Sustainability Report

Embodied carbon strategies 

• The prefabricated steel superstructure and cladding (JSW steel sheet) reduced transport loads and on-site construction time in a remote region. JSW steel sheeting is a widely available product commonly used in rural construction across India.
• Fibre-cement sheets for interior walls and ceilings create a ventilated cavity and provide a seamless, dust-free finish suitable for food processing.
• Polycarbonate facade elements form a lightweight, economical, and low-maintenance envelope component.
• Cement-block internal partitions and cast-in-situ concrete flooring use straightforward, locally workable systems. This limits transport-related emissions and avoids more processed, higher-energy alternatives.
• The elevated RCC plinth avoids ground disturbance to the alluvial floodplain. This reduces the need for additional excavation and lowers long-term embodied impacts by minimising structural interventions.

Operational emissions strategies 

• Solar energy powers the building, lowering dependence on grid electricity.
• Rainwater harvesting reduces demand on external water supply systems.
• Passive cooling strategies significantly reduce operational energy demand. These include: cross-ventilation through section and plan layout; north-light access; reduced west-side heat gain through orientation and the double-skin facade; a ventilated air gap between the steel exterior and fibre-cement interior lining; deep verandas and recessed facades providing shade.
• While no formal operational energy data is available, the building’s solar power, passive cooling strategies, and efficient envelope significantly reduce operational energy demand.

Service and maintenance strategies 

• The elevated plinth preserves the floodplain and supports long-term functionality in monsoon-prone terrain.
• Prefabrication and simple material systems enable ease of assembly, repair, and future replication in similar remote areas.
• The durable, low-maintenance envelope materials (steel sheet, polycarbonate, fibre-cement) extend service life and reduce long-term resource use.
• The double-skin system is designed for performance rather than replacement-driven cycles, reducing material turnover.