We, humans, are always fascinated with modifying our environment for our comfort, convenience, and advancement. Hence, we love to build. However, a built space negatively impacts its environment starting from the creation itself. Its impact continues through its lifespan and goes on even after its destruction.
Prathamesh Kudtarkar, Managing, Principal Architect of The ArchBOX Studio, observes that the construction industry is responsible for up to 50% of climate change, 40% of energy usage globally, and 50% of landfill waste. Can intelligent building design minimize the impact of architecture on the Environment?
This is the challenge The ArchBOX Studio took up while designing the Kwench Package Drinking Water Plant at Karjat, Maharashtra. Located at the banks of the Ulhas river, the source of water for the water plant is from within the site itself. Hence, while designing, they made sure that the water plant did not impact the purity and sustainability of the groundwater.
Minimizing at Creation
Construction Type
“Our client approached us with the idea of building the plant in RCC (reinforced cement concrete). Now, concrete most often ends up in landfills or rubble at the end of its lifespan. Moreover, a considerable amount of plywood is required for formwork, not to forget the time and effort. Hence, we offered a PEB (Pre-Engineered Building) solution. This way the construction timeline and cost, both were brought down by 60%,” Prathamesh explained.
Materials
Sheet metal is the major component of a PEB structure. For longer life and less maintenance, ArchBoX opted for Galvalume Sheets. Also, during rains, the elements from the paint of the sheets can percolate into the groundwater, thus polluting it. Hence, lead-free and heavy metal-free paint was set as a criterion while selecting the Sheet Metal manufacturer and not the cost.
Thermal Analysis
Sandwich Puff Panel is commonly used in PEB construction for thermal comfort. “However, post thermal analysis at ArchBOX, we realized that it is only the roof that is taking most of the heat gain against the walls. With insulation only being designed for the roof, the PEB construction cost itself was further reduced by 40%,” said Prathamesh.
Location
The water plant was strategically located to minimize the roadwork on the site. The requirements for a cul-de-sac access for loading unloading truck is the basis for the placement of the plant.
Minimizing at Lifespan
Solar Passive Architecture
The plant is linear and placed along the North-South axis to minimize heat gain. Low-e glass is used for the continuous fixed windows on the East and West faces of the building. North offers the least heat gain. Here, a large-glazed facade is designed with regular tempered glass. This glazing, along with the large loading-unloading openings allows ample skylight at the front. No openings are provided on the South face of the plant.
“Polycarbonate Skylights at the roof are the main source of natural illumination for the plant. At ArchBOX, we designed the surface area of these Skylights such that it maximizes illumination while minimizing heat gain,” Prathamesh elaborated.
Full-length fixed louvered windows at the top of East and West walls naturally extract the hot air on the top with cross-ventilation.
All these measures considerably reduce the requirements of energy for lighting and ventilating to operate the plant.
Ground Water Sustainability
The plant extracts water for packaging from the site itself. This may lower the water table in long run. Hence, the RO (reverse osmosis) discharge of the plant, and rainwater are pumped back into the ground using the rainwater harvesting system.
Waste Management
To further ensure the purity of the groundwater, STP (sewage treatment plant) is installed on the site. Thus, reducing the impact of waste on the environment through the lifespan of the plant.
Minimizing at the End of Usable Lifespan
With the Kwench Plant being built mostly in Steel and Glass, it does have the potential for easy recycling. However, a lot needs to be done to design for deconstruction, opines Prathamesh.
Next Steps
Modern Architecture is extensively focused on manmade construction materials. Architects by default design with steel, glass, and concrete in mind. “It is time for us to relook at naturally available and sustainable materials,” emphasizes Prathamesh.
With better technology, architects are unlocking the limits of wood construction for high-rise buildings. “One tonne of CO2 is removed by a tree from the atmosphere for making one cubic meter of wood. Wood is ready to use with minimal post-processing required. No recycling plants are needed to dispose it of. We need to cultivate forests extensively for construction purposes. Wood can be the go-to material for minimizing the impact of architecture on the environment,” he suggests.
Rammed Earth is another construction method used to build structures as high as 100ft.
“The question is, are we ready to get out of our comfort zone as architects?”
