GREEN RECOVERY

GREEN RECOVERY
ADITYA DOSHI
VIVA SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE

ABSTRACT: India is a fast growing country. Rapid industrialization,

increasing population, infrastructure India is a fast growing country. Rapid
industrialization, increasing population, infrastructure development and destruction of
natural resources lead to construction of green building. Green building is a structure
that is environmentally responsible and resource efficient throughout its life cycle. Green
building is also known for its sustainability and high performance. Thermal comfort
studies on traditional residential buildings that are known for its use of natural and
passive methods for a comfortable indoor environment are under progress. Passive
methods of achieving thermal comfort inside the buildings are the best solution to
provide a healthy and energy efficient indoor environment. The people are forced to
depend on such systems because, majority of the buildings are designed without giving
adequate importance to passive methods for controlling the indoor environment. In
many cases, failure to provide the required thermal conditions has resulted in
discomfort, ill health and productivity loss.

KEYWORDS: Rapid industrialization, increasing population, destruction of

natural resources, comfortable indoor environment, passive methods, efficient indoor
environment, thermal conditions.

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AIM: How sustainable materials can RESEARCH METHODOLOGY: When

benefit to the construction industry speaking about the methods used while
digging into the topic of materials, the

OBJECTIVES: To achieve the first segment that arises is how

difference between sustainable sustainable materials can be a result to

construction materials and traditional numerous hindrances that occur while

construction materials and how this can construction. So that‟s the first step of

affect the world. research is what are Green

(sustainable) products and how are the
RATIONALE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF beneficial.
STUDY: This Research paper talks
about how sustainable materials are SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

enhanced from traditional materials in

most of the aspects of construction.
SCOPE: - This study can help one to
know about the effects of using
RESEARCH QUESTIONS sustainable construction materials and
01) Why do green buildings cost more than how this creates an opportunity in
traditional buildings? achieving greener environment which
02) Which is better: a sustainable material can boost the world to get recovering
or a traditional material? day after day.
03) How can one determine if a material is
green or not? LIMITATIONS: - Since the matter
selected has countless diversities or
HYPOTHESIS: If sustainable materials sub topics in this, nullifies many
are used on a wider range, many earth aspects while compressing the
related construction worries must be information into a report which limits
resolved which can assist the earth get into selecting topic related specific
greener and pollution free. data.

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INDEX

TOPIC PAGE NO.

1.1. WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE?

04

1.2. WHAT IS TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE?

07

2.1. MATERIALS IN SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

09

2.2. MATERIALS IN TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE

11

3. COMPARISON BETWEEN SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE AND

14
TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE
4. WHY DO GREEN BUILDINGS COST MORE THAN TRADITIONAL
BUILDINGS?
17
5. WHICH IS BETTER: A RECYCLED MATERIAL OR A NATURAL
MATERIAL?
19

6. HOW CAN WE DETERMINE IF A MATERIAL IS GREEN OR NOT?

20

7. CONCLUSION

21

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1.1 HOW CAN WE DEFINE Many of the practices and principles

SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE? used in sustainable architecture are
rooted in ancient building techniques that

Sustainable architecture is a general were transformed with the rise of modern

term that refers to buildings designed materials and mass production in the

to limit humanity's impact on the industrial age. The modern

environment. An eco-friendly consciousness about the need for

approach to modern-day building sustainable architecture can be traced

includes every aspect of the planning back over 50 years to the anniversary of

and construction process, including the first Earth Day, the international

the choice of building materials; the environmental movement, and the

design and implementation of heating, ensuing legislation that it sparked across

cooling, plumbing, waste, and the globe. (Sustainable and Green

ventilation systems; and the Building Construction Materials)

integration of the built environment into

the natural landscape.

Fig.03: raw house

Fig.01 & Fig.02: conceptual drawing of

green building

Fig. 04: the first Earth Day

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But the world is now in the midst of a Wood might be an ancient building
climate change emergency, and many material, but cross-laminated timber,
of the environmental laws that were made by gluing layers of lumber
passed in the last 50 years have been together, has become a sustainable
rolled back. This makes it even more alternative for city towers and prefab
vital for designers, architects, builders, houses in Europe and the U.S. If the
and consumers to demand better 20th century was defined by the steel
building practices to help battle the and glass skyscrapers of cities like New
damage caused by one of the most York, the 21st century might come to be
polluting industries on the planet. In the defined by the timber skyscrapers.
United States, for example, buildings
account for 39 percent of carbon dioxide
(CO2) emissions.

