Samundra Institute of Maritime Study Model Entrens Question Paper For Gme

April
EDITOR’S NOTE
Contents 2009
To say that global
warming is an issue
which is best left to
FEATURES
the likes of the scien- 22 Low Energy University Mediatheque - A
tists of the world, pioneering example of sustainable technologies by
would reek of total SPBR architects.
ignorance or the 25 House 205 - A forest encircled low cost
voluntary shirking of residential dwelling by H Architects.
one's duty as a 29 Handmade School Bangladesh - A light filled,
responsible earth dweller. humane, collective space for learning.
33 Renzo Piano’s Living Roof - The California
Sustainable building methods and technologies
should now be integral to the way we live and not be
11 Academy of Sciences; an elegant steel and glass
considered as mere alternatives. Green By Design structure built with technologically precise details.
focuses on landmark projects, green initiatives and 36 Earthbag House - A method hitherto used by
technological breakthroughs that champion the the military is improvised upon to create a low-cost
cause of a better tomorrow. housing solution.
Featured in our first issue are the works of 40 Vernacular Architecture - A revival of old
consummate architects who are driven by principles Indian traditional building elements.
of sustainability. Parul Zaveri and Nimish Patel of 43 TERI - An organisation at the forefront of
Abhikram push the envelope with their simple promoting green architecture and technology.
ideology comprised of common sense and tradi-
tional Indian building methods in their projects. We
Q&A
enter into a dialogue with them to elucidate their 12 A Tête-à -Tête with Parul Zaveri & Nimish Patel
unique fundamentals. of Abhikram, Ahmedabad.
The Army Military School in Pune is another
example of responsible architecture constructed by
GREEN MARKET
Group Phi. The design firm, Centre for Vernacular 08 Green Market - A look at the latest low
Architecture and energy consultants BCIL spin their environment impact products to join the market.
magic to create truly energy efficient buildings.
Reviewing the perspective of green architecture GREEN TALK
internationally we come across Renzo Piano's 46 BCIL - Aims at providing healthy living spaces.
California Academy of Sciences with its dynamic 48 Power of Fuel- A documentary by Josh Tickel
living roof and Nader Khalili and Kelly Hart's grass on the consumption of fuel and its hazards.
root level and extremely low environment impact 18 Eco School- A sustainable military school in
structure - the Earthbag House. Pun
Showcased in this issue, we also have the
Handmade School located in Bangladesh. This is a ECO LIVING
'labour of love' breathed to life by architects Anna 20 Global Warning - Tips to curb global warming.
Heringer and Eike Roswag. 21 Curbing CO2 - Changing everday habits add up.
The Low Energy Mediatheque situated in Rio de 28 Water Ways - The countdown begins - an
Janeiro, chalks out a path using vital examples of initiative to save water.
sustainable construction technologies. 32 Prefab Homes - Give a new twist to sustainable
We hope the works of these impressive crafts- housing.
men and innovators will inspire and motivate 38 The Other Side of Green- Redefining Green
homeowners and builders alike to live and design architecture.
'green'. 39 BEE- Introduces a labelling program that fills a
Mala Bajaj gap in consumer awareness.
50 Reuse Beats Recycling - A new perspective on
consumerism.
Owner, Publisher & Printer Mr. Anish R. Bajaj for Marvel Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. Printed at Marvel Infomedia Pvt. Ltd., B 62, 1st
Floor, Cotton Exchange Building, Cotton Green Road, Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033. Published at B 62, 1st Floor, Cotton Exchange
Building, Cotton Green Road, Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033 Tel (022) 23736133/1 Editor Mr. Anish R. Bajaj Creative Director
Natalie Pedder Bajaj Feature Editor Mala Bajaj Sub Editor Shweta Salvi Writers Sheetal Mishra, Shriyal S., Relin Hedley Layout
Design Krishnakant Surve, Asif Shayannawar Marketing: Mumbai B 62, Cotton Exchange Bldg, Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033
Tel: (022) 32656823, 23736133, 32958501 Fax: (022) 23743069 Email: response@marvelinfomedia.com.
4 I green by design april 2009

green by design supplement to home review april 2009 issue
green market products
Rugs & Riches

Rugs & Riches has now
introduced a range of rugs and
carpets that are environment
friendly.
Rugs & Riches uses eco-
friendly raw materials, in order to
adhere to environmental norms.
The designs are made keeping in
mind earthy attributes and to get
consumers interested in nature.
Designer Suresh Rateria’s cre-
ations include nature's elements
of earth, wood, fire and water.
The stone carpet and pebbles
range are exclusive lines from the
collection of Rugs & Riches.
Contact: tel: (011) 64697393 /
09891563125.
Eco Friendly Products By Kool Glass By Sejal

Hindware Sejal Architectural Glass Ltd,
Hindware has introduced water (SAGL) is one of the country's top
closets which have a dual flush glass processors.
cistern of as less as 2/4 litres of SAGL and Shanghai Yahua
water as compared to regular Pilkington Glass Co. Ltd have
cisterns of 9-12 litres. The Cleo signed a partnership to bring Kool
and Lara water closet saves Glass Eco to cater to emerging
around 5 litres of water with each trends in India. The series com-
flush. bines high performance insulating
With 'Senso Urinal' and 'Urinal glasses available in a wide
Sensomatic', Hindware has set selection, energy saving attributes
another benchmark as these and aesthetic appeal. The series
urinals have a pre usage and post is available in a variety of colours
usage flushing requiremet of less and also offers excellent proper-
than 750 ml of water. ties with a combination of solar
Contact: tel: (0124) 4779200 control, optimum light transmis-
email: delhi@hindware.co.in sion/ reflection and thermal
insulation. Contact : tel: (022)
28633383/84/85
web: www.sejalglass.com
Bajaj's MDF Boards

Bajaj eco-tec Products Ltd, has
launched its eco-friendly particle
and MDF boards with an aim to
reduce negative environmental
impact. The underlying concept of
the product is the use of an
agricultural residue i.e sugarcane
bagasse, to manufacture India's
finest engineered bagasse-based
Medium Density Fiber (MDF)
boards, particle boards, High
Density Fiber (HDF) boards and
laminated flooring.
Contact: tel: (0120) 2543939/40
email: info@bajajecotec.com
web: www.bajajecotec.com

products green market
Twiga Insulation System Metasys By Johnson

Twiga has a substantial market Controls
share in the fiberglass wool Johnson Controls, a leader in
insulation and fiberglass tissue energy efficiency and
industry in India. sustainability introduces the
Twiga fiberglass wool insula- Metasys® sustainability manager
tion is a world class insulation with an aim to minimize the
product manufactured in India. effects of rising energy demands.
These insulations are made up of This system is integrated with the
fine, long, inorganic glass fibres software acquired from Gridlogix,
bonded with a high temperature allowing facility managers more
resin and is widely recognised for secure connectivity to IT applica-
its energy conserving and sound tions. This software platform
insulating properties. allows building management
Contact: tel: (011) 26460860 systems to interface with open
email: twiga@mantraonline.com protocol IT systems to better
web: www.twigafiber.com manage energy, maintenance,
physical security and compliance,
which makes facilities more
energy efficient and sustainable.
Contact: tel: (022) 30822200
GlacialLight Launches LED

Lights In India
We all know power is a concur-
rent subject. It is not just in India
but the entire world that has failed
to make up for the shortage of
power.
Taking this opportunity,
GlacialLight under the GlacialTech
brand forays into India and
launches a variety of LED
products. GlacialLight LEDs offer
considerable power savings while
extending product life cycles
under normal conditions.
Contact: tel: (011) 40525645
EcoSoft For Every Corner

Carpets Inter is an international
brand of carpets marketed in
India by Godrej Interio with an
objective of providing customers
the best of carpets, enhancing the
ambience of an office while
contributing to the environment.
The research team of the
company has developed a
resourceful way to use plastic
water bottles and converting the
waste into high performance and
environmental friendly soft baking
carpet. This new environmentally
friendly product from Carpets Inter
is made from 90% post con-
sumer discarded PET water
bottles.
Contact: tel: (022) 67961222/2465
april 2009 green by design I 9

green market products
Thermatek Tiles
Thermatek tiles is an innovative
product that is ideal for keeping
roofs cool.
These tiles exceed the interna-
tional norms for cool roofs and
also conform to ECBC, LEED and
IGBC standards. The tiles are
cement bonded, highly durable
and lower the surface tempera-
ture of the roof by up to 17o C.
This differential in temperature
increases comfort inside the
building and the load on air-
conditioning systems is reduced.
Contact:
tel: (02634) 280881
email: amitganpule@hotmail.com
web: www.thermatek.com
Dupont's SentryGlas® Philips Ecomoods

