Sense & Sustainability
Text: Ayeza R Qureshi
Photography:
The Big Issue
As the impact of development emerges from science fiction into our daily lives, designing for sustainability has become an important discourse in research, design & production.
An understood and widely accepted definition of sustainable development was circulated in 1986 through the Brutland Report.
‘Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.' There are a number of scales and standards established in the world to measure whether or not a particular structure is sustainable. The basis is to protect and preserve the resources, trade and culture of any particular place.
Sustainable architecture meets with much scrutiny and bias due to how it has been traditionally presented and promoted. Although there is no dearth of sustainable buildings that nurture cultural practice, address economic situation and conserve resources, there remain some pervasive misconceptions about the process and outcome.
Sustainable by Example
Tariq Qaiser’s, Ghori Infectious Diseases Clinic is a building that dispels a lot of misunderstanding about the design and making of sustainable structures.
The GhoriClinic, is a TB and infectious diseases outpatient facility commissioned by the Indus Hospital Trust. The single storey Clinic supports operations for the Indus Hospital TB Program. To walk one through the plan, the patient arrives at the registration office and is then directed to the patient waiting area. The patient’s weight, height and blood pressure is recorded in a semi private and outdoor niche. Next the patient waits in the designated waiting area, for each clinic, to be seen by a doctor. The building contains the clinics, a research office, medicine store, ration distribution store and public toilets. Removed from the building and waiting areas, the sputum collection booth is tucked away in a private corner of the site.
Sensible by Design
The master plan for Indus Hospital in Korangi Town has been designed and executed by Tariq Qaiser. The key principle in designing for the hospital facility is to provide quality healthcare while protecting and preserving the patients’ sense of self respect and dignity.
Each building constructed is scrutinized by a conscientious board that is scrupulous in the allocation of funding and resources. The cost of making and maintaining buildings, in the course of their life, must be minimal without compromising on the quality of design, execution, functionality and patient experience.
‘We wanted the users to feel special, protected and well catered to.’ Tariq Alexander Qaiser
One of the most important features and challenges in the making of this facility is to control airborne infection in patient waiting areas and clinics. Typically achieved by the installation of HVAC services, Tariq Qaiser has designed in infection control through naturally ventilated technology. This intervention has significantly reduced the running cost for the facility without compromising on functionality and experience. A value resonated by the architects and the hospital board.
‘The initial design principles of economy, sustainability and human dignity have been followed though into this component of the hospital.’ Tariq Alexander Qaiser
In addition to this, by careful consideration of the program of the facility, built form has been inserted and reinforced only where necessary. The natural landscape has thus been creatively engaged to provide enclosed and comfortable spaces; another design decision that has allowed the architects to allocate funding appropriately to the programmatic requirements from the built environment.
Photography:
The Big Issue
As the impact of development emerges from science fiction into our daily lives, designing for sustainability has become an important discourse in research, design & production.
An understood and widely accepted definition of sustainable development was circulated in 1986 through the Brutland Report.
‘Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.' There are a number of scales and standards established in the world to measure whether or not a particular structure is sustainable. The basis is to protect and preserve the resources, trade and culture of any particular place.
Sustainable architecture meets with much scrutiny and bias due to how it has been traditionally presented and promoted. Although there is no dearth of sustainable buildings that nurture cultural practice, address economic situation and conserve resources, there remain some pervasive misconceptions about the process and outcome.
Sustainable by Example
Tariq Qaiser’s, Ghori Infectious Diseases Clinic is a building that dispels a lot of misunderstanding about the design and making of sustainable structures.
The GhoriClinic, is a TB and infectious diseases outpatient facility commissioned by the Indus Hospital Trust. The single storey Clinic supports operations for the Indus Hospital TB Program. To walk one through the plan, the patient arrives at the registration office and is then directed to the patient waiting area. The patient’s weight, height and blood pressure is recorded in a semi private and outdoor niche. Next the patient waits in the designated waiting area, for each clinic, to be seen by a doctor. The building contains the clinics, a research office, medicine store, ration distribution store and public toilets. Removed from the building and waiting areas, the sputum collection booth is tucked away in a private corner of the site.
Sensible by Design
The master plan for Indus Hospital in Korangi Town has been designed and executed by Tariq Qaiser. The key principle in designing for the hospital facility is to provide quality healthcare while protecting and preserving the patients’ sense of self respect and dignity.
Each building constructed is scrutinized by a conscientious board that is scrupulous in the allocation of funding and resources. The cost of making and maintaining buildings, in the course of their life, must be minimal without compromising on the quality of design, execution, functionality and patient experience.
‘We wanted the users to feel special, protected and well catered to.’ Tariq Alexander Qaiser
One of the most important features and challenges in the making of this facility is to control airborne infection in patient waiting areas and clinics. Typically achieved by the installation of HVAC services, Tariq Qaiser has designed in infection control through naturally ventilated technology. This intervention has significantly reduced the running cost for the facility without compromising on functionality and experience. A value resonated by the architects and the hospital board.
‘The initial design principles of economy, sustainability and human dignity have been followed though into this component of the hospital.’ Tariq Alexander Qaiser
In addition to this, by careful consideration of the program of the facility, built form has been inserted and reinforced only where necessary. The natural landscape has thus been creatively engaged to provide enclosed and comfortable spaces; another design decision that has allowed the architects to allocate funding appropriately to the programmatic requirements from the built environment.
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