While the unprecedented boom in the construction sector has brought economic opportunities and improved living standards, it has also resulted in significant environmental challenges.
Cover Story
Pride Projects 2024
“This story explores the pride projects of 2024 and how these architectural masterpieces are reshaping India’s skyline. It discusses how architects push their limits to address challenges like space constraints, labour shortages, and environmental impact associated with creating energy-efficient, sustainable, low-carbon footprint, and future-proof structures. The story also delves into the design philosophy, technology, and strategies that make these projects unique and aesthetically appealing.”
On Killing a Tree
Gieve Patel's famous poem starkly reflects the brutality of human actions toward nature and the urgent need to reconsider our relationship with the environment. It serves as a call for sustainability and respect for the Earth’s resources. The construction industry is one of the most active industries worldwide and a major consumer of energy, natural resources, and minerals. The stakeholders must urgently reduce their environmental impact and move towards sustainable construction methods.
Building envelopes mitigating urban heat island effect
The growing demand for energy due to rapid urbanisation has pushed architects, building professionals, and manufacturers to develop innovative strategies to design energy-efficient buildings and building envelopes. Energy efficiency of buildings encompasses several issues related to energy, water, land, and material conservation, addressing environmental pollution, and enhancing occupant comfort.
Building safe, energy-efficient high-rise structures
Rapid urban population growth and the attempt to curb urban sprawl are pushing policymakers and decision-makers to become increasingly interested in vertical urbanism. Architects, structural engineers, and the various other stakeholders involved in the creation of high-rise structures are constantly striving to develop energy-efficient, sustainable designs without compromising on aesthetics and functionality. Energy conservation is an evolutionary process, and design priorities for tall and supertall buildings have recently shifted to achieving more energy efficiency to address the energy needs of the increasing global population.
Designing Wellness
Today, wellness and health are given primary importance by almost everyone. With life becoming more mechanical and cities turning into concrete jungles, everyone constantly needs to seek mental and physical wellness beyond their homes.
Top-tier construction maintenance
In the first eight months of 2024, India has seen a troubling rise in building collapses. Incidents include a three-storey building in Navi Mumbai, a five-storey structure in Surat, an under-construction building in Kolkata, and several collapses in Delhi. These events highlight urgent concerns about construction safety and regulatory standards.
A review on our airport roofs
In June 2024, Indian aviation faced a setback as heavy rains caused roof collapses at airports in New Delhi, Jabalpur, and Rajkot.With airports under pressure to balance functionality and aesthetics, industry experts stress the need for rigorous maintenance, innovative design practices, and advanced technologies. These measures are crucial for enhancing safety, sustainability, and passenger experience while addressing issues related to faulty designs, construction timelines, and ownership accountability.
Envelope blueprints and smart cost solutions
The importance of green building envelopes has always been a prominent concept in the architectural and construction worlds.
Indian metro stations intensifying urban transformation
As India's metro networks grow, the emphasis on innovative, sustainable, and inclusive design will become increasingly important in creating the future of urban mobility.