DuPont Glass Laminating Solu- Ecomoods from Philips is a
tions announces the commercial stylish, energy efficient lighting
availability of a new 35-mil (0.9- product. Ecomoods energy saving
mm) SentryGlas®. This clear lamps are beautiful, decorative
interlayer for strong glass is used lamps with a wonderful warm
for protective windows, doors and and welcoming light. These
safety-glazed building elements. lamps can be dimmed for energy
The market for thinner saving and will last up to 12,000
SentryGlas® sheets include solar hours, so one can virtually forget
power generation, where clean about spending extra on replace-
energy produced can be made ments.
more cost-effective through the These lamps save up to 80
design of longer-lasting, lighter- percent of electricity compared to
weight modules. other standard lighting. Features
Contact: tel: (0124) 4091818 of the Ecomoods lighting series
fax: (0124) 2540889 are, high energy efficiency and
email: glass@dupont.com high light output to fill even the
largest room.
Contact tel: (0124) 4091954
web: www.lighting.philips.co.in
Unaxol Eco-Friendly
Coatings
Unaxol Paints India Pvt Ltd has
introduced Unaxol® water based
coating systems in India. It
represents a breakthrough in
water-based wood lacquers and
coatings technology where it is
now possible to replace and also
exceed conventional solvent-
based paints in terms of specific
performance parameters.
Unaxol® has a special advantage
of being cost-effective yet
eco-friendly.
Contact: tel: (080) 41651602
email:unaxol@indianwindow.com

products green market
Green Conserve Silver Screen Fabrics

The firm of Conserve Consultants SilverScreenTM is a registered
Private Limited have been formed trademark of Verosol Group B.V.,
with the sole mission of in the Netherlands. Verosol
conserving energy and preserving Fabrics B.V. is a worldwide
the environment. It is one of the supplier of branded quality
leading companies in India that solutions for solar control.
can render green building SilverScreen is produced in an
services like LEED facilitation, environmentally friendly manner; it
energy modeling studies, lighting has the Öko-Tex Standard 100
simulation, fundamental and certificate. During summer
enhanced commissioning, all SilverScreen keeps the heat out
under one roof. Contact: tel: (044) due to the reflecting metal layer
24450655/ 45504313 email: and reduces the loss of warmth
info@conserveconsultants.com during the winter. This results in
web:www.conserveconsultants.com the considerable saving on the
cost of energy. Additionally it
reduces the amount of CO²
emissions making it an eco-
friendly product.
Contact: tel: (022) 24964556
Havells Green Vision

Havells has introduced India's first
Green CFL (Compact Fluorescent
Lamp). These CFL’s contain no
lead and the mercury content is
also very low.
The company has also intro-
duced its energy efficient fans
which consume only 50 watts of
energy. Havells cables on the
other hand, with pure copper and
aluminium, help in reducing the
leakage of current from 20% to
1% and also protect from short
circuit risks.
Contact : tel: (0120) 4771000
Zody Chair By Haworth

The incredible Zody chair by
Haworth is specially designed for
people working in offices. The
award-winning super modern,
eco-friendly chair is made with up
to 51% recycled content and up
to 98% recyclable materials. It
can be taken apart in about 15
minutes, and easily recycled
when you decide the process of
creative destruction needs to take
its course. It has no PVC and is
Green Guard certified and it can
also help you towards LEED
certification. The chair is also the
first, if not the only, endorsed by
the American Physical Therapy
Association. Contact: tel: (022)
2665300 1/2. fax: (022) 26653022.

abhikram Q&A
Abhikram Living
The Torrent Research Center, has been constructed using a good dose of
common sense mixed with traditional Indian building methods.
media and most importantly, centuries in every corner. As a

PARUL ZAVERI & NIMISH amongst the fraternity of builders matter of fact, with the advent of
PATEL OF ABHIKRAM and clients, for homes, offices, the fast paced industrialised
BELIEVE THAT THE ROLE OF institutions, and many other scenario coupled with the
CONTEMPORARY buildings. universalisation of architectural
ARCHITECTURE IN INDIA The colour 'Green', however, styles, it has suffered in its
SHOULD BE OF A has acquired many a hue and momentum & in its intensity.
RESPONSIBLE NATURE many a definition. Architectural
DRIVEN BY GOOD COMMON practices are fast becoming How do you define Green
SENSE AND DRAWING FROM agents of change and they much Buildings?
RELEVANT TRADITIONAL rather use 'Green' than any other The presently popular 'Green'
INDIAN METHODS OF colour! Utility Consultants are also buildings are the result of a U.S.
BUILDING. competing with each other for the initiative, with roots in 1994,
maximum number of Green through organizations known as
Awards. 'Green' products are Leadership in Energy & Environ-
What is the present day emerging faster than the users mental Design (LEED), as well as
scenario of Green Architec- have the capacity to absorb them. the U.S. Green Buildings Council
ture in India? It appears that in the near future, (USGBC). They began to pursue
It depends on the perspective one those who are not in a position to this extremely laudable cause of
takes on the definition of 'Green call themselves 'Green' may be addressing the levels of unsus-
Architecture'. considered as outcasts in the tainable consumption in the U.S.,
'Green Buildings' has become industry. and making efforts to bring them
the latest buzzword in the field of But, if sustainability is to be down to more acceptable level of
built environment. It seems to seen as the actual measure of sustainability. They established
have caught on like wild fire in the Green architecture, then people of targets for designers as well as
print media, in the electronic India have been practicing it for manufacturers and gave incen-

Q & A abhikram
Passive downdraft evaporative cooling (PDEC) methods

have been used in the Torrent Research Centre.
tives of certifications, awards and most of the developed world. ture' can be interpreted in many
accreditations to buildings/ This 'Top Down' approach: different ways. What is desirable
professionals. Is more popular in the current for one country may be in excess
This has led to new buildings scenario; for another, and vice versa. Its
being designed to follow such Concentrates more on maxi- meanings and understanding will
standards/targets, in the devel- mizing the energy savings; vary according to its context.
oped world, to begin with, and Accepts Western understand- India has suffered considerably
also in India since the past few ing of sustainability easily; during the past century by adopt-
years. In India the cause is carried Uses high technology innova- ing directions appropriate for
forward by the Indian Green tions, materials & products; other countries, and using materi-
Building Council (IGBC), which Is driven by the brand 'Green' & als not entirely appropriate for
started with adopting the U.S. accompanying recognition; their own context, creating
standards even for Indian Pursues recognition based on enormous pressures on its
buildings. They have now begun 'intent', rather than 'performance'; resources.
to alter some of these standards Necessitates the inputs & Most of the Built Environment
for Indian conditions. However, simulations of experts. of the pre-independence era can,
the majority of these standards/ However, what is observed in even today, pass through the
targets still remain anchored in the Indian context is that the sieve of what we refer to as
the U.S. context. resultant 'Green' Buildings are not 'Green Architecture'.
The current 'Green' Buildings 'Green' enough. They still have For the Indian context, we
objectives pursued by the USGBC room for further savings in energy believe we should pursue with
& IGBC is what we understand as consumption. what we call the 'Hamare Wala
the 'Top Down' approach. Most of Green'. To us it means:
the standards or targets arrived in What do you believe is the Understanding sustainability in
this approach, are geared to right approach to pursue the context of India & its regions;
reduce the high consumption Green Architecture Attempting to understand what
levels of energy. This appears to Objectives? constitutes 'Human Comfort' in
be an acceptable approach for Sustainability or 'Green Architec- buildings;

abhikram Q&A
Questioning the needs, identify- targets closer to the minimum important and readily available
ing their optimum levels in long standards of provisions; tools to achieve the Hamare Wala
term scenario, and taking the Addressing all the above Green Buildings are the use of
design provisions to that level issues through the sieve of value common knowledge and com-
only; engineering, for the specific mon sense, available to all
Ensuring that what is sustain- context of the built environment; professionals. They could be
able today remains that way in Pursuing goals and not just the further supplemented progres-
decades to come; means. sively with innovations, and the
Ensuring that sustainability is This, to us, is a 'Bottom Up' trial and error approach, and/or
not only in parts but also that way approach, and is more relevant in scientific decision making pro-
holistically; the Indian context. In principle, the cesses, as needed.
Maximizing the use of tradi- 'Bottom Up' approach:
tional wisdom in design, wher- Is less popular in the current What are your views on the
ever applicable, because it scenario; mainstreaming of
represents the knowledge of the Concentrates more on minimiz- sustainability?
long-term behaviour of materials, ing the energy consumption; In our 30 years of experience
their strengths as well as Pursues the Eastern under- through a contemporary main-
weaknesses; standing of sustainability, and stream practice, we have de-
Assessing all new technologies questions the Western under- signed a wide range of building
for their long term impact in the standing; types of all scales. They are all
context of India & its development Uses low technology innova- sustainable. It is a matter of
priorities, before accepting them tions, materials & products; choice that the practice has to
for use; Is not driven by blindly follow- make. If we keep the societal and
Being aware of the embodied ing 'Green', or any other brand; the national interest as our focus,
energies of the materials, before Is recognised based on and see the role of the profession
we specify them; 'performance' and not just 'intent'; as a service provider, then we
Taking the decision making Necessitates the use of have the added responsibility to
processes to measurable levels, common knowledge & common opt for the Bottom Up approach
in order to make our choices sense. to designs.
judiciously; We have realized in our The Torrent Research Center,
Taking the 'savings' benchmark practice that the two most Ahmedabad, which has used
An inside view of the passive cooling

towers at the Torrent Research Centre.

