HISTORIC BUILDINGS ARE THE most tangible representations of a society's past, its culture and technical ability. We have inherited a wealth of historic buildings that are not just aesthetic but models of sustainability and vernacular architecture. They invite sunlight and wind and reject heat and rain by using principles of orientation, purposeful proportioning, strategic ventilation and other such passive methods to achieve a comfortable indoor environment.
Today, although we have access to cutting-edge technology and materials, imbibing this wisdom and reapplying it to modern-day buildings can significantly lower the use of air-conditioning and lighting, thereby reducing the energy required for achieving comfortable habitable spaces and lowering our carbon footprints.
Here are some of the most ingenious ancient strategies that have inspired modern-day sustainable buildings.
THE JALI
• Screens as heat filters
• Carved in stone, wood, or brick
• Hawa Mahal (top) is an iconic example of this design
• Krushi Bhawan's (right) jalis save 40 per cent of its cooling load
DIGGING DEEPER
The Pearl Academy of Fashion Design, Jaipur, inspired by Rani-Ki-Vav, Gujarat
Almost invisible until you actually arrive at the entrance, hidden behind a small earth mound that belies its scale, the RaniKi-Vav (Queen's Well) in Patan, Gujarat, is a mammoth subterranean structure that descends seven storeys below the surface of the earth.
Stepwells were structures unique to the Indian subcontinent, built to provide communities year-round access to groundwater. They also played secondary roles-forming well-scaled public spaces that doubled up as temples, gathering spaces reserved for women, well-shaded summer retreats for private use or as a pit stop for travellers.
この記事は Outlook Traveller の December 2023 - January 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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この記事は Outlook Traveller の December 2023 - January 2024 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、8,500 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Of Mountains And Lakes
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KENYA
If you want to experience a diversity of environments, visiting Kenya should be on your bucket list.
PEARL OF THE DANUBE
WITH AFFORDABLE ATTRACTIONS, IMPOSING ARCHITECTURE, EXCELLENT STREET FOOD AND VIBRANT NIGHTLIFE, BUDAPEST MAKES FOR A VALUE-FOR-MONEY EUROPEAN DESTINATION
SWEET SIN
FROM THE LEGENDARY STORES IN OLD TOWN TO THE WORLD'S LARGEST CHOCOLATE MUSEUM, FOLLOW THIS CHOCOLATE TRAIL THROUGH ZÜRICH TO DISCOVER HOW A MISTAKE GAVE THE WORLD THE IRRESISTIBLE SWISS MILK CHOCOLATE
JHARKHAND IN A SIP
IN VAST URBAN SPRAWLS where life pulsates frenetically, we often surrender to the convenience of pre-packaged sustenance.
SECRETS OF SIRPUR
STEPPING OFF THE PLANE in Raipur, the sweltering sun greeted me with a stifling embrace.
A SLICE OF ITALY
THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE in Naples is Diego Maradona. His face appears as graffiti on the walls under bridges, as murals covering the side of buildings, painted on café chairs, imprinted on bedroom sheets, and even marketed on energy drinks.
FROM INTENT TO ACTION
IT'S DIFFICULT TO CONVINCE TRAVELLERS AND INDUSTRY PLAYERS TO PRACTICE SUSTAINABILITY. CAN THE FIELD OF BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE SHIFT INDUSTRY-WIDE ATTITUDES TO MAKE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM THE NORM?
MONSOON'S GLOWING GIFT
A HIKE IN A WET LEECH-infested wilderness after a sumptuous dinner would not appeal to most people on a holiday.