An interview with Curtis Arathoon, eco architect.
Building for sustainability
By Annette Gomes with Jofin Jose
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Green Construction
Sustainable architecture is a general term that describes environmentally conscious design techniques in the field of architecture. Sustainable architecture is framed by the larger discussion of sustainability and the pressing economic and political issues of our world. In the broad context, sustainable architecture seeks to minimize the negative environmental impact of buildings by enhancing efficiency and moderation in the use of materials, energy, and development space. Most simply, the idea of sustainability, or ecological design, is to ensure that our actions and decisions today do not inhibit the opportunities of future generations. This term can be used to describe an energy and ecologically conscious approach to the design of the built environment. Green building
Green building (a Green building is also known as green construction or sustainable building) refers to a structure and using process that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition. This practice expands and complements the classical building design concerns of economy, utility, durability, and comfort.
Although new technologies are constantly being developed to complement current practices in creating greener structures, the common objective is that green buildings are designed to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment by: *Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources *Protecting occupant health and improving employee productivity *Reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation.
A similar concept is natural building, which is usually on a smaller scale and tends to focus on the use of natural materials that are available locally. Other related topics include sustainable design and green architecture. Sustainability may be defined as meeting the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Green building does not specifically address the issue of the retrofitting existing homes. A 2009 report by the U.S. General Services Administration found 12 sustainably designed buildings cost less to operate and have excellent energy performance. In addition, occupants were more satisfied with the overall building than those in typical commercial buildings. LEED
Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) is an internationally recognized green building certification system, providing third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies intended to improve performance in metrics such as energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED is intended to provide building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. Since its inception in 1998, the U.S. Green Building Council[4] has grown to encompass more than 7,000 projects in the United States and 30 countries covering 1.062 billion square feet (99 km²) of development area.[5] The hallmark of LEED is that it is an open and transparent process where the technical criteria proposed by USGBC members are publicly reviewed for approval by the almost 20,000 member organizations that currently constitute the USGBC. The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) was established by USGBC to provide a series of exams to allow individuals to become accredited for their knowledge of the LEED rating system. This is recognized through either the LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) or LEED Green Associate (LEED Green Assoc.) designation. GBCI also provides third-party certification for projects pursuing LEED.
Architecture with a Conscience is called with many names...
Eco-friendly Architecture Organic Architecture Sustainable Architecture Social Responsibility
Architecture Architecture for Humanity Green Architecture
...architecture can be humble, stylish and 'green' all at once! | | .Feedback! |
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| Adding eco-friendly features to homes has now become common. For example solar panels for off-grid power or a water heater that consumes no electricity. The importance of greenspace, in the form of lawns or play areas, has also become a point which sells flats in housing complexes, these days. But what about the buildings themselves? Usually, that’s where the eco-friendliness of most “eco-friendly” homes end. Environmental architecture or Eco-architecture is about to change that.
Also known as Sustainable architecture, the concept is already popular in the West and even in eco conscious Western India, Pune, for example. Eco-architects strive for energy efficiency over the entire life cycle of a building. This is the single most important goal of sustainable architecture, and Eco-architects use a variety of planet friendly materials and technologies to plan, build, maintain, and power green buildings which are truly eco-friendly. Calcutta real estate businessman and G4L Foundation Trustee, Curtis Arathoon, recently did a course on Eco-friendly architecture in Calcutta. He shares the concepts with Annette Gomes.  © 2011 EarthSmiles.net . All rights reserved. Made from 100% recycled pixels.    Annette Gomes: What is environmental architecture? Curtis Arathoon: Instead of environmental architecture we can call it eco- architecture. Architecture is related to construction building. It is how we make it eco friendly not only from materials and designs. In the past 15 to 20 years of my life I have noticed they are no proper architects, they have a problem with their concept. They give us a place to live like 3 or 4 bedroom flat but it they are not environmentally friendly. Environmental architecture is basically making environment friendly (houses and other structures). AG: What is difference between normal and environmental architecture? CA: Environmental architecture is construction of buildings with the help of eco friendly materials, and techniques. Normal construction is usually not eco friendly. For example, they do not have any wind catchers. A flat should have big windows, but most of the architects don’t calculate the wind speed. From the geographical point of view, each place has different wind speed, and architects don’t focus on these points. Why don’t you try this out? One afternoon take the temperature of Sealdah station and Bara Maidan, you would find that the temperature of Sealdah is much higher cause of too much people around. This is another reason why Kolkata is so hot; it is due to closely located houses. AG: So besides concern for the environment, this architecture also keeps people more comfortable! So isn’t it important to promote environmental architecture? CA: This process cuts down a lot in the use of steel, and cuts generating heat. (Also cuts down on fuel costs and transportation and on pollution from the smelting/foundry -Ed) Have you noticed the buildings on the way to the airport? For example, Silver Spring, it not eco-friendly at all, cause a lot of glass is used (which needs to be supported by steel.) Environmental architecture helps the environment in many ways. AG: What is the scope