“Sustainability and value engineering in design has evolved from a trend to a need.”
The INCO WEEK 2022 took place at DOT SCHOOL OF DESIGN from 14th-19th March.
This talk was initiated by Shikar Mohan. Instead of replacing it, a sustainable approach to design should be considered. Shikar Mohan, an architect with around 12 years of experience, has gradually switched his focus to sustainability or designing with less work and money. He began by discussing what sustainability is and how it is sometimes misinterpreted. To make his thesis more clear, he used the students’ projects to demonstrate how a design can be built quickly and cheaply utilizing common materials, resulting in a design that is extremely sustainable. It was a highly participatory session, as he explained to the students the need of understanding the concepts of sustainable materials use and value engineering.
As we face the consequences of previous irresponsible usage of natural resources, sustainability in design has evolved from a trend to a need. The Industrial Revolution saw significant technological and infrastructure advancements, but it also saw a continuous loss in ecological equilibrium. The Oil Crisis of 1970 was simply the beginning of the world’s repercussions as a result of its rash behavior. It is the architect’s obligation to design a building thoughtfully, the interior designer’s responsibility to maintain the indoor environment, and the product designer’s responsibility to produce items using environmentally friendly materials and techniques. This collective effort yields an optimum design that reduces the negative environmental impact of our sector.
Sustainable or green interior design is described as improving the quality of life of people who use indoor space by evaluating their interaction with the built environment and enabling optimum efficiency while reducing negative environmental consequences in an attractive manner. Identifying the factors that influence sustainable living leads to more research and proper use of these factors. The definition of Sustainable Living itself can be used to infer some rules for achieving maximum efficiency when building an environmentally friendly space.
The discussion was on why we have a false ceiling and how the correct materials can make it look easy and long-lasting. During the workshop, students posed a variety of questions about false ceilings, such as why is it necessary and does it offer any features to the look other than hiding the practical components like wires. Another important topic of debate during the event was the scope of sustainability in interiors. The value of natural daylight and how it may enhance the overall atmosphere of a site, as well as the effortless look marked alone. To be a successful designer, one must first understand the client’s needs and then support the project by keeping costs low.
In order to keep costs low, it is always recommended to look for alternatives and indigenous materials that would eventually lead to sustainability. Another important topic covered is the customer market’s role in long-term viability. In response to this question, Shikar told the audience that the most important thing is to understand the client’s needs. Further cost and material considerations can be considered based on this.
Following the debate, the audience was invited to participate in a Q&A session. Shikar was asked to describe the other materials that could be utilized as an alternative to teak wood as a food source. Shikar had discussed the following question with various examples displaying the other kinds of woods that can be utilised as an alternative to teak wood, such as mango wood and bamboo, based on the audience’s subject expertise. This not only saves money on the site, but it also promotes a healthy approach to sustainability.
As the session came to an end the students were now able to understand the importance of materials. The students and speakers’ enthusiasm was well worth the time spent.
