There was a time that installing a rainwater harvesting system in the house or growing thick foliage around the building was enough to claim green credentials. Now, waste management and eco-friendly materials such as fly ash, recycled wood and green roofing products are considered par for the course.Leading the pack is Good Earth, a community of about 100 architects that came together in 1994 to put idealism to blueprint. “We believe that the world needs an enormous number of new innovators, change agents and transformers, all dedicated to turning development in the direction of sustainability,” says Jeeth Iype, one of the first members. Inspired by the work and philosophy of Laurie Baker, this talented bunch of architects has completed 11 community housing projects in places like Kochi, Calicut and Kottayam, and is at present designing an eco-village.Vishakha, whose house was designed by the community, is all praise for the group’s efforts.
“Their commitment to the field of green architecture is commendable. I have now realised that basic techniques like using choona (slaked lime) instead of distemper and avoiding the use of marble can make so much of a difference to a building,” she elaborates.One of the many myths associated with sustainable architecture is that one needs to cut down on basic comfort in the bid to go green. Builders are trying to do away with this notion by keeping comfort levels as high as any would expect. It can be done, they say.A visit to Bengaluru’s TZED homes (ZED stands for Zero Energy Development) would help put things in perspective. This complex of 95 homes is being developed by the Biodiversity Conservation India Ltd (BCIL), a company that is engaged in designing alternate technologies and developing eco-friendly homes. The objective is to build a campus for a self-reliant community, with water and energy autonomy to go with solid waste and water management processes that do the planet no harm.
“The project has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by around 20,000 tonnes just through the choice of materials used,” says Arvind Srinivasan of BCIL, “For instance, we have used exposed soil stabilised blocks and laterite blocks for external walls. Gypsum plaster has been used in place of cement plaster. Rubber wood panelled doors and teak wood main doors have also been put in place. These measures have really made a substantial difference.”Similar features can be found in Rabi Rashmi Abasan, India’s first completely solar powered housing complex, which is being developed by West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency and Bengal Development Consultants Pvt Ltd in Kolkata. This 58 kW project has been developed on 1.76 acres of land and includes both active and passive solar energy features. While the active features include a solar water heating system, solar street lights and much else, the passive features ensure that the houses remain cool during summer, get natural light and have good air circulation. It is not just builders who are adding to the green built-up space in the country. There are commendable individual efforts as well.
Take architect Revathi Kamath’s house, for instance. Kamath, who is considered a pioneer of sorts in green architecture, has ensured that not a single resource is wasted in her house.The lovely mud structure, located in Anangpur village on the outskirts of Delhi, stands on what was once a quarry. She allowed the nearly ravaged topsoil to rejuvenate on its own, yielding an exquisite ecosystem around the house. With a sewage disposal system and all the arrangements for rainwater harvesting firmly in place, and a solar cooker to take care of all food needs, it’s no surprise that Kamath’s eco-friendly house is a zero carbon rating building.“Since the house is made of mud,” she says, “people think that it is a high-maintenance house. That’s not true at all—the only cost we have is to sustain labour. But even through that, we generate employment for people around here. As for the house, I just need take a sponge and rub the walls. At times, we rub a turmeric and sandalwood paste on the walls. This way, I can make do without toxic paints, and sandalwood also keeps the house cool.”
A green house is a win-win house. Not only are resources relieved of undue pressure, individuals too save on money by cutting down on maintenance and energy bills.According to a note on the green building movement by CII, energy savings from green buildings could range from 25 to 40 per cent, depending on the extent of green specifications. “Other tangible savings would be reduction in first costs and enhanced asset value. Intangible benefits of green buildings would include increasing productivity, occupants’ improved health, safety benefits and a green corporate image,” says Varalakshmi.Moreover, there are credits to be earned through various rating systems like Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) that can actually be traded in the carbon market. “For instance, every resident gains Rs 12,000 on an annual basis, thanks to carbon credits savings in TZED homes,” says Srinivasan.