Environmental Architecture For Eco-housing in Mumbai

Roshni Udyavar
H.O.D., Rachana Sansads Institute of Environmental Architecture 17 June 2006, MCGM Committee Hall

Aims to create a self-sustainable unit which has a minimized ecological footprint

A holistic approach to design which integrates rather than eliminates the elements that link built forms to their environment

What is Environmental Architecture?

Architecture that reduces the impact on the environment & sustains the ecosystem of which it is a part

Creates buildings which are least detrimental to the natural ecosystem and social fabric considering hydro-geology, vegetation, fauna, soil, environment and social ecology

Basic Paradigms of Ecological Architecture

Climate Sensitive Architecture Use of Eco-friendly materials

Energy Efficient Design

Use of Renewable Energy

Preservation of Natural Ecosystems

Ecological Landscape Design

Water Resource Management

Solid Waste Management

Healthy Indoor Environment

Basic Paradigms of Ecological Architecture

Climate Sensitive Architecture is a response to the climate

Based on analysis of climate zone and

micro-climate needs Based on attaining comfort level in bio-climatic chart Identification of Passive design elements such as walls, openings, roofs, etc. & the use of appropriate technology & materials

Preparing Passive design strategies

heating, cooling, ventilation, humidification/ dehumidification Implications Reduced energy costs and loads during active life of building Thermal comfort of occupants Reduced impact (heat island )on the external environment

Basic Paradigms of Ecological Architecture

Climate Sensitive Architecture Analysis techniques include

Sun dial or sun-path diagram - shading Solar radiation external heat gain Wind rose & wind square - ventilation Climate response matrix sun and wind Bio-climatic chart Occupancy Lux levels Internal heat gain

Basic Paradigms of Ecological Architecture

Climate Sensitive Architecture

The 540,000 sq. ft headquarters of the ING bank in Amsterdam is a series of interconnected towers which do not use conventional air conditioning. It relies primarily on passive cooling with back-up absorption chillers. The building uses less than a tenth the energy of its predecessor and a fifth that of a conventional new office building in Amsterdam. The annual energy savings are approximately $2.9 million from features that added roughly $700,000 to the construction cost of the buildingand were paid back in three months.

Basic Paradigms of Ecological Architecture

Climate Sensitive Architecture

The roof of the Kabra house in Jaipur which recirculates waste water through the roof slab does not require conventional cooling it is a passive cooled house

Basic Paradigms of Ecological Architecture

Use of Eco-friendly materials

Materials with low embodied energy

Materials that contain recycled content or are recyclable
ENERGY EFFICIENCY WATER CONSERVATION INDOOR AIR QUALITY AFFORDABILITY DURABILITY

Local or rapidly renewable material Non-toxic/Low Toxic Materials Reuse of industrial & other
waste materials Non-polluting manufacturing process Implications

Reduce the release of GHGs Safeguard health of occupants Reduced impact on the external environment

Basic Paradigms of Ecological Architecture

Use of Eco-friendly materials: a few examples

Fly Ash:nearly 100mt produced annually has occupied nearly

75,000 acres for past 30 years can be blended with cement up to 40%

Recycled plastic or post-industrial waste can be used as excellent

insulating materials for flooring and roofing

Use of municipal solid waste as a building material Alternatives to cement & concrete include masonry cement, blast
furnace slag cement, fly ash cement and fiber-reinforced composite cement

Light-weight, weather resistant and rigid, sisal based composite

panels with polyester resin which can be used for wall partitions

Organic materials can be use of wood composites, bagasse and coir

based boards and tiles.

Basic Paradigms of Ecological Architecture

Use of Eco-friendly materials: a few examples

The entire 40-truck load of debris from an existing building in Dahisar, Mumbai, is being recycled to generate 50,000 bricks for the new structure: implying no debris goes to dumping ground, no pollution and use of top soil involved in conventional bricks

Basic Paradigms of Ecological Architecture

Use of Renewable Energy Resources

Solar thermal for water heating Solar Photo Voltaic for electricity Wind & hybrid systems Geothermal, tidal, micro-hydel energy Fuel cells and hydrogen
Implications

Reduce dependence on fossil fuels Reduce the emission of Green house gases
& thus the threat of global warming

Pollution and emission-free

Basic Paradigms of Ecological Architecture

Use of Renewable Energy Resources

The use of solar water heating for a ongoing building in Andheri consisting of 152 tenements at 25,000 lpd, is Rs. 35 lakhs will lead to savings in electrical energy to the tune of 4,36,046.51 units and Rs. 19,62,209.3 at Rs. 4.50 per unit.

