Ar. Sourabh Gupta, Archohm

Responsible and sensitive architecture is green architecture. Any responsible design firm’s responsibility is to not waste resources, but to optimally use them. The intent is to make energy - efficient and smart solutions that are suitable to the Indian climate and context. Any sensitive architect would inherently create responsive and responsible architecture that is relevant to its surroundings.

The mindset in India is definitely changing, but we still have a long way to go. Majority of architecture and design in India apes the West. People associate development with a jungle of glass buildings that don’t work climatically and contextually for the country where there is ample light and heat.

However, culturally because of the hot climate in India, earth-filled terrace gardens, chajjas, parasols and pargolas that are green in essence, already exist in India since centuries, unlike globally, where the usage of glass roofs with solar panels are adapted, and mechanical installations are used. Vernacular Indian architecture has elements to address the issue of sustainability effectively in today’s times. We need to reinvent them with the technologies available today.

Vernacular Indian architecture has elements to address the issue of sustainability effectively; we need to reinvent them with the technologies available today