of environmental architecture? CA: It has a huge opportunity to grow but the main problem is that there is lack of knowledge. We would find very few architects helping the environment by asking their promoters in implementing it. I was recently in Jadavpur University and I have noticed students are taught only from the books, they just have bookish knowledge. It is nothing outside form the box. Example, you see the British houses in Kharagpur, they have huge wind catchers on the top of the house, through which cool air is collected from above and pushed the warm air out through the windows. A Mr. Mukherjee is making a brick house at Falta within a small budget. It’s basically a children’s camp. Eco-architecture brings down the cost factor. In this project only 25000 bricks are used and have saved approximately 5 tons of steel. Here the use of cement has been cut down and thus used they’ve Plaster of Paris instead. Wind speed differs during the year. Buildings we have in Kolkata are not eco friendly. When I make a building, I am going to be concerned about the wind speed, the various kinds of trees to plant in different parts of the building. Tall trees act as wind breakers and not so tall ones gives us shade. People complain of the house is like a furnace, why is it so? The main cause for this is the architect. Regarding the roofing, we can use concrete dalai, we can take a little bhar (earthen tea cup), dab a few coconut shells and fill it up. You can then coat it with silver sand and a light beat of cement. These are eco friendly materials as well. Though it may be a bit costly but it helps us in the long run. Some architects do not have these concepts at all, they are basically unaware. Nowadays some eco friendly buildings are coming up but they aren’t so much. Thus while constructing an eco friendly building, all these factors like wind speed, weather, design, materials should be taken into consideration. AG: What makes a structure eco-friendly? What materials are used? CA: Eco architecture does not cut the quality of the building down instead it makes it better. It takes in all the important necessity like the window design, wind catcher, the trees around etc into consideration. I have a friend who has made his balcony in the shape of a triangle, on questioning him; he said that I did so, as the wind could pass through easily and go to my bedrooms...Smart..!. We do not compromise on anything. Regarding materials as I have said before, for the roofing, we could use bhar, coconut shell, silver sand light cement, etc. We should cut down on the use of cement and steel, it’s not eco friendly. Engineering bamboo will replace wood. Do you know bamboo is six times stronger than steel. Bamboo is cheap, easy to grow. The problem is that there is less bamboo. We could advise farmers to grow bamboo along it rice and vegetables. The best thing about bamboo is that it can grow anywhere even in wasteland and it’s cheap. I got a wealth of knowledge after this course. There are 30 to 40 species of bamboo which grows in South Parganas. The bamboos used in puja pandals are Rs.150 (aprox. $3) per piece and are re-used every year. It is a viable business; basically a gold mine product today. Bamboo comes from the north; it is used in waste furniture and also used in ship decks...  Its a lean, green, eco machine. A collaboration between Chad Oppenheim architecture + design, energy consultant Buro Happold, and structural engineer Ysreal Seinuk, the $40 million, 25-story, “COR” building in Miami, will incorporate mixed-use residential and commercial space, integrating green technologies including wind turbines, photovoltaic panels, and solar hot water generation.
The building’s exoskeleton is a hyper-efficient structure that provides thermal mass for insulation, shade for residents, and architectural elements such as terraces and armatures that support turbines.  AG: How does a common man approach an environmental architect? Who are some well known ones in India or abroad? CA: Come to me I would help you out. This course has been held for the first time and it would take time to grow. It could be an essential mouth piece. Engineering bamboo, environmental buildings, restoring old buildings etc, they could be classified into various categories. AG: Can you name some examples of environmental architecture for our readers...
Is there any in Kolkata that we could visit? CA: I find no such building. Perhaps only the Governor’s House is eco friendly... heritage buildings or old British houses can be classified into eco friendly buildings. But nowadays in the modern world it’s a big "NO". You may find some modern ones in Spain, Italy which are amazing and beautiful. Regarding Kolkata, I have no clue. I am happy to have done this course and now want to do something with the knowledge it has provided me. AG: Thanks for your time an all the amazing facts on Eco-architecture! AG: You have done a course in EA. Where can one learn environmental architecture? CA: Yes, I have done this course and it opens your mind up. This course was conducted at Mace, Modern High School on the 4th floor. I met this French guy named Laura, he is a hardcore eco architect, and he has been in India for many years. Others like Samresh Mukherjee, Manish Chakraboty are big time eco architects, they are in great demand. The latter is responsible for the renovation of St. James Church. Many people attended the course with me; philosophers, people who build their own houses; geologist and they were two class 12 students as well. AG: What is the duration and syllabus? CA: The course was for 40 days. It covered the technical aspect. If you are technically qualified, it would be better for you as there are lots of calculations of the wind, area, land. Designs are very important as well, where to place things. Importance should be given to surroundings where to plant trees, creepers etc. The last are materials. Have you noticed old buildings are made up of different materials? These are some of the elements we should to learn to live under…less steel, cement etc. we were the first batch to take this course. Now they are planning to make it regular course thrice a year. This time they will make the criteria stronger from within like English would be the medium. People like promoters, environmentalist, property owners, engineers, people making houses...etc would be advised to take part. AG: Who can do it and how? CA: If you are an environmentalist or promoter or have something to deal with land or even a student, this course is apt for you. Student’s minds are exposed and it is high time our youth should be aware of such courses. Environment is a future problem of the youth. Coco seeds also absorb heat, they are cost effective and cuts down heat. The course is pocket friendly. I am a property dealer and thus interested in environment.  Bamboo ia a tropical grass that can grow from just 12 inches tall to over 100 feet tall. In eco-construction it can be used either as solid bamboo or Engineered Bamboo (sometimes NOT eco friendly due to the bonding agent) and comes in natural or laminated colours, which rival tree-wood. |
