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Analysing the Design of Built Environment

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harshthapar

What's the difference between a "green building" &

What's the difference between a "green building" & a "sustainable building" ? 🏫

Many terminologies are in use for environment friendly buildings. Often, they are used interchangeably. However, each has a slightly different meaning or let’s say focus. In my post I share 13 terms in common use by environmentalists and what each term stands for. 🤔

Check out link in bio to the post on website #envirolyser

1. #Green
2. #Sustainable
3. #NetZero
4. #Net Positive
5. #Carbon Neutral
6. #Ecological
7. #Passive Solar
8. #Regenerative
9. #Living Building
10. #Biophilic
11. #Smart
12. #LID - Low Impact Development
13. #C2C - Cradle to Cradle

So, hoping next time we hear one of the above terms we will be better prepared to understand the subtle focus indicated. 👍

If you know of another term that needs adding to the list above, do write to me. ✍️

Headwear is cool again! 🤠 Environmental issues

Headwear is cool again! 🤠

Environmental issues in our cities, such as dust, noise, and now intense heat, make a strong case for the resurgence of traditional headwear. This practical accessory, which faded away with the rise of air-conditioned buildings and vehicles, is making a mini comeback.

Traditional clothing, developed through centuries of experiential wisdom, was designed to enhance comfort—both thermal and visual.

With climate change and increasing heatwaves, these timeless pieces are more relevant than ever.

What do you think ?

#envirolyser #thermalcomfort #heatwaves #india #traditionalclothing #environment #cities #adaptivecomfort #resilience #tradition

Nothing speaks for architecture like a staircase.

Nothing speaks for architecture like a staircase.

This beautiful, bifurcated staircase was designed in 1930 by architect Robert Tor Russell for what was originally the Flagstaff House, now known as Teen Murti Bhawan.

Thoughts from Mentoring Architecture Student Proje

Thoughts from Mentoring Architecture Student Projects ✍️

I’ve spent the last five months guiding some brilliant and passionate 5th-year architecture students on their thesis design projects. Here are a few reflections:

a) Clients Matter: Architects thrive on the constraints and inputs from clients. Without real-world contexts, student projects can sometimes lose relevance.👨‍🦰

b) Academic Impact: Academic projects should aim to educate the industry. Students, be for this world but not of it. Always challenge the status quo.🏭

c) Problem Finding: Technology is key to finding solutions, but identifying the right problems is even more crucial. Worthy problems lead to compelling architecture. 🧗‍♂️

d) Process Matters: The design process shapes the outcome. Regular expert input and thoughtful integration can open new solution spaces. Innovate your process to innovate your architecture.👷‍♂️

e) Sustainability: Designing sustainably is challenging and requires creating options, thorough analysis, and space for debate. Give it the time it deserves.🌴

f) Overcoming Fear: The fear of being perceived as poor designers can hinder creativity. The only solution is to face it head-on.🙇‍♂️

g) Relevance and Excitement: The real challenge isn’t just to create architectural work, but to convince ourselves that our work is relevant, exciting, and worth the effort.🎯

#Architecture #DesignThinking #StudentProjects #Sustainability #Innovation #ArchitecturalEducation #ThesisDesign #ProcessMatters #ProblemSolving #envirolyser #ChallengeStatusQuo

Get Things Done 🎯 Went book shopping yesterday

Get Things Done 🎯

Went book shopping yesterday. Felt the need to optimise and get more done in my day. 📖

Picked this book called 'The Get Things Done Book' for my library. It promises me at least 41 ways to get my more work done 😀🧱

Sharing one model, which i think is very useful. Lot of us keep waiting for perfection in our work before taking it forward. This results in getting mentally stuck with little progress. Perhaps its more useful to see the work as 'work in progress'. Let's work with prototyping where each stage of prototyping gets finished rapidly, helps get feedback and then we move to the next, better version of our work. So, no waiting for perfection but going through this empowering iterative process. Works well, not just with design projects but most creative work. 📈

According to the design firm IDEO , a prototype should have following three qualities: 💡

1) It should be ROUGH
2) It should be possible to build it RAPIDLY, to test ideas.
3) It should help answer the RIGHT questions.

