MAM
The evolving role of architecture in promoting sustainable and eco-conscious office design
As environmental stewardship has become an essential driver for consumers, governments, and investors alike, the architecture industry must evolve to meet the demands for sustainability. With resource inefficiency, carbon emissions, and waste management plaguing the sector, there is a pressing need for transformative solutions to mitigate the deadly impacts of climate change. The shift towards sustainability is especially important in the context of office and commercial spaces, given the high energy consumption and environmental impact traditionally associated with them – buildings are responsible for 40 per cent of global energy consumption and 33 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions.
Architecture plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable, environmentally conscious design and office practices. Sustainable architectural practices not only address environmental concerns but also contribute to healthier, more productive work environments in many ways. Here’s how green buildings and sustainable architecture can make a difference:
1. Energy efficiency and renewable resources
One of the primary goals of sustainable architecture is to reduce energy consumption, which can be achieved through various design strategies that maximise natural light, improve insulation, and enhance ventilation. Energy-efficient buildings often incorporate advanced materials and technologies, such as low-emissivity glass, bamboo, reclaimed wood, recycled metal, green roofs, and energy-efficient HVAC systems. Additionally, the integration of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and wind turbines, helps in reducing the carbon footprint of office buildings. While there might be a slightly higher price to pay for sustainable design elements, they lead to significant cost savings in the long run.
2. Building Information Modeling (BIM)
Building Information Modeling (BIM) is a relatively new technology that is revolutionising the way architects design and manage buildings. BIM provides a comprehensive 3D digital representation of the physical and functional characteristics of a building, enabling better decision-making throughout the lifecycle of the project. Expansive databases are a part of advanced BIM software systems, which hold key information such as construction sequencing, cost, and lifecycle management. This allows for better resource management and collaboration across the various teams that are involved in creating a commercial space, and helps ensure waste is minimised. By integrating data on energy performance, materials, and construction processes, BIM helps architects optimise the design for sustainability, reducing waste, and improving efficiency.
3. Modular and prefabricated construction
Modular and prefabricated construction techniques are gaining popularity as sustainable architectural solutions across India. These methods involve producing building components in a controlled factory environment and then assembling them on-site. This approach reduces construction time, minimises waste, and improves quality control as modular buildings are often made using sustainable materials like reinforced concrete, which is also an excellent insulator. Moreover, prefabricated commercial buildings can be designed for disassembly, allowing materials to be reused or recycled, further enhancing their sustainability.
4. Adaptive reuse and retrofitting
A key challenge in the realm of architecture is incorporating environmentally friendly materials and processes into pre-existing buildings that were not designed to be sustainable. India recycles only one per cent of its construction and demolition waste, which is cause for concern as the construction waste generated in India is 150 MT, accounting for 35 per cent – 40 per cent of global construction and demolition waste every year. Adaptive reuse and retrofitting of existing buildings are essential strategies to combat this, which involves updating building systems and components to improve energy efficiency and functionality, ensuring that older buildings meet modern sustainability standards. By repurposing old structures for new uses, architects can preserve cultural heritage while reducing the environmental impact associated with demolition and new construction.
5. Biophilic design
Biophilic design, which emphasises the connection between people and nature, is another key element of sustainable architecture that can make a huge difference. This design philosophy encourages architects to find new and functional ways to incorporate natural elements into a commercial space. Weaving natural elements such as plants, water features, airflow, and natural light into office spaces is also known to enhance employee well-being and productivity by 15 per cent. Green walls, indoor gardens, and atriums not only improve air quality but also create a calming, aesthetically pleasing environment that promotes mental health.
6. Smart technologies and IoT
Another key way in which architecture can help promote environmental consciousness is through the integration of smart technologies and the Internet of Things (IoT) in office buildings. Architects can champion sustainability by incorporating smart systems like occupancy sensors, intelligent and motorised windows, telemetry mechanisms, smart HVAC systems, etc. to optimise efficiency and reduce costs in real-time. IoT sensors can also be employed in sustainable design to track occupancy patterns and adjust building systems accordingly, ensuring that energy is used only when and where it is needed.
