Reimagining Architecture for a Sustainable Lifestyle

According to Er. Vidya Mali and Ar. Praveen Mali, the founders of ARCHkranti and ABHA arch, sustainability means a strong future. Contemporary urban living has increasingly distanced humanity from its natural habitat. This detachment is worsened by a rigid lifestyle and the constant use of advanced technologies and concrete materials that overpower the traditional approaches to promote sustainable living. The Covid epidemic, on the other hand, has forced humanity to recognize the value of physical separation and maintaining one’s sanity. This period has been an opportunity to reestablish the blurred relationship with nature, leading to the need of reconsidering the balance of constructed world and natural environment to foster a more resilient lifestyle and enhance overall quality of life. It is essential to reconsider traditional methodologies and build a sustainable environment. One notable architectural element that has proven to be sustainable across various cultures is the arch. Arches not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of expansive spaces with their strong and stable compression but also illustrate structural elegance. These are enchanted constructions that may be shaped into elegant domes, walls, and even enclosed passageways. The arches’ creative potential allows them to stand out and have a unique personality. As the natural materials needed to build arches are widely available, the techniques for doing so are simpler and thus overshadow the RCC structures. Ar. Praveen Mali and Er. Vidya Mali firmly believe that the time has come to forsake profit-driven practices in favor of sustainable techniques that foster a legitimate and responsible lifestyle.