IDENTIFYING SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH EVOLUTION IN ARCHITECTURE AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT

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South -Asian Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies (SAJMS) ISSN:2349-7858:SJIF:2.246:Volume 4 Issue 3

IDENTIFYING SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH EVOLUTION IN

ARCHITECTURE AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Ar. Sakshi Suresh Pandey1, Ar. Sakriti Vishwakarma2

1

Assistant Professor- Amity School of Architecture and Planning Amity University, Noida, U.P, India. [email protected]

2

Assistant Professor- School of Architecture and Planning,

Apeejay Institute of Technology, Gr. Noida,U.P, India. [email protected]

Abstract

Even though sustainability sounds like a „buzz‟ word in the 21st century, it has been prevalent for millennia in architecture and built environment. We have absorbed sustainable practices even before acknowledging them. According to the UN-HABITAT Global Activity Report 2015, in the last century, the world has been rapidly urbanizing. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development states in Goal 11, “to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.” To understand the relevance and impact of sustainability, we need to explore the prevalent practices through evolution in architecture and built environment. The contemporary development has blindfolded us with modern building technologies and looks at sustainability mostly in isolation from the past, whereas the historic practices are the ones which have been surviving for generations now. The factors which sustain a city have been common throughout the time, but we ignore the traditional practices and thrive to build new cities instead of reviving the old. This study aims to amalgamate the knowledge of sustainabilitywith respect to evolution in architecture and built environment through analysis of diverse time periods ranging from the7th century to the 21st century.

Keywords: Sustainability; built environment; sustainable development; cities; human settlements; traditional architecture; vernacular architecture.

1.INTRODUCTION

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Architectural sustainability is linked to the much quoted Brundtland commission report definition through an emphasis on limits to the carrying capacity of the planet, and they pointed to the UKʹs Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA) definition of sustainable construction as ʹthe creation and management of healthy buildings based upon resource efficient and ecological principleʹ (Edwards and Hyett, 2001). In principle, sustainable buildings relate to the notion of climate‐ responsive design, which places emphasis upon natural energy sources with the aim of achieving building comfort through the interaction with the dynamic conditions of the building environment (Hyde, 2000).

With the diversity in climatic conditions, topological features and socio cultural conditions of India, every region has its own exclusive identity with climate responsive or sustainable building designs and its information in the form of vernacular architecture. This traditional wisdom of building human habitats is known to be tested by time for its sustaining features in various settlements. Restricting the choice of building materials to non-toxic, long-lasting, easily acquired and also easily repairable material facilitates planning and construction while producing a building that is less damaging to the environment over its life.

Both urbanization and suburban growth take a heavy toll on the environment and the lack of appropriate technologies and sustainable context suggests that the architectural profession has failed to identify the critical need for developing socially and ecologically appropriate sustainable architectural practices for India.

1.1.METHODOLOGY

The research is aimed at exploring the various sustainable practices based on the study of vernacular, traditional and contemporary climate responsive architectural designs as well as the elements and construction in diverse periods of Indian Subcontinent.

The study is evaluated qualitatively by the understanding sustainability and its allied factors, with an approach to present and discuss a live case study, a literature study, and an internet case study. It initiates with the analysis of vernacular architecture through a well-known traditional practice of Kath-Khuni in the Himachal Pradesh. Then the study shifts towards the analysis of ancestral tradition and modern technology of Auroville, Pondicherry (Tamil Nadu). Finally, the analysis of a contemporary sustainable and smart city of Lavasa, Pune (Maharashtra) is completed. These practices are evaluated under their contextual study, construction techniques, indigenous construction and sustainable design.