Fig.06: glass skyscrapers

Fig.05: co2 emissions from fossil fuels

Fig.07: timber skyscrapers

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Even recycled materials can become Despite innovations, advancements,

the building blocks of structures large and increasing public awareness about
and small. Pritzker Prize–winning the need for greener building practices,
Japanese architect Shigeru Ban uses sustainable architecture still represents
recycled cardboard tubing to build a small portion of overall global
emergency shelters. He utilized the construction. Furthermore, many
same material to create his world- experts believe that the concept of
renowned Transitional Cathedral, built in sustainability is outdated given the
2013 in Christchurch, New Zealand. current state of the planet. Instead, they
insist that the way forward lies in
regenerative architecture and design, a
much more progressive holistic
approach that focuses on tapping into
the world's natural resources to create
buildings and systems capable of
regenerating themselves and breaking
Fig.08 & Fig.09: Transitional Cathedral down completely when they've served
their purpose.

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1.2. HOW CAN WE DEFINE Following this definition there singles out
TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE? two major characteristics associated
with vernacular architecture: tradition
Traditional architecture can be and contextualization. It states that
defined as a type of local or regional vernacular architecture is traditional in
construction, using traditional materials the sense that it originates from specific
and resources from the area where the ethnic groups and is a result of a long
building is located. Consequently, this process over time, always based on
architecture is closely related to its familiar forms established by previous
context and is aware of the specific generations. Besides that, as already
geographic features and cultural mentioned, vernacular architecture also
aspects of its surroundings, being respects local conditions, highlighting its
strongly influenced by them. great sensitivity to the geographical
background of the surroundings,
including climate, vegetation, and
topography.

Beyond sustainability, vernacular

architecture sheds light on another
important issue today. It represents
the cultural identity of a certain ethnic
Fig.10 & Fig.11: local or regional construction group and becomes a tool for
strengthening the bond between the
population and its geographic location,
nurturing a sense of belonging to the
space in which they live.

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The Importance Of Traditional

Architecture:

Traditional architecture is important

because it maintains our link to the
past. It is this link to the past that keeps
Fig.12: mansion
us latched to the traditional buildings
and styles that can be incorporated
into other building designs; Utilizing
traditional architecture styles and
elements when building provides
residents with a sense of calm and
Fig.13: local colony
consistency throughout their community
without a wild departure from their
traditions and heritage.

What Constitutes Traditional

Architecture?

A main component of a traditional

architecture style is the ways in which
the past building styles and present are
merged together, creating a seamless
transition. With traditional architecture,
much deference is paid to the materials
used in a building and how they
function and work. Traditional
architecture is an older way of building
homes and buildings that stands the
test of time and continues its link to the
past, moved forward.
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2.1 MATERIALS IN SUSTAINABLE Products go through a life cycle that

ARCHITECTURE begins with production and ends with
disposal. Raw materials are extracted
Sustainable materials are a slogan in
from nature, made into useful goods,
many industries as they create fewer
have a handy life and are eventually
long-term environmental problems and
discarded. Sustainable practices look
lead to a healthier planet. Awareness
at each step in the cycle and seek to
and use of sustainable materials are
avoid negative environmental
important to your small business:
consequences. For example, carefully
Besides being better for the earth,
managed tree cutting for wood
customers like them too.
production allows the forest to grow
new trees at a rate that can keep up
What Does Sustainable Mean, Exactly?
with the need for wood materials.