Q & A abhikram
Common Knowledge+Common
Sense+Innovations+Trial & Error
+Scientific Decision Making
Processes, has amply demon-
strated that sustainability can be
mainstreamed.
This Pharmaceutical Research
Laboratory, located in
Ahmedabad, is one of the largest
successful experiments of
passive cooling in Asia. The total
built up area of the complex is
approximately 20,000 Sq.Mts.
72% of the central building has
achieved human comfort
conditions using Passive
Downdraft Evaporative Cooling Small square holes were created inthe rat-trap external wall
(PDEC), it has been able to which forms a hollow ventialted cavity around the house.
establish extremely low levels of Photo courtesy Samir Pathak.
energy consumption, as well as
considerably decreased Carbon
Dioxide emissions per square
meter of area.
Its significant consequences
are: The Post-Occupancy Survey of reported typical consumption in
200 Metric tonnes of Air- 2004-05, conducted by the Indian buildings to be 280-500
conditioning load saved; University of Technology, Sydney, kWh/m2 or 375-670 kgCO2/m2
Summer temperatures remain Australia, and the Victoria Univer- based on GHG coefficient of 1.34.
at 28°-32°C; sity of Wellington, New Zealand, (Singh and Michealowa, 2004)".
6 to 9 Air changes per hour on through Building Use Studies (As quoted in Post-occupancy
different floors in summer, Survey 2005, which has a data- evaluation of passive downdraft
including those in a chemical base of 260 buildings worldwide, evaporative cooling and air-
laboratory; have assessed the performances conditioned buildings at Torrent
The temperature fluctuations of the 'Bottom Up' approach in the Research Center, Ahmedabad,
indoors do not exceed 3°-4 °C, Torrent Research Center as India by Leena Thomas and
over a 24 hour period, even follows: George Baird).
though the outdoor fluctuations "The total energy consumption
are 14°-17° C; for PDEC and AC combined Is retro fitting of existing
The building which was (includes light, equipment and AC structures a viable option?
designed for 150 occupants in for 2 blocks) for the 6 blocks in It certainly is, but the achieved
1997 comfortably accommodated 2005 was 647000 kWh1. This result will never be the same as in
more than 600 users in 2005. averages to 54 kWh/m2 and 72 the design of buildings, which
Its more Significant Conse- kgCO2/m2. This climate respon- incorporates the 'Bottom Up'
quences are: sive approach of buildings such approach from the very inception
Everyone in the PDEC areas as the Torrent comprising of labs of the project. This is evident in
breathes 100% fresh air, not re- and offices with extended hours the project, the Pathak Residence,
circulated air; of operation in a hot dry climate designed by Abhikram at
250 Kva power is made such as in India is compared to Ahmedabad, which used Com-
available for someone else's use; available targets for commercial mon Knowledge+Common Sense
The performance has been buildings. The Torrent energy +Innovations.
consistent over the past 11 years consumption performance An existing bungalow required
of its use; compares very favorably to the an extension for an Artist Studio
It has realised healthy financial target for newly developed fully air on the first floor. This was
returns on the investment in the conditioned buildings currently achieved by:
way of building costs. The entire set, which may not exceed 140 Lifting the inclined tiled roof by
cost of the building will be kwh/m2 for day use in a compos- 2 ft and providing roofing sheets
recovered from the electrical ite climate under the recently below the tiles to create an air
savings alone, in 13 years of introduced environmental rating gap for insulation.
operation. scheme TERI - GRIHA which Constructing a Rat-trap external

abhikram Q&A
hollow wall to create a ventilated during summer; Green Architecture is not a recipe.
cavity by providing small square Had we not incorporated this The confusion arises because we
openings in the exterior wall to concept of passive cooling, tend to substitute the word 'green'
allow air movement through the achieved by the special designing for the word 'sustainability'. If we
hollow part. of the walls and by the creation of don't, then one would not ques-
The experience, as described air drafts, we might have required tion how city sprawl, architecture
by the owner… an A.C. We well appreciate what and pedestrianism are related.
In the past 8 summers, we we have saved on the electricity City sprawl increases the need
have not felt the need to put in a bill. At the same time what we for infrastructure provisions;
false ceiling in this high roofed observed was that the cost of distance to work; commuting
room; constructing this special design time & cost; and transportation
During the hot summer, on concept has not exceeded needs. All of these tend to make
entering the studio one feels a bit conventional building costs by the development more unsustain-
hot, but it is just a matter of more than 10% to 15 %. able and hence less green.
minutes before the body gets Pedestrianism, if incorporated
adjusted and the room is comfort- Can affordable and sustain- in the development will make it
able once again; able technologies go hand in more sustainable and therefore,
It is even more effective once hand? more green. Architecture that we
the openings at the top level of Yes, but not just the technologies. see around us today is clearly
the room are opened up; As a matter of fact, the use of unsustainable from the
By late evening this particular sustainable strategies, decisions, perspective of embodied energies
part of the house cools down processes and technologies will of the materials used and the
much before the other rooms of make the project more affordable. energy consumed for providing
the house; human comfort in the buildings.
Temperature wise it seems to How are city sprawl, green Any move to decrease both will
be at least 5 to 8 degrees C lower architecture and pedestrian- be more sustainable and thus
than the outside temperature ism, related? more green.
The inclined tiled roof was lifted by two feet and provided with roofing sheets
below, creating an air-gap for insulation. Photo courtesy Samir Pathak.

green talk eco school
GROUP PHI HAS JUST FIN-

ISHED CONSTRUCTING ITS
FIRST SUSTAINABLE MILI-
TARY SCHOOL IN PUNE,
ASSEMBLED FROM NATURAL
AND ECO-FRIENDLY BUILD-
ING MATERIALS.
T
agged as 'The Oxford of the
East' by Jawaharlal Nehru,
India's first Prime Minister,
the city of Pune is host to several
excellent educational institutes.
Set on a fast track attracting
students from all over the world
and adding to the development of
excellent educational systems,
the city witnesses its first military
school for girls. Designed by
Group Phi, this military school can
be identified as the first military
school for girls not just in Pune,
Eco School
but across the country.
While designing this school,
the architects kept in mind the
ultimate users and initially con-
ducted a survey in order to teaching) and provide space for issue, the architects worked
understand all the suggestions their activities whilst identifying circumspectly to swot the exiting
made by the staff and the stu- problems faced by the facility's landscape and vegetation on the
dents. The main objectives users and addressing detailed site. In addition, they made best
detailed in the brief were to craft requirements for the campus, use of natural resources like
a student friendly atmosphere including provision of academic, water, stone and recycling of
with a military touch to accommo- administration, sports and waste water, creating merging
date sufficient staff structure for recreation facilities. landforms transformed into
720 students, (teaching and non Sustainability being the main landscape features, with indoor

eco school green talk
and outdoor activities. lower standard classes are on the

Hence, after completion the lower ground floor and 'higher
architecture of the school includes standard' classes on the first,
courtyards that are roofed with along with the laboratories. Thus,
polycarbonate sheets, shielding with the approach to design an
the corridors and courts from the environment conducive to military
heavy rainfall and ensuring the training of girls and yet create a
ingress of natural light into the second home for them, Group Phi
building. The spaces created in provided a facility that highlights
the corridor between the class- the ambience spaces created by
rooms ensure proper cross the architectural designs.
aeration and the same material
vocabulary is maintained through-
out the campus using rubble
masonry, with grooves at every 4'
height. The symbolic insignia of
the school has been incorporated
in the flooring layout at the
entrance hall, and the use of
natural materials through out the
structure and wide corridors help
in making the users feel closer to
nature and improve free circula-
tion of the students.
According to the site contours,
the south side of the school
building has a lower ground floor,
upper ground floor and first floor,
while the north side has an upper
ground floor and first floor.
Furthermore, the roof projection of
750 mm ensures proper protec-
tion to the windows on the first
floor, whilst the hierarchy of the
classrooms is maintained as

eco living global warning
Global Warning!
effect the lives of our endangered plastic bottles and if the quality of
species. According to a 2007 the plastic has been compro-
World Wide Fund for Nature mised, it can be very harmful
(WWF) report, the Indus River health wise too.
may very soon run dry. We use shopping bags only for a
To tackle global warming there are few hours (from the shop to the
many effortless things that we house), but they can take lifetimes
can do in our daily life. Here is a to decompose. Carrying a
list of a few things that we can do lightweight bag or two in your
to as responsible earthlings and hand bag, prevents the use of a
make a difference. good number of bags each day.
The best part of this effort is that
Use Compact Fluorescent Bulbs there is no stashing away of bags
Substitute 3 frequently used light required as soon as you reach
bulbs with compact fluorescent home in an already crammed
Global Warming’s Effect: Thick bulbs, substituting those 75 watt drawer! Millions of barrels of oil
haze along the Ganges River in normal bulbs with 19 watt CFLs and several million trees as well
northern India. will cut down huge amounts of go to producing plastic and paper
carbon dioxide released into the bags each year.
atmosphere over time
. Use Energy Efficient Products
Use Recycled Paper Start replacing refrigerators which
G
lobal Warming according The next time prior to putting are more than 10 years old, buy
to Wikipedia is the paper in your printer make sure today’s new energy-efficient
increase in the average that it is 100% post consumer model which helps in saving
temperature of the Earth’s near- recycled paper. tremendous amount of energy.
surface air and the oceans since Shut down your computer when
the mid-twentieth century and its Use Green Products not in use; save on energy by
projected continuation. The Help spur the renewable energy using your computer’s sleep
Intergovernmental Panel on market and cut global warming mode in place of a screensaver.
Climate Change (IPCC) concludes pollution by buying products with
that anthropogenic greenhouse green tags. Insulate Your House
gases are responsible for most of Make sure that your dream home
the observed temperature Buy A Fuel Efficient Car is well insulated; usage of double
increase. A single good hybrid car can save pane windows will keep the heat
Global warming will soon be thousands of litres of fuel. The outside the home and will result
termed as ‘global warning’. Yes, other ideal way of saving fuel is to in consuming less amount of
now the time has come, to leave your car at home and travel energy in the way of air
understand the drastic effects of by public transport or even walk conditioning.
this reality before it gets too late. whenever possible. Whenever
Various effects of global warming, stuck in traffic, turn your engine Cut Down Your Showers
like steady sea level rise, off, if you are going to wait for The next time you step into your
increased cyclonic activity and more than 30 seconds. bathroom remember to reduce
uncountable foolish human Carpooling is another smart way your eight-minute shower to a five
activities have shown drastic to save energy and socialize at minute one in order to save water.
impacts on earth. The rising sea the same time! Water heaters to be eco friendly,
level has submerged several low- should be of the tank less variety.
lying islands in the Sundarbans, Say No to Plastic If the bathroom is equipped with
relocating thousands of people. Approximately 2.5 million one the tank version water heater let
Temperature rises on the Tibetan time use plastic water bottles are the users shower one after
Plateau, which is causing thrown away every hour in the US another in order to conserve hot
Himalayan glaciers to retreat, may alone. Using a reusable water water and thus energy. Installing a
reduce the flow rate of the bottle, be it glass or metal makes low flow shower head and fixing
Ganges, Brahmaputra, Yamuna sense every which way you look the tiniest of drips right away, can
and simultaneously will also at it. Water tastes different in save large amount of water.

