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.