Defining sustainable architecture from an

ecological perspective.
This is a research on architectural development based on regional ecologies, having the
village Hodka, Gujarat as a main case study.

Subject: Architectural Theory

L. S. Raheja School of Architecture, Mumbai University

Kamath Spurty, Sanap Harshala, Tiwari Maharshi

5 April 2021

Abstract – The research tries to decode sustainable architecture from the perspective of behavioural ecology. The
research, first tries to establish an interdependent relationship between ecological regionalism and regional
architecture. It then proceeds to delineate the concept of sustainable architecture based on the said
interdependence. It involves the case study of the village Hodka in Gujarat, on which there is substantial literature
and data, based on which a qualitative analysis can be drawn on the concept ‘Regionalism in architecture’. Finally,
the research attempts to emphasize the influence of ecology on architecture and its importance in conserving the
nature and the regional identity of architecture.
Key words – Ecological regionalism, ecology, Architectural response, Interdependence, Sustainability.

Introduction This research aims to accentuate the

A rudimentary understanding of vernacular
architecture is that it is an evolution of human
responses to their surroundings, manifested in
the form of a shelter. This, so looking primitive
shelter reflects the unique culture, climate and
topography of the region, hence, becoming one
of the most systematic responses in terms of
behavioural ecology. With the inception of the
concept of modernisation, architecture has
become more capital responsive than
ecological responsive. This disconnection has
not only culminated in ephemeral structures
but also damaged the local ecology. Sustainable
architecture, hence, has become the need of
the hour.
importance of sustainable architecture in order
to not only maintain the balance of nature but
also retain the region specific identity of the
architecture. It hence, tries to reason with the
fact that it is not necessary to use modern
technology to achieve sustainable forms, all we
need to do is learn from what we had left
behind.
Methodology
The main intention of the research is to
establish a nexus between architecture that has
evolved as a response to the regional ecology
and sustainability.
• To understand the concepts of regional
ecology and behavioural ecology.
• To explore the architectural responses people, the local reservoirs and the
to the regional ecology. geographical characteristics of the region.

• To examine the emergence of Case study: Hodka, Gujarat

sustainable architecture from basic ecological
responses. The above established relationship (between
regional ecology and architecture) can be better
• To fabricate an analytical synthesis of understood through the case study done on the
the said linkage. vernacular architecture of the village Hodka,
that happens to fall within a characteristic eco
In order to achieve the above goals, an in-depth
region, experiencing extreme temperature
analysis of literature on ecological regionalism
fluctuations throughout the year, strong desert
and sustainable architecture is applied. This is
winds and having arid geographical conditions.
followed by a comprehensive case study for
In addition to these extreme living conditions,
better understanding and correlation of the
the region is highly prone to earthquakes.
written matter with the physical manifestations.
The research, as a result, aims to give a better, This seemingly inhabitable region is made
rather a more logical perception of sustainable habitable due to the physical manifestations of
architecture. human adaptations in the form Bhonga
architecture.
Ecological regionalism in architecture
The Bhunga has a conical roof supported by
An ecological region is an area with relative
cylindrical walls. The Bhongas are not only
homogeneity in ecosystems within which the
ecologically responsive structurally but also in
mosaic of ecosystem components, biotic and
terms of the materials used to construct them.
abiotic, as well as terrestrial and aquatic, is
In addition to the use of a circular plan the
different than that of adjacent regions.
reduces the surface area exposed to direct
(Omernik, 2007)
sunlight (shown in Figure 1), the construction of
These eco-regions spark off behavioural thick mud walls imparts thermal insulation
adaptive features in humans that have properties to the bhongas.
physically manifested in the form of
architecture. Based on this established
relationship, regional ecology can be defined as
any portion on the Earth’s surface having akin
architectural features shaped by the
physiographic and cultural characteristics of the
place.

Regional architecture, hence, not only needs to

respond to the climate, topography and culture
of the region but also needs to have enough
room to accommodate change in order to
Figure 1. understanding the impact of circular plan in
maintain harmony with the social needs of the terms of thermal heating.
The circular plan of the Bhongas also provides
better resistance of the structures towards the
strong desert winds. (Shown in Figure 2).
Figure 2. resistance offered by circular walls towards the
strong desert winds.
In addition to this, the circular plan also offers
great resistance towards the frequent
earthquakes as earthquake forces are lateral,
making the corners weak. The use of light
roofing material prevents any substantial harm
that can be caused to anyone stuck inside the
structure, in case it collapses due to an
earthquake.
The bhongas, as a result respond to the
physiographic characteristics of the eco-region
in a very simple but effective manner. These
ecological architectural responses not only cater
to human comfort but also look after the
environmental aspect by making use of local,
bio-degradable materials and environment
friendly construction methods.
Ecology and sustainable architecture
In literal terms, sustainable architecture is the
architecture that aims to minimize the negative
environmental impact of buildings by enhancing
their efficiency in terms of the material usage
and energy consumption.
The ecological responses that are translated
architecturally culminate in a more sensitive
form of architecture. Sensitive in terms of
human comfort, availability or shortage of
resources and the ecosystem in general. This
sensitivity towards the environment has now, in
the modern world taken the name of
sustainable architecture.
From the case study on the Bhonga architecture
the relationship between regional ecology,
regional architecture and sustainable
architecture is lucid.
The planning and material usage of the bhongas
create a fairly comfortable living space for its
inhabitants despite the harsh desert conditions
of the region. This thermal comfort,
consequently reduces the energy consumption.
This reduced energy consumption reduces the
harmful environmental impacts caused due to
the production of the additional required
energy. The construction process of the
Bhongas is energy efficient and environment
friendly. The materials chosen have a low
carbon footprint and are biodegradable.
Thus, it is established that the architecture born
out of ecological responses and responds to the
ecology is sustainable.
Conclusion
In today’s world where the conservation of our
neglected and exploited environment is the
need of the hour for our sustenance and
growing human demands with its population
can be architecturally catered to by opting for
sustainable architecture.
The primitive yet effective form of sustainable
architecture is found in the vernacular
architecture forms, but these forms have the
only drawback of not being able to adapt to the
changing times .We can learn from these
traditional regional architecture forms and
amalgamate it with technology to create a
better and a more adaptive version of regional
architecture.
Due to mass destruction of ecologies all over
the world and climate change being
experienced all across the globe, the
architecture too needs to evolve, adapt and
make room for change, while at the same time
be environment conscious.

To achieve sustainable architecture, we don’t

need to turn to the latest technology, all we
need to do is look back at what we had left
behind in our race to achieve modernisation.

References

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3. A.V. Alp ‘Vernacular climate control in desert

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