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.”

With exponential growth in urbanisation, climate change and increasing resource scarcity are becoming inevitable. While urbanisation cannot be ceased or even paused, architects and engineers are constantly striving to develop innovative designs and technology to combat these issues while redefining our country’s architectural landscape in a tech-driven, sustainable manner.

Sustainability
Sustainability in architecture and construction is imperative today. Sustainable architecture aims to design, construct, and operate buildings with no or low environmental impact. Energy-efficient systems, using eco-friendly materials, and effectively reducing waste are some of the core principles driving sustainability in construction.

Ar. Akbar Bashu, Design Head, Bengaluru, IMK Architects, shares his insights on how sustainability takes centre stage in his Sona Vistaas and Sona University projects. Both structures have been built based on the principles of biophilia and climate optimisation. An attempt has been made to achieve FSI per the client’s requirement while making all individual units as well-ventilated as possible and providing as much green space and biophilia as possible. Other key amenities incorporated into the community include cross-ventilation in individual units, maximum light for all habitable spaces, and reducing long corridors. Every possible effort has been taken to provide ample greenery. The use of natural light has been maximised, and artificial lights have been minimised wherever possible. The design also focuses on giving airy classrooms and reducing heat.

Dr. Harish Tripathi, Principal Architect, Architect Harish Tripathi and Associates, shares his ideas on how he optimised sustainability through design in one of his projects, STPI-Meerut, which was built in a place experiencing extreme heat during summer. Common courtyards in such business structures can be partially covered with glass and insulated sheeting. The amount of light entering large courtyards can be controlled in a calculated manner to avoid excess heat. Similarly, light can filter through by creating small punctures in the sheeting, and puff insulation can keep the area cool without extensive air conditioning.

Ar. Sunil Patil, Principal Architect, Sunil Patil Associates, shares his thoughts on conserving green cover while reconstructing and expanding old structures. Avoiding designing parking spaces in the basement, identifying empty spaces between trees as parking spaces, and going in for a multi-story parking building can largely conserve green cover. He also emphasises the importance of floor plans. Ensuring a floor plan of 7.5 to 8 m maximum is important, as natural light does not travel beyond that. So, whenever a government or public utility building is planned, it is important to ensure 100 percent natural light and ventilation in every corner of the building. Similarly, it is important to design buildings so that only the top floors require mechanical ventilation with air conditioning.  This can largely reduce carbon footprint. Sunil also sheds light on how such design principles have led to his project “The Collector Office – Pune” winning the Green Building with a 5-star rating.

Ar. Arindam Ghosh, Partner at Polaris, speaks about his design principles, through which his future project, Rabindra Bharti University New Campus, has achieved almost 80 percent energy efficiency and moved to net zero. His suggestions include designing facades with vertical solar panels that generate electricity and contribute to the campus’ energy needs.

Technology
While the architecture and construction industry might have been among the slowest to digitise, the scenario has changed recently due to the increased demand for infrastructure, increased stakeholder pressure creating shorter deadlines, and a shortage of skilled labour. Software such as Scrum, Trello, TAD, BIM, AIM, etc. has improved quality and accelerated construction timelines.

Ar. Sabu Francis, Chief Architect, Sabu Francis & Associates, shares his views on why it is important to embrace technology in architecture. Challenges in architecture are not necessarily due to architects’ lack of knowledge but largely due to the absence of proper systems. Sabu sheds light on how The Architect’s Desktop (TAD), although one of the earliest software packages, is so much in sync with how architects work. TAD helps in objectivity! An architect can get a fair idea of quantities, area calculations, municipal calculations, etc., from the bubble-diagramming stage. Similarly, Architectural Information Modelling (AIM) emphasises the process, not just the outcome.

Akbar highlights how Scrum and Scrum Master help in better project management. Scrum helps in having constant discussions with the client to understand their aspirations. Similarly, it helps conduct constant workshops whenever milestones are reached. Akbar also highlights how processes like 80:20 help gain huge insights into the built process. Trello helps in meticulous tracking.

Design principles and challenges
Ar. Akbar highlights his design philosophy of multifunctional spaces. For example, an amphitheatre can be designed to function as both an entertainment area and a space for smaller gatherings. Another unique feature of the Sona University campus is that we tried to incorporate greenery wherever possible.

Dr. Harish sheds light on the design ideas that make the STPI—Meerut project special. In office spaces like the STPI, courtyards, where large gatherings are likely, should be well-ventilated; other functional areas like the director’s office, conference rooms, and other cabins can be designed around the courtyard. Pergolas can be an essential feature in terraces, enhancing both shading and aesthetics.

Ar. Sunil speaks about the design challenges and how they were mitigated. The major issue was conserving full-grown trees. While planning to conserve trees in their space, basement parking should be avoided. Architects can also plan to demolish smaller, intertwining buildings and create seating and parking spaces. Moving away from the conventional approach can help conserve tree cover and also make way for sustainability.

Ar. Arindam shares his insights on the design principles of his upcoming project, Rabindra Bharti University—New Campus. The design is inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s concept of open learning at Shanti Niketan. The structure is an example of any educational institution whose motto is to promote open learning. Terraces at different levels promote open interaction spaces. The design fosters learning beyond classrooms, encouraging students to engage with their surroundings and each other across the campus.