Sustainability, whether in materials, Sustainable Disposal:

energy or practices, means a limited
At the end of a product‟s life, the
negative impact on natural resources
materials it‟s made of are sustainable
and people; they avoid depleting or
through recycling or repurposing, or if
degrading the environment. Because
they decompose in a way that‟s
they create few stresses on the
friendly to the environment. In addition
environment, society can safely rely on
to using sustainable materials, some
them well into the future. Sustainability
businesses offer recycling programs
isn‟t all or nothing; some materials are
that take in discarded products for
very eco-friendly, others rank
recycling rather than have them enter
reasonably well and some have poor
landfills. (Sustainable and Green
sustainability.
Building Construction Materials)

1. BAMBOO

Sustainability And Product Life Cycles

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environmentally responsible ways to

save trees and reduce the amount of
lumber in landfills. Reclaimed wood can
be found in retired barns, excavation
companies, home remodeling contractors
and companies, salvage yards, and
shipping crates and pallets.
Fig.14: bamboo sticks
3. STRAW BALES
Bamboo is considered one of the best
eco-friendly building materials. It has an
incredibly high self-generation rate, with
some being reported to have grown up
to three feet within 24 hours. It
continues spreading and growing
without having to be replanted after
harvest. Bamboo is a perennial grass Fig.16: straw bales
and not wood and grows on every
continent, except Europe and It is another green building material that
Antarctica. can be used as a framing material. They
have good insulation properties and can
2. RECLAIMED WOOD act as soundproof material. It can also
be used as fill material in between
columns and in beams framework/ as
they cannot allow air through, they can
have some fire resistance properties.

Fig.15: reclaimed wood processing

Using reclaimed wood is one of the most

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2.2 MATERIALS IN TRADITIONAL traditional Turkish buildings emphasized

ARCHITECTURE the environmental advantages of old-
school construction materials.

Most of today‟s urban skylines are

"Natural building materials have now
dominated by the concrete and steel,
become unfamiliar – local expertise is
softened by smooth glass facades that,
shrinking into a small role or
with today‟s know-how, can wrap
disappearing altogether."
around entire skyscrapers. Materials
such as straw, clay and rammed earth "Materials being obtained from totally
are clearly far less sophisticated than natural, local and renewable
those employed today, but the resources have source- efficient and
endurance of countless ancient energy-efficient features," the study
structures stands as tangible proof of found. "They have significant organic
their longevity if used correctly. characteristics since they are easily
recyclable and re-usable, utilize
It‟s clear that traditional materials still agricultural wastes and do not
hold a place in the 21st century produce any wastes."
construction landscape, even if that
place has been gradually relocated from In the 21st century, the vast majority
the mainstream to the borders. of traditional building materials are
used in various regions of the
Lessons From History: Ancient Materials In developing world where financial and
The 21st Century: logistical limits make age-old

From an environmental perspective (a construction methods the only feasible

perspective that all of today‟s architects option. In developed countries, the

and construction managers must keep use of most of these materials has

in mind), these ancient building blocks declined significantly.

hold significant advantages over their

modern successors. A 2008 cross-
university study of materials used in

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1. TIMBER 2. CLAY (BRICKS)

Fig.18: timber blocks Fig.20: clay bricks

Fig.21: IIM Ahmedabad

Fig.19: timber structure

Timber is one of the earliest materials Bricks are distinguished from mud bricks
used to build shelters. Initially, this by being fired rather than simply left to
would have started with tree branches dry in the sun. Fired bricks were
used to form frameworks that would be produced in the Near East as far back
covered with leaves or skins and smaller as 3000 BC but it was the Romans who
branches. This progressed to the introduced the technique into the UK in
creation of cruck-framed houses which the first century AD. Brick was later to
led to the creation of timber-framed flourish in the Middle
construction with wattle and daub or Ages for use in houses and churches,
brick infill panels. Timber is still used in and its use extended through Georgian
a wide range of traditional and modern and Victorian periods. It is still widely
constructions. used in the UK, both for traditional and
modern buildings.
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3. SLATE 4. STUCCO

Fig.23: stucco
Fig.22: slate

Fig.24: structure made from stucco

Fig.23: structure made from slate

Used originally by the Greeks and

Due to the way it is cleaved, slate has
Romans, stucco appears in the UK
been used for roofing, paving and to
around 1500 AD as an inexpensive way
form the wearing surface on steps and
to simulate stone; it became popular in
stairs. It is still highly valued as a roof
Regency and Georgian England as an
covering but also as a cladding for
external render. A special form of stucco
contemporary steel and concrete
– „marmorino‟ – was used internally to
buildings.
simulate stone and marble effects (also
called polished plaster). (Traditional
building materials and design)

