Green Architecture – Architecture Student Chronicles

Principles of Green Architecture and Sustainability

October 29, 2011 by Architect

Green Buildings and Infrastructure

“Green Buildings for creating a Green environment” is what I would say. Generally, the term “Green Buildings” is understood in a wrong way. As in, the people have a wrong understanding about the term “Green Buildings”. Green Buildings does not just imply on creating huge lawns and making the building look green in colour.

CII, Hyderabad (Example of a Green Building in India)

It is all about making the environment green and create a healthy atmosphere inside the living space which also has an impact on the outside surroundings.

Vegetation, Landscaping is definitely a part of Green Building Design but that is not all which would make the building green.

In this article, we are going to discuss the goals of Green Buildings or rather I should say the “Principles of Green Buildings”.

If we are successful in achieving these principles, we will definitely be able to successfully design not just “A green Building” but also create a Green environment.

Earlier we discussed, various Passive and Active features of Green Building Design. Passive Features form an indispensible part of Green Building Design. That is the most primary and important step to be achieved in order to create a sustainable and Green environment.

Introduction to Architecture | Era of New Architectural Styles

July 26, 2011 by Architect

Introduction to Architecture | Architecture Style of the 21st Century

What is Architecture??

“Arch”- a form of construction and “tecture”- the surface of the structure.

Architecture is defined as designing the structures with respect to their interiors, exteriors and also the surroundings of the structure. It is considered as a form of art and science.

People who have the creative ability of imagination and then transforming it into concepts go for Architecture. If along with creative genius, a person is coupled with the technical aspects of construction, any kind of design made by such an Architect could be very well and easily be executed since the Architect himself would understand the technicalities involved in the execution of a specific design.

Architects give a certain feel to the space depending on what structure it is. Their understanding of architectural factors such as mass, texture, use of colours, use of appropriate materials, play of light and shadow in the interiors to create illusion etc.

Two major goals are to be accomplished in Architecture:

Functional aspect
Aesthetic aspect

That is, along with structure being functional, the structure also has to be aesthetically appealing which would make the people want to appreciate the structure.

If we study the history of Architecture, we will see that a lot of architectural styles flourished in different parts of the world and were then modified with the changing lifestyles of the people.

Some architectural styles were plan specific, some were elevation specific, some flourished because of the available materials in that particular era etc.

It is very crucial for Architecture students, Architects and all the designers to understand and feel the essence of real Architecture.

Architecture is not just designing buildings, it is an art of integrating the design of buildings with its surroundings which would include its environment and the Urban fabric.

Guide to Site Documentation and Site Analysis

November 25, 2010 by Architect

Site Documentation and Analysis | Green Infrastructure Design

Involve connectivities (Airport, Bus stop, study of roads, road widening, Bus service, train service etc)

Site and surroundings

Three important aspects are to be considered while analysing the surroundings of the site.

Zoning (Agricultural, Industrial, residential, commercial , recreational etc)
Neighbourhood Analysis
Natural elements present in the site surroundings (Vegetation, rocks, river etc)

Analysis of Services in and around site

Electricity lines
Drainage lines
Telephone lines
Cable lines
Postal services

Contour Analysis is very important for efficient site planning. Contour Analysis helps in determining the slope of the site which proves to be an important factor for site planning.

Recording the flora fauna, soil subsoil, underground water, above ground

Important requirements to be incorporated while site planning | Green Infrastructure

Active, Semi-active and Passive features are to be listed out which we can incorporate into our design.

We have already discussed various Passive and Active features regarding Green Architecture. All these features have to be studied, analysed on site if they exist and then should be incorporated into your design.

Design and allocation of Active and Passive features is an important part of Zoning.

Green Architecture Vs Current Architectural Techniques

October 3, 2010 by Architect

Comparison of Green Architecture with current Architectural Techniques

Any form of design, minimises environmentally destructive impacts by integrating itself with living process.

But our current system of building lacks respect of natural environment as well as for individual people and society as a whole. There is not a single building component used in current construction that can be labelled safe, earth friendly, and low embodied energy. A few materials meet one or two of their criteria, but for the most part the majority of materials fails to meet all three.

Green Architecture is not limited to one material although many materials should be avoided, but encourages the use of materials that are most appropriate for a particular place, climate and program. Green Architecture is also not a style such as post modernism, art deco or gothic.

Many people are beginning to associate certain types of organic forms with Green Architecture thus alternating those people that do not find the so called ‘Style’ appealing.

Green Architecture is a philosophy or movement and an approach to design, not merely an aesthetic exercise. If one has to be successful, Green Architecture must be appealing like classicists, modernists and practitioners of the organic movement alike.