19AR09008
ARCHITECTURE & SUSTAINABILITY
AR. LAKSHMI PRABHA E
INTRODUCTION TO SUSTAINABILITY IN ARCHITECTURE
• What is Sustainability?
• Definition: Meeting present needs without compromising future
generations.
• Origin of the term: Brundtland Commission (1987).
• Importance of sustainability in the built environment.
• Overview of sustainable architecture principles.
PILLARS OF SUSTAINABILITY
Environmental: Reducing pollution, conserving natural
resources.
Social: Ensuring well-being, creating inclusive and livable
communities.
Economic: Creating cost-effective and long-lasting
solutions.
How these pillars apply to architectural design.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Definition: Balancing development needs while
maintaining ecological health.
Role of architecture in sustainable development.
Examples of sustainable urban design and architecture
projects.
CONCEPT OF RENEWABLE AND NON-RENEWABLE
RESOURCES
Renewable Resources: Solar, wind, geothermal, biomass.
Non-Renewable Resources: Fossil fuels, minerals, limited
water reserves.
Importance of using renewable resources in building
design.
Energy-efficient buildings and their reliance on renewable
resources.
GLOBAL WARMING AND ARCHITECTURE'S ROLE
Global Warming: Rising global temperatures due to greenhouse
gases.
Carbon Footprint of Buildings: Buildings account for ~40% of
global carbon emissions.
Reducing emissions through sustainable architecture:
Energy-efficient designs.
Use of sustainable materials.
Passive cooling and heating strategies.
SPACE-SHIP-EARTH CONCEPT
Definition: The idea that Earth is a self-contained system
with limited resources.
Implications for architecture:
Designing with a mindset of conservation and closed-loop
systems.
Circular economy and reducing construction waste.
WHY SUSTAINABILITY IS IMPORTANT FOR ARCHITECTURE
Increasing urbanization and resource demand.
Environmental challenges like pollution, resource
depletion, climate change.
Architecture’s impact on carbon emissions and resource
consumption.
Health and well-being: Indoor air quality, natural light,
biophilic design.
OBJECTIVES OF SUSTAINABLE/GREEN BUILDINGS
Energy Efficiency: Reducing energy consumption through smart
design.
Water Conservation: Efficient water management and rainwater
harvesting.
Material Sustainability: Use of recycled and eco-friendly materials.
Indoor Environmental Quality: Maximizing natural light, ventilation,
and non-toxic materials.
Waste Reduction: Minimizing construction and operational waste.
GLOBAL FRAMEWORKS FOR SUSTAINABILITY
Paris Agreement: Commitment to reduce global emissions.
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities.
Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy.
Architecture's role in achieving these global objectives.
PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE
Energy Efficiency: Passive solar design, insulation, natural
ventilation.
Material Selection: Recycled, renewable, and low-impact materials.
Water Conservation: Rainwater harvesting, greywater systems.
Waste Reduction: Modular construction, recycling of building
materials.
Design for Longevity and Flexibility: Adaptive reuse of buildings.
STATE OF THE ART IN SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE
High-Performance Buildings: Example: The Edge
(Amsterdam).
Green Buildings: Certifications (LEED, BREEAM).
Example: Bosco Verticale (Milan).
Net Zero Buildings: Example: Bullitt Center (Seattle).
Smart Buildings: Integration of technology for real-time
resource monitoring.
INNOVATIONS IN SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE
Biophilic Design: Incorporating nature into buildings.
Example: Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay.
Living Buildings: Buildings that generate more energy than
they consume.
Circular Economy in Construction: Reducing waste through
material reuse.
CHALLENGES IN SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE
High initial costs vs. long-term savings.
Awareness and education.
Regulatory hurdles.
Retrofitting older buildings to meet sustainable standards.
FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE
Renewable energy integration.
Expansion of urban green spaces and vertical gardens.
New sustainable materials.
Smart cities with tech-driven efficiency.
