Invited talk on Sustainable Building Practices

Our department conducted an invited talk on “Sustainable Building Practices in India” On 24th February 2026. The program was conducted in association with the IGBC Student Chapter of our campus. The speaker was Dr. Meril George, Professor and Dean Administration, SCMS School of Architecture and venue our Library Seminar Hall. The target audience was the final year B.Tech students.

The session started with a discussion on why sustainability is becoming increasingly important in today’s world. Dr. Meril George explained that with rapid urbanization and growing environmental concerns, the construction sector plays a major role in either harming or protecting the environment. Since buildings consume a large amount of energy, water, and materials, adopting sustainable practices is not just an option but a responsibility.

She explained the three pillars of sustainability — environmental, social, and economic. Environmental sustainability focuses on reducing pollution and conserving natural resources. Social sustainability ensures healthier living spaces and improved quality of life. Economic sustainability highlights long-term cost efficiency and resource management. She clearly conveyed that all three pillars must work together for true sustainable development.

The speaker also discussed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how sustainable construction practices contribute especially to goals like Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production, and Climate Action. This helped us understand that sustainability in construction is connected to global development efforts.

A major part of the session focused on sustainable architecture and green buildings. She spoke about climate-responsive design, proper orientation of buildings, use of natural lighting and ventilation, water conservation methods like rainwater harvesting, and the integration of renewable energy sources. She explained that green buildings are designed not only to reduce environmental impact but also to improve indoor comfort and health for occupants.

Dr. Meril George also introduced various green building certification systems such as LEED, IGBC, GRIHA, and BREEAM. She explained how these certifications assess buildings based on energy efficiency, water management, material selection, waste reduction, and indoor environmental quality. It was interesting to learn how these rating systems encourage sustainable construction practices and provide recognition to environmentally responsible projects.

The session also covered the challenges in implementing sustainable building practices in India, including higher initial costs, lack of awareness, limited technical expertise, and reluctance to move away from conventional methods. However, she emphasized that the long-term benefits, such as reduced operational costs and environmental protection, outweigh the initial investment.

Overall, the session was informative and thought-provoking. It gave us a clearer understanding of how sustainability can be practically implemented in the construction sector. The talk encouraged us to think more responsibly as future engineers and to contribute towards building a more sustainable future.

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Roshni P Nair, S8 CE