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3. COMPARISON BETWEEN products using farming techniques that

SUSTAINABLE AND TRADITIONAL protect the environment, public health,
ARCHITECTURE human communities, and animal welfare
A building is green when it helps reduce without compromising future
the footprint it leaves on the natural generations‟ ability to do the same.
environment and on the health of its The importance of sustainability lies in
inhabitants. the “future” factors, which set a higher
Green home design includes building for standard than those used to define green
energy efficiency, including the use of building.
renewable energy sources such as wind, Sustainable products reduce the impact
water, or solar; creating a healthy indoor on the environment by using responsibly-
environment; implementing natural sourced products; those that are either
ventilation systems; and using completely renewable or sustainably
construction materials that minimize the harvested. A sustainably harvested
use of volatile organic compounds source material is collected in a way that
(VOCs) in the home. does not affect the surrounding area,
The use of materials and resources that pollute the air or permanently reduce the
are sustainable, have low embodied supply.
energy, and produce a minimal A very clear example of the difference
environmental impact are key elements between “green” and “sustainable,” can
in green construction, as is the efficient be the popular “green” bamboo flooring.
use of water by appliances, faucets and There is no doubt that a timber product
shower heads, the recycling of grey made from a renewable resource is
water, and the reuse of rain water for green, but most bamboo flooring is made
landscaping and other non-potable in China and transported by ships and
purposes. trucks to different countries all around the
While the definition of green is relatively world.
simple, sustainability has a more precise
meaning derived from the term
“sustainable agriculture,” which is the
production of any plant or animal

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Fig.25 & Fig.26: green bamboo flooring

Fig.27 & Fig.28: wood flooring

Another example can be the wood used

to build a house. While wood is
generally considered an eco-friendly or
green product because it is natural and Only a house that meets zero energy

durable, it is not always sustainable. standards – with zero net energy

Wood is sustainable if the company that consumption and zero carbon

cuts down the trees does not emissions – can be considered

permanently deplete the forest. If it is sustainable. Buildings that contribute to

harvested in an environmentally urban sprawl and large homes which

irresponsible way, it is not sustainable at consume high levels of energy and

all. resources cannot be considered

sustainable.

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Fig.29: house with zero carbon emissions

Fig.30: house with zero carbon emissions

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4. WHY DO GREEN BUILDINGS quickly pays for any additional up-front

COST MORE THAN cost for purchasing the solar panels.
TRADITIONAL BUILDINGS? Numerous studies have shown
investments into green products and
systems will pay for themselves at
Green Buildings Cost more than
least ten times over the life of the
Traditional Buildings; this is not true
building. Luckily, the benefits and
and a common misconception
opportunities to save money on the
promoted by ignorant architects and
operational costs are enormous.
contractors afraid of building in a
different way. A good architect knows
how to save their clients‟ money. The
client sets the budget, and a project
should come in below that budget.
With a clear direction of budget, there
is no reason you cannot build a green
building for the same price or less
than a traditional building.

If you are comparing a building with

solar panels to a traditional building
Fig.31: gird interactive efficient building
without solar panels, of course it
The next step is energy reduction.
appears the traditional building costs
Replacing your burnt out light bulbs with
less. This is focusing solely on the up-
compact fluorescent bulbs would prevent
front cost of building. This ideal fails to
enough pollution to equal removing one
take into account how the building
million cars from the road. Natural light
with solar panels will immediately
easily replaces the need for lights in
begin producing energy and lowering
the first place.
your monthly electricity bill. The
lifecycle cost of the solar building will
be much less. This monthly benefit,
called a return on your investment,
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The energy savings alone in a green report greatly reduced absence in an

building could pay for green environment with natural, non-toxic
improvements several times over with a materials.
return on investment within 1-7 years.

In the case where you are comparing

similar materials, the costs end up being
the same. For instance, a bamboo floor
installs the exact same way as a
traditional wood floor. The material costs Fig.33: daylight demonstration

are now the same, and use of the Although there are green materials that
bamboo does not result in the clear cost more than their traditional equals,
cutting of a forest. there are also many more whose cost is
far below the standard. Advances in
recycling, new materials and better
designs have allowed for a new
generation of environmentally-friendly
products that are less costly to produce.
Of course, green materials also have a
very important long term benefit of not
destroying our planet's resources.

