BEYOND GLASS AND STEEL: BUILDING FOR PEOPLE, PLANET & FUTURE

With 50% of the built environment projected for 2050 still unconstructed, there exists a unique opportunity to integrate climate resilience and sustainability into the core of architectural and urban planning. This shift moves beyond traditional materials like glass and steel, embracing a collective responsibility to design ecosystems that harmonize with nature and withstand climate challenges.

The Urgency of Climate Action in Construction

Climate change is no longer a distant threat but a lived reality. Extreme weather events, like, floods in Uttarakhand, intense rainfall in Mumbai, and scorching heatwaves in Delhi disrupt daily life and business operations. Architects, developers, and sustainability experts are recognizing this urgency. Aparna Khemani, Senior Associate and Co-Managing Director of Gensler emphasize that climate action cannot wait: “The need is urgent like yesterday.” Her firm has committed to making all projects carbon-zero by 2030, regardless of client demands. Data, she argues, is critical: “If you want significant impact, you need to know where you’re landing and how to push further.”

Redefining Design: From Structures to Ecosystems

The traditional view of buildings as isolated structures is giving way to a more holistic perspective. Prashant Deshmukh, Principal Architect, Prashant Deshmukh & Associates Frank Lloyd Wright’s philosophy of bringing the outdoors in, Deshmukh advocates for designs that use natural light, filtered heat, and materials close to nature, such as flowing water bodies or biophilic elements. This shift challenges architects to balance aesthetics with sustainability. Deepali Dhuliya, Director, Strategic Consulting, Cushman & Wakefield India likens it to a jigsaw puzzle, “We have aesthetics on one end and green aspects on the other, but sustainable elements can achieve better aesthetics.

Tackling Embodied Carbon Through Material Innovation

A significant portion of a building’s environmental impact lies in its embodied carbon. Dr. Sunita Purushottam, Head of Sustainability, Mahindra Lifespace Developers Limited calls for a re-evaluation of material choices. “Glass and steel have a massive impact on operational carbon,” she notes, advocating for alternatives like LC3 cement, which cuts emissions by 30-40%, and glass fiber reinforced bars (GFRB). She also critiques lax regulations. Lalit Kumar Tiwari, President - EHS & Group Chief Sustainability Officer, ESG, Kalpataru Group highlights innovations in material use. His organization, with a legacy of platinum-rated green buildings, employs low-carbon cement, recycled steel, and modular construction to minimize waste. Passive design elements, such as rainwater harvesting and solar energy, are paired with technologies like IoT and AI to optimize building performance across their life cycle. Tiwari stresses community engagement: “Educating occupants is key to maintaining sustainability.”

Policy and Governance: The Missing Links

Effective policy is crucial for scaling climate-resilient design. Dr Purushottam highlights the issue of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, noting that while India has approved 65 waste processing plants, only 16-17 are operational. “We don’t have the infrastructure to recycle C&D waste effectively,” she says, questioning the necessity of frequent redevelopment. At the city level, Dr Purushottam advocates for integrated plans addressing heat, flooding, and climate action. “If these plans sit with different authorities, they don’t talk to each other,” she warns. Mumbai’s climate action plan, for example, lack of enforcement power, rendering it “toothless.” ‘Deepali Dhuliya proposes digital platforms to monitor permissions, ensuring developments avoid water bodies or heritage trees. States like Assam, lacking urban planning policies, face unchecked construction, exacerbating vulnerabilities. George Abraham, Regional Head, Market Development, GBCI India emphasizes evolving standards like LEED, which now include resilience credits for flooding and heat. “Collaborations with industry councils like CREDAI and ISHRAE aim to extend these standards to smaller developers and manufacturers, ensuring broader adoption through capacity-building and operational efficiency programs.”

A Call to Action

The transition to climate-resilient buildings requires a collective effort. Aparna Khemani underscores the need for cross-industry partnerships, while Lalit Kumar Tiwari highlights community-driven initiatives, from occupant education to stakeholder collaboration. Dr Sunita Purushottam’s attention to use of plastic bottles at events and its immediate stoppage, reflects a broader call for conscious choices.
George Abraham’s work with manufacturers to develop Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) aims to make sustainable materials more accessible, particularly for medium and small-scale developers. Deepali Dhuliya suggests establishing decarbonization cells and collaborating with disaster management authorities to enhance resilience. India’s construction boom offers a chance to redefine its built environment. With 14 billion square feet of green certified buildings and counting, the nation is making strides. Yet, as architect Prashant Deshmukh notes, architects must envision structures that endure future climate challenges while keeping occupants happy.