Conclusion
It is no secret that architecture holds the key to promoting sustainable offices and environmentally conscious design practices. Sustainable architecture is not just a choice, but an imperative decision that can help limit the effects of climate change and pave the way for a more resilient future. By embracing innovative technologies, materials, and design strategies, architects can create office spaces that are not only energy-efficient and environmentally friendly but also conducive to the well-being and productivity of their occupants.
The article has been authored by Eleganz Interiors MD & CEO Sameer Pakvasa.
Digital
Content India 2026 opens with a copro pitch, a spice evangelist and a £10,000 prize for Indian storytelling
Dish TV and C21Media’s three-day summit puts seven ambitious projects before an international jury, and two walk away with serious development money
MUMBAI: India’s content industry gathered in Mumbai this March for Content India 2026, a three-day summit organised by Dish TV in partnership with C21Media, and it wasted no time making a statement. The event opened with a Copro Pitch that put seven scripted and unscripted television concepts before an international panel of judges, and by the end of it, two projects had walked away with £10,000 each in marketing prize money from C21Media to support development and international promotion.
The jury, comprising Frank Spotnitz, Fiona Campbell, Rashmi Bajpai, Bal Samra and Rachel Glaister, evaluated a shortlist that ranged from a dark Mumbai comedy-drama about mental health (Dirty Minds, created by Sundar Aaron) to a Delhi coming-of-age mystery (Djinn Patrol, by Neha Sharma and Kilian Irwin), a techno-thriller about a teenage gaming prodigy (Kanpur X Satori, by Suchita Bhatia), an investigative crime drama blending mythology and modern thriller (The Age of Kali, by Shivani Bhatija), a documentary on India’s spice heritage (The Masala Quest, hosted by Sarina Kamini), a documentary on competitive gaming (Respawn: India’s Esports Revolution, by George Mangala Thomas and Sangram Mawari), and a reality-horror competition merging gaming and immersive fear (Scary Goose, by Samar Iqbal).
The session was hosted by Mayank Shekhar.
The two winners were Djinn Patrol, backed by Miura Kite, formerly of Participant Media and known for Chinatown and Keep Sweet: Pray & Obey, with Jaya Entertainment, producers of Real Kashmir Football Club, also attached; and The Masala Quest, created and hosted by Sarina Kamini, an Indian-Australian cook, author and self-described “spice evangelist.”
The summit also unveiled the Content India Trends Report, whose findings made for bracing reading. Daoud Jackson, senior analyst at OMDIA, set the tone: “By 2030, online video in India will nearly double the revenue of traditional TV, becoming the main driver of growth.” He noted that in 2025, India produced a quarter of all YouTube videos globally, overtaking the United States, while Indians collectively spend 117 years daily on YouTube and 72 years on Instagram. Traditional subscription TV is declining as free TV and connected TV gain ground, forcing broadcasters to innovate. “AI-generated content is just 2 per cent of engagement,” Jackson added, “highlighting the dominance of high-quality human content. The key for Indian media companies is scaling while monetising effectively from day one.”
Hannah Walsh, principal analyst at Ampere Analysis, added hard numbers to the picture. India produced over 24,000 titles in January 2026 alone, with 19,000 available internationally. The country now accounts for 12 per cent of Asia-Pacific content spend, up from 8 per cent in 2021, outpacing both Japan and China. Key exporters include JioStar, Zee Entertainment, Sony India, Amazon and Netflix, delivering over 7,500 Indian-produced titles abroad each year. The top importing markets are Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, the United States and the Philippines. Scripted content dominates globally at 88 per cent, with crime dramas and children’s and family titles performing particularly strongly.
Manoj Dobhal, chief executive and executive director of Dish TV India, framed the summit’s ambition squarely. “Stories don’t need translation. They need a platform, discovery, and reach, local or global,” he said. “India produces more movies than any country, our streaming platforms compete globally, and our tech and creators win international awards. Yet fragmentation slows growth. Producers, platforms, and tech move in different lanes. We need shared spaces, collaboration, and an ecosystem where ideas, technology, and people meet. That is why we built Content India.”
The data, the pitches and the prize money all pointed to the same conclusion: India is not waiting for the world to discover its stories. It is building the infrastructure to sell them.
