Page 218 - Vogue - India (January 2020)

Yasaman Esmaili

ARCHITECT, FOUNDER, STUDIO CHAHAR, IRAN

Q: While building a home, what are things to keep an eye on?
A: The designer must study the vernacular and historic examples of architecture
in the area to understand how the previous generations were able to build
with minimal impact on the natural environment. She can then respond to
the modern needs of the client by creating a network of design factors and
simultaneously prioritise the environment and the community over other factors.
The form of the building will then be based on its natural surroundings, not as
an independent object and not by imitating architecture media or foreign forms.
Instead of putting the burden of adaptation on users, the design strategies
should strive to help the client achieve a healthy, resilient and sustainable lifestyle.

Annabelle
Selldorf

ARCHITECT,
FOUNDER, SELLDORF
ARCHITECTS, USA

Q: While designing a
place, how can we keep
the carbon emissions in
check?
A: We can employ
intelligence and knowledge
in any number of ways

Nandini that don’t necessarily
aim to entirely eliminate
Somaya Sampat heating and cooling. We
should focus on renewable
ARCHITECT, DESIGNER energy and carbon-
AND DIRECTOR, SNK sequestering building
CONSULTANTS, INDIA materials to ultimately
provide a healthy,

Q: How can architecture carbon-neutral space.
and communities in urban
spaces pave the way for
green design?
A: When there is an integration
between local bodies and
communities, projects on the
ground have an incredible way
of being successful. Buildings
have an embodied energy and
to recycle them is one of the
greatest sustainable measures Laila Iskander
we have in urban settings. So FORMER MINISTER OF URBAN RENEWAL
the enhancement of all AND INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS, EGYPT
aspects of urban spaces can be
upgraded, adaptively restored Q: What are the ideal community-based waste
and be enhanced to ensure recycling programmes for urban apartments?
greater quality of life for citizens. A: Strict source segregation of household materials
into two containers (wet and dry). Tossing out waste
in more than two receptacles takes up kitchen space,
is confusing and hard to teach the uneducated
household help. Collectors of these materials—when
they are mixed with organic waste—are exposed to
untold health hazards as they sort it out manually.

216 VOGUE INDIA JANUARY www.vogue.in