Green Business
Ar. Anand PJ is an architect from Kerala whose work is shaped by a simple conviction: architecture must respond to what is, connect to what matters and adapt to what is to come. He believes architecture, at its best, is not built against nature but alongside it, evolving with time, culture, and care. His practice and ideas explore how design can be mindful of natural rhythms, material lifecycles and community life, making sustainability accessible, lived and meaningful…
Q: What is the biggest challenge in sustainable architecture?
The biggest challenge today is not the lack of technology or materials, but the confusion between appearance and essence. Many homes marketed as “sustainable” are just dressed up with solar panels, green paints and a few potted plants. But true sustainability begins much deeper, with how a home responds to sunlight, wind, water and the people who live within it. A well-designed home can reduce the energy it needs to function by letting in light where it is needed, by staying cool without depending too much on air-conditioning, and by reusing water and materials wisely. This means less strain on the planet and lower costs for the family in the long run. Sustainability is not about adding more things but about designing thoughtfully, in tune with nature’s logic. When done right, it brings comfort, beauty and efficiency together effortlessly.
Q: Why is urban planning so devoid of green, even lawns are being done away with? How can we build pro-green cities without losing space?
Urban planning today often mistakes density for progress. The result is that our neighbourhoods are packed with concrete but empty of breath. In my childhood, vacant plots and little green corners became our playgrounds. We built friendships, memories and a sense of belonging there. As those spaces disappeared, the next generation lost not just open land but also that quiet connection to community and nature. A pro-green city does not need vast parks or unused lawns. It simply needs thoughtful pauses- shared courtyards, small gardens between buildings, green verges along walkways or even just trees that mark the rhythm of a street. These spaces recharge groundwater, cool the air and remind us that a city can grow with nature, not against it. When our streets can no longer hold green, our rooftops become the next frontier.
Q: Is rooftop gardening a good idea for urban areas? How do we avoid dampness and decay?
Absolutely. Rooftop gardens can give back what the city has taken away. But they must be done right. If you are living in an apartment or flat, using pots or raised planters is the best approach as they allow drainage and avoid adding unnecessary load on the slab. For larger homes, proper waterproofing and a dedicated drainage layer are essential. The goal is not to cover your roof with soil but to let green find a place where it can thrive safely. Even a few plants on your balcony or terrace can make a big difference to your daily well-being.
Q: Can a rooftop lawn fit the middle-class pocket?
A large rooftop lawn might be expensive, as it demands regular maintenance and a good drainage system. But a “green corner” definitely can. Balcony planters, potted herbs, and vertical gardens are affordable, easy to maintain and bring nature right into your daily life. The joy of watering your plants every morning and allowing life to grow and thrive is priceless, and it does not need a big budget to begin.
Q: What about rainwater harvesting? With pucca surfaces everywhere, how can we do better?
Rainwater harvesting should be as natural a part of planning as the kitchen or bathroom. It is not complicated. All it takes is directing the rainwater from your roof into a storage tank or recharge pit. In Kerala and other southern states, it is already becoming a standard requirement and rightly so. Our cities today are filled with pucca surfaces that prevent rainwater from soaking into the ground. This does not just stop groundwater recharge but also overloads our drainage systems, especially during the monsoon. In the monsoon belt region like ours, where rainfall is abundant, this becomes a serious issue. The excess water floods our canals and pipes, creating stagnant pools that invite mosquitoes and disease. By replacing some pavements with pervious pavers, keeping small kuccha areas for natural seepage and designing recharge pits in every home, we can let the ground absorb what it was always meant to. Sustainability, after all, begins with allowing nature to work the way it is meant to and remembering that we are a part of that rhythm, not apart from it.
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