DESIGN & SUSTAINABILITY THE RIGHT APPROACH
Explaining what architecture means to him, Abhishek Dutta, Principal Architect & Partner, ArcOn Design, articulated, “Architecture transcends merely designing buildings to integrating the art and science of creating meaningful habitats. An architec- tural work's fundamental purpose is to enhance the well-being of people, thus making architecture an extension of human existence. In essence, the spaces we design not only influence emotions and behaviours but also, shapes lives.” Sapna Srivastava, Editor, Realty+, added, “Architecture undoubt- edly has to satisfy essential human requirements of shelter, but a suc- cessful design enhances human lives, and brings joy to the user.” Elaborating on the significance of sustainability, Santanu Dutta Gupta, Associate Director, Market Development, Green Business Cer- tification Inc. stated, “Sustainability is essential for human survival and well-being. It hinges on saving the fundamental resources provided by nature. Over the next 15 to 20 years, the real estate industry will be shaped by environmental, social, and governance factors, taking into account the vital roles of the animal and plant kingdoms as well as biodiversity.” THE ROLE OF PRACTITIONERS Abhishek Dutta said, “Architect acts as the project's director, coordinating the efforts of diverse teams and ensuring the vision's integrity, responding to stakeholders' needs, legal requirements, and bearing ultimate accountability for any mishaps. This highlights the inter- connected nature of every aspect in architecture.” Santanu Dutta Gupta expressed,” Companies are now prioritizing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, focusing on the triple bottom line for monetary profits and also social gains. Sectors such as manufacturing, warehousing, hospitality and healthcare too are keen adopters of green building practices and sustainability consultants are playing a big role in spreading awareness and education.” Sapna Srivastava added, “Indeed, people are becoming demanding and are more aware of global trends. The building and construction practitioners will have to be more agile to keep up with the changing demands.” Abhishek Dutta agreed that the construction industry has traditionally been slow to innovate; however, globalization and changing client demands, influenced by media are bringing advanced materials into common use. “Although these developments may appear superficial,they reflect a deeper shift towards more personalized spaces, as clients now bring specific visions to their architects. Yet, despite the increasing customization, the essential quali- ties of architectural spaces remain undervalued.” Santanu Dutta Gupta added,“Data-driven technology, particularly IoT and cloud-based plat- forms, underpins the advancement of sustainable practices by enabling precise measurement and improve- ment. What you can measure is what you can save. Therefor data is becoming very important. Lastly, governmental policies can play a pivotal role in fostering environmental conservation and sustainable development.” Sharing his perspective on the forthcoming landscape of the Indian design and construction sector, Santanu Dutta Gupta said “The ESG framework becomes crucial as South and Southeast Asia emerge as manufacturing hubs. India in next 15 years will be attracting a lot of FDIs and investors will pre- fer green developments and ESG compliances.” Abhishek Dutta added, “Economic developments often overlook environmental impact, which isn't captured on balance sheets but affects society at large. The grow- ing awareness and introduction of mechanisms like tradable carbon credits are aligning societal and project interests towards sustainable investment.” Sapna Srivastava concurred, “Whether it is building design or green certification, client demand is the primary driver of the shift towards holistic built spaces.” Data, transparency and global exposure are the key drivers of the current and future paradigm shifts in the Indian building design & construction sector - Sapna Srivastava Sustainability is a critical deciding factor for Gen Z and millennials when considering job offers or future home purchases as evidenced by industry surveys - Santanu Dutta Gupta Post-pandemic, it's clear that homes extend beyond their square footage, with balconies transformed from laundry spaces to areas of enjoyment, driving a market shift towards more habitable and joy- inducing living environments - Abhishek Dutta
Tags : Santanu Dutta Gupta Green Business Cer- tification Inc Abhishek Dutta ArcOn Design Sapna Srivastava Realty+