curb co2 eco living
Curbing Carbon Dioxide

biological systems finish adapting
to the new conditions, and until
Arctic icecaps melt back to
sustainable levels.Till then to
battle out this dilemma is the
imminent task of all mankind and
for this we need to change our
style of living.
The Time Has Come To Save
Our Planet Now!
1. Opt for fuel-efficient or hybrid
cars.
Honda Civic - A hybrid car MDF boards by Bajaj Eco-tec 2. Using air-conditioning in stop-
and-go traffic can decrease the
fuel efficiency by as much as
12%.
3. Never burn fossil fuels like, coal
or wood openly.
4. Use recycled paper, products.
5. Replace ordinary bulbs with
CFL bulbs.
6. Plant as many trees as you
Sejal Architectural Glass Ltd’s
can.
Racold's Primo Range helps in
Kool Glass Eco
7. Upgrade your residence with
saving energy
energy-saving home appli-
ances.
8. Look for water-efficient shower
heads, faucet, flush system
etc.
W
hile the world warms carbon dioxide, many ecosystems
up, it's very essential to are under severe stress and their
save our environment capacity to absorb is already
or else be prepared to face waning.
drastic consequences. The main problem arises when
The amount of carbon dioxide this toxic gas gets dissolved in
in the atmosphere is increasing the sea and raises the acidity of
by leaps and bounds, all thanks seawater. Many species of sea
to rampant and unorganized life unable to adjust to the
industrialization. Apart from changed situation thus get extinct
industries, certain human activi- or reduce in numbers. The ill
ties like the burning of fossil fuels effect of this poisonous gas does
and deforestation are major not end here; it has a huge
contributors of increased carbon negative impact on human health CO2 Sensor by Desiccant Rotors
dioxide in the atmosphere. as well.
Burning of fossil fuels, land Whether we believe it or not, From 1950 to 2005, the country
clearing and hazardous smoke very soon this problem will get has experienced a severe growth
from vehicles raises the level of shaped into an ugly havoc. in CO2 release. At present India
this toxic gas in the environment, Environmental problems like, is the fourth largest carbon
which in turn boosts 'global muggy climate, hurricanes and dioxide producing country, if not
warming'. irregular rainfall patterns are controlled now the situation is
Most of the carbon dioxide is already making our life wretched. only going to worsen further.
consumed by trees and plants Global temperatures will continue The climate a century hence
and that's the reason we should to creep upwards until the ocean would depend chiefly on what
plant more trees.Even though the depths arrive to an equilibrium we choose to do about our
world's plants are taking up more with the heated air, and until emissions today.

LOW ENERGY
MEDIATHEQUE
The aim of SPBR Architects actualized from a sustainable design theory into
a utilitarian, economical, aesthetically pleasing and energy-saving project.
TEXT BY DEEPANJOLIE SONYA FIGG • PHOTO GRAPHS HOLCIM FOUNDATION COURTESY
THE ARCHITECTS
INCORPORATING sustainable design into a utilitarian, economical, aesthetically

THIS PAGE Illustrat-
pleasing and energy-saving project that was future-oriented through a dual-program for
ing the positioning
of the Mediatheque
fellow Brazilians, was the aim of the SPBR Architects (São Paulo, Brazil) team when they
on the PUC-Rio entered the conceptual plans for a low-energy university in a competition last year.
campus. Best However, winning the Silver at the 2nd Regional Holcim Awards, 2008 (Latin America)
orientation, thermal as conceived for the PUC-Rio Mediatheque project was the just the spur they needed.
insulation, shading, They have capably actualized an innovative, futuristic and technologically aided two-
natural lighting and fold educationally aligned structure. Namely, that of a building serving as a knowledge
air-flow issues are base, supporting the university campus nearby and secondly, being a cultural link in
the mainstays of this addition to an educational one for residents in the neighbouring settlement of Favela da
green architectural
solution.
Rocinha, who would access it besides the general public.
The building is designed such that it presents itself as an identifiable local landmark
OPPOSITE PAGE that demonstrates developed standards of modern Brazilian architecture. It is rooted in
TOP View of the respect for natural topography while also exploring ultimate construction technology in
main entrance foyer. conceptualizing passive green-design elements. Best orientation, thermal insulation,
low energy university feature
shading, natural lighting and air-flow is-

sues, all of which add to a substantial re-
duction in energy consumption are the
mainstays of their architectural solution.
For a space that essentially (and tradition-
ally) was expected to function best with a
certain kind of interior climate in order to
ensure book and media preservation, green
design in practise was a tall order.
But, basing their design on the loca-
tion of the Pontifícia Universidade Católica
do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio), the SPBR
team aligned their Mediatheque project to
operate from two ground levels already in
existence. The lower ground level (situated
at 0m) would host the massive book col-
lections and administrative offices and the
upper ground level (situated at 4 m) and called the Plaza, would provide access to the
public building above. THIS PAGE BOTTOM
The most important meeting point on campus is the Plaza, which has been extended The Eastern facade
over a pier-support area that is in line with the Mediatheque's roof. This acts as a reflect- of the PUC-Rio
ing pool and was a feature recommended by the landscape designer who explained that Mediatheque.

when water is poured onto the slab, it will provide for thermal control, as a measure
against fire and also make the concrete slab impermeable by freeing it of any chemical
products, e.g. asphaltic membrane.
Green design sensibility is further applied to the display of book collection shelves
within the library. Housed inside a glass enclosed rectangular area that is surrounded by
several office spaces, an arrangement that ensures offices are near both windows and
shelves. Their design and spatial alignment strategy provides for a balance in tempera-
ture and humidity control, which is necessary for protecting books. A double layer of
single glass from the outside provides further defence from the natural elements.
Since the main reading room is open on the south and north and shaded by sun sails,
THIS PAGE Interior
this configuration reduces the impact of thermal heating and direct sunlight entry is
view of the
Mediatheque. Green
restricted by conscious exclusion of any windows along the façade too. Instead, a 'natu-
design sensibility is ral lamp'-like void has been created inside this enclosed space in the centre of the build-
further applied to ing, far from the limited windows of the library. Two segments of a glass floor located on
the display of book the upper level allow natural light to filter into this complete world within a world.
collection shelves The need for balancing thermo-acoustics for enhancing the building's pro-green
within the library. leanings is met by enforcing the building structure with trusses, resting on a pair of
The main reading columns. These trusses enclose the longitudinal facades outside the research, UNESCO
room is open on the
floor, foyer and main reading room areas with steels boards with welded joint areas. The
south and north and
shaded by sun sails,
boards measure 5 mm in thickness in order to offer all-weather protection. They shield
which reduce the the internal walls of the building and their multi-layered composition enables them to
impact of thermal perform as air and thermal insulating, sound-proofing and mechanical space empower-
heating and direct ing steel barriers. This allows the Mediatheque to fulfil international standards of green-
sunlight entry. performance - as conceived in the early stages of ideation through 3D model testing.
house 205 feature
HOUSE 205 BY
H ARCHITECTS
A rather unusual name for a remarkably simple, yet elegant low-cost
residential dwelling perched high at the edge of a steep canyon in
Vacarisses, Catalunya, (northern Spain) - that's House 205!
TEXT BY DEEPANJOLIE SONYA FIGG • PHOTO GRAPHS STARP ESTUDI COURTESY
THE ARCHITECTS

BARCELONA based H Arquitectes have

artfully combined path breaking green ini-
tiatives along with strong conservative struc-
tural elements to construct a quaint, for-
est-encircled home for their clients, Quico
Ortega & Maria Ferriol.
The economics of the project, (a mod-
est budget of 200,000 Euro for the 132
sq. meters of built up area) did not under-
mine the ecological vision for House 205.
Neither did the location (the house is con-
structed on the edge of a precipice) limit
the architectural team's basic aim of lend-
ing a form to an intimate personal family
space that could be developed by digging
deeper into the mounds of rock and land
PREVIOUS PAGE
surrounding the site. So, the principal de-
The interiors of the sign team followed through with this and to their surprise, discovered a layer of rock
house portrays a that was perfect for anchoring the proposed new house upon!
linear sequential Furthermore, House 205's plan was based on raising its entire structure above the
room pattern. site on thick, double concrete supports and a platform. This design provided for dual
functions that being the exit for the house and also for a sit-out cum garden area. The
THIS PAGE TOP concrete supports create permanent spaces for easy ventilation between the house and
A quaint forest the rocky ground. Thus, this single decision minimized land movements while preserv-
encircled home.
ing the home's picturesque valley view. The natural physiognomy of a surrounding
THIS PAGE BOTTOM woodsy area hasn't been compromised and the ramp crossing the land diagonally can
A natural rock bed, connect the residents very easily with the street across.
which was perfect Venturing indoors, the layout of the interiors shows a linear sequential room pattern
to anchor the house. i.e. each room has different proportions that are related to its main structure, enabling
house 205 feature
House 205 to function as a harmonious blend of open-planned spaces yet providing