Hope you liked the idea. Message me what you think about prototyping as a mental model / process for getting your work done. ✍️

#book #designthinking #architecture #designprocess #prototyping #perfection #creativechallenge #buildings #read

Timeless Lessons: Balcomb House 🏡 ☀️ The B

Timeless Lessons: Balcomb House 🏡 ☀️

The Balcomb House in Santa Fe stands as a significant yet often overlooked gem of solar house design. Constructed circa 1979, it embodies innovative solar design principles that remain relevant today. 🧱

Experimental in conception and construction, this old treasure of solar architecture offers invaluable lessons for modern sustainable living. ✅

While online information is scarce, my research has unearthed insightful articles and have created some conceptual sections explaining its environmental concepts.

Drop me a line if you want to know more. ✍️

Credits : Images and Information from the web. Diagrams created by Author.

#ComputationalDesign #SolarArchitecture #SolarHouse #VisualConnectedness #DesignInfluence #Vision #Collaboration #Envirolyser #Optimisation #BuildingSimulation #DesignProcess #Analysis #History #GreenHome #EnvironmentalDesign #Buildings #GreenBuilding #casestudy

" Building, too, are children of earth and sun. "

" Building, too, are children of earth and sun. " So, they too must bear the ensuing responsibility.

#quote #greenbuildings #sustainability #architecture #envirolyser #designinspiration #aec #buildings #lowenergybuilding #lowcarbon #netzero

"Looking to Design a perfect balance of transparen

"Looking to Design a perfect balance of transparent and opaque for a screen. 🌟
Exploring a Voronoi script to create a flowing endless pattern, which catches the eye, creates variable options for an internal office screen. Do you like it ?

#TransparentDesign #view #ladybug #rhino3d #envirolyser #interior #play #computationaldesign #sustainability

Read > Write > Build 🏆 #mondaymotivation #envi

Read > Write > Build 🏆

#mondaymotivation #envirolyser #buildings #architecture #design #quote #words

Looking forward to present my thoughts and insight

Looking forward to present my thoughts and insights on Architectural Design for Integration of Technologies tomorrow at @solardecathlonindia

#envirolyser #sustainbledesign #architecture #buildingsimulation #greenbuildings #netzero #performancedriven

Terrain Slope Analysis 🏔 We carried out slope

Terrain Slope Analysis 🏔

We carried out slope analysis to help our client understand the land features on his property and identify buildable land.

Building on steep slopes is difficult, expensive, hence this Grasshopper script helps us visually understand where we should build. 🧗‍♂️

If you need help to analyse & visualise your site , write to me. ✍️

#analysis #envirolyser #perfromancedrivendesign #greenbuildings #aec #buildingsimulation #sitework #siteanalysis #landscaping #terrain #architecture #buildingscience

These intriguing words by architect Louis Kahn off

These intriguing words by architect Louis Kahn offer insight into his thoughts on the role architecture plays in nature and life. The sun, as the giver of light, enables us to perceive architectural form. Architecture, with its control of form, creates a play of light and shade, enhancing and amplifying the perception of the sun and its light. ☀️🏡

#envirolyser #solararchitecture #greenbuildings #solarpower #sunglight #daylight #louiskhan #louiskhanarchitecture #quote #designquote #designquotes

Tips for choosing the perfect student design proje

Tips for choosing the perfect student design project 🏰

Its architectural thesis time of the year in many colleges. I am engaged with guiding and mentoring some very talented future architects in Delhi.

This is what i would advise students for selecting their perfect project, to enable a successful end product.

Sharing some of the thoughts with you. Do you have more tips to add ? Comment below 👇

#envirolyser #thoughts #architecturalthesis #studentdesign #youngarchitecture #education #rightproject #greenbuildings #architects #india #builtenvironment #architectureschool

Which tool are you choosing to use today ? "Civil

Which tool are you choosing to use today ?

