‘Green Buildings’ is the latest buzzword in the field of built environment.  In the past few years, it seems to have caught on like wildfire in the print media, electronic media and most importantly, amongst the fraternity of builders and owners, for homes, offices, institutions, and many other buildings. The market is now flooded with ‘Green’ products, often emerging faster than their users can consume them. This phenomenon highlights the concept of planned obsolescence, where products are intentionally designed with a limited lifespan.

The colour ‘Green’, however, has acquired many hues and many definitions over the past few years.  Architectural practices and utility consultants are competing with each other for maximum numbers of ‘Green’ Awards while consultancies offering Platinum, Gold or Silver awards have emerged as a spacialized lucrative profession. 

Rethinking ‘Green’: The Need for ‘Hamare Wala’ Green

Sustainability or ‘Green’ buildings can have different meanings depending on the context. What is considered sustainable or desirable in one country may be excessive or inadequate in another, amd vice versa. India, in particular, has faced significant challenges by adopting global solutions without fully considering local contexts, materials, and resources. As a result, the country continues to bear the burden of unsustainable practices that strain its natural resources. It is, therefore, crucial to engage in discussions on what ‘Green’ buildings truly mean for India’s diverse regions and climates.

Having coined the term ‘Hamare Wala Green’, it aims to clarify that ‘Green’ is a direction, not a rigid formula. Simply using ‘Green’ products does not automatically result in sustainable buildings. This term serves as a reminder to all stakeholders—architects, engineers, interior designers, builders, manufacturers, and property owners—that sustainability must be rooted in local context and real needs.

Unlike the prevailing ‘Top-Down’ approach, which focuses on maximizing energy savings, ‘Hamare Wala Green’ promotes a ‘Bottom-Up’ approach—one that prioritizes minimizing resource consumption from the outset. This shift in perspective is essential for developing truly sustainable and contextually appropriate solutions for India’s built environment.