small self-contained units - thanks to the scope of huge sliding installations in all parts.
The framework for House 205 consists of huge KLH panels of laminated wood for
both the walls and ceilings, which create efficient dimensions for articulation of big
arches as necessitated by the existence of surrounding rock layers providing the founda-
tion for the house. Moreover, the dry assembling of this light-weight and cost-effective
paneling system that is aesthetically pleasing too, empowered the design team to limit
the use of other raw materials and related energy, typically related to laying building
foundations for ensuring a secure structure that would otherwise have resulted in higher
CO2 emissions; this feature also conserved water besides making short-work of labour,
cost and time investments.
House 205 has a closed lifecycle, thanks to the use of laminated wood - a renewable THIS PAGE LEFT
material - making it an excellent example of a thoughtful, recyclable carpentry. This H Arquitectes have
artfully planned the
feature also provides a warm, cozy look to the simple rectangular frame-and-wood shell exit of the house to
housing. The house has a 3-bedroom plan along with two study areas adjacent to a doubles as a small
perky living area equipped with a compact, practical kitchen. sit-out cum garden
Double height walls in the library, neatly lined with books, cleverly conceal a wooden area.
staircase connecting it to the second level of the home. The facades are ventilated and
finished with coniferous wood such as the Flanders pine. The openings have also been THIS PAGE RIGHT
finished with wooden fitters which in turn are protected with the help of removable The house consists
shutters. of huge KLH panels
of laminated wood
Cost-effectiveness has further been ensured by limiting the facings and in this way
for both the walls
saving on the coating and interior finish. In the rest of the house installations are hidden, and ceilings.
but paneled with gypsum wallboard in certain rooms, leaving the rest with a structure
that has its facings visible. All these elements coalesce to grant House 205 the ultimate THIS PAGE
wooden volume, quite at home amid rock and forest and creating at once, both instant BOTTOM: Design
visual impact and ecologically sound structural aesthetics. plan of the house.

eco living saving water
Water Ways
Raindance® EcoSmart showers

Grohtherm range of thermostat by Grohe. by Hansgrohe.
A
re you getting worried control the loss of water quite shrubs and plants. Always use
about facing the perilous effortlessly. organic fertilisers and a well-
effects of vanishing water organised watering system.
resources? Read on and see how Turn Off the Tap When
an individual's action can help in Not In Use Don't Treat Your Toilet As A
saving each drop of water. Many of us have a habit of Trash Can
turning on the tap first and then Remember that every time you
As we all know water is the basic begining to use the water; don't flush a cigarette butt or a facial
necessity of life, the valuable let the water run uselessly. Whilst tissue, five to seven gallons of
substance is now in the ugly washing dishes, one should use water is wasted.
hands of 'pollution'. The water we water extremely judiciously To bring down water wastage,
drink is not pure any more and the eliminating any waste. If using a fill a bottle with some pebbles
reason behind its impurity is the dishwasher then pre-rinsing may and place it safely in your toilet
lack of consciousness. According be avoided. Long showers should tank. In this way you will save
to a research 60% of water is be avoided at all costs and start gallons of water each day.
consumed in our washrooms. using bath-fittings with low water
Currently we should think of flow rates. It's Now or Never
conserving water and then tend to Water is like an environmental
matters of its contamination. Keep A Regular Check treasure, which if not used
Some time back the Singapore Get repaired that leaky toilet properly can invite severe
National Water Agency had flush, faucet or pipe immediately. problems. Many programmes
signed an agreement with India. Always remember to purchase have been started by the govern-
The main aim of this treaty was to low flush toilets as they consume ment of India like rain water
curtail water wastage in Indian a smaller quantity of water. harvesting, which can help in
cities and towns. increasing the ground water level.
The current environmental Watch Your Gardening Ways Some NGO's are also contributing
dilemma urges us to plan for Planting trees or gardening spectacularly in spreading
sustainable water management, indeed is the best way to deal awareness. But that is not enough
especially considering the mount- with pollution but here too misuse there is much more that we can
ing demand of the increasing of water should be avoided at all do. We need to learn by heart that
population. By simply following costs. Water your lawn only when overlooking this hazardous reality
some easy guidelines we can required; opt for drought- proof will jeopardize our future.

green school feature
HANDMADE SCHOOL
BANGLADESH
The Handmade School by Anna Heringer and Eike Roswag serves
as an example for future building development in the area.
T
his joyous and elegant two-storey
primary school in rural Bangladesh
has emerged from a deep under-
standing of local materials and a heart-felt
connection to the local community. Hand-
built in four months by local craftsmen,
pupils, parents and teachers together with
experts from Germany and Austria, it uses
traditional methods and materials of con-
struction but adapts them in new ways to
create light-filled beautiful, meaningful
and humane collective spaces for learning.
The school is part of the Modern Edu-
PREVIOUS PAGE cation and Training Institute (METI) of

TOP Compositions the Bangladeshi NGO Dipshikha, which
of Bamboo lattices places an emphasis on helping children
and structural develop their own potential and use it in a
elements create a
creative way. The building follows the same
beautiful play of
light and shadow.
principles, bringing out the best in local
The colourful saris materials by inventively combining them
that make up the with improved construction techniques.
ceiling of the lobby Earthbound materials such as loam and
add colour to the straw are combined with lighter elements
space. like bamboo sticks and nylon lashing to
shape a built form that addresses
PREVIOUS PAGE sustainability in construction in an exem-
BOTTOM
This handmade
plary manner.
school is con- The project team felt that it was par-
structed by using ticularly important to improve the quality
traditional methods. of living in the rural areas in order to coun-
teract the continuing population migration
THIS PAGE TOP The to the cities.
architects have They detected that the primary poten-
made efficient use tial for developing buildings in the rural
of bamboo sticks
areas was the low cost of labour and locally
and earthbound
materials.
available resources such as earth and bam-
boo.
THIS PAGE BOTTOM The project team's main strategy was
Exterior of the to communicate and develop knowledge
house. and skills within the local population so
green school feature
that they could make the best possible use of the available resources. Historic building
techniques were developed and improved upon and the emerging skills were then passed
on to local tradesmen transforming in the process the image of the building techniques. THIS PAGE TOP The
On the ground floor with its thick earth walls, three classrooms are located each with project team have
their own access opening to an organically shaped system of 'caves' to the rear of the made the best use
classroom. of natural resources
and thus lessened
The upper floor is by contrast light and open, the openings in its bamboo walls the cost of labour.
offering sweeping views across the surroundings and its large interior providing space for
movement. The view expands across the treetops and the village pond. THIS PAGE LEFT
Light and shadows from the bamboo strips play across the earth floor and contrast Ground floor of the
with the colourful materials of the saris on the ceiling. building consists of
The building rests on a 50 cm deep brick masonry foundation rendered with a facing thick earth walls and
cement plaster. Bricks are the most common product of Bangladesh's building material the upper floor is
industry. It has almost no natural reserves of stone. As an alternative the clayey alluvial open for sufficient
light.
sand is fired in open circular kilns into bricks.
'Handmade School' showcases the potential of good planning and design, from the THIS PAGE RIGHT
arrangement of the building on site to the realisation of aspects in detail. The entire building
Furthermore it demonstrates the possibilities of building with earth and bamboo rests on a 50cm
using simple methods as the continuation of a local rural building tradition and can deep brick masonry
serve as an example for future building developments in the area. foundation.

eco living prefab homes
Prefab Homes
ZeroHouse - A portable prefabricated house by

architect Scott Speecht, of Specht Harpman.
P
refabricated buildings are zinc-roofed building slightly pany, launched its first series of
gaining popularity as well reminiscent of a Quonset hut. On prefabricated wooden houses at
as leading the industry in the other hand, Frank Gehry has the Classic Golf Resort, Gurgaon
terms of technical progress and shown his lavish designing skills in India. Prefab homes are doing
energy efficiency. via constructing 'Court Yard remarkably well abroad but closer
House' for the German firm home in India, this idea is still not
Prefabricated domiciles are often WeberHaus. The new design accepted. Here, prefab homes
described as prefab homes; effort is aimed at pumping up the are not considered an ideal
these houses can be constructed image of prefabricated housing in housing solution due to certain
in a short span of time. While Germany, in order to attract a new social stigmas.
constructing a prefab house the clientele. The eminent Milan
floors are accumulated first, and based star Matteo Thun - who
then the wall panels are attached founded Italy's Memphis design
with fixtures. Once the house is group and led the creative team
ready, the electrical wiring and at Swatch for several years -
ceilings are mounted. After that, turned out 'o sole mio', a pent-
the roof of the house is manufac- roofed marvel of passive-energy
tured separately and attached. use, for Austrian firm Griffner
The external and internal touch- Haus.
ups are provided to the house The trend of prefab houses is
after the construction is com- still in a developing stage in India
pletely finished. and will take time to develop
The famous architect Gustav further. Recently Lockwood
Peichl has designed the single- International, a top New Zealand-
Matteo Thun's 'O Sole Mio'.
family Peichl-Haus, an arched, based wood construction com-

renzo piano feature
RENZO PIANO’S
LIVING ROOF
The new California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco bears 'a
certain lightness of being' - an elegant steel structure, technologically
precise in detail, glass aplenty to allow fluid movement of daylight
and a diagrammatically simple layout that ever so quietly announces
its illustrious architectural credits.
TEXT BY DEEPANJOLIE SONYA FIGG
Photo by Shunji Ishida
Photo by Nic Lehoux
Photo by Nic Lehoux
THOUGH the Golden Gate Park where the California Academy of Sciences is situated,
is nothing short of a dream-site and one of the rare Natural Science Institutes that
encourage public experiences with in-house scientific research conducted in the same
building, our reason for focusing on it lies in its living up to its design aim: to enable
interwoven spaces for exhibits, academic pursuits, conservation and research in a safe,
modern facility. CAS exemplifies a high-tech model of sustainable architecture with THIS PAGE TOP A
frugal material choices and yet accomplishes immense variety in shapes refined and view of the
classical in style, highlighting its mission statement (Explore, Explain & Protect the California Academy
Natural World). Guess one can always expect the unexpected from Pritzker Prize-winning of Sciences
architects like Piano! shrouded with the
Architect Renzo Piano incorporated sustainable design strategies with a holistic landscaped roof
approach to using basic materials like gray architectural concrete for main buildings and
LEFT Pigeon holed
walls, implemented designs to enable recycling of materials from the old building and skylights are
constructed in combination with a mix of the old and new - and even then, managed to sprinkled over the
ensure energy efficient heating and cooling. roof surface to
At CAS, Piano takes on the mantle of a designer with advanced aesthetics in green permeate light in
building technology, effectively concretizing a scientifically sound yet culturally connected the exhibits spaces.

