Building Materials: Shaping Architecture & Making Construction Sustainable

The design of contemporary architecture projects in India depicts distinct Indian sensibilities, while meeting demand for modernisation. There is increasing demand for eco-friendly building materials, which is driving usage of materials like green concrete, plastic bricks, bamboo, rice husk, AAC Blocks, cork, recycled and reclaimed metal, timbercrete, natural wood, marble, textiles, stone, ceramics, fire clay, and aluminum, etc in both the indoor and outdoor space.

Use of eco-friendly materials has shown reduced wastage, saving of energy and natural resources, better occupant well-being as they do not release any toxins, and an increase in the lifecycle of the building. Because of their benefits, which includes cost-effectiveness, their usage is increasing.

Building materials give expression to architecture; they open up endless design possibilities for architects to explore their properties, aesthetic value, inherent quality, application benefits, and sustainability. The texture of materials like wood, marble, textiles etc has a significant impact on the visual as well as tactile appeal. Having a good knowledge of various materials enables architects to select the most appropriate for a building’s intended use and function.

In the following pages, Architects and Real Estate Developers share their views on how materials influence and shape their design concepts; enable flexibility in application; and, most importantly, materials that have a minimum negative impact on the environment.

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Value Engineering

Designing and engineering all aspects of an architectural project should be done with aim to maximise its functionality, quality, and performance, while maintaining efficiency in the building process; and to achieve maximum value, it is Read More ...

Importance of Glass in a Green Building

Green Buildings are more relevant than ever; we needed to counter climate change yesterday; and we need to be prepared for tomorrow. It’s a good thing that we are far more informed that what we used to be. The internet has brought the world Read More ...

Digital Technology and its Relevance in Design

The complexity of design and understanding required in developing projects is a challenging process involving innovation at both the design side and the project delivery end. Given the complexity of designs that we are witnessing worldwide Read More ...

The Architecture of Sustainability

Sustainability has often been touted as a magic pill in response to climate change, but what does it really mean, and can it solve one of the biggest challenges of our times? Global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have continued to rise since the Read More ...

Way Forward for a Sustainable Environment

With cities becoming crowded along with the rising concern over pollution, architects and developers are looking at constructing Green Buildings as the way forward for the construction sector. We are all aware that the construction sector heavily Read More ...

Changing the Built Environment

The way people engage with the built environment is greatly influenced by the materials and technologies used, since a poor choice of materials can jeopardize key design decisions. The outbreak of Covid-19, as well as the subsequent restrictions Read More ...

A Multifunctional Home Design

The concept of multifunctional homes is trending; real estate developers, having gauged the market reaction to the new typology, are providing customization to bring flexibility to homeowners. Any major world event will leave its impact on architecture and Read More ...

Formalising the Informal: Potential of Self-Development of Slum Communities

The vision of a slum-free city needs to be viewed through the lens of inclusive development that incorporates economic, environmental, and cultural sustainability – a process where slum occupants take on the mantle of redevelopment themselves supported Read More ...

Exposed Surfaces & Natural Finishes in Interior Design

Interior designers are paying closer attention to climatic considerations, human psychology, comfort, and anthropometry, when creating indoor spaces to meet peoples’ requirements on a mental, physical, and emotional level; thus, there appears to be a significant Read More ...

Marble – An Evergreen & Versatile Material

Designers and builders continue to use marble for its proven strength and luxe appeal. The material emits opulence and returns the investment through its durability, versatility, and timelessness. Read More ...

Building Sustainably

There is an increasing requirement for sustainable and socio-environmental components and each project should integrate simple design concepts with advanced technology in order to build sustainably Read More ...

Architecture Guided by the S.O.U.L.

It is of utmost importance that we are cognizant of climate change and global warming so that we use materials that have a relatively lower carbon footprint, and we must take inspiration from vernacular techniques to reduce heat gain and add comfort within built spaces Read More ...

Social Architecture

Architecture is a creative profession where the study of a particular functioning user group is done, working patterns of a particular society are taken into consideration, and then a space is designed which interacts and contributes to particular needs and wants Read More ...

Living Sustainably Amidst Global Warming

The World Environment Day celebrated on June 5th, 2022, carried the theme ‘Only One Earth’, with the focus on living sustainably in harmony with nature. It is a sobering message, which gains all the more relevance at a time when we are confronted with more evidence of global warming Read More ...

Workplace Trends

There is now a resurgence in demand for office spaces, along with some motivating trends that include renovations and refurbishments to make them more hygienic, more comfortable, natural, and stress-free. Nakul Mathur, MD, Avanta India Read More ...

The Environment of Healing

Since designing the right built environment plays a strategic role in shaping the future of healthcare, there are conscious efforts to conceptualize healthcare facilities with the dual purpose of supporting the future health workforce and meeting the medical challenges Read More ...