Fig.32: house with zero carbon

emissions

Finally, green buildings offer common

benefits not easily seen. Student test
scores are 15% higher in spaces lit with
natural daylight. Wal-Mart has Fig.34: environmentally-friendly house
discovered their retail sales increase in
stores with natural light. Office workers
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5. WHICH IS BETTER? A RECYLCED plastics in my own practice. After such

MATERIAL OR A BASIC MATERIAL? time and the supply of virgin plastics
have been reused, the need for any oil

RECYCLED or NATURAL? This question based plastics will have been replaced

attend back to the old "paper or plastic?" with naturally based alternatives.

debate. In reality, most architects and

contractors do not want to get into a There are natural materials that off-gas.

philosophical argument about the pros Simply being a natural material does not

and cons between these two types of guarantee the health of that material. As

materials. the designer, you will have to determine

the appropriate material for the given

There is no perfect material. All materials installation. By setting your priorities for

have some negative impact on our the health, energy use, durability and

environment. The key is in setting other factors will help you decide.

priorities for the project.

For instance, for a residential kitchen

countertop preference might be given to
non-toxic and non-off-gassing materials.
The indoor air quality and the health of
the inhabitants (I believe) are more
important than anything else. In the
walls, perhaps using recycled plastic
vapor barriers makes more sense.

It tends to be a little more practical. While

we have this over-richness of plastic
heading for a landfill, perhaps it is wise to
use this up in the form of recycled plastic
products. It has set the next 5-7 years as
a grace period for the use of recycled

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6. HOW CAN ONE DTERMINE IF A releases tons of greenhouse gas.

MATERIAL IS FREEN OR NOT? Suddenly, the green concrete you hoped
for is a potentially bad source of pollution.
The biggest obstacle in the adoption of
If the main problem with concrete is its
green materials is a lack of
content of Portland cement, we can
understanding of how to look at
replace up to 50% of that Portland
materials. There is no one perfect
cement with a material called fly ash. Fly
green material. All materials have both
ash is a by-product of the coal industry. It
positive and negative environmental
is typically buried in a land fill where it
attributes. The key is in understanding
seeps mercury into our water table. By
which of these will benefit your specific
putting it into our concrete mix, it turns
project.
out the fly ash makes the concrete
stronger and more workable.
For example, many people will ask if
concrete is a "green" material. They want
Ask yourself these six questions when
a simple "yes" or "no" answer. But the
looking at any material:
real answer is not so accurate.

1. Where did this material come from?

If we look at the good things about
concrete: 2. What are the by-products of it‟s'
manufacturer?
 durable, (technically) recyclable, natural, 3. How is the material delivered and
non-off gassing, made from natural installed?
sand, stone, and water, and
4. How is the material maintained and
 We can see it casually appears to be a
operated?
green material.
5. How healthy are the materials?
But on the other hand, the bad thing
about concrete is its chief ingredient,
Portland cement. Portland cement is
mined out of the Earth, heated to intense
temperatures and as a by- product this
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CONCLUSION

Through discussion and analysis, the chapter tried to find similarities between identity,
as an indicator of a certain society, and sustainability, as a lifestyle developed by
people in that society to live in harmony with the surrounding nature and available
resources sustaining balance with lifecycle around them. Architecture, vernacular in
particular, as a product of people is a exciting appearance of how identity and
sustainability are related naturally in unity with nature and culture. Vernacular
architecture is a demonstration of identity and sustainability; it is the “mirror” of nations
that reflects place, time, and culture. Architecture that was built by people to people; it
has developed sustainably through time and modified itself through trial and error to
fulfill society‟s needs in harmony with the ambient environment. The search for
establishing a new regional personality means being independence from the imported
values and ideologies without losing cultural interrelation that serve the human
civilization.

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HOHENADEL, K.
(n.d.).the spruce. Retrieved from What Is Sustainable
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(n.d.). https://www.ctc-n.org/technology-library/built-environment/traditional-building-
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(n.d.).Retrieved from Sustainability and Vernacular:
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