Sustainable building involves considering the entire life-cycle of buildings, taking environmental quality, functional compatibility and future values into account. In the past, attention has been primarily focused on the size of the building stock. In many countries, quality issues have hardly played a significant role. However, in strict quantity terms, the building and housing market is now saturated in many countries, and the demand for quality is growing importance.
It is difficult to define Green building Architecture. Although we could define what the green approach could be like. It takes into consideration the impact of design of buildings on the environment. Constructing a building requires resources. For example, materials for construction, fuel, users engagement in design etc. All of these factors are considered in Green building architecture. They form the backbone of this type of approach.
Designing green buildings has become a motto to many design companies and individual designers. It is important to pay attention to the conflicting issues that arise out of design. Every design decision needs to be thought with depth since it has environmental implications which could be harmful to us.
One of the excellent examples of Green Architecture is “Aliens Space Station”.
P.S: Article updated on 29th March 2025
Site planning is one of the most crucial—yet often underestimated—aspects of architectural design. Before a single brick is laid or a line is drawn on a blueprint, the site must be understood, respected, and shaped. For architecture students, learning how to analyse and plan a site is fundamental. It bridges the gap between theoretical design and practical implementation, grounding creative vision in the real-world complexities of land, nature, and human use.
At its core, site planning is the process of arranging buildings and structures on a piece of land, along with shaping the open spaces between them. It is an art as much as it is a science, blending architectural creativity with urban planning logic. A site plan doesn’t just tell you where things go—it tells a story of space, movement, interaction, and context.
Whether the site involves a single house, a group of buildings, or an entire neighbourhood, a well-thought-out site plan ensures the environment enhances, rather than limits, the design. Good site planning considers environmental, cultural, and infrastructural factors to produce a plan that is contextually appropriate, functional, and aesthetically pleasing.
For architecture students, understanding site planning is not just a box to tick. It is a foundational skill that will influence every project they work on. It affects:
Ignoring site factors can lead to designs that are uncomfortable, inefficient, or even unbuildable. Conversely, designs that grow organically from the site often feel more harmonious and enduring.
P.S: Article updated on 29th March 2025
In a world increasingly conscious of environmental sustainability, the role of design within natural landscapes is more crucial than ever. Forest landscaping design — the integration of landscape architecture with forest management — is a growing field that merges ecology, artistry, and human experience.
For both landscape architecture students and forest management professionals, understanding this intersection can offer rewarding career opportunities, ecological benefits, and innovative ways to enrich our connection with the natural world.
This article explores the importance of forest landscaping, techniques used to enhance visual aesthetics, the practical application of silviculture (tree and forest management), and how well-designed woodland spaces contribute to both human wellbeing and environmental resilience.
Many people visit forests to escape the bustle of daily life. We hike, camp, cycle, and picnic in woodlands without giving much thought to how the space makes us feel — the shade of the trees, the variety of species, the rustle of leaves, and the surprise of an open clearing all shape our sensory experience.
But walk or drive through a dense, unmanaged forest for several kilometres, and you may find the landscape becomes visually monotonous — a curtain of green with little variation. This sameness can feel calming, but for many, it becomes dull and soporific.
Forest landscaping design seeks to address this by turning forests into dynamic, aesthetically rich environments — without compromising ecological health. By combining the ecological principles of forestry with the artistic sensibilities of landscape architecture, we can transform woodlands into vibrant, functional, and engaging spaces.