Lotus Greens sponsors ‘Griha-Nasa’ trophy to groom students

In yet another fresh demonstration of its commitment to sustainable urban development, NCR-based real estate developer Lotus Greens has taken the initiative to sponsor the ‘Griha-Nasa’ trophy – awarded by the association for development and research of sustainable habitats

(ADaRSH) under the aegis of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, in partnership with National Association of Students of Architecture (NASA).

 The design brief of GRIHA-NASA Trophy involved designing a campus for “school of sustainability”, which was floated to more than 200 Architecture colleges in India. From the submissions received, 7 entries were shortlisted  by ADaRSH for final presentation at the ‘Griha Summit’

held on 16-18 January 2014, in New Delhi. The summit is an annual platform to promote knowledge sharing among governments, academia, civil society organizations and professionals from different disciplines like architecture, engineering and construction on issues of sustainability and green building practices. The designs were selected on the basis of their conformity  to stringent norms and standards prescribed by the Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment.

 The shortlisted entries were put up for evaluation before an eminent jury comprising well-known names in the fields of architecture and green building. As jury members noted architect Karan Grover, Rajiv Mishra, Principal, Sir JJ College of Architecture, Mumbai, Aruna Ramani Grover, Professor of Architecture, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, Mili Majumdar, Secretary cum Treasurer ADaRSH, Senthil Somasundaram, National Sales Head – Projects, Asahi India Glass Ltd., and P Sahel, vice chairman, Lotus Greens, went through an elaborate and analytical process of selecting the best designs. The winners will be felicitated later this month at the 56TH Annual NASA Convention in Hyderabad.

Expressing his appreciation at the growing consciousness among budding young architects to take up green building designs and promote sustainability, Sahel said that the knowledge of sustainability is growing in our schools, colleges and universities. “Today, there is a better appreciation and understanding among students about the relationship between energy, ecology and environment and how this bond can be strengthened by designing buildings that are energy-efficient, aesthetically pleasing and environmentally sustainable,” he said.