Developers across the globe use sustainability as a marketing ploy to put up a climate-conscious front. However, we believe it is hardly a feature that can be ascribed to a project; rather, it is an attitude underlying the whole process of creation of the project, a way of being and thinking—where at every stage of the project, one is conscious of its ecological, social and cultural impact. We often hear that conscious design is costly; however, what are these "costs" that we're talking about? We only take into account the direct Rupee spend, but is there some such measure for loss to the environment?

We often hear that conscious design is costly; however, what are these "costs" that we're talking about? We only take into account the direct Rupee spend, but is there some such measure for loss to the environment?

India is a country with living heritage, characterised by an abundance of rich architectural history, woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. <rt-red>As a nation, we are endowed with the most potent repository of centuries-old bioclimatic building wisdom. It is no secret that numerous heritage buildings across the country have been thoughtfully developed using passive design strategies<rt-red>—and it is this conscious way of thinking that enabled sustainable development, thousands of years ago, before it was "in vogue". To make these age-old solutions successful at a large scale in modern-day architecture, we must focus on keeping it simple and frugal.

It is also important to be empathetic about the lifecycle of building materials and their impact on the planet. This can be tackled using a two-pronged approach: building awareness and creating alternatives. Unfortunately, in today's world, there is total apathy when it comes to circular building and circular economy of materials, as we architects are so caught up with our desire to create new masterpieces without delving deeply into the life-cycle of building materials and cost to the planet.

It is therefore our responsibility as designers, to sensitively conserve, restore and repurpose existing buildings.<rt-red> Sustainability encompasses every aspect of design thinking and it needs to be viewed through a holistic lens; it's not about ticking off the boxes. <rt-red>