'Buildings should be an extension of the environment around'

Architect Babitha Jaheez, of Eskay Design, discusses the importance of incorporating green and sustainable designs when building spaces.

What is your design philosophy?
Design is essential for the relationship between the end user and her surroundings, as each has to harmonise with the other. However, an important principle is to make the building an extension of the environment on which it stands.

Why is there an increased focus on sustainable buildings?
We need to focus on green designs because we need to live more insubstantially on earth. The degradation of our environment is compromising not only to our survival, but also to the survival of others. Green buildings typically save 30% in energy, reduce waste costs by 50% to 90%, reduce water usage by 30% to 50%, have higher rents and resale value, and reduce carbon emissions by about 35%.

Talking about green design, would you suggest artificial landscaping in homes?
Plastic plants are not a good alternative. In many situations, the optimal choice, from an environmental and maintenance perspective, is a natural landscape of native or adapted plants. Areas like playing fields, which are subject to heavy use and where appearance is a priority, may represent a setting in which artificial turf can be justified. But the fact that it is a biologically dead zone, suggests that its use should be limited. Over the years, people have become more aware of the need to improve the indoor air quality and to select sustainable materials.

Considering the many areas related to sustainable design, how do you determine what options to pursue?
There are simple ways to design spaces that necessitate very little energy to keep inhabitant contented. They are:

• Local, natural and non-industrial materials improve energy equation
• Solar heaters are essential in saving energy
• Conservation of water by the use of low capacity fixtures in toilets, converting gray water from bathing, clothes washing and bathroom sinks to watering plants and rain water harvesting
• Introduce plants in living spaces
• While wood is a renewable source of energy we have gone beyond sustainable harvesting. Wood must be used as little as possible.