2. HOLISTIC AND HARMONIOUS DEVELOPMENT WITH NATURE

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2.1 ANALYSIS OF VERNACULAR TRADITIONS IN INDIA - KATH KHUNI ARCHITECTURE IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

A living tradition of Kath Khuni Architecture is one of the most sustainable vernacular architecture examples in the Cold and Humid climatic zone of India. Extreme variations in the climate are observed in this zone ranging from hot and humid in summers to Cold and dry in winters. The rainy season is prolonged compared to the rest of India. The context or say the roots of this architecture lies in Himachal Pradesh consisting of mountainous slope and hilly terrain of Shivaliks, lesser Himalayas, and greater Himalayas. This was a live case study done by the author in the Chamba region, having a town size of approx. 1000m x 700 m. The major portion of the state is covered in forests ranging from deciduous tropical forests closer to plains to subtropical pine forests. The Himalayan temperate forests with deodar and firs and alpine scrubs are found at the higher altitudes. Himachal hosts a variety of mineral deposits including gypsum, limestone, mica, slate, lead etc. The terrain, climate, and social interaction have led to systems of commons where sharing of resources occur. Besides agriculture, the locals also engage in wood carving and wool weaving due to availability and seasons when agriculture is not practiced. Since the people belong to the nomadic tribe migrating from different areas, they either were for looking for fortune or faith. The towns and cities have developed predominantly on worshipping nature spirits and gods resulting in ahybrid of social religious traditions which are aninseparable part of theexistence of the mountains. A relationship which reflects in the architecture and planning of the communities in the Himachal Pradesh.

Land and Ecology:Kath Khuni focuses on minimum cut fill strategies because it is planned according to the natural terrain and contours of the area. Forests and panihars are protected by the communities. Thus, the natural ecosystem and ecology of the site are also maintained and restored.

Neighborhood Density: Kath Khuni houses have been made for generations by the local people themselves. These people were not truly relying on the professional Architects and Engineers for the employed construction techniques. The houses are based on a modular unit stacked and placed side by side at different levels ranging from one or two levels. Most villages are organized around a primary circulation artery. Thus, making the development more efficient with a low rise and high density.

People-centric design and Street System: The streets in Kath Khuni Architecture are pedestrian friendly narrow streets with natural drainage and slope, running along their edges. Thus, making this architecture more people centric and less vehicular-dependent.

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Figure 1: Natural Contour planning with dense neighborhood of Kath Khuni (Source: Sketch by Ar, Sakriti)

2.2 ANALYSIS OF ANCESTRAL TRADITION AND MODERN TECHNOLOGY AMALGAMATION – AUROVILLE CITY, PONDICHERRY

Auroville is a growing township near Pondicherry on the Coromandel Coast in India. It is a barren plateau surrounded by impoverished villages in Tamil Nadu. It is set in the typical tropical climatic zone of India, with extreme temperature variations in summers and winters. It is mostly hot and humid throughout the year. The Auroville City planning was an Internet case study done by the author to understand the facts about Auroville and its sustainability factors. This city is majorly surrounded by Bamboo tree, Palmyra tree, and Coconut tree forests. These trees also act as a good source of locally available natural material for building construction at Auroville, along with traditional materials such as sun-dried mud bricks, stabilized earth blocks, wattle and daub, and a few recycled materials like Glass, petrol pipes,Tyres, and Tetrapacks , Styrofoam concrete.The lifestyle of Aurovillians is very simple. They believe in true living, harmony, and Unity. The tenets of Aurovillian living are centered on the concept of inner consciousness by the unity of the mind, body, and nature.

Land and Ecology: The depletion of Groundwater resources and the state of existing surface water bodies are a few of the major concerns in Pondicherry. Thus, considering the same issue, Auroville has successfully worked on the reforestation work, rainwater harvesting, construction of check dams and tank rehabilitations in their bioregion. As per the executive orders in Pondicherry to remedy the over extraction of ground water, the construction of tube wells within 6 km from the sea coast is also banned. This ban also encourages the farmers to switch to drip irrigation techniques and renovate the unused shallow wells for rainwater harvesting Seawater desalination was also one of the offered innovative solutions for incorporation at Auroville.

