This Keynote by Chitra Vishwanath, founder of Biome Environmental Solutions, reflects on 35 years of architectural practice focused on sustainability. She highlights how her firm tackled small plots, tight budgets, and big ecological ideas, particularly in Bengaluru’s transformation into India’s Silicon Valley.
Cost-Effective and Ecological Construction: Vishwanath emphasizes that sustainable construction must also be economical, as expensive buildings lead to longer loan payments and environmental stress.
Utilizing Earth for Construction: Biome addresses the challenge of sourcing earth for building by integrating basements into designs, which not only provide building material but also offer cool, extra space.
Water Management and Waste Treatment: The firm prioritizes rainwater harvesting and on-site waste treatment, including innovative dry toilets and greywater systems, to ensure water security and resource recycling within urban plots.
Adaptive Design and Material Use: Vishwanath discusses adapting traditional wisdom to contemporary contexts, such as designing large roof overhangs to protect walls from moss and moisture, and using local and reclaimed materials like waste stone and salvaged building components.
Community Engagement: Biome extends its sustainable practices to community projects, such as building homestays in rural villages using local materials and labor, empowering communities economically and environmentally.
Chitra Vishwanath’s keynote underscores that sustainability in architecture is both practical and transformative. By combining cost-effective construction, innovative use of earth, water conservation, adaptive materials, and active community engagement, Biome Environmental Solutions demonstrates how thoughtful design can harmonize ecological responsibility with social impact, shaping resilient urban and rural spaces.
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