"Civilisation did not leave stone age because we ran out of stones. Progress past stone age was possible when better tools were invented that were made of bronze alloys."
– Roy McCalister

New tools don't just change the way we produce things but the very way we think about them. Thinking about my tools on this Monday morning.

#thoughts #environment #envirolyser #design #designtools #ai #midjourney #cad #architecture #sketchbook #pencildrawing

Find the most Visible spot on the plan ? Has you

Find the most Visible spot on the plan ?

Has you client ever tasked you to place an art piece , reception desk , a product or anything at a most visible spot ?👀

Did you make the decision as a best guess ? An analytical approach like this can provide a great insight to make a numerically supported decision.📈

Write to me if you want to know more. ✍️

#envirolyser #designdecisions #interiordesign #interiorplanning #layoutdesign #architecture #arch #envirolyser #buildingsimulation #analysis

Future needs a new architecture. Wishing you all

Future needs a new architecture.

Wishing you all happiness and fun explorations ahead.

One of my 1st January reminders to myself is to keep learning and keep sharing more in 2024. ✍️

Harsh Thapar

#quote #envirolyser #newfuture #newarchitecture #sustainability #greenbuilding #healthybuildings

Options!🌊 We usually spend a lot of dedicated

Options!🌊

We usually spend a lot of dedicated time studying options for design elements. Screens are one of my favourite due to their immense potential to control views, light and feel of any space. #AI makes it all the more fun.👏

Did you like any specific one ? Send me a comment. ✍️

#ai #airart #aiarchitecturedesign #ai #designprocesses #options #exploration #envirolyser #fun #ideas #aidesigns #interiordesign #midjourney #dalle2

📊 Optimising workplace for Visual Connectedness

📊 Optimising workplace for Visual Connectedness!

Workplace research indicates that visual connectedness in workplace design can significantly impact collaboration and innovation. Architects intuitively understand this when they plan for privacy vs visibility of space types like reception, entry/exit points, toilets, rest spaces, meeting spaces. Some spaces require high visibility and others low. 👀🕶

Optimizing workplace layouts for correct amount of visibility has been associated with a notable increase in collaboration rates, and it can lead to a substantial decrease in perceived communication barriers. Layout of workspaces have also been attributed to enhancing innovation in certain offices. 📈

Today architects must go beyond using intuitive judgement and should use computational tools to quantify performance of their layouts. 💡

The images in the post show one simple type of, yet powerful visibility analysis carried out for one of our #envirolyser office projects where we studied the impact of adding or removing screens on visibility.

If you are interested in knowing more or need help to evaluate visual connectedness of your layout, write to me. ✍️

#computationaldesign #visualconnectedness #workplaceoptimization #designInfluence #visibilityanalysis #vision #collaboration #envirolyser #optimisation #buildingsimulation #rhino3d #grasshopper3d #offices #designprocess #analysis #designprocess

Understanding Urban Overshadowing 🌞🌇 In ur

Understanding Urban Overshadowing 🌞🌇

In urban areas, the interplay of shadows cast by buildings is more than just a visual spectacle—it's a crucial aspect of sustainable design. 🌆💚 Studying these shadows can reveal opportunities for architects. 🌍✨

In colder climates, strategically placed building forms and heights can allow more sun. Placing a park bench at the sunny spot makes all the difference. 🌨️❄️ This thoughtful design not only enhances energy efficiency but also contributes to a more comfortable living environment.

Conversely, in hotter climates, the careful consideration of shadow patterns helps mitigate heat gain. People want to be shaded when outdoors. By strategically casting shadows over certain areas, architects can create shaded spaces that offer relief from the scorching sun. ☀️🌴 This approach promotes comfortable urban experience.

From reducing energy consumption to enhancing liveability, we need to incorporate analysis tools into our design process. A few decades back clicking hemispherical fisheye photos was an easy way to understand any urban spot. Today it can be done with ease if you have a digital 3d model.

