DR.

BHCOA
PRANAV SHEWALE
ROLL NO. 2015135
3RD YEAR DIV B
HUMANITIES
VISTARA THE ARCHITECTURE OF INDIA
AR. CHARLES CORREA
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE : THE VISTARA

ABSTRACT
This paper explains about the 7th possible vistar of the indian
architecture. Nowadays architecture in india is shifting its presence in
the shadows of the sustainable architecture. And it is majorly followed
by many architects with help from the government. Sustainibilty has
slowly become the essence of the life, people are slowly getting
educated about it and acting towards it. The 6 vistaras quoted by
Charles correa are the 6 changes or 6 metamorphosism india has
witnessed till date in architecture and in living. The six vistaras are
1).manusha:- architecture as measure of man 2). Mandala:-
architecture as model of cosmos 3). Kund vapi:- sub terranenan
architecture 4). Islam :- the garden of paradise 5). Manthana:- the
changing myths 6). Colonial:- architecture and raj.

ANALYSIS
If sustainability were to be given a shape, it would be the shape of a
circle. Any aspect of living that can keep moving in a circle without
interfering with objects outside this circle can be termed as
sustainable, a bit like the Indian political system, where we seem to
make enormous strides but every few years we realise that we are
back to square one. In his enormously successful book Design with
Nature, published in 1969, Ian McHarg argues that: 
"If one accepts the simple proposition that nature is the arena of life
and that a modicum of knowledge of her process is indispensable for
survival and rather more for existence, health and delight, it is amazing
that how many apparently difficult problems present a ready
solution." 

The key to architectural sustainability is to work with, rather than

against, nature; to sensitively exploit and simultaneously avoid
damaging natural systems. Architectural sustainability mirrors the view
that it is necessary to position human activities as a non-damaging part
of the ongoing ecological landscape, with a belief that 'nature knows
best'. 

Any green building, architect should identify places with intrinsic

suitability for agriculture, forestry, recreation and urbanization.
Designing with nature at a building level is about recognizing sun paths,
breezes, shade trees and rock formations that can be used to create
something that people can inhabit comfortably, while recognizing that
natural features such as trees, animal tracks, habitats and natural
drainage systems must be 'protected.' 

For example, if one were to choose a device with high shading

coefficient in the summer and a low shading coefficient in the winter, a
vine may be used in place of a mechanical system. The vine shades the
building when (and only when) it is needed, and the building provides a
home for the vine. Thus both the building and the 'component' of
nature are sustainable. By adding rainwater collection, reed beds for
sewage and perhaps wind or solar power for electrical energy, the
building can be independent of imported service and exported waste,
keeping its environmental footprint within the footprint of the site. The
final archetypal visual image is one of an isolated, self-sufficient
buildings dominated by its surrounding landscape. A bit like the circle I
talked about earlier.