V.T. Anand
The government should intervene and give tax rebates for clients using sustainable features. This will give builders and developers an incentive to pursue sustainable design to offset the premium associated with it. It would be admirable for the government to get involved in the greening of the locality and public places through public-private partnerships. Getting the local community interested will also help in the long run, as most post occupancy evaluation reports affirm.

Public services such as mass transit and bicycle provisions would also create a culture of sustainability. Introducing these ideas at an early stage in schools and colleges will get the younger generation thinking towards the future. Lastly, existing buildings provide a huge opportunity for upgrades and improving building performance. Statutory bodies should take the necessary steps to update building codes and ensure that older buildings are performing up to code.

BVL Nine SquaresBVL Nine Squares, Bangalore

Introducing and adapting sustainability features becomes particularly critical in large scale projects due to higher densities. Integrating environment-friendly concepts into the design process, without compromising on aesthetics and functionality, is the key to inclusive sustainable developments.
It would be admirable for the government to get involved in the greening of the locality and public places through public-private partnerships

We admire...
The Y Cantonment apartments designed by Dr. Ken Yeang of Malaysia are luxury apartments based on the ecomimetic principles that the architect is well known for. From the building orientation to natural cross ventilation to the passive shading design features, Dr. Yeang has designed a building that is not only highly sustainable but also aesthetically pleasing, especially relevant to tropical climates. The vertical landscaping and rooftop garden provides much needed cooling in the warmer latitudes, and has the additional benefit of filtering the air throughout the building. Rainwater harvesting, bio swales and low-flow fixtures are among the water sustainability features.