Neighborhood density: Auroville has been planned in an integrated and holistic way for the mutual benefit and well-being of its residents. It exhibits how „urban‟ & „rural‟ areas complement each other in a mix density development, surrounded by Green Belt. The fertile green belt zone shall be used for applied research in the sector of food production, forestry, soil conservation, water management, waste management, and other areas to assist sustainable development

People-centric design and Street System: The city has been defined into different zones as per the land use, spatial requirements and utilization of the area, with Residential Zones, Green Belt, Cultural Zones and International Zone. Each zone has been designed with a people-centric approach having services at approachable distances and integrated pedestrian street system.

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Figure 2: City layout with land use zones at Auroville City, Pondicherry (Source:www.earth-auroville.com)

2.3 ANALYSIS OF CONTEMPORARY SUSTAINABLE AND SMART

DEVELOPMENT – LAVASA, PUNE

Lavasa City is one of the first planned hill city located on the backwaters of Warasgaon dam on the Western Ghats between Pune and Mumbai. The climatic context of this area falls under the Moderate/Temperate climatic zone dominated with a modern lifestyle and a cosmopolitan culture. This was a literature case study done by the author to understand the application of sustainable features and its amalgamation with the smart building technology. Inspired by Biomimicry, Lavasa city has been constructed with locally available materials, thus enhancing its ecological footprint and balance with nature.The major materials used in this city are fly ash bricks, crushed sand, locally available stone, and bamboo. Lavasa city is envisaged to be dominated with a modern lifestyle and cosmopolitan culture of its residents.

Land and Ecology:Lavasa seeks to reforest the area as a moist deciduous forest (600000 trees) and restore the original ecosystem through mass planting, detailed landscaping, slope greening and hydro-seeding. This shall keep the groundwater level up and it continues to exist. Hydroseeding, slope protection through the use of eco-friendly materials during monsoon, banning the existing practices of slash and burn cultivation. Continuous Contour Trenching is also one of the solutions adopted at Lavasa so the top soil doesn‟t wear off and trees take roots. This reduces surface water runoff substantially to just 20 % and thus water requirement also gets low. Use of certified fuel wood is compulsory to prevent tree cutting in this city.

Neighborhood density: The master plan of Lavasa is based on the principles of new urbanism which emphasizes on compact development. There are no segregated zones for industries, commercial, residential and other land uses. It is a mixed land use development.

People-centric design and Street System: an Interconnected street system for vehicular and pedestrian movement is prevalent in this city. Lavasa also promotes tourism, and for the same flexibility in regulations have been given to the developers for certain concessions. These rules have also relaxed the conditions for the transfer of tribal land and agricultural land for industrial purpose. According to RifalMumtaz of Pune non-profit, National Centre for Advocacy Studies, “The law was introducedto circumvent regional plans of districts so as make it easy for the builders to claim the picturesque valley”.

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Figure 3: A conceptual image of the Residential apartment waterfront view at Lavasa City, Pune( Source:Lavasa Citizen Handbook )

3. LIVING BREATHING CONSCIOUSNESS

A living breathing consciousness refers to the environmental and climatic best practices followed in the Architecture and built an environment of any urban development. This focuses on capitalizing on natural and renewable resources of energy, water and wastewater technologies, waste management strategies, climatic design considerations, etc.

3.1 CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES AND SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AT KATH KHUNI ARCHITECTURE IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

Construction Techniques: The indigenous construction techniques at Kath Khuni were based on the awareness of resource limitations in Himachal Pradesh. A raised stone plinth is a common element of design in the Kath Khuni houses, which are made with series of loosely fitted stones without the use of mortar. On the edges, rock and rubble are packed in an inward direction. This technique allows the superstructure little movement which helps during the seismic activities. The columns were made up of wood and stones, which are placed apart-one facing the outside, the other facing the inside. They are held down and together by a dowel repeated at intervals. The gap between the wood and stone is loosely filled with rubble and rocks. Mud flooring mixed with organic materials such as cow dung and thatch, the light superstructure in wood with projecting balconies at upper levels over stone columns supported by the level below and slate roofs on a wood frame with chimneys, were some of the other efficient construction techniques executed in this type of architecture.