Message me for more tips on how to integrate simple analysis in your architectural process. ✍️

🌐💡 #UrbanDesign #SustainableLiving #SolarPower #greenbuildings #urbandesign #landscapedesign #cities #heatwaves #Rhino3d #grasshopper3d #environmentalanalysis #buildingenergysimulation #simulation

You are free and that's why you are lost ? - Frank

You are free and that's why you are lost ? - Frank Kakfa ( Bohemian writer from Prague )

#quote #thoughts #words #motivationalquotes #think #life #envirolyser

"Weather data visualization and prediction is a ga

"Weather data visualization and prediction is a game-changer! 🌦️

From early storm warnings ⚠️ to better understanding your site in regional context, clear visual insights empower smarter decisions, enhancing safety, efficiency, and resilience.

There are many websites which now with offer amazing visualisations. One of my favourite remains #Windy which can help you visualise : temperature , windspeeds, cloudcover, waves, air quality and more.

Try it out. You will love it.😍

Video Source : windy

🌐 #WeatherTech #datavisualization #weather #windspeed #temperature #heatwave #urban #microclimate #comfort #envirolyser

🌞 Benefits of Solar Access Simulation for Desig

🌞 Benefits of Solar Access Simulation for Designers 🌿

Solar simulation is one of the simpler but perhaps one of the most useful analysis which offers a lot to designers to optimize their design concepts.

1️⃣ Maximize Daylighting: Optimal window placement to harness natural light, reducing reliance on artificial lighting.
2️⃣ Increase Energy Efficiency: Identifies areas with high solar heat gain, enabling the use of shading devices to minimize cooling loads.
3️⃣ Improve Thermal Comfort: Manages solar heat gain for balanced temperatures, enhancing occupant comfort.
4️⃣ Healthier Spaces: Enhances well-being by aligning with circadian rhythms through controlled exposure to natural light.
5️⃣ Reduced Lighting Costs: Minimizes the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours, lowering energy consumption.
6️⃣ Enhanced Productivity: Promotes visually comfortable environments, reducing eye strain and boosting productivity.
7️⃣ Carbon Footprint Reduction: Minimizes reliance on non-renewable energy, contributing to lower carbon emissions.
8️⃣ Adaptive Design: Responds to changing solar conditions, creating flexible spaces adaptable to different lighting and temperature needs.
9️⃣ Green Building Compliance: Meets or exceeds environmentally friendly building standards, enhancing marketability.
🔟 Long-term Cost Savings: Initial investment in simulation tools yields energy savings and operational efficiency over time.

Images show simulation carried out by us for representative days of summer and winter. The building is inside dense urban neighbourhood and hence areas with sun are precious.

Design brighter, greener, and more efficient spaces! 💼✨ Use Building Simulation.

✍️ Reach out to me for more information.

#SustainableDesign #SolarAccess #GreenInteriors #envirolyser #energyefficiency #buildingsimulation #greenbuildings #health #winters #summers #rhino3d #grasshopper #sustainabledesign #interiordesign #architects #aec #simulation

What is Green Credits Program ? 1️⃣Green Cred

What is Green Credits Program ?

