Central Forest Courtyard of Max Square, Noida
In recent years, sustainability has become commonplace in everyone’s vocabulary; in fact, it’s fast turning into a social goal as we are all collectively coming together to utilize resources conscientiously to ensure enough resources remain for future generations. To that end, sustainability has become a major consideration of real estate as well. With its huge population and demand for commercial and residential properties, India has seen many real estate developers looking for ways to incorporate sustainable practices into their projects. Whether it is upcoming luxury residential projects in Delhi NCR or commercial projects in Noida, sustainable architecture is one way in which developers prioritize greener development.
Why is sustainable architecture important?
Sustainable architecture refers to designing buildings that limit humanity’s impact on the environment. This is done through designs that consume less energy and water, like investing in solar panels and rainwater harvesting, incorporating eco-friendly materials such as bamboo, hemp, or upcycled insulation, and using biophilic elements like plants to help create a greener environment. These practices can be seen in various upcoming luxury residential projects in Delhi NCR as well as in commercial projects in Noida.
Globally, the building sector accounts for about 25% and 30% of energy-related emissions and energy consumption, respectively. However, in India, the sector records one-fifth of the emissions and 33% of energy use. To reach the goal of emissions reduction by 33-35% by 2030, compared to 2005 levels, the Indian real estate industry is focussing on developing buildings that will be certified as Green Buildings.For a building to be considered a Green Building, the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) addresses Sustainable Architecture and Design as an evaluation point and notes the benefits of a green building being around 20-30% savings in energy and about 30-50% savings in water consumption.
Graph showing benefits of a green building in energy and water savings
Source: igbc.in/igbc-green-new-buildings.php
Sustainable practices in real estate have shown not only environmental benefits but also economic advantages in the form of long-term cost reduction, increased asset and property values, and a competitive edge in the market. There are also social benefits to sustainable architectural designs, such as improved living conditions, the overall health of the customers, and a minimal demand for local utility infrastructure.
How does sustainable architecture work?
These days, architects are focussing not only on the aesthetic or functional aspects of building designs but also on making them as environmentally friendly as possible. In various upcoming luxury residential projects in Delhi NCR or commercial projects in Noida, you’ll notice major real estate developers like Max Estates bringing visionary designs that prioritize green building practices while keeping the aesthetic and functionality.
Office space in Max Towers, Noida
These designs make use of technology like solar panels to generate renewable energy and rainwater harvesting to reduce water consumption. Sustainable architecture incorporates recyclable and eco-friendly materials such as bamboo, flax, and hemp, replacing traditional plastics with bioplastics. Architects are also working towards including more natural elements via living walls, tree-covered building towers, and green roofing materials to promote natural cooling of the properties.
Traditional buildings in India were designed in ways that used nature efficiently. Large windows to let in sunlight, building materials that were easily available and provided natural heating and cooling, and paints made of natural materials were part of the Indian traditional building designs. With the rising levels of pollution and the depletion of resources, you’ll see upcoming luxury residential projects in Delhi NCR and commercial projects in Noida made out of a combination of traditional and contemporary designs to create greener buildings.
In conclusion, real estate companies are working towards building projects that are environmentally friendly and making it happen from the very beginning with sustainable architectural designs. As the world combats the adverse effects of global warming and climate change, sustainable architecture being adopted in various upcoming luxury residential projects in Delhi NCR and commercial projects in Noida is a beacon of hope to create a greener future, and it will be quite interesting to see the new ways in which it will be implemented.
