Make your apartment greener, more sustainable

Architect and founder director of Architecture Paradigm, Sandeep J, suggests ways in which your apartment can be made greener and more sustainable

How do you implement the idea of open spaces in apartments?
Your apartment should essentially be a flexible kind of space; this in itself makes the space seem larger. Penthouses can try courtyards, balconies can be landscaped. Minimising walls is another technique. Today’s flats are usually very small in size, so it is important to create depth.

Would you suggest green or sustainable designs for a new home? Why?
Sustainable design is not just a concept. It involves being sensitive to the context, considerate towards the terrain and in using local materials.

How can one adapt eco-friendly designs to a non-customised flat?
When a builder hands over a flat, it is very generic. When you want to customise it, you must consider longevity. Adapting eco-friendly designs to a non-customised flat depends on how interestingly and innovatively different materials are used. Instead of an independent bookshelf, the wall can be made into one. Interiors should be used to cater to every day needs. This way, you economise on space as well as increase the apartment’s flexibility.

What are some of the essential sustainable design elements used while renovating an apartment and making it more sustainable?
Apartments are really limited spaces. While selecting elements for such spaces, the orientation can be taken into consideration.

For instance, in a west-facing apartment, more emphasis may be given to windows and blinds to reduce the glare. Another element is the actual material used: Whether the wood used is arriving from certified plantations; the number of materials that are actually recyclable and so on.

But, doesn’t maintaining a sustainable design take time and effort?
Sustainability is a long-term investment. Maintenance is an integral part of sustainability.

While designing, the materials must be chosen with respect to their longevity and maintenance levels. A good sustainable design is one that is designed in terms of long-term usability and that will function well even 20 years down the line.