Old is Gold - Pearl Academy of Fashion Case study

Pearl Academy of Fashion is indeed a fashionable building. Curves, double skin facades, water body in courtyard, it looks like any modern building. In reality, it revives traditional climate responsive techniques, combines it with modern day architectural elements, creates a micro climate of its own to counter the dry desert heat and we have a perfect example of a green building! Lets have a look....

Courtyard, Samode Haveli
Source : www.commons.wikimedia.org

Courtyards have been an integral element in local Rajasthan architecture because it facilitates air flow and ventilation in the dry heat. Also it keeps the interiors well lit, thus facilitating daylight. The same principle has been adopted by Pearl academy- with an organic form they have been able to transform the look, keeping the function intact ! The courtyard is divided into self shading sub-courts, each controlling the temperature of internal spaces.

Courtyard, Pearl academy
Source : Author

Courtyard, Pearl academy
Source : Author

Perspective section showing layout of spaces, courtyards and water body.
Source : www.archdaily.com

Axonometric view, basement level, Pearl Academy
Source :archdaily.com

The entire building is raised above the ground on columns and the basement level serves as a large student recreation and exhibition zone. The lowermost floor is partially sunk below ground, which is cooled by a water body through evaporative cooling. This passive cooling technique is also evident in traditional Rajasthani architecture.

       

Central water body,Lake Palace, Udaipur
Source : www.luxoindia.com

Water body, Pearl academy
Source : archdaily.com

A double skin, derived from a traditional building element called the ‘Jaali’ which is prevalent in Rajasthani architecture, acts as a thermal buffer between the building and the surroundings. The density of the perforated outer skin has been derived using computational shadow analysis based on orientation of the façades. The outer skin sits 4 feet away from the building and reduces the direct heat gain through fenestrations.

Jali - Hawa Mahal
Source : ifonlypolyglotwasajob.files.wordpress.com

External perforated screen,- Jali', Pearl academy

Source : Author

Jali in cement,Pearl Academy
Source : Author

Section showing ' Jali' facade reducing heat gain
Source :Author

The library is designed such that it utilizes maximum daylight while minimizing heat gain.The entire library is glazed- the North facing part has french windows since North light is considered best for reading as it does not cause heat gain.The southern exposed part has shading louvers installed to reduce heat penetration.

Louvered screen on South side,French windows on North
Source : Author

What was the point of all this.....to prove that 'modern' isn't just towers of steel and glass. Modern is to be smart, intelligent and sustainable ! I make my point again and again. Balance will be the key to a greener world. Pearl has done that marvelously - by learning from traditions and giving it a new outlook, they have not only achieved sustainable design, but also beauty. Blindly following trends will not help, we have to think of what we hope to achieve through our design and implement it intelligently. That's the only way to truly GoGreen !!

Old is gold !

Ethics or aesthetics ?? In the face of the energy crisis, the need of the hour is to be ethical, responsible, inculcate sustainable design blah blah. Even if buildings are ugly, as long as they save on energy, who cares right ?

But is it really a Sophie's choice ? Can we only be sustainable by sacrificing the beauty of our creation as architects ? Not if we get the grey cells going.

Let me tell you about the recent trends in architecture in India, specially in commercial and institutional buildings. Huge towers of glass and steel, they are designed to copy the " modern" look similar to lets say.... Manhattan .And what is really wrong with that ? I mean we can't live in mud houses or havelis anymore right ? We need to adapt to the recent trends. But what does fashion have to do with modern ?

Modern means to be up-to-date, new or contemporary. Ummm, how is it different from fashion.Say shoes, sneakers are cool and trendy, but you wouldn't wear them to a job interview right. Juvenile example I must say but fitting nevertheless. What is the main factor ? Context. So in a nutshell, modern means fashion with context. When we design a building, it is very important to consider the context before blindly following the trends in the name of 'modern '

As I see, there are two very important recent Architecture myths- old or new, in terms of traditional techniques against new ones. And the second one as i mentioned earlier - ethics or aesthetics, as in do we sacrifice our beauty and creativity for the sake of sustainability.

Let me illustrate through couple of example from my own home town, both of recently constructed 'modern' buildings, one a fashion design school and another a commercial complex, but poles apart in terms of sustainability or green building.

Collateral damage ?

In my first post, I talked about how important is it to find the right balance in the path for sustainability. It is the need of the hour, no doubt, but sometimes it comes at a higher cost, like life.

http://news.msn.com/in-depth/emerging-solar-plants-scorch-birds-in-mid-air

I came across this a few weeks back and was astonished.It is about a solar plant in California,US.
The plant consists of 300,000 mirrors reflecting sun rays onto boiler towers which produces enough electricity to power 140,000 homes. WOW! Can't beat that.

The catch ? The bright reflected light attracts insects, which in turn attracts birds. These birds are charred to death due to the high intensity rays.Wildlife officials have witnessed group of birds flying into the path of the rays and getting scorched to death.Sun rays or death ray ?

