The panel discussion, “Scaling Sustainability: How MNCs Can Lead Real Change,” hosted by Elev8 2025, features industry experts Arati Yagnik, Shilpa Revankar, Sandhya Hegde, and Luca Zamparo. The conversation explores the critical intersection of large-scale infrastructure, corporate responsibility, and sustainable design. With the construction sector in India growing significantly projected to reach 9.6 billion square meters by 2030, the panelists discuss moving beyond mere certifications to implement deep-rooted, environmental, and human-centric design practices.
The Power of Local Context: A recurring theme is that true sustainability requires understanding the local environment, culture, and social needs. Rather than imposing global standards blindly, firms like Gensler and Zyeta emphasize a “Global-to-Local” approach. Incorporating elements like central courtyards for community spaces or using locally sourced materials reduces the carbon footprint and creates spaces that feel rooted in the Indian context.
Beyond Certification: While LEED or WELL certifications act as benchmarks, the panelists warn against treating them as a final checkbox. Sustainability must be integrated into the conceptual journey from the very beginning. This includes rigorous analysis of building orientation, thermal performance, and waste management to achieve meaningful environmental outcomes.
Technology and Innovation: The use of digital tools like BIM (Building Information Modeling), scan-to-BIM models, and clash detection is pivotal for efficiency. These technologies help reduce material wastage and rework by ensuring precise planning before construction begins. The panelists also highlight how even small, thoughtful tech integrations can optimize energy consumption in large office environments.
Working with Fortune 500 clients brings a unique set of challenges and opportunities. These corporations often have stringent sustainability commitments, which forces architecture firms to be more innovative and transparent. The panelists stress that sustainability is not an “expense” but a “strategic investment” in the future. Furthermore, workspaces are now seen as tools for culture-building and employee retention, leading to more “human-centric” designs that prioritize wellbeing and neurodiversity over cold, formal corporate aesthetics.
The discussion concludes that sustainability is no longer a “buzzword” but a vital necessity for the industry. As India continues its massive construction trajectory, architects and MNCs hold the responsibility to set higher standards. By prioritizing conscious design and valuing local artisans, the industry can create more soulful spaces. Leveraging technology to minimize environmental impact allows development to move beyond merely reducing harm. Panelists emphasize that India’s future lies in balancing global precision with meaningful local adaptation. If you want, I can also make an even snappier, more poetic version under 17 words per sentence. Do you want me to do that?
Editor’s Note: Some places feel rooted because they belong to their surroundings rather than trying to stand apart from them. Coffee Sangam in Andhra Pradesh takes this approach through a raw, tactile palette of brick, stone, teak, and mild steel. The random rubble compound wall extends the landscape into the architecture, while the Corten steel […]
Envisioned as a contemporary home rooted in Indian sensibilities, this residence sits on a south-facing urban plot. The design accommodates the evolving lifestyle of a multi-generational family. The project integrates architecture and interiors to create functional, climate-responsive, and emotionally connected spaces. Each level balances privacy with interaction. The design also allows flexibility for changing family […]
Editorial Note: Some homes are shaped by the memories, objects, and stories their residents carry with them. Ungana in Chennai, meaning “merge” in Swahili, brings together a well-travelled family’s collection of antiques and everyday rituals within a narrow urban plot. A double-height living space becomes the heart of the home, connecting the kitchen and dining […]
House of the Framed Atrium explores how a contemporary home can revolve around light, connection, and shared experiences. The design follows the ideas of a Living Atrium, Living with Nature, Framed Volumes, Vertical Living, and Timeless Materiality. The residence connects a sequence of interconnected spaces around a dramatic triple-height atrium. The atrium forms the heart […]
A Mock-up That Became a Home – For an architecture practice, a mock-up often helps test an idea before the team translates it into a larger project. It allows architects to work at full scale, examine materials and construction techniques, and understand their limitations. The process also gives them room to test different brick bonds and […]
The house began not with a formal brief, but with a conversation about the kind of life the clients hoped to build within it. Set between the denser urban fabric of Kannur and the quieter residential landscapes of North Kerala, the project responds to a desire for openness and connection. At the same time, the […]
“Pravah” — A House That Breathes is envisioned as the main concept of this home revolves around a fluid, light-filled home where architecture becomes a continuous experience of movement, air, and connection. Located in Pal Gamtal, Surat, the project is a residential redevelopment on a 1,850 sq.ft. plot within a dense urban fabric. The site, […]
Timeless architectural features, such as courtyards, are always associated with bringing the naturally public forms to the world’s heart, building the most peaceful, secluded outdoor areas. These outdoor spaces maximize the living experience with their private space feature, which gives one the option for leisurely relaxation, recreation, or gardening. Furthermore, it has also been a […]
Architecture font choices go beyond style—they shape how your work is perceived. From portfolios to presentations, the right architecture font instantly communicates clarity, precision, and personality. As architects, we design not just with space but with every detail, including typography. Selecting a strong architecture font shows your commitment to visual storytelling and design consistency. In […]
The Indian farmhouse accommodation goes on to capitalize on a mature evolutionary synthesis of ancestral aesthetics and contemporary features. With this, the outside and the inside of farmhouses became places of comfort with nature. In this blog, we delve into 15 incredible farmhouse designs that entail a harmonious blending. While they exhibit different spaces in […]