Figure 4&5: ( left and right ) Temples at Bharmour, H.P. showing raised carved stone plinth. (Source: Photo credit – Ar. Sakriti )

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Fig. 6 & 7 Typical Ground and First-floor plan of traditional houses in Chamba, H.P. where ground floor(left) on ground floor Iwan is the public space for entertaining guests, Obriis the bedrooms, Vithi as a verandah, a tulsivedika in the center of the courtyard or angan, a Badi or kitchen garden. First floor(right) has the Bhod which is a kitchen as it keeps the below rooms warm and the smoke filters out from the chimney above. (Source: Drawings developed by Ar. Sakriti)

Energy efficient configuration and elements: The house form follows a cuboidal stacking aligned to the contours in which the longer side usually faces the south to entrap maximum sun in the interiors and natural light for all activities. Cattle are kept on the ground floor of many houses and their body heat emitted drifts up and warms the upper floors. The steeper slope of the roof allows the snow to slide down.

Structural resilience: Houses in these regions have lasted centuries and are much more durable. They are far more resilient than current rigid non-indigenous material construction.

Resource Reuse: There is rarely any wastage as all the resources are utilized from stones to wood which does not deteriorate over time and can be reused.

3.2CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES AND SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AT

AUROVILLE CITY, PONDICHERRY

Construction Techniques: The construction at Auroville has been mostly done with the use of stabilized raw earth, rammed earth, adobe blocks, traditional sun dried mud bricks, wattle and daub. These materials are used as building materials from foundation to roof without depleting the natural resources. Stabilized earth foundations, rammed earth walls and stabilized earth composite columns are some of the known applications used at Auroville city planning. Along with them, some local natural materials have also been used for the construction of walls, floors, and roofs, such as Palmyra trunks for developing columns and beams, their leaf stems are also useful in developing roofing. Other examples are the use of Coconut wood flooring and bamboo structural frameworks. Buildings built with Vaults, Arches, and Domes are built in Auroville with increased roof spans, decrease in thickness, creating new shapes. Built with CSEB( Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks), laid in “free spanning” mode, without using a formwork.

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resistive properties. Haurdi blocks are also used in creating floors along with natural coconut wood planks.

Fig. 8 & 9 Stabilized Rammed Earth foundation. (left) Soil sieving from Trench. (right) Water Sprinkling on course (Source:www.earth-auroville.com)

As Auroville sits in a warm and humid climatic condition, humidity and moisture are also one of the major issues in this city. This has been rectified by the use of stabilized earth waterproofing which adds on to the efficient means of moisture control in the interior of all buildings in this city. In this method, the earth is mixed with sand and stabilized with cement and a paste made of lime, tannin, alum (Ammonium sulphate) and water. The plastering is done in three coats with different proportions of these components. The last waterproof coat is done with a 5 mm thick plaster composed of soil, sand and lime paste. No cement is added to the latter.

Built Form and Climate: Auroville has adopted the vernacular building materials of casurina, keet, palm leaf and thatch. The builders worked in close interaction with the local artisans.

Energy Efficient configuration and Elements: Auroville Water Harvest collects and processes a wide range of data pertaining to ground and surface water in order to gain a full understanding of the area. The waste water is treated for reuse through an Integrated Decentralized Waste Water System. With space limitation issues for ponds in commercial and urban spaces , a cylindrical vortex system has been designed by the institute. This takes advantage of centrifugal and centripetal forces to filter and oxygenate the water.

Due to the abundant amount of solar radiations falling in Auroville city, over 80% of the solar technology is used for water pumping, water heating, street lighting, and in some cases electricity generation. The Photovoltaic (PV) panels are efficient enough to completely run some of the communities and buildings, by the electricity produced by them.

