I have always defined architecture as a problem solving method. Every building is a task that needs to be solved. The design process is the integration of all the elements that could affect the building into one outcome. Many times some of these elements prevail over others that must be sacrificed, but the architect’s role is to find a way to fulfill all the requirements. Read More
Category Archives: Economics of Sustainability
No building is an island.
An intelligent building doesn’t end at its’ walls that are surrounding it. It inevitably extends in every direction, visually, ecologically, and sociologically. It is the way in which it interacts and be affected by its own surroundings –its externalities– that make it smarter. Read More
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In theory or practice.
There is a conflict and there always will be with design process when it comes to devolving cities. It is a huge area where almost everything relevant to living, with basic needs and sources have to be taken into consideration. In my opinion if a problem or an event is initiated without giving much thought about the positive and the negative aspects of it, too many things could go wrong in the process of finishing it.
“Growth, prosperity, happiness are after all ( prevails as) goods from the mainstream perspective” people’s standard of living has increased considerably or their expectations from life have. Everyone, regardless of their income, wants the best of all things.
We often associate intuition with irrationality because when a decision is taken with intubation, the decision is often impulsive. As there is no thought pit into it. We don’t analyse the situation as we might have.
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The Politics of sustainable architecture
It is easy to see the solution in all of our problems within buildings, but to call it the only solution would be ignorant. This perspective is black and white in the sense that a city needs buildings to create negative space, which in other words is infrastructure. Within This negative space there are a variety of layers that make up the urban context. These layers consist of roads, pedestrians, sidewalks, landscape, and buildings (public/private) that when woven together make up the urban fabric. Each layer needs the other for it to function properly. Most people’s perception of a city can be physical as buildings clearly dominate skylines and are overwhelming to the human size. We tend to forget about our surroundings and of the experience of getting to these massive buildings. Every building within an urban environment has a certain approach, character, and exterior space that define it. These out-door functions are part of a different urban layer that are experienced around a building. Read More
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The Architecture of Happiness
Architecture when weighed against economic analysis, the design steers towards a sound approach. Like many enterprises, the profession of architecture is very much driven by the market’s laws of demands and supply. An architect produces services towards production of goods which is based on client’s expectation and is supported by financial and other means. The socio-political economy controls the strings of building industry.
The value of a building is often evaluated against the proximal infrastructure and at times vice-versa, if the building is associated with a designer label or heritage importance. A sustainable building moderates the use of energy without impacting negative thrust on the environment yet, it is like a tree which can sustain in isolation but needs the symbiosis of external surrounding factors for its growth. In the similar way, a building can support its requirement but requires infrastructure, connectivity and human interaction to flourish.
There is a need for a change in perspective wherein instead of questioning the category of building as solution to economic problems, we as architects need to assimilate the fact that a building is one of the basic units of a large city planning system.
A sustainable construction meeting the expectation of society and structured with infrastructure saves financial capital in long run is an asset to the society and a gift to future generation from conscience ones of today.
Difference in income leads to social divide and creates classes in masses. The growth of an individual, society, city or country is based on per capita income, national GDP and forms a marker for welfare. Among the four factors of production, land being a limited resource, there is quite a competition, which has led to fluctuation in prices and coaxing the developers to utilize every available bit. This often neglects the welfare over profit. We, as architects need to create designs that bridges the gap in the social divide and at the same time generates revenue for the developers. For example, establishing quality civic amenities parks, parking, open clubs etc in a neighbourhood at affordable cost will help the masses come together and in turn shall be profitable venture in building industry.
We need society where synchrony of economic feasibility and profit are two sides of a mobius strip. The walk on path of one gradually always loops to the other and shall be the basis of welfare economy with the goal of happiness.
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