Ar. Sanjay Arora & Ar. Sanchit Arora, Renesa Studio

India has always been a great potential market for architects and their different design ideologies. There is no denying the fact that India has accepted the green culture keeping in mind the endless debate on the rising pollution, population and their adverse effects. One has to understand that the promotion of green building concept or to create eco-friendly structures is not only keeping in mind the present deteriorating scenario of India, but also viewing the growth of the quality of architecture in India. Architects may sell products as the most green/natured building, but people need to understand the real deal behind why eco-friendly structures have been promoted at the same time.

Green structures cost a 40-50% hike, so why would a client go for it? The answer is simple: India has a very amateurish outlook to the green building concept and hence, that very little knowledge gets multiplied and keeps multiplying to provide a thick layer of non-acceptance of such new upcoming ideologies keeping in mind the sustainability factor too.

We have always looked at the concept of a green building in a very negative sense, but while you jump into the pool of knowledge, you observe that there are so many design possibilities that arise alongside the added benefits, that it starts making sense to promote the green built typology in a place like India. At the same time, the government’s role is very vital in playing the green card, as the subsidies that follow alongside the acceptance of greenhood by the people will eventually grow in the market. For instance, the Haryana authority has started providing extra FAR to people who maintain a green standard to their plot. We need to get this system flowing in our country. We as architects can only provide solutions and wait for the right time when the word Green actually becomes part of our building eco-system.

We admire...
The Stacking Green house at Saigon, Vietnam, designed by Vo Trong Nghia Architects, is a typical tube house constructed on a 4m wide and 20m deep plot. The front and back façades are entirely composed of layers of concrete planters cantilevered from two side walls. The house structure is a RC frame structure widely used in Vietnam. The partition walls are very few in order to keep interior fluency and enable view of the green façades from every part in the house. The green façade and roof top garden protect inhabitants from direct sunlight, street noise and pollution. Natural ventilation through the façades and 2 top-lights saves a lot of energy in the harsh climate of Saigon. For these ecological approaches, the architects referred to the bio-climatic principles of traditional Vietnamese courtyard houses.

The government’s role is very vital in playing the green card, as the subsidies will increase acceptance of greenhood by the people and eventually grow the market

We are big fans of Vietnamese Architecture and their contribution to Green Architecture. The ideal green building is one which is ecomimetic, and which integrates seamlessly and benignly with the natural environment at three levels: physically, systemically, and temporally.