ACE Update – July 2019

32 july 2019 ACEARCHITECTURECONSTRUCTIONENGINEERINGUPDATE

ArchitectI I Industry speaks

F

or landscape architects, there are
certain provide guidelines, based on site
features, that need to be retained to
make the project ecologically and functionally
sustainable, says Swati Dike, Landscape
Architect and Planner.

Discuss about the key components of
sustainable landscape design.
Sustainable landscape design is one of the vital
aspects for environment-friendly architecture
that requires optimum balance usage of
available natural and material resources while
developing a project. While each individual
site has its own geospatial feature, it requires
special attention based on its unique needs
and opportunities while working on design
solutions. So most importantly for a green
building construction, one must consider that
the site plan must fit to the project parameters
without compromising on environmental
concerns and should be self-sustaining over
long periods of time.

What are the considerations while planning
a landscape design for a project?

There are various key components that one

must aim to achieve. The particular design

must have provisions for bringing down

overall energy cost, water usages and carbon

footprint. And, this can be done by efficient

energy, water and waste management in

place. In addition to this, maximum use of

native resources that also includes plantation

of native trees and perennial shrubs that

are ideal as a sustainable vegetation cover

in urban landscape. Vegetation cover raises

humidity levels, reduces the stress of the heat

island and arrests noise and air pollution. It

also acts as a wind breaker and soil erosion

control measures. These greens are essential for

the flora and fauna with a habitat to live and

therefore support biodiversity conservation.

Explain the role of landscape architect

in making structures ecological and

sustainable.

For landscape architects, there are certain

provide guidelines, based on site features,

that need to be retained to make the project

ecologically and functionally sustainable.

For example, in large virgin sites topsoil to

be preserved separately for later use in the

softscape areas, preserve existing vegetation

on site as far as possible. Further, evolve tree

preservation guidelines either by retaining or

transplanting or in worst cases where this is

not possible suggesting replantation of native

trees. Other provisions include, minimum cut

and fill in case of contoured site and use the

natural levels judicially, preserving natural

features at site like rock out crops and streams,

use of materials available at site or procured

locally and use of recycled water and other

products.

One must consider that the site plan must fit to the project

parameters without compromising on environmental concerns

and should be self-sustaining over long periods of time.

Swati Dike,

Landscape Architect and Planner

Sustainable Landscape Design

needs balanced approach