The question remains...is sustainability worth loss of life ? Birds constitute an important part of our ecosystem and environment. If this was an isolated incident, it could be ignored as part of collateral damage. But the deaths are in thousands and beyond negligible quantity.

Another incident of Solar plants threatening wildlife- probable extinction of desert turtles.

http://www.kcet.org/news/redefine/rewild/reptiles/solar-plants-may-make-deserts-too-hot-for-tortoises.html

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/02/20/solar-energy-plants-in-tortoises-desert-habitat-pit-green-against-green/

According to research, solar plants cause the urban heat island, causing the surroundings to heat up and become inhabitable for the desert turtles, which have been listed as an endangered species.Also they take up the space, leaving thousands of turtles without a home in their natural habitat.

What to do now ? Logic suggests we do the best we can to salvage the loss, but in the end continue with the plants. Why ? Because the gain over exceeds the loss. Power for 140,000 homes isn't a small thing. Isn't that the sustainable future ?

NO

Sustainability isn't just harnessing free solar energy. Yes its a major part, but sustainability means to exist. And not just human existence, of all living being including wildlife. Sustainable is to save the Earth, not just provide renewable energy at the cost of wildlife.We are trying to conserve our energy resources, but what about conserving the birds and turtles ?? They are as much part of the Earth as we are and we can't dismiss them as collateral damage

Balance is the key to sustainability. We need to find some way to have the solar plants and save the birds. Maybe have some ways to distract them from the area....just a thought...but we can't just let the murder continue in the name of sustainability.

Think Green.Think Apple

SOURCE:http://www.iwallhd.com

An apple a day not only keeps the doctor away, but also preserves the environment.

Today, who doesn't know Apple. From Iphone to Ipad, from Itunes to Siri, Apple is one of the best known and admired brands in the world. A world leader in technology, it has now become a leader in the green initiative too.But that wasn't always the case.

Greenpeace has campaigned against Apple because of various environmental issues, including a global end-of-life take-back plan, non-recyclable hardware components and toxins within iPhone hardware.Since 2003 Greenpeace has campaigned against Apple's use of particular chemicals in its products, more specifically, the inclusion of PVC and BFRs in their devices.¹ After many protests, Apple committed to ending its use of coal and shifting to 100% clean energy.²

Apple takes their word very seriously.

In 2013 Apple announced it was using 100% renewable energy to power their data centers, and overall 75% of its power comes from renewable sources.³

Today’s iMac uses 0.9 watt of electricity in sleep mode. That’s 97 percent less than the first iMac.⁴

Apple's recycling program practices the use of material responsible recycling as much as possible and trying to reduce the material consumed overall.⁴

SOURCE:http://www.apple.com/environment

The Apple Store, Stanford, is powered by 100% renewable energy⁴

Apple claimed that 94% of its corporate facilities and 100% of its data centres are now powered by renewable energy sources such as solar power.⁴

Apple's Maiden data centre in North Carolina is powered by a large 20MW solar farm and biogas fuel cells and has earned a LEED Platinum rating.⁴

SOURCE:http://www.apple.com/environment/

The company said its new HQ being built in Cupertino, California, will use 30% less energy than an equivalent building, and will be home to around 7,000 trees most of them are drought tolerant to minimize landscaping water consumption⁴.

"We want to leave the world better than we found it. We’re proud of our progress but we know we have much more to do." — Tim Cook,CEO Apple

  Source : Youtube.com,http://www.apple.com/environment

Sources :

1.http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/PCWorld/story?id=3731164, 2.http://www.wired.com/2012/05/apple_coal/

3.http://www.businessweek.com/news/2013-03-21/apple-says-data-centers-now-use-100-percent-renewable-energy

4.http://www.apple.com/environment

Don't drop the drop !

"The wars of the 21st century will be fought over water."(Source: Figure) Too dramatic ? I am afraid not. More than 70% of the Earth is covered with water.¹ But we all know what happened with the Ancient Mariner² don't we.

"Water, water, every where, 

Nor any drop to drink."²

Why wasn't there any drop to drink.Because of the 70% water only 2.5 % is fresh water or potable and only half of that is actually accessible to people.1

The wars don't seem so far-fetched now do they.Why is there a water shortage suddenly ? I don't remember anybody caring a couple of decades back. 

The major cause is population explosion leading to overuse.The global population is expanding by 80 million people annually, increasing the demand for freshwater by about 64 billion cubic meter every year.³ This rapid growth rate also caused the potential global availability of water to decline from 12,900 cubic meter per capita per year in 1970, to 9,000 cubic meter in 1990, to about 7,000 cubic meter in 2000^4, Only 20% of the global population has access to running water and over 1 billion people do not have access to clean water⁵.

And it gets worse.The world’s population is projected to expand to 9 billion people by 2050⁶. It is estimated that 90% of the additional 3 billion people will be living in developing countries—many of which are already experiencing water stress or scarcity ³. Money can't buy happiness but it can buy water.The water crisis is badly going to the hit the poor.