Photo by Nic Lehoux
Photo by Nic Lehoux
Photo by John McNeal
Photo by John McNeal

renzo piano feature
establishment. This is a tribute to a family of builders hailing from Italy and also a
fantastically coming together of a varied scale of pieces. The location and orientation of
CAS remains the same; its central Piazza (courtyard), too, remains the hub of all activities
like before.
The Planetarium Dome and Rainforest Biosphere are spherical dome shaped spaces
near the Piazza, which combined with the Steinhart Aquarium's reconstructed entrance
represent Space, Earth and Ocean elements. These also 'push' the top up, creating an
undulating roofscape. The continuity of form is maintained for the green roof, the
highlight of the project which assumes a new identity with a glass canopy beyond the
perimeter walls, giving shade, rain-protection and also providing energy from 55,000
photo voltaic cells contained in the glass!
A glazed skylight covering the central courtyard makes up the main living area with
multiple other, smaller sized ones sprinkled over the roof's surface to fill the exhibit
space below with natural light; these also enable natural ventilation. Retractable fiber OPPOSITE PAGE
screens provide controlled microclimate for opening and evening hours when the event LEFT The central
spaces are in use. Piazza of the original
CAS comprises 5 floors; automatic sun blinds and windows in majority of the units structure was
within enable natural ventilation and illumination in all workspaces even as minimal maintained and
choice of a frugal palette, utilizing color sporadically gives a strong essence to the light around which Piano
gray architectural concrete façade. Original limestone has been retained for the restored planned out the 3
African Hall but all floor spaces feature polished concrete; white acoustic panels make domes - the
Planetarium,
up the exhibit hall soffit and are mounted horizontally under the curvature of the roof Aquarium and the
forming 'the fish scale' surface. Exhibit space is reserved in the formwork tie holes left Rainforest
visible. biosphere.
Four glazed facades fixed with extra-white glass enhance transparency and visual tran-
sition of interiors while a hybrid concrete and steel roof structure, vegetation carpeting RIGHT TOP Sketch
includes a water "storage" layer, a deceptively designer-touch! The reformatory nature of design of CAS.
the roof is evident as it switches over to a light steel structure midway and supports the
glass panels with PV cells that power up the knowledge center contained within. BOTTOM Site plan of
CAS.
Piano skillfuly converts a basic science institute model into a place of humanistic art
forms that are never quite abstract sculpture, but models of light. Drawing on a primeval PAGE BOTTOM A
knowledge base that determined for him the demolition of 11 existing buildings before panoramic view of
erecting this new one with efficient use of water, a run-off pattern from the roof and pure the roof of the
generation of renewable energy! university

EARTH BAG
HOUSE
An old and conservative building method, adopted by the military to
create strong, knock- down walls is adopted and refined by two archi-
tects to create simple, low cost, sustainable housing.
ARCHITECT Nader Khalili of the Cal-

Earth Institute set out on a path breaking
task of coming up with a low cost,
sustainable form of building homes in the
middle east. He began experimenting with
bags of adobe soil as building blocks for
creating domes, vaults and arches. Being
familiar with the Middle Eastern culture
and the use of adobe bricks in building
methods of the olden days, it was not long
before he himself started to experiment
with this technique. At the Cal-Earth In-
stitute, his students and understudies, who
were trained by him in several, similar
building techniques, expanded this field
considerably with the help of further trial
and error methods.
Erecting buildings with sandbags is a
considerably old and conservative tech-
nique. It was long being used by the mili-
THIS PAGE Substan-
tary in particular, to create strong and pro-
tial walls afford tective barriers against, armaments and
resist-ance even other weapons of destruction. The walls
against severe so constructed also helped in preserving
weather. and protecting the army from the differ-
earthbag house feature
ent vagaries of nature. Burlap bags were

employed initially in the construction of
massive and substantial walls. Later on this
innovative form of construction was car-
ried out with the use of polypropylene bags.
The bags did their job well, except for
the fact that eventually degradation
occurred due to the exposure to strong
sunlight. However it was noticed that if
the bags were coated with a suitable plas-
ter they were rendered strong enough to
be employed as walls in permanent hous-
ing.
Kelly Hart, another architect whose
heart too was in sustainable architecture
and was extremely keen to refine the earth
bag building process, laid barbed wire in
between the bags. This new hybrid
concept led to the creation of an even more
viable form of housing. He made two more
alterations to Khalili's technique. He used
crushed volcanic rock instead of adobe
soil to stuff the bags and the second refinement that he brought in was that he plastered
THIS PAGE The
the earth bag walls with papercrete. The crushed volcanic rock provided the walls with bags are stuffed
good insulation and prevented any occurrence of rot or damage by moisture. The with crushed
papercrete plaster turned out to be a boon too as the house became fairly maintenance volcanic rock and
free unlike as in with the adobe finish. In a tropical environment, papercrete however covered with
may have to be substituted as here it could get infected with mold. papercrete.

eco living green, the flipside
Other Side Of Green

such as recycled denim or
cellulose insulation should be
opted for over toxic materials
used in the past. Solar devices
CII-Godrej GBC in Hyderabad, India. A LEED
such as photovoltaic solar panels
Platinum rated building.
incorporated on the roof or even
the façade of a building can
provide for almost all the electric-
ity required by the building.The
Samundra Institute of Maritime
Studies (SIMS) at Lonavala, near
Pune India, has the longest
photovoltaic wall in the world. In
other parts of the world, wind
towers are used to lessen the
load on air conditioning systems
especially in the corporate zone.
There are many fine examples
of green structures in India but if
asked to mention any one, then
that would most obviously be the
Confederation of Indian Industry
Sohrabji Godrej Green Business
Centre (CII-Godrej GBC) in
Hyderabad, India. The building
S
ustainable structures are terraces and jaalis (stone lattices),
flourishing rapidly, but amongst others should be used
does that really support to save our energy resources. For
the concept of green architec- instance, the natural light from the
ture? courtyard, combined with energy-
efficient lighting systems can
Today we are surrounded by save 88 percent of energy. The
information on green architecture challenge is to scrutinise and
and its benefits, but are we really reunite these traditional methods A Photovoltaic Installation by
aware of what really is green or with modern technological Reynaers
sustainable architecture? innovations.
It's a general term that de- Low VOC (volatile organic
scribes environmentally conscious compound)-emitting materials has been designed by the Indian
design techniques in the field of architectural firm, Karan Grover
architecture. and Associates. This epitome
In India the concept of green talks about the applicability of
architecture is booming and traditional architectural knowledge
gaining a lot of attention but what combined with today's design
you and I need is a desperate processes of sustainability.
perspective check. How far have If one were to delve into
we reached exactly? Every new ancient architecture which was
construction these days claims to inherently green by practise and
be built with green elements and construction; and if these prin-
based on green guidelines. ciples were merged with contem-
A few important features of a porary design elements it would
truly green structure are; architec- definitely be possible to come up
tural elements like courtyards, with new and noteworthy results
Use of a passive solar concept
clusters, wind towers, roof in authentic 'green architecture'.
bureau of energy efficiency eco living
Bureau of Energy Efficiency
Stars (1-5) Stars (1-5)

display the display the
relative relative
efficiency of efficiency of the
the product product
Daily /annual
power
consumption Annual Energy
is used for consumption
comparing the (kwh/Year)
actual energy
use between
differnt
models
Product
Important Details
product Brand
specifications Model
like brand, Type
model, type, cross
capacity, Volume
efficiency, etc Storage
Volume
BEE Logo
BEE Logo
BEE label for refrigerators BEE label for air conditioners
T
he Bureau of Energy stakeholders, resulting in an position the domestic industry to
Efficiency (BEE) has accelerated and sustained compete in such markets where
introduced a labelling adoption of energy efficiency norms for energy efficiency are
programme which illustrates the across all sectors. obligatory. This plan was
energy efficiency of a variety of BEE connects with designated launched in May 2006, and is
products. consumers, agencies and other currently invoked for equipments/
organizations to recognize and appliances like, frost free
Saving or conserving energy utilize the existing resources and refrigerators, fluorescent lamps,
means reducing the use of infrastructure judiciously. The air conditioners, direct cool
energy; it may be obtained institute organizes training of refrigerators, distribution
through proficient energy use and personnel and specialists in transformers and induction
by reducing the consumption of techniques for the efficient use of motors, pump sets, ceiling fans,
energy services. The Bureau of energy as well as for electric geysers and TV sets.
Energy Efficiency (BEE), set up by strengthening consultancy One of the features of the BEE
the government of India aims at services in the field of energy label includes 'stars', which
preserving and promoting the conservation. further illustrates the energy
efficient use of energy resources. Another very significant step efficiency of the product. The
With the primary objective of taken by BEE is the Labeling highlighted stars on the label of
reducing energy intensity of the Programme, which provides the the certified appliance deter-
Indian economy, it is established consumer an informed choice mines its efficiency. Hence, more
to assist in developing policies about the energy saving, and the number of stars; more is the
and strategies with a thrust on thereby the cost saving potential saving. Furthermore, this BEE
self-regulation and market of the marketed household label also serves as an informa-
principles, within the framework appliance or equipment. This is tive tool in terms of daily/annual
of the Energy Conservation Act, expected to impact the energy power consumption details and
2001. This can be achieved with savings in the medium and long important product specifications
the active participation of all run while at the same time it will like type, capacity and efficiency.

