NEW DELHI: Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday called upon architects in the country to adopt Green Architecture, saying the use of renewable energy sources such as solar energy should be promoted in upcoming building projects.
The Vice-President, who was virtually addressing the inaugural ceremony of the National Convention of the Indian Institute of Architects: IIA NATCON 2020 – TRANSCEND, also emphasised the need to strike the right balance between aesthetics and sustainability in any structure.
Recalling the evolution of Indian architecture right from Indus Valley Civilisation to the Konark Sun Temple to modern times, Mr Naidu noted that the country was home to many monuments which were created by artisans using local materials and techniques. Architecture was one of the most enduring achievements of any civilisation, he added, an official release here said.
Urging for the creation of a self-reliant, resilient and inclusive architecture, he asked the professionals to draw inspiration from India’s diverse architecture and take the legacy forward by adopting the designs and concepts that are environment-friendly and best suited to the needs of the people.
Referring to the Government’s flagship programmes such as Smart Cities and ‘Housing for all’, Mr Naidu highlighted the need to promote culture and heritage of the respective areas in these projects and called for the involvement of local artists and artisans in these projects to encourage and give employment to immensely talented craftsmen, who were struggling to keep their culture alive.
The Vice-President further advised the architects to seek the views and suggestions of the locals while designing a new project to ensure that such projects were in sync with their requirements. He also asked architects to give preference to comfort and blend comfort with style and fashion, while designing any structure. “The aim should be to build structures that not only provide shelter and security but also provide comfort and safety,” he emphasised.
Mr Naidu said he had advised municipal authorities across the nation to make the use of solar roof panels and rainwater harvesting mandatory for new buildings. Referring to urban flooding and water logging during heavy rainfall, he called for finding ways to ensure effective drainage system.
Drawing attention to the increasing population and consequent rise in housing needs, he said, “We must ensure that habitats are not destroyed to make space for new infrastructure.”
Expressing concern over the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the health and livelihoods of people, the Vice- President said the construction sector was severely affected due to massive decline in on-site works and called upon the architects and designers to answer the challenge posed by the pandemic. “Architects need to explore new ideas and create a dialogue across design boundaries to help find solutions that can address the pandemic and its aftermath,” he added. (AGENCIES)
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