Environment

As temperatures climb in the city and construction faces a climate reckoning, urban planning and community engagement are a priority

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As temperatures climb in the city and construction faces a climate reckoning, urban planning and community engagement are a priority

Earlier this month, Chennai recorded its hottest March in 25 years. With another intense summer ahead in this coastal city, and humidity exacerbating the effects heart, there is a need for conversations on designing climate-responsive cooler homes and outdoor urban spaces of tree-lined parks, lakes and wetlands. Increasing green cover, implementing reflective roofing materials, adding … Read more

How bamboo houses in Assam withstand floods and earthquakes

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How bamboo houses in Assam withstand floods and earthquakes

What does bamboo remind you of? In cities today, its use is mostly restricted to outdoor furniture or for temporary structures like pavilions and gazebos. It is perceived as not as strong and durable as more ‘permanent’ forms of building. But if you’ve been to north-east India, you may encounter bamboo structures that are as … Read more

Climate-conscious architecture of Old Madras

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Climate-conscious architecture of Old Madras

Centuries before it became a metropolis, Madras was a cluster of settlements like Mylapore, Triplicane and later, George Town. These settlements emerged from the interplay of sea, rivers and wetlands, and their inhabitants contending with a challenging climate — a cycle of hot-humid summers followed by torrential monsoon rains. Across millennia, Madras developed an architecture … Read more

London’s Hyde Park-like environment being planned for Chennai in Guindy

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London’s Hyde Park-like environment being planned for Chennai in Guindy

The Tamil Nadu government is planning to create a Hyde Park-like low-maintenance urban park in the portion of land that was recently recovered by it in Guindy, and handed over to the horticulture department. It had recently regained possession of 160.86 acres of urban land, which were earlier being used by the Madras Race Club, … Read more

Getting monsoon ready

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Getting monsoon ready

Preparing our homes to endure heavy rains and high humidity becomes crucial as the monsoon season approaches. In many places across India, the monsoon can be particularly intense. To ensure that homes remain safe, comfortable, and resilient, thoughtful design and meticulous planning are important. Here are some insights and strategies to help homeowners get their … Read more

Lessons from the hills

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Lessons from the hills

Houses in the hills usually have a picturesque, dreamy quality, becoming one with the slopes. But hills are known for challenging climatic conditions like extreme cold, snow, and even earthquakes. There are also difficulties in transporting materials for construction on rough terrain. How did indigenous buildings traditionally respond to these conditions? A colourful house in … Read more

Homes that breathe

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Homes that breathe

The rapidly worsening air quality in India has a direct correlation to our housing choices. Increasing urbanisation, industrial proliferation and population growth are prompting homebuyers to prioritise the quality of their living environments. Many suburban areas with lower population density and more green open spaces offer relief from urban pollution. Planned cities such as Chandigarh, … Read more

All governments, parties and citizens must brainstorm on providing a safe environment to women, says Rahul Gandhi

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All governments, parties and citizens must brainstorm on providing a safe environment to women, says Rahul Gandhi

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi during his visit to Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh on August 20. | Photo Credit: PTI Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said that crimes like the Badlapur sexual assault incident forces one to think “where are we heading as … Read more

Miyawaki Nature Lab in Thiruvananthapuram shows how micro-forests transform the soil and the environment

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Miyawaki Nature Lab in Thiruvananthapuram shows how micro-forests transform the soil and the environment

Leaves glitter with raindrops as we walk under a canopy of verdant greenery. The Karamana river, in full spate, can be heard raging about 750 metres below. The air is redolent with fragrances of soil, leaves, spices and flowers. Creepers, branches and leaves brush against us as we make our way around this tropical Eden. … Read more