Man and Environment

{ January 25, 2010 @ 1:27 pm } · { Socio Economics aspects of Architecture and Planning }
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Social considerations have a greater impact on the pattern of development. Location of settlements basically depends upon four factors-:


1. Land Form- these are basically categorized into plain areas and hilly areas.

(a) Plain Areas: These areas basically characterized by the moderate temperature and ease of construction. So the population of plain areas is more than the areas on the high altitudes and cultivation is also easier. So most of the settlements are located here.

(b) Hilly Areas: It is basically divided into three parts i.e. Hills, Plateaus and Mountains and are characterized by the change the temperature and slope of the land.

2. Water- Humans have tendency to reside near places where ground water table is high. So most of the settlements are located near the oceans, rivers etc. such as Indus Valley Civilization. The basic water cycle is that the water evaporates from sea to air and comes to land through rains and again continues. Based upo th oncept, rain water harvesting is done by minimizing the paved surface (to increase the groound water table).

3. Vegetation and Soil- Most of the settlements where soil if fertile and suitable for cultivation and soil bearing capacity is high and major factor for construction.

4. Climate- It deals with three aspects; temperature, pressure and humidity.

(a) Temperature: Sun rays falls obliquely on the poles and at righ angles to the equator. So tempearture is comparatively low. Hence, population near poles is lesser as compared to other areas as human have tendency to reside near warmer areas. Tempearture decreases witjh height, so poluation also decreases.

(b) Pressure: Pressure is inversely proportional to the temperature which means as temperature gets higher, pressure decreases and vice versa. Humans have tendency to reside in areas where average wind speed is 25 miles/hr. and they are reluctant to live in the areas where wind speed is from 50 miles/hr. to 100 miles/hr. (hurricane areas).

(c) Humidity: It is basically presence of water vapors in atmosphere. As water evapourates from sea to the air in form of water vapors and it combines with the atmospheric gases and gets precipitated in form of rain. Humans are rluctant to live in areas where rainfall and snow-fall is high.

All these climatic factors affects the environment and in turn the human beings. So, directly or indirectly affects the location of the settlement.

Socio Economics aspects of Architecture and Planning

{ January 25, 2010 @ 12:54 pm } · { Socio Economics aspects of Architecture and Planning }
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It basically deals with the social and economical considerations. Social considerations are related to the habits of the people and the various social aspects are-

1. Density of Population – Quality of life will be affected

2. Age Group – Habits vary according to the age group

3. Literacy Level

4. Religion – Different cultures and rituals

5. Family Status – Nuclear family / Joint Family / Marriage Status

These forms the culture of society and directly or indirectly, they effect on architecture and planning.

Another concept for Building Green

{ August 22, 2009 @ 11:17 pm } · { green, sustainability,environment }
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I guess everyone atleast once in their lifetime must have used shadows of tree to protect themself from scorching sunlight.

Here is a small article which tells about the benefits of building green environment in the present world.

http://buildinggreenlife.wordpress.com/2009/08/20/saving-through-shades-of-trees/
http://green-growth.blogspot.com

Architecture doors open for all

{ June 28, 2009 @ 12:44 am } · { Architecture }
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Students from even commerce and humanities streams can pursue course:

Many students are still unaware that architecture is a career option even for those who did not take up science in class XII. Those from commerce and humanities streams can also get into architecture provided they have studied mathematics in class XII. According to the Council of Architecture (COA), only maths is essential to apply for bachelor of architecture contrary to the popular perception that those who haven’t studied physics, chemistry and maths PCM) can’t dream of becoming architecture.

However, most school pass-outs remain unaware of the latest eligibility criteria  for architecture and only science students end up applying for the 142 architecture colleges in the country. “To apply for architecture you are only required to have studied maths in class XII and secured at least 50% aggregate. Earlier, English was also required but we have dropped that requirement now,” said Prof Vijay Sohoni, president, COA.

Sohoni said that while COA has often advertised the eligibility criteria in newspapers, only 10-15% of the students in each architecture institution are from the non-science streams. All the rest are science students despite the fact that knowledge of any science subject is not essential for architecture, Sohoni added. “In architecture we need people who have studied arts and aesthetics or even social sciences,” Sohoni said.

The confusion started with COA and AICTE following their own eligibility criteria with the latter making PCM a pre-requisite for architecture. However, COA had ruled in 1983 that only English and maths would be required. After six cases were settled in different high courts, it was decided that COA was the sole authority to regulate the education in architecture. “After the Bombay High Court decided in the favour of COA, the AICTE approached the Supreme Court. But the SC declined a stay on the HC order in 2005,” said Vinod Kumar, registrar, COA. After this, in January 2006, COA notified that only maths was essential for applying to architecture.

There are 142 architecture colleges in the country out of which 123 conduct admissions through a National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA). The others are regional and centrally-funded institutes, which consider AIEEE rankings. “The confusion over the eligibility criteria for architecture still prevails because AIEEE puts it in the same bracket as engineering. The entrance exam for architecture and engineering is clubbed under AIEEE that requires a student to have passed class XII with PCM. A case in this regard is still pending in the Supreme Court,” Sohoni said.

So, the students who had maths in class XII and wants to pursue architecture can take NATA-an outline test conducted across 100 centers in the city. “The test is not annual. It happens between January and September. One needs to approach the designated center, take an appointment and appear for the test at the allotted time,” Sohoni said.

Report presented by Neha Pushkarna (TIMES CITY)

Solar Energy Devices

{ June 12, 2009 @ 4:19 pm } · { presentation }
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As the time is proceeding further, the demands for energy are increasing. This is not only causing the depletion of energy sources but also increasing the threat for the future generations. So it is very importat to have a sustainable development by the means of renewable sources of energy like Solar Energy. Sustainable Architecture aims to create environment friendly & energy –efficient buildings. This entails actively harnessing Sun’s energy to do the daily work.

Solar Device

Solar energy is the most readily available source of energy.  It is also the most important of the non-conventional sources of energy because it is non-polluting and, therefore, helps in lessening the greenhouse effect.  Solar energy can be put to great use in our day to day life vis-à-vis the use of Solar Devices. This energy is used for: Cooking/Heating, Drying/Timber seasoning, Distillation, Electricity/Power generation, Cooling, Refrigeration, Cold storage

Here is a presentation on the Solar Energy Devices and there importance.

Solar Energy Devices

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