VERNACULAR
ARTICULACY
The Centre for Vernacular Archtecture believes in using
architectural building practices that are cost effective,
eco-friendly and culturally pertinent.
TEXT BY SHEETAL MISHRA • PHOTO GRAPHS SHALINI SEHGAL
ENERGY does not mean what is certified; to live a simple life is ‘energy saving’ says Mr.
R.L Kumar, who runs the Centre for Vernacular Architecture (CVA) in Banaswadi, Ban-
galore. The Centre for Vernacular Architecture is a non-profit organization established
in 1989 and has been designing and executing various vernacular architectural projects
in South India. The firm specialises in a less explored field and is concerned with
architectural building practices that are cost effective, ecologically sane and culturally
pertinent.
THIS PAGE The
Building on the work of practitioners like Laurie Baker and Hassan Fathy, their ar-
home-office of chitectural practice promotes the use of locally available materials, traditional building
Trends Adfilms in techniques, culturally and climatically relevant building design. They also offer
Bangalore. consultancy, training, and promotion of student exchange/resident programs. The Cen-
tre comprises of a core team of six architects, eight engineer/supervisors and a team of
OPPOSITE PAGE about seventy five dedicated craftsmen and people drawn from a variety of building
Open brick walls, related trades. In most of his projects Kumar has been successful in capturing the es-
rough granite sence of 'space' and has virtually established that spaces need not be a result of a hanker-
exteriors, wall
paintings and
ing for detailing.
passive solar The home-office for Trends Ad Films Pvt. Ltd, situated on the outer Ring Road in
concepts are some Bangalore, expresses the home part of the building in brick and the office in rough
of the features seen granite. This project is like a creative turn for Centre for Vernacular Architecture, it
in this office. portrays aesthetically pleasing work spaces with water bodies, ensuite furniture with an
vernacular design feature

oxide touch, special

add-ons like wall
paintings, green
zones, brick
jharokas and court-
yards to get suffi-
cient day light. The
place of work incor-
porates all these as-
pects and creates
thought-provoking
vibes for the young
inhabitants. This
invigorating 7,000
sq.ft ad agency is a
perfect example of
TOP Brick jharokas inspirational archi-
and courtyards, tecture. Here the
traditional architec- connection with
tural features are nature is main-
incorporated in this tained by uncov-
modern day plan ered stone and block work.
of sustainable
The Centre for Vernacular Architecture also has in its treasure trove one of its finest
architecture at the
women’s centre in
projects, that is the Vimochana's Women's Centre in Kolar. Through this project Mr.
R.L. Kumar experimented and brought forgotten 'cob walls' into the existence. The
Kolar.
entire architecture uses traditional constructing materials are used i.e, stones, mud walls
RIGHT ‘Cob walls’
and other eco-friendly building materials.
another forgotten The excessive use of high-embodied energy materials in modern day construction
feature has been results in environmental degradation. The Centre for Vernacular Architecture through
ingeniously brought the mode of sustainable architecture aims to ease the burden of environmental degradation
back into existence. on earth.
teri feature
THE ENERGY AND

RESOURCES
INSTITUTE
In this world of increasing globalization and buoyed by
optimism generated by the success of the Indian
economy, TERI moves forward to meet the challenges
of a ‘greener tomorrow’ through the excellence rooted
in its creative charter.
TEXT BY SHEETAL MISHRA • PHOTO GRAPHS COURTESY TERI
THE Genesis of TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) lies in Mithapur, a remote
corner of north-western India, where a visionary chemical engineer was concerned about
the enormous amount of energy his factory spent on desalination - fresh potable water is
scarce in those salty plains - and on making caustic soda from salt. Mr Darbari Seth of
Tata Chemicals, who cherished the importance of energy as a resource, envisaged an
institute 'to tackle and deal with the immense and acute problems that mankind is
likely to be faced with in the years ahead, on account of the gradual depletion of the
earth's finite energy resources that are largely non-renewable and on account of the
existing methods of their use, which are polluting’.
The idea instantly appealed to Mr. J R D Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group, a great
visionary himself and a staunch supporter of scientific research - and TERI was duly
registered in Delhi in 1974 as the Tata Energy Research Institute. Later it was renamed
as The Energy and Resources Institute in 2003. TERI began operations in Mumbai in
Bombay House, in its first decade; the approach was to fund deserving research projects
on renewable energy. However, in 1984, it moved to Delhi and began its own research;
the first externally funded project was to develop an energy model for India. In its 30-
odd years of existence, TERI has completed more than 3,500 projects. Their upshots
have been as varied as the fields they covered.
TERI's influence on government thinking is manifest at policy level; the institute
has been instrumental in drafting two major policy documents recently: the National
Renewable Energy Policy for the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and the National THIS PAGE
Environmental Policy for the Ministry of Environment and Forests. The TERI University

The organization had played a major role at COP-12, where it structured two side
events. In 2006-07, the institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the
CCX (Chicago Climate Exchange), the world's leading carbon trading exchange. The
MoU seeks to explore the issues and options in the voluntary carbon market in India.
TERI also serves as a registered adviser to the CCX and assists in exploring new offset
project possibilities in the Indian subcontinent.
TERI undertook the study 'National Energy Map for India: Technology Vision 2030'
during 2006-07. The study commissioned and supported by the Office of the Principal
Scientific Advisor, Government of India used the 'Markal' model to identify the most
promising technological options across various sectors and suggest appropriate policies
for moving towards optimal resource use.
Green India 2047 by TERI sought to estimate the extent to which India's natural
resources were degraded during the first 50 years of independence. The sequel to Green
India 2047 was DISHA (Directions, Innovations, and Strategies for Harnessing Ac-
tion), which looked into the future to draw up a blueprint of action for an economically
advanced but sustainable India in 2047.
TERI's facilities in Gurgaon, Bangalore, Guwahati, and Mukteshwar serve as models
of eco-friendly design. In 2006-07, TERI-GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habi-
tat Assessment), which is an environmental performance rating system for buildings -
commercial, institutional, or residential - was launched. This innovative rating system,
specifically developed for Indian conditions, uses qualitative and quantitative assess-
ment criteria. It evaluates the environmental performance of a building throughout its
lifecycle, thereby providing a definitive standard for what constitutes a 'green building'.
Already, eleven buildings have been registered for rating. GRIHA has now become a
THIS PAGE LEFT national rating system.
Solar-Panels in- The Green Business Centre building in Hyderabad - TERI was the energy consult-
stalled in one of ant to the project - received the prestigious platinum rating under the LEED rating
TERI’s projects.
system of the United States Green Building Council. TERI was responsible for ensuring
THIS PAGE RIGHT maximum energy efficiency in the building through an appropriate building envelope
TERI’s Mukhteshwar and system interventions - and has now been retained by two more aspirants for the
Building in the platinum rating: ITC Ltd (for its proposed Centre for Corporate Excellence in Gurgaon)
Himalayas. and North Delhi Power Limited.
teri feature
The flagship of events organized by the institute is DSDS, the Delhi Sustainable
Development Summit, held every year in early February. A global summit, the event
draws distinguished participants - heads of state and senior ministers; heads of large
multinational corporations, UN agencies, and bi- and multi-lateral agencies, scientists
including Nobel laureates - from every continent to debate current issues of regional
and international significance. The first such summit, organized in 1999, was inaugu-
rated by the president of India. The summit is the world's sole forum on sustainability
issues that transcends the global divide.
TERI's field campus presented a unique opportunity to TERI researchers to demon-
strate energy-efficient architecture. The result was RETREAT (Resource-efficient TERI
Retreat for Environmental Awareness and Training). Set amidst a lush green landscape,
it has been designed as a residential training facility for executives. The entire facility is
planned to be self-sufficient, independent of any external power supply. The principles
of energy efficiency and recycling are used so effectively that the complex requires only
25% of the energy.
The new TERI University campus by the establishment has been intended to offer a
setting that enhances learning and showcases the concept of modern green buildings.
From biotechnology to global climate change, from smoke-filled rural kitchens to
plush corporate boardrooms, from schoolchildren to heads of state-no sphere of human
endeavour is unfamiliar to TERI. Headed by Dr Rajendra K Pachauri, also chairman of
the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) and joint-winner of the Nobel
Peace Prize in 2007, TERI has state-of-the-art laboratories, yet it is more than a research THIS PAGE LEFT
outfit; it has looked into the past and into the future of the world's natural resources. All Children studying
activities in TERI move from formulating local and national level strategies to suggest- with a solar lantern.
ing global solutions to critical energy and environment-related issues. It is with this THIS PAGE RIGHT
purpose that TERI has established regional centres in Bangalore, Goa, and Guwahati, Director General
and a presence in Japan, Malaysia, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates. It has also set TERI, Dr R.K.
up affiliate institutes: TERI-NA (The Energy and Resources Institute, North America) Pachauri.
Washington DC, USA, and TERI-Europe, London, UK.
green talk bcil
BCIL EMBODIES
SUSTAINABLE
ARCHITECTURE AND SEEKS
TO PROVIDE HEALTHY
LIVING SPACES NOT ONLY
FOR ITS CLIENTS BUT FOR
THE CITIZENS OF INDIA.
B
CIL (Biodiversity Conserva
tion India Ltd) is a builder-
technology enterprise set
up by Dr. Chandrashekar
Hariharan to mainstream
sustainability in the urban area in
1995. He is the only Indian among
eight Asians chosen as a Water
Champion by ADB in 2005
amongst experts working in 63
nations in Asia. The company has
taken up the environmental
challenge of the day to provide
living spaces for people who
BCIL Living
respect not one but all six fila-
ments of environment i.e. earth,
energy, waste, water, air and
biomass.
BCIL has been able to received the first international country, and was conferred the
construct two million square feet award (Ryutaro Hashimoto APFED Spectrum Award for sustainable
of sustainable residential spaces Award by the Ministry of Environ- architecture twice. It was also
for urbanites, far above the ment Japan) given for a residen- presented with the TERI corporate
standards of conventional tial building complex for environmental initiatives award in
residential buildings, over and mainstreaming sustainability in 2003. In 2005, it received the All
above any building codes that India. BCIL is recognized as one India Practising Architects Award
exist in this country or perhaps of the largest ‘sustainable built for sustainable architecture.
globally. Recently BCIL T ZED environment’ enterprise in the BCIL’s journey began with
T ZED, a watershed project