The Centre for Science and Research located within the city limits got involved in the manufacturing of biogas plants since the small farms operating in Auroville produced the basic input, cow dung, and were in need of energy. Effective Micro-organisms (EM) is another technology used for decomposition of waste and compose.

Use of electric vehicles such as small electric cars, electric bicycles, and electric motorcycles are also some of the technology dependent applications in this city.

Structural resilience: Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks made in Auroville with 5% cement are structurally stable and resilient to live and dead loads of a building.

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Figure 10: Waste Rubber tires with reinforced steel and concrete at Auroville City, Pondicherry ( Source: Ar. Sakshi. Photo Credit- Ms. Suchita )

3.2CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES AND SUSTAINABLE DESIGN AT LAVASA CITY, PUNE

Construction Techniques: Conventional building methods are used for construction at Lavasa City, with open reinforced concrete cement foundations, columns, beams and floor slabs. Due to heavy rainfall in this region, and extreme temperature in summers, going up to 40 degrees, Cavity walls are used for creating a microclimate and maintaining a thermal comfort inside the buildings.

Built form and climate: In consideration with extreme temperature variations in summer and winters, as well as heavy rainfall in this region, the buildings are made with cavity walls, sloping roofs, and large overhangs. Double Glazed Units are used for windows and metal door frames for structure stability.

Energy efficient configuration and elements: The water supply to the city is calculated at the most economical norm of 86 lit/day/capita. All rainwater is harvested through the construction of 10 dams in the city. Wastewater will be treated and recycled for irrigation, flushing, construction and cooling of buildings. The biosolids resulting from the wastewater treatment are reused for compositing. The treated sewage effluent will be used for landscaping. Treatment is done to highest tertiary standards using both UV and Ozonization. Centralized and Decentralised treatment plants. Soil Biotechnology, developed by Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai is used for sewage treatment. Solar technology is used for water heating purposes.

The city waste is segregated at source by the provision of three bins for collection. The organic waste converter is used for processing organic waste and inorganic waste is segregated & send for recycling.

As Lavasa city was envisaged to be one of the first smart cities of India, use of smart technology also seems to be an evident part of this city. Wi –Fi enabled homes, Digital security, light automation, Ipad/Android to operate the home, IP-based wireless door bell, smart traffic control systems are some of the efficient features of this city.

Structural resilience: All the structures are designed as earthquake resistant. All the structure are designed for seismic zone 4.

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Figure 11& 12: Organic Waste Convertor ( left).Vermicomposting ( right). ( Source: Ar. Sakshi )

4. TRANSFORMATIVE AND COLLABORATIVE

The transformative and collaborative nature of Architecture and built environment refers to the social and economic sustainability of the development. This focuses on community participation, social gathering spaces, time and resource efficiency, efficient strategies for low labor cost, pedestrian safety, integrated planning inclusive of all proposed and existing services etc.

4.1 SOCIAL AND ECONOMICAL SUSTAINABILITY AT KATH KHUNI ARCHITECTURE IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

Community Participation: The spatial planning of Kath Khuni houses, follows the hierarchy of spaces from public to private areas. A central courtyard acts as the main interactive space during the cold and the Dalans which are overlooking the courtyard are used for social-cultural interaction during the summers as they provide adequate shade from the sun. The façade also has projected shaded spaces for community interaction. The main rooms are the central ones and are connected with ancillary storage spaces on either side.

Narrow pedestrian streets in the village of Chamba with temples at every corner of the mohalla( an area of a town or a larger community ) act as extensions of private spaces used for social gathering purpose. The latter space of these temples act as their extensions for temple activities and the shared spaces are used for festivals and religious activities by the different communities residing in this village. As these temples are located on a higher ground and can easily be visible from a distance, they act as a central focus point for mountain communities.

Figure 13 & 14: Temple at every corner of the mohalla ( left).Narrow Pedestrian streets with natural drainage along its edges ( right). ( Source & Photo Credit: Ar. Sakriti )

Time and Resource efficiency: Use of stone and wood increases the time and resource efficiency as it is easily and locally available.

