained from the solar radiation. So, this cavity between the top
surface of the roof the second roof and the mass the roof mass helps to keep the temperatures
low in this building.
(Refer Slide Time: 21:07)

Now, this entire building was actually as proposed as a school extension and, served the
community which was living around.
(Refer Slide Time: 21:14)

The unique design of windows to ensure that the indoors are day lit and no artificial lighting
systems are employed into this building. It is naturally ventilated without any mechanical
systems based upon the thermal comfort needs of the community. And it provides a
comfortable thermally comfortable environment indoors.
(Refer Slide Time: 21:42)

The material which is these wood logs which are used to create the roof are also locally
procured but, since it is a dry region not much of forest is available. So, this has been used
judiciously not in huge quantities, the main material being earth.
(Refer Slide Time: 22:05)
(Refer Slide Time: 22:11)

This is for roof where the indoors beautiful aesthetics has been achieved at no cost. So, this
kind of arrangement these this beautiful aesthetic arrangement has been achieved without
spending a lot towards materials and by engaging people by involving people in designing
and also constructing.
(Refer Slide Time: 22:32)

This is the these are the quarters for this staff where the water management has been ensured
that all these domical roofs all these vaulted roofs through these vaulted roofs the water
collects through these channels these drains and is collected in a center point and is used for
consumption in this entire small complex of the primary school. So, no external water is
consumed.

Now, if we compare these two buildings Suzlon One Earth in Pune and this primary school in
Burkina Faso – one is an example where the consumption is huge, but the generation of the
resource for example, energy is also happening simultaneously while on the other hand we
have an example this primary school which consumes zero energy. So, it does not require to
generate it. It consumes very little amount of water which the requirement for which is met
through the collection of rainwater.
Besides that, it has an added benefit it has an added aspect which is fulfill which is of social
benefit where the building is constructed for an underprivileged community, the people are
involved in not just the designing, but also the construction. So, people own it. There is a
sense of belongingness because people have constructed it, people own these buildings. It
does not require to be secured, it does not require to be logged. That is why the building
remains open all the time. So, that is in true sense a sustainable building.

So, the difference between sustainable building and green building is evident where for green
buildings we are focusing only on the environmental aspects while in a sustainable building
we are focusing not focusing, but the human beings, the users are at the center of it and for
these human beings we create architecture which is environmentally responsive.

Another thing which we can see here is the affordability the economic affordability. Now, this
office building of Suzlon One Earth is outstanding as far as environmental aspects are
concerned, but it may not be affordable a model of affordability. However, this one is out and
out affordable because there is no cost which is going in hardly any cost.

So, we very clearly know when we are talking about sustainable architecture and we are
talking about green architecture, green buildings these are two synonymous very close, but
distinct terminologies, distinct philosophies. In the next lecture onwards we will discuss
about some of the technical aspects of these green building.

So, we will shift our focus from sustainable buildings more towards green buildings because
that is more tangible and more doable. So, we will discuss about the various concepts,
technical concepts which go as part of green buildings and understand these concepts and
how to deliver them

Thank you; see you in the next lecture. Bye.