bcil green talk
Trans Indus, its first residential this accomplished with no airport, close to Margoa, there is
complex in Bangalore which was support whatsoever from either a lovely set of retirement homes
built around a theme of ‘healing the Government or any other at the BCIL Gaia.
the land’ as it was created on a external agency in terms of The Green Idea Lab (GIL) is the
rocky piece of land. It is a lush subsidies or finance-in- design, consulting and research
green haven now, and is assistance. arm of BCIL. Part of GIL’s design
considered amongst the top ten BCIL RedEarth, an enclave of challenge is building
most coveted properties in 140-plus villas to the north of with reusable and low-
Bangalore and conferred with Bangalore, offers homes that embodied energy materials,
several awards. This was don’t use electricity from the improving the standard of living
followed by other properties such Power Corporation, or water from for the client-communities so
as Townsend, T Zed Homes, and the Water Supply Board. developed, and assisting in
Collective. With its new project In the sunny land of Goa, a building rating and carbon
‘Red Earth’ it is sure to assimilate half-hour’s ride south of the management services.
many more milestones. BCIL is
now extending its work out of
Bangalore to Mysore (Expanse),
Goa (Gaia) and Coorg (Little Acre).
T ZED is particularly special for
BCIL because it is a watershed
project in the way sustainable
buildings are constructed
anywhere in the world. It is the
first multi unit and multi storied
residential complex to be inde-
pendent of municipal water and
waste connection. T ZED’s holistic
closed loop system is a leading
example of a multi unit residential
building that not only saves all
water that falls on the campus
and leaves no waste for others to
treat, but it remains water positive T ZED, is the first multi-unit,multi storied residential complex to be
as well i.e. it adds water to the independent of a municipal water and a waste connection.
depleted aquifers. T ZED stands
out for the staggering number of
additional benefits that the
property offers to a customer – all

green talk fuel
ALTHOUGH THE FILM CAN'T

BE DEPICTED AS THE END
SOURCE OF ALL INFORMA-
TION, 'FUEL' UNDENIABLY
SERVES AS A VITAL DOOR
THAT OPENS INTO THE VAST
SUBJECT OF CONSUMPTION
AND ITS HAZARDS.
A
mid the many problems
afflicting the modern world,
fossil-fuel dependence may
be one of the most critical,
possibly second only to climate
change in its potential to destroy
the fabric of life as we know it.
Consequently, the most recent
movie by Josh Tickell (author of
From the Fryer to the Fuel Tank),
raises awareness and motivates
the audience to 'change your
fuel....change the world'.
Power Of 'Fuel'
This film named Fuel made its
national debut in Portland,
Oregoon on November 14th, 2008.
With an expenditure of approxi-
mately $2 million (mostly in Fuel exposes an insightful over- the energy we need without
donations from individuals), it took view of America's troubled compromising peace and free-
the director 11 years to make this relationship with oil. The docu- dom," said the Director, Josh
film, a story of his personal mentary further highlights how Tickell, highlighting the focus of
journey for clean energy solutions. alternative and sustainable this comprehensive film.
Citing the problems the energies can reduce the world's In the opening scene of Fuel, a
society encounters when fossil addictive dependence on fossil tranquil satellite image of our blue
fuels turn to be interconnected fuels. "I made Fuel to show that planet fills the screen, while a
with every part of modern life, there is a way for us to have all narrator describes how single-

fuel green talk
celled organisms changed into oil dent on personal vehicles and Film Festival Audience Award in
over millions of years. Elaborating grow their own food and fuel January 2008 and the AFI (Ameri-
on issues with alarming statistics locally by retrofitting existing can Film Institute) Dallas Interna-
and facts, this documentary cities. tional Film Festivals 'Current
brings to light the involvement in With interviews and appear- Energy Earth Friendly Award' in
an expensive war in Iraq for all, ance by a wide range of environ- March, this film is on track to
the massive oil spill in Louisianan mentalists, policy makers and continue picking up awards and
during Hurricane Katrina, and the educators, along with such 'green' influencing audiences nationwide.
health dangers to the populations celebrities as Woody Harrelson, In this way, Fuel is a redemp-
living in close proximity to oil Sheryl Crow, and Larry Hagman tive story, although it does not
refineries that report a huge rise in offer serious fuel for thought as promise that the road ahead will
cancer, fertility problems, miscar- well as for action. Through these be easy. It shows technology that
riages and birth defects. experts and celebrity activists, the is within grasp, so that individuals
Furthermore, the makers of documentary explores the various and cities can gradually switch
Fuel have brought to our attention options of alternative fuels includ- from oil dependency to more
a collection of ideas that can help ing bio-diesel (made from any localised and sustainable models
us take control of the situation we kind of vegetable oil including that meet the triple bottom line of
are in. As cited by Tickell, "The used oil from fast food restau- improving the economy, the
movie really mirrors what has rants); biomass (forestry and society, and the environment. Like
occurred in the environment agricultural products as well as many documentaries, the power
movement over the past three biodegradable industrial and of Fuel is in the dialogue it
decades." In addition to the oil municipal waste); ethanol (alcohol creates.
dependency issues that the film made through the fermentation of
outlines, it demonstrates the sugars found in starches like corn
benefits of switching to alternative and potatoes); and methane
fuels and the growing need for (made from digestion and degra-
more localised action towards dation of organic material).
this end. It exceptionally explores Offering clear pathways for
alternative electricity, made solutions, Fuel re-contextualises
popular during the Carter adminis- how we view our dependence on
tration and reversed during the oil, how we view war and what
Reagan years, such as harness- we are handling to the coming
ing energy from the sun (solar), generation. In Tickell's words,
wind and water (hydro). It por- "Fuel is uplifting, clear, based on
trays in a virtual city of the future, fact and personal experience and
where green roofs, light rail, and leaves viewers with a sense of
'vertical farms' illustrate how large what the future can be, if we act
populations can be less depen- now." After winning a Sundance

eco living reuse beats recycling
Reuse Beats Recycling
Always use both sides of

paper for your printer
An installation made with ceramic bits A schematic of

at the Nekchand garden water reuse
T
he guiding light in today's Purchasing durable goods, buying materials out of the waste stream
endeavour to lead a green and selling in the used market- Reuse advances source
life is made up of three place, borrowing, renting, sub- reduction.
words, reduce, reuse and scribing to business waste Reuse preserves the "embod-
recycle. But that said, the one exchanges and making or receiv- ied energy" that was originally
thing that shines through is the ing charitable transfers. It is also used to manufacture an item.
act of reuse. achieved by attending to mainte- Reuse reduces the strain on
nance and repair, as well as by valuable resources, such as fuel,
Reuse is often confused with designing in relation to reuse. This forests and water supplies, and
recycling, but they are really quite may mean developing products helps safeguard wildlife habitats.
different. (Even those engaged in that are reusable, long-lived, and Reuse creates less air and
reuse frequently refer to it as capable of being remanufactured water pollution than making a
recycling.) Reuse in the broadest or creatively refashioning used new item or recycling.
sense means any activity that items. Reuse results in less hazard-
lengthens the life of an item. Why is reuse so important? ous waste.
Recycling, on the other hand, is Because at the same time that it Reuse saves money in pur-
the reprocessing of an item into a confronts the challenges of waste chases and disposal costs.
new raw material for use in a new reduction, reuse also sustains a Reuse creates an affordable
product-for example grinding the comfortable quality of life and supply of goods that are often of
tire and incorporating it into a supports a productive economy. excellent quality.
road-surfacing compound. Reuse With few exceptions reuse Unique to reuse is that it also
is nothing new. What is new is accomplishes these goals more brings resources to individuals
the need to reuse. effectively than recycling, and it and organizations that might
Reuse is accomplished does so in the following ways: otherwise be unable to acquire
through many different methods: Reuse keeps goods and them.

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April

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