Go green in your home

Indrajit S Kembhavi, principal architect, Kembhavi Architecture Foundation, gets talking on his rules for eco-friendly homes:

A green building is one that provides optimum life systems to the user without causing adverse impacts to the eco- sphere.

Orientation plays a great role, wherein openings and walls need to be composed considering the sun and wind’s directions. Large openings on the north-east and small ones on the south and west promote ambient microclimate within the space.

Every place has its own characteristic trends like marble in Greece, sandstone up north and granite in Bangalore. Use of local material adapts and blends perfectly in the environment, while reducing transport pollution. Rapidly renewable woods obtained from fast growing trees help in nurturing the vital ecosystems too.

Toxic materials are mostly present in paints, polishes, carpets etc. Check toxicity level of products before using them in your home.

In addition to rainwater catchment and use, controlled flow fittings and waste water treatment systems can be easily adapted and play a major role in keeping the environment green and healthy.

Minimise the dependency on electrical systems by proper manipulation of light, wind and humidity by natural means achieved through courtyards, skylights and wind tunnels.

Use LEDs which are expensive initially, but economical in the long run. Also, use solar or wind energy for heating or supporting power systems.

Noise pollution harms by raising stress levels. These can be controlled by using cavity walls or double
glazing.

Optimise resources available by
proper planning at the design stage by saving volume or quantity of bricks, steel and other building
material.

The Green Movement is growing stronger by the hour and it makes a lot of sense for every individual to consult a professional to optimise the home-building process before embarking on any sort of construction.

The top layer of the soil is generally the most fertile and it absolutely makes sense to conserve this soil for re-use and planting.