1️⃣Green Credits: 💚 Dive into the world of green credits – a new program launched by Govt. Of India at #COP28UAE aimed at rewarding activities that positively impact the environment.
2️⃣India's Environmental Strides: 🌱 India's commitment to cut carbon emissions and achieve net Zero by 2070 aligns with its innovative Green Credit Program.
3️⃣LiFE Transition: 🌏 LiFE, India's low carbon development strategy post-COP27, has paved the way for a dynamic Green Credit Program promoting a lifestyle for the environment.
4️⃣Budget Boost: 💡 The 2023-24 Union Budget introduced the Green Credit Program, attempting to encourage voluntary eco-friendly initiatives under the Environment Act.
5️⃣Holistic Incentives: 🔄 Green Credit Rules mark a paradigm shift, offering incentives beyond carbon emissions – from waste management to sustainable agriculture and more.
6️⃣Earn Your Green Credits: 🌿 Engage in recognized activities like waste management, air pollution reduction, and infrastructure development to earn green credits. Trade them in market.
7️⃣ICFRE's Role Defined: 📜 The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) takes center stage, issuing green credits based on activity registration and thorough verification.
8️⃣Sectoral Activities Unveiled: 🚜 Explore the diverse sectors eligible for green credits – from water management to eco-label development, with potential expansions recommended by a steering committee.
9️⃣Potential Challenges Explored: ❓ Unravel potential challenges as the Green Credit Program harmonizes with the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), presenting a unique intersection of incentives.
🔟Green Future Unveiled: 🛤️ As Green Credit Program unfolds, India is investing trust into a voluntary yet a market driven process.

Will the market deliver on the promise being made to the environment ?

#GreenCreditProgram #SustainableFuture #sustainabledevelopment #construction #infrastructure #envirolyser #marketdriven #India #cop28 #cop28uae

Source : Economic Times and other news media

Lets understand polycarbonate holistically ✍️

Lets understand polycarbonate holistically ✍️

I recently came across a prominent architect professing his love on social media for polycarbonate sheets. He claimed them as a wonderful new material which is ‘revolutionising architecture’. While I respect him a lot for his creativity, i found his review is one-sided, focussing only on the positives.

Traditionally architects only discuss materials for their performance, independently of manufacturers. Trends are changing.

I feel influencing the next generation of young architects on social media must come with greater responsibility of highlighting positives and negatives.

My intentions here is not to be controversial but present a more balanced viewpoint on polycarbonate sheets.

See link to my opinion below and do share your thoughts and experiences about using polycarbonates on projects.

https://www.envirolyser.com/2023/11/28/understanding-polycarbonates-more-holistically/

#envirolyser #opinion #materials #sustainability #greenbuilding #healthybuildings #glass #sustainablaterials #materialresearch #materialreview #plastics #bpa

🌬️ Predict Wind Comfort with CFD➿ Ever wond

🌬️ Predict Wind Comfort with CFD➿
Ever wondered how as architects & engineers we can ensure comfort and safety amidst the gentle breezes or occasional gusts around a building? 🌐💨

Enter the world of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) 💻🦸‍♂️ A cutting edge tool which was used mainly in automotive and aerospace industry. ✈️

CFD now is accessible and allows us to digitally simulate and analyse the intricate dance of wind around and inside building structures. 🌬️🏙️

Here's the scoop:

1️⃣ Wind Comfort: We use CFD to assess wind speeds, for multiple directions, and account for time, ensuring your outdoor spaces are pleasant and cozy, not wind tunnels. Very essential for planning outdoor Cafes, eateries and balconies in tall buildings. Wind below 2 m/s are preferred for such functions.

2️⃣ Safety First: For tall buildings, we can dive deep into CFD analyses to identify potential wind-induced safety concerns – making sure your walk around the skyscrapers is a breeze, not a challenge! Winds greater than 5.5 m/s are usually not comfortable for walking. High speed gust prone spaces can also pose safety risks.

The image shows wind speeds visualised as height fields. Lower height areas in blue are best suited for external seating/café/eateries/long duration outdoor activities.

CFD lets us fine-tune designs in early stages, placing seating areas strategically, adding windbreaks, and creating an urban form suitable to enjoy the surroundings without battling the elements. 🪟🌿

So, the next time you design a rooftop terrace or a sleek high-rise, know that CFD find harmony between architecture and the wind. Reach out to us to know more about applying this on your project. 🏡🔄

#windcomfort #CFDInDesign #EnvironmentalArchitecture #ecoarchitecture #buildingsimulation #greenbuildings #envirolyser #buildingenergysimulation #netzero #cfd #windy #landscape #urbandesign #sustainbledesign #buildings #tallbuildings #engineering #buildingscience

#weekend #quote #envirolyser 🧩

#weekend #quote #envirolyser 🧩

Facade Performance Attributes 🏢 Facade is one

Facade Performance Attributes 🏢

Facade is one of critical architectural systems in hand of an architect to impact performance of his building, however it's also one of the most complex one.

