Issues in Sustainable Architecture and Possible Solutions

1 International Journal of Civil & Environmental Engineering IJCEE-IJENS Vol: 12 No: 01 21. Issues in Sustainable Architecture and Possible Solutions Fatima Ghani, Member COA (India), Member IIID. be taken to provide maximum levels of fresh air and Abstract The growing concern with environmental and adequate ventilation to the interior environment. ecological conditions have led to the discussion/search for energy conscious', Eco friendly', energy efficient' building designs. For Energy Efficiency: It has to be well ensured that the the better growth of the future, keeping in view the environment building's use of energy is minimized.

2 The various related Issues , the first objective of the designer is Sustainable HVAC systems and methods of construction etc. development environmentally compatible building designs. Sustainable Architecture also referred as green Architecture is a should be so designed that energy consumption is design that uses natural building materials earth, wood, stone minimal. etc (not involving pollution in its treatment) that are energy efficient and that make little or no impact on the nature of a site Ecological Building Materials: As far as Possible the and its resources. This paper discusses Issues related to use of building materials should be from renewable Sustainable /environmental Architecture .

3 It also considers Possible sources having relatively safe sources of production. Solutions related to these Issues . Building Form: The building form should respond to Index Terms Sustainable , Green, Architecture , Building, Design. Efficiency. the site, region, climate and the materials available thereby generating a harmony between the inhabitants and the surroundings. I. INTRODUCTION. Good Design: Structure & Material and Aesthetics T he words "Green", "Ecological" and " Sustainable " are terms used by environmentalists to indicate modes of practice. From global economics to household features these are the basic parameters of defining design.

4 They should be so integrated that the final outcome is a well built, convenient and a beautiful living space. practices minimize our impact on the environment and generate a healthy place of living. In a deeper sense the words These principles of environmentally oriented design comprise involve as to what can be done to heal and regenerate the yet another meaningful and environmental building approach earth's ability to bear life[1-4]. called Green or Sustainable design. Architects should use their A. Principles of Environmentally Oriented Design creativity and perception to correlate these principles to generate locally appropriate strategies, materials and methods In Architecture there are many ways a building may be "green".

5 Keeping in mind that every region should employ different and respond to the growing environmental problems of our green strategies [5-7]. planet. Sustainable Architecture can be practiced still maintaining efficiency, beauty, layouts and cost effectiveness. B. Definition There are five basic areas of an environmentally oriented Sustainability means 'to hold' up or 'to support from below'. It design. They are Healthy Interior Environment, Energy refers to the ability of a society, ecosystem or any such Efficiency, Ecological Building Materials, Building Form and ongoing system, to continue functioning into the indefinite Good Design.

6 Future (without being forced into decline through exhaustion of key resources). Healthy Interior Environment: It has to be well insured that building materials and systems used do Sustainable Architecture involves a combination of values: not emit toxic unhealthy gases and substances in the aesthetic, environmental, social, political and moral. It's about built spaces. Further extra cars and measures are to one's perception and technical knowledge to engage in a central aspect of the practice to design and build in Manuscript received January 8, 2012. Fatima Ghani is with the Symbiosis Institute of Design, Symbiosis harmony with the environment.

7 It is the duty of an architect to International University, Pune, INDIA. phone: +9120 26634546; fax: +91 think rationally about a combination of Issues like 20 26634549; sustainability, durability, longevity, appropriate materials and e-mail: sense of place [8-10]. 124601-9595 IJCEE-IJENS February 2012 IJENS. IJENS. International Journal of Civil & Environmental Engineering IJCEE-IJENS Vol: 12 No: 01 22. Some of the major causes, which greatly contribute to these The present environmental conditions have led to the two aspects, can be listed as: discussion/search for energy conscious', Eco friendly', energy efficient' building designs.

8 For the better growth of the Rapid Urbanization and Industrialization: future, keeping in view the environment related Issues , the first objective of the designer is a Sustainable development The consequences of this can further lead to environmentally compatible. This paper discusses Issues Population explosion, Geological deposits of sewage related to Sustainable /environmental Architecture . The main and garbage, Unsustainable patterns of living &. focus of the paper is on Sustainable Architecture - its need, development, Environmental degradation (pollution Solutions and impact on the future. of air, water, soil etc, food web disruption).

9 Thus Sustainable urban development is crucial to improve the lives of urban populations and the remainder of II. NEEDS AND Issues the planet. Both people and ecosystems impacted The ecological crisis today is very serious and till date much of upon by their activities. the debate still focuses on the symptoms rather than the causes. As a result there is an urgent need to emphasize and workout Natural Calamities: the best Possible approach towards environmental protection thereby minimizing further degradation. Natural calamities like volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, flood, famine etc. which are being Architecture presents a unique challenge in the field of further aggravated by mankind add to the list of other sustainability.

10 Construction projects typically consume large ill effects like atomic explosion, green house effect, amounts of materials, produce tons of waste, and often involve ozone depletion etc. Sustainable design attempts to weighing the preservation of buildings that have historical have an understanding of the natural processes as well significance against the desire for the development of newer, as the environmental impact of the design. Making more modern designs. Sustainable development is one such natural cycles and processes visible, bring the measure, which presents an approach that can largely designed environment back to life.