Imagine a wall mounted with a vertical garden, harboring different species of plants that act as a natural air filter, counter tops made from recycled made from recycled glass; solar and wind-powered heating and cooling systems. These are the houses of the future. I the face climate change, architects are coming up with creative designs that minimize the negative environmental impact of buildings. This is known as sustainable or green architecture. Modern buildings are responsible for around 19% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Designing sustainable buildings helps reduce emissions, and mitigate the effects of climate change. So if you are interested in making the world a better place, sustainable architecture could be your calling.
How it works
Sustainable architecture uses a conscious approach to energy and ecological conservation in the design of buildings and cities. This is to ensure that our actions and decisions do not have a negative impact on our beloved planet. The role of sustainable architects is to reduce the impact on environment at every stage of building. They make moderate use of materials and energy, and reduce waste. They look for greener alternatives to raw materials that harm the environment, and opt for clean energy to reduce the carbon footprint of the structures.
Required skills
** Understanding of environmental sustainability
** Knowledge of construction and building technology
** Adopting sustainable design to climate change and other environmental challenges
** Expertise in CAD (computer-aided design)
Scope
The field of sustainable building design has gained global importance in the last two decades. Most countries in the world have developed a green rating system for buildings. In some countries sustainable architecture has become mandatory. And so, sustainable architects are in demands in both public and private sectors. The U.S. Green Building Council developed the Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) programme that certifies qualified individuals as LEED) Green associates. As a LEED Green Associate, you can find job opportunity in architecture firms, consulting services, educational services, engineering services, building, developing and general contracting across the world.
What to study?
Master of Architecture (M.Arch)-Sustainable Architecture is a pre-requisite to work in this field.
Where
India
** College of Architecture, Bhratiya Vidyapeeth Deemed University, Pune: One of the oldest institutes to offer a two-year M.Arch (Sustainable Architecture).
** School of architecture and Planning Vijayawada: Tagged as an institute of national importance by the Ministry of Human Resource Development it offers M.Arch (Sustainable Architecture).
** National Institute of Technology. Hamirpur, Himchal Pradesh: It is one of the few institutes in the country to offer both B.Arch as well as M.Arch in Sustainable Architecture.
Abroad
** Norwegian University of Science and technology M.Sc in sustainable Architecture
** Sheffield University, the U.K: M.Sc in sustainable Architecture Studies
** Yale School of Architecture, the U.S: a specialization in Environmental Design is available under M.Arch.
Picture Credit : Google