Here is a list of 12 key attributes you should consider carefully when designing your high-performance facade system.✅

Reach out to me to know more on how we are using new tools and techniques to simulate and test these attributes in design stages of projects.✍️

#aec #envirolyser #greenbuildings #ecoarchitecture #sustainability #energyefficiency #netzeroenergy #netzero #buildings #climateaction #performance #buildingenergy #simulation #buildingenergysimulation

🌆 Urban form matters in the sustainability equa

🌆 Urban form matters in the sustainability equation!

Compact designs boost efficiency, reduce energy use, and foster walkable communities. 🚶‍♂️🏙️

Sprawling layouts often pose challenges, but strategic tech-driven planning can mitigate environmental impact.

Extensive use of Vegetation and Water alleviates heat but add majorly to energy bills of the city.

Let's engineer cities that harmonize with nature. 🌿🏗️ #SustainableCities #UrbanDesign"

Source:
Microclimate and Urban Form in Dubai by H.Thapar & S. Yannas

#urbandesign #greenarchitecture #thermalcomfort #envirolyser #desert #hotclimates #urbanplanning #sustainablecitiesandcommunities #microclimate #walkability #sustainablefutures #waterbodies #landscape

Use Urban Comfort Simulation 🏢🌳🏢 One of

Use Urban Comfort Simulation 🏢🌳🏢

One of the perfect uses of outdoor comfort simulation is to develop spatial understanding of environmental qualities of a design. Its less about absolute numbers than about design direction.

For example, in the images we can see which spaces will be more or less comfortable in our courtyards. Sun here is the main source of discomfort and wind speed are low too.

Such an analysis will now inform location of trees, shading structures, seatings, waterbodies and materials to improve comfort.

Reach out to me if you want to know more.

#Microclimate #envirolyser #architecture #buildings #aec #design #greenbuilding #rhino3d #grasshopper3d #concept #builtform #comfort #shade #solarprotection #exploration #greenroof #sustainablefutures #ecoarchitecture #buildingsimulation #urbandesignmatters #landscape

🌡️ Comfort Code: UTCI 📊✨ UTC-what? 🤔

🌡️ Comfort Code: UTCI 📊✨

UTC-what? 🤔 UTCI—Universal Thermal Climate Index—unpacks the science of outdoor comfort. It's a number that considers air temperature, humidity, radiant load, wind, and more to tell you how comfy you'll feel in any outdoor environment.

💨🍃☀️It's becoming default comfort model to test outdoor design strategies like Massing, Shading, Ventilation, Materials, etc for increasing comfort as part of Urban or Landscape Design.

🌍✨ This is me testing my GH script. It calculates spatially resolved UTCI for any hour of the year and maps it back on geometry.

#UTCI #ComfortScience #thermalcomfort #urbandesign #landscapedesign #simulation #buildingsimulation #rhino3d #grasshopper3d #envirolyser #buildingenergy #buildingscience #energyefficientbuilding

Living in the Garden 🌿 House is Inside and Gar

Living in the Garden 🌿

House is Inside and Garden is Outside.

However, this architectural concept by us, seeks to turn this inside out. It makes a circular garden the heart of the house. 🏡

Designed for a family which loves ‘living in the garden’.

The built can be explored by circumambulating around the unbuilt. 🎯

#envirolyser #homedesign #ecoarchitecture #biophilicdesign #builtform #experience #concept #architecture #buildings #greenhome

An amazing thing about an Architect is that he dre

An amazing thing about an Architect is that he dreams the dreams of his client. Not easy.

Sketching out concept for a family home. 🌳

A special central green space with a waterbody at the heart of the home.

#envirolyser #sketch #home #architecture #concept #handdrawn #ideas #dreamhome

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