From Fiction To Nonfiction. What Lessons Can Be Learned From Novellas Mimicking Reality?

“We shape our buildings; thereafter, they shape us.” – Winston Churchill

In this profound quote, Winston Churchill highlights the powerful interplay between the world we build and how it impacts our lives. Architecture is merely not just a collection of structures; rather, it has a profound significance for how we go about our lives. The colonial architecture of Kolkata fosters a sense of nostalgia and heritage, while Chandigarh’s planned design promotes efficient movement and healthier lifestyles.

In today’s age, as we grapple with pressing environmental challenges and seek a more sustainable path forward, the significance of this quote extends beyond its original context. A 2017 global status report by the UN Environment said that “buildings and construction account for more than 35% of global final energy use and nearly 40% of energy-related CO2 emissions.” This being stated, a call for sustainable architecture is the need of the hour.

But how do we ensure equity in an era where human demands are ever-growing and minimize our ecological footprint at the same time? In my opinion, a delicate balance needs to be maintained between a building’s form, its function, and its interactions with its surrounding environment. That’s where sustainable architecture comes into play.
But before we think about how to build such structures, it is necessary to understand why we need eco-friendly living spaces.

To preserve nature:
Traditional construction methods consume vast amounts of non-renewable resources like fossil fuels, limestone (for cement), metals, and polystyrene foam. Conventional building materials like cement, for example, a crucial component in concrete, release a substantial amount of greenhouse gas. Moreover, the extraction of these materials can cause irreversible damage to our biodiversity.

Sustainable architecture seeks alternatives to conventional building materials, thereby promoting the use of renewable resources. For instance, bamboo can be used as an alternative to timber in construction. They offer a similar kind of strength and durability to the latter. In fact, Assamese locals have been building their huts with bamboo-plastered walls and thatched roofs for centuries!

To improve people’s lives:
Sustainable architecture goes beyond mere environmental considerations; it is a powerful catalyst for improving people’s lives. In a world where we’re spending more and more time indoors, access to natural light and views of greenery can reduce stress and anxiety while promoting feelings of relaxation and connection to nature.

Eco-friendly architecture recognizes this connection and creates a space to foster well-being. Not only that, traditional architectural elements also significantly improve overall indoor air quality, besides enhancing natural air circulation. Additionally, constructing biophilic design seeks to reconnect people with nature by weaving-in elements, such as vegetation, natural light, and water features, into the larger built-in environment.
The application of well-structured intelligent spaces reduces energy costs with their enhanced organic functionality. They also significantly reduce the carbon footprint by syncing the overall lighting, cooling, and heating processes with changes in weather and occupancy patterns.

To combat climate change:
One of the biggest concerns of our time is the inevitable rapidity of climate change. By continuing to follow the old ways of designing, constructing, and inhabiting our built environment, we are only exacerbating the environmental crisis.

Adopting new methods like sustainable architecture offers a transformative solution to this problem. Building infrastructure with low-carbon and energy-efficient materials will reduce our global carbon footprint. Integrating energy-saving elements like solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal systems will provide living spaces with clean and renewable energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

To summarise it all, we need to realize that in our journey towards a more sustainable future, the embrace of sustainable and smart architecture is not just a more ethical choice but an economically prudent decision as well. Energy-efficient buildings reduce operational costs, leading to substantial savings for occupants. It is a win-win scenario where we can co-exist harmoniously with the environment while significantly optimising both productivity and profitability.

Reflecting on Marlee Matlin’s wise words reminds us that we are not the sole owners of the earth; we are its custodians. Our actions today shape the world we pass on to future generations.

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