Inclusive and Safe: Integrated planning enhancing socio-cultural interactions within people and people-centric designing increases the safety of the residents in the Chamba village settlement.

4.2SOCIAL AND ECONOMICAL SUSTAINABILITY AT AUROVILLE CITY, PONDICHERRY

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atmosphere is peaceful and charged with its beauty continuing in the gardens surrounding this building. The zoning of the spaces as per their special and social requirements also enhances the socio-economic factors of this city.

Figure 15: Social gathering around Maitrimandir at Auroville City, Pondicherry ( Source: www.auroville.org)

Time and Resource efficiency: Use of Locally available materials, recycled and reused materials.

Inclusive and Safe: Integrated planning with all types of services, the optimum mix of densities and pedestrian friendly planning of city makes it inclusive and safe.

4.2SOCIAL AND ECONOMICAL SUSTAINABILITY AT LAVASA CITY, PUNE

Community Participation: Lavasa City is envisioned to be a livable future city where residents can live, work, learn and play in accord with nature. The plazas designed at designated points in the city layout act as a source for enhancing social sustainability. The ambiance of the city is charged with a peaceful and vibrant beauty of the natural hill slopes and water bodies enclosing the periphery of the city layout.

Time and Resource efficiency:Use of locally available materials. Stone for walls, cladding, retaining walls. This city also produces crushed sand and thus limits the use of natural sand.

Inclusive and Safe:Integrated planning with all types of services, theoptimum mix of densities and pedestrian friendly planning of city makes it inclusive and safe.

5. CONCLUSION

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Vernacular Architecture is thus a tried and tested practice which has actually sustained the ravages of time and passed on through generations.

6. REFERENCES

[1] Dave, Bharat; Thakkar, Jay; Shah, Mansi,Indigenous Building Traditions of Himachal Pradesh, Abacus Vol. 6 No. 2. 2011.

[2] Ganguly, Rupa. T, Role of Vernacular Architecture of India in Green Building Design – A Case Study of Pauni, IJRITCC, Volume: 3 Issue: 2.2015.

[3] Handa and O.C., Himalayan Traditional Architecture, Rupa & Co, New Delhi, 2009

[4] Kumar, Harshit; Charan, Nataraja Sai; Sahu, Kunal, Sustainable technology and Design in Auroville.

[5] Lavasa Citizen Handbook

[6] Lindabury, Shawn; Stilwell, Brian, Evaluating the world‟s most Sustainable City, Green City Reviews.2008

[7] Lindfield, Michael and Steinberg, Florian,Inclusive Cities, Urban Development series, Asian Development Bank, ISBN: 978-92-9092-294-0, 2011.

[8] Simon Guy and Graham Farmer, "Reinterpreting Sustainable Architecture: The Place of Technology," Journal of Architectural Education 54, no. 3 (2001).

[9] Town and Country Planning Department, Chamba-H.P., Development Plan for Chamba.

[10] Unesco Chair, Earthen Architecture for Sustainable habitat, Earthen Architecture.

[11] Websites :

 http://himachal.nic.in/en-IN/

 http://www.auroville.org/contents/1127  http://www.green.aurovilleportal.org/

 http://www.earth-auroville.com/building_with_earth_en.php  http://www.archinomy.com/

 www.lavasa.com

7. BIOGRAPHY OF AUTHORS

1 Sakshi Suresh Pandey is an Assistant Professor at the Amity School of Architecture and Planning. The author did her under graduation at the Apeejay School of Architecture and Planning, U.P Technical University in 2009 and Masters in Sustainable Cities from Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, U.S.A in 2013.She has a total professional and academic experience of

approximately 5 years altogether. She has been a fervent researcher in the field of sustainable architecture and attended research conference at a national level.Her research interests

include climate study and its impact in Architecture, energy analysis of buildings via various simulation methods, analyzing roots of sustainable architecture through vernacular

architecture etc.

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