Course

Module 1: Theory of Sustainable Architecture

Principles & Strategies for Sustainable Architecture; Green building standards and rating systems – rating systems such as LEED, GRIHA, IGBC, WELL, credit categories and case studies; Applications and emerging practices – net-zero energy buildings, biophilic designs, smart buildings.

Module 2: Building Documentation – Ecology & Materiality

Measured drawings of vernacular and eco-sensitive buildings; photo-documentation & material mapping: locally available materials, life-cycle impacts, embodied energy; Analysis of energy and water use in documented structures

Module 3: Sustainable Architecture Studio

Development of design proposal integrating green technologies, resource management and cultural context; Application of building simulation tools (basic daylight and thermal comfort analysis); application of sustainable design principles.

Module 4: Seva

On-ground Seva activity: Participation in construction, repair, or improvement of community assets (in collaboration with local NGOs/panchayats); Immersion in local cultural practices and their spatial manifestations; Reflecting on the role of architects in enabling social change.

Module 5: Architectural Writing & Reflection

Introduction to architectural writing: descriptive, analytical, and reflective; writing about people, places and buildings: narrative essays and critiques; peer-review and self-critique: evaluating one’s own and peers’ design processes

Course Objectives

§ To integrate the principles of sustainable architecture into design thinking, encompassing environmental, social, and economic dimensions.

§ To document, analyze, and interpret built environments focusing on materiality, energy flows, and ecological relationships.

§ To sensitize students to community needs through participatory engagement and translate these insights into practical design solutions.

§ To foster Seva (service) as a core architectural value by immersing students in collaborative and socially beneficial design and build activities.

§ To strengthen the skills of visual, verbal, and written communication for effective expression of architectural ideas and reflections.

Course Outcomes

After completing this course, students will be able to:

CO1:

Analyze and integrate sustainable design strategies—including energy, water, and material efficiency—and evaluate architectural projects using green building rating systems.

CO2 :

Conduct comprehensive documentation of settlements/buildings with a focus on material ecology, thermal comfort, and resource cycles.

CO3:

Develop community-centered design interventions that are participatory, scalable, and sustainable.

CO4:

Demonstrate ethical, empathetic, and service-oriented design thinking through real-world applications.

CO5:

Critically reflect and articulate design processes through essays, reports, and visual narratives.

Evaluation Pattern

Reading Material

1.       Olgyay, V. Design with Climate. Princeton University Press, 1963.

2.       Laurie Baker. Architecture for the People. 1991.

3.       Correa, C. A Place in the Shade. Penguin Books.

4.       Fathy, H. Architecture for the Poor. University of Chicago Press, 1973.

5.       Krishan, A. et al. Climate Responsive Architecture – A Design Handbook for Energy Efficient Buildings. TERI.

6.       Yeang, K. Eco-Design: A Manual for Ecological Design. Wiley.