Next nightmare? Food production is so wholly dependent on water that agriculture can use 75-90% of freshwater in a region. Producing one ton of grain requires 1,000 tons of water⁵. Water scarcity creates food shortages,raises food prices, and increases a country's’ dependence on food imports³. The situation has become so extreme that several of the largest cities worldwide—including Los Angeles, Cairo, and New Delhi—can only increase their water consumption by reducing agricultural water use⁷.

Climate change is also to be blamed for the shortage of water. Global warming is causing the glaciers to melt and thus mixing the fresh water in the oceans. Also increased temperatures cause drying of water bodies like rivers,lakes etc. Erratic climatic conditions are causing droughts and floods.

Water pollution is reducing the quality of the already-scarce-potable water. Disposal of domestic sewage, industrial and agricultural pollutants and urban run-off is polluting the water bodies causing reduction in availability of potable water and being the reason for water borne diseases.

Global water crisis continues .....

Sources:

1.http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/freshwater/freshwater-crisis/

2.The Rime of the Ancient Mariner Poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

3.“Water in a Changing World,” UN Water Development Report 3, (World Water Assessment Programme, 2009), Accessed June 21, 2010. http://www.unesco.org/water/wwap/wwdr/wwdr3/pdf/WWDR3_Facts_and_Figures.pdf
4.“Vital Water Graphics, An overview of the state of the world’s fresh and marine waters: 2nd Edition,” (United Nations Environment Programme: 2008), Accessed June 15, 2010. http://www.unep.org/dewa/vitalwater/article186.html
5.“Water Facts & Water Stories from Across the Globe,” (The World Water Organization, 2010) Accessed June 16, 2010. http://www.theworldwater.org/water_facts.php
6.Richard Connor, Jean-Marc Faures, Johan Kuylenstierna, “Chapter 7, Evaluation of water use,” Water in a changing world, (World Water Development Report 3, 2009), Accessed June 21, 2010. http://www.unesco.org/water/wwap/wwdr/wwdr3/pdf/18_WWDR3_ch_7.pdf
7.. Brown, Lester R., “Plan B 4.0,” Lester R. Brown, New York: Earth Policy Institute, 2009.

Green is yummy !!

This isn't strictly 'architecture'....instead I thought to kick off with some mouth watering energy saving tips just for everybody.

How can we save energy in the kitchen ? No cooking, raw food ? Nah.

1. Electric or Gas cook tops?

Cost wise electric are cheaper since they don't require a gas pipeline or cylinder. Just plug in and go.Also no danger of gas leaks,YIKES. But cooking food is slower since the element takes longer to heat up and cool down.

Energy wise, they are costly since they require electricity. What if there is a power outage ? Hungry :(

Natural gas is available to us in abundance. No chance of running out.Cooking is more efficient and faster. So if you can bear the initial cost of setting up, it's the best and cleanest way to go. 

2.Covering your food while cooking will heat it faster and save energy. How come ? Physics :)

3. Let your cooked  food cool down before putting it in fridge. Why ? Less cooling required by the fridge to bring it to a lower temperature.

4. Use Energy Star Rated appliances for your kitchen such as dishwashers and refrigerators.They not only reduce energy consumption but also reduce emission of harmful CFC's etc which is destroying the ozone layer.What are energy star rated products ?Check them out http://www.energystar.gov/about

5.Use full loads on dishwasher and let the dishes air-dry.

6.Vegetable garden - Free home grown organic fruits/vegetables !YEY !

7.Kitchen waste. That's a big issue. How to get rid in the most eco-friendly way ? Recycle of course.

Keep reading for more cool green tips :D

Introduction

Green Architecture ???

Ummm …. trees in buildings ? Nope.

Often misinterpreted as integration of landscaping and buildings, Green Architecture does not quite literally mean the color green. It means to create a harmony between architecture and nature. But why do we need it?

We are all aware of the current energy crisis, the diminishing natural resources, global warming blah blah blah....!! No reminders needed there. We need to save the Earth and fast.

Drive no cars? Nope. We need balance.

Balance would be to optimize our consumption and usage of resources so that we can function comfortably without exploiting the Earth.

Maybe drive but car pool? That wasn’t so hard!

That's what we architects hope to accomplish through Green Architecture. A balance between our buildings and resources without compromising on functionality and comfort. To sustain is to provide what is needed to exist. Green or Sustainable architecture uses a conscious approach to energy and ecological conservation in the design of the built environment.

As architects it’s our major duty to ensure no harm to the Earth which supports the very foundation of our buildings. Sustainable Architecture is no longer just a career choice but a chance to protect our own existence.

What we can do might be a drop in the ocean...but the ocean would still be less without that drop.

Easier said than done, right ? Nope. That’s where this blog comes in.

It will discuss innovations and research in the field of sustainable architecture, upcoming trends and new methods all which will efficiently reduce the adverse impact of buildings on the environment. But you don’t have to be an architect to be able to help dear Earth, plus it benefits you too as a user. We all love free stuff. Wouldn't it be just awesome to have almost free cooling during summer. YEY ! This blog will also include some ideas and DIY's for non-professionals to incorporate in their homes or workplace for economical living and comfort. All it takes is a little consciousness and awareness and the world is a better, greener place for all of us.