Basic Paradigms of Ecological Architecture

Use of Renewable Energy Resources

A building with integrated photovoltaic system in Santa Monica, USA

Basic Paradigms of Ecological Architecture

Ecological landscaping

Based on knowledge of topography,

drainage, geology as well as flora and fauna of the region

Bo-biologue: passive design with trees Protection of soil and vegetation Including water shed, waste and water
management Implications

Prevention of soil erosion & subsequent

ecological devastations

Protection of native, indigenous species of vegetation Long term ecological sustainability of the bio-region

Basic Paradigms of Ecological Architecture

Ecological landscaping

Geology, hydrology, vegetation, soil erosion, conservation of local fauna, were some of the key considerations in the revitalization plan for charlotte lake prepared by students of Rachana Sansad

Basic Paradigms of Ecological Architecture

Water Resources Management

Roof-top rainwater harvesting Water shed management Water recycling through nonconventional biological methods such as DEWATS & Reed-bed system or LIVING MACHINES

Water conservation using efficient

equipments Implications

Restore natures hydrological cycle Recharge ground water and underground acquifers

Prevent ground water contamination & pollution

Basic Paradigms of Ecological Architecture

Water Resources Management

Neelkant Apartments in Worli collects has the facility to harvest 10,000 liters of rainwater per day, the overflow of which recharges an existing bore well which now provides self-sufficient flushing water supply for the building

Basic Paradigms of Ecological Architecture

Water Resources Management

Water shed management using simple techniques such as drum dams and continuous contour trenches have shown considerable increase in water yield and rejuvenation of vegetation in Kachegati, Aurangabad

Basic Paradigms of Ecological Architecture

Water Resources Management

Nearly four lakh liters of sewage is treated using reed beds and aquatic plants for gardening and water a golf course in Mumbai

Basic Paradigms of Ecological Architecture

Water Resources Management

The public security building at Santa Monica, USA, recycles sewage water in an innovative way as a public fountain. The building also uses passive design

Basic Paradigms of Ecological Architecture

Solid waste management

Segregation of organic, dry and

hazardous waste Composting organic waste using techniques such as vermicomposting, organic composting and city farming

Recycling of dry waste such as plastic,

glass, aluminum, steel and paper Production of bio gas to be used for cooking and lighting Implications Better health and hygienic surrounds

Free inputs in the form of organic fertilizer Conservation of precious resources Utilization of a greenhouse gas alternative for conventional energy

Basic Paradigms of Ecological Architecture

Solid waste management

The 5 ton capacity biogas plant at shatabdi hospital maintained by Stree Mukti Sanghatana produces 10 15 kg of Methane gas which is used by the hospital canteen

Some more concepts in green buildings

Green Roofs

The green roof atop Schipol Amsterdam International Airport, replaces the net concrete surface of the structure, breeds faunal habitat and acts as a natural insulation

Some more concepts in green buildings

City/ Terrace farming

The concept of city farming developed at the BPT canteen utilizes all the organic waste directly to grow plants, a technique developed by Dr. R. T. Doshi, whose 1200 sq. ft. terrace in Bandra yields 5 kg of vegetables and fruits daily for 300 days

Environmental and Economic Benefits of Green design

Enhance and protect ecosystems

Improve air, water quality quality of life

Reduce solid and liquid waste

Conserve natural resources for a sustainable future

Reduce operating costs Optimize life-cycle economic performance

Mill lands, slum redevelopment, etc. have led to the rapid destruction of the environment and shrinking of green zones

Why Eco-housing for Mumbai?

Buildings consume 40% of our energy, 20% of our water, and nearly 35% of landfill waste. The manufacture of conventional building materials also contribute to pollution

Mumbai like most cities has a linear metabolism food, water and other products are turned into waste

Why Eco-housing for Mumbai?

The ecological footprint is nearly 40 times that of a village in India

Rising health costs & lower quality of life

Standard glass faade buildings which often make its inhabitants sick and less productive

Why Eco-housing for Mumbai?

Contribute to the heat island effect

Cement manufacture gives out large amounts of carbon di oxide which is a major green house gas leading to global warming

Why Eco-housing for Mumbai?

As resources decline, their market value increases

Civilization did not leave stone age because we ran out of stones. Progress past the stone age was possible when better tools were invented that were made of bronze alloys
- Roy McCalister

Eco-housing for Mumbai

Let us bring about the dawn of a sustainable civilization