Real Estate: Constructible designs, methods and techniques making inroads
Real Estate

Real Estate: Constructible designs, methods and techniques making inroads

In any construction project, the emphasis should be on optimising quality and time.

There is a plethora of alternative materials (such as cement substitutes like fly ash and calcined clay, and speciality construction chemicals) that can bring sustainability in concrete construction, says Prof Manu Santhanam, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT-Madras, adding that if these are not used in the right manner, quality can be affected. Dr Paresh Shah, Professor & Dean, Faculty of Technology, CEPT University, also points to the use of sustainable materials made from industrial or agriculture waste, recycled materials, sustainable structural systems such as voided slab, filler slab, ferrocement, rat-trap bond wall, hollow concrete blocks, stabilised mud blocks, autoclaved aerated blocks, self-compacting concrete, vermiculite concrete and passive cooling techniques.

Materials apart, Prof Santhanam asserts that the choice of specific construction technologies is also important as each project has different demands. “For instance, while precast construction can positively influence both time and quality, it may not be viable in certain circumstances,” he says. Dr Shah adds that the use of green equipment that minimises construction waste and recycling can be practised.

Hearteningly, many construction companies today are focusing on constructible designs, methods and techniques.

For Hiranandani Group, quality planning starts right from the conceptual stage of the project. For speed and timely delivery, equipment like RMC, crane and vertical transportation systems like rack and pinion hoists during construction are important. “Engineered formwork such as aluminium formwork is an important part of construction and we have the in-house capability of formwork design, which ensures the desired quality finish of RCC,” shares Dr Niranjan Hiranandani, Founder & Managing Director, Hiranandani Group and President, NAREDCO.

Green projects involve the usage of construction methods that are environmentally efficient. “Before finalising plans, we undertake a sustainability analysis that includes thermal, wind, building orientation and micro-climate analysis,” says Shabbir Kanchwala, Senior Vice President, K Raheja Corp. “Based on the above results, we design MEP services to maintain long-term sustainability and energy-efficient buildings.” For K Raheja Corp, advanced technologies such as formwork make it easier to achieve quality targets more effectively. Additionally, the company uses BIM software for all architectural services, Autocad, Revit and SAP. For structural work, STAAD PRO is used. Other equipment includes tower cranes, concrete batching and mixing plants, concrete pumps and vibrators.

Mahindra Lifespaces has adopted green construction practices across its projects since 2006. “We are continually evaluating ways to conserve scarce natural resources, keeping in mind the local context: reducing and replacing river sand in construction; converting food waste to bio-fuel and the development of world cities that are focusing on a zero-carbon roadmap,” says Deepak Suvarna, Chief Projects Officer-Head Projects, Mahindra Lifespaces Developers. The company has incorporated low-VOC products and use of XPS boards to have lesser U-value. Features and initiatives include optimal wall-window ratio, use of locally available materials to reduce the environmental footprint owing to transportation, LED lighting, solar power and low-flow water fixtures and fittings. Construction equipment typically used includes tower cranes and hoists. Also, rope-suspended platforms play an important role in shifting and placement of materials and concrete.

Parsvnath Developers, too, always selects the best construction technology to ensure structures are earthquake-resistant and able to last. The building equipment used by the company varies from project to project and benchmarks best projects, such as the use of batching plants with RMC trucks, boom cranes, material handling lifts, etc.

For its part, Poddar Housing mainly uses aluminium formwork along with orienting the building in a manner that it receives natural light and ventilation, which reduces the utility bills of the end-user, further lowering maintenance costs as well.

And Siddha Group has undertaken significant initiatives towards sustainable urbanisation by using Portland Pozzolana Cement, Portland Slag Cement, AAC blocks, fly-ash bricks and environment-friendly products. Also, to reduce the use of wooden shuttering, the company has been using aluminium shuttering.

SHRIYAL SETHUMADHAVAN

In any construction project, the emphasis should be on optimising quality and time. There is a plethora of alternative materials (such as cement substitutes like fly ash and calcined clay, and speciality construction chemicals) that can bring sustainability in concrete construction, says Prof Manu Santhanam, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT-Madras, adding that if these are not used in the right manner, quality can be affected. Dr Paresh Shah, Professor & Dean, Faculty of Technology, CEPT University, also points to the use of sustainable materials made from industrial or agriculture waste, recycled materials, sustainable structural systems such as voided slab, filler slab, ferrocement, rat-trap bond wall, hollow concrete blocks, stabilised mud blocks, autoclaved aerated blocks, self-compacting concrete, vermiculite concrete and passive cooling techniques. Materials apart, Prof Santhanam asserts that the choice of specific construction technologies is also important as each project has different demands. “For instance, while precast construction can positively influence both time and quality, it may not be viable in certain circumstances,” he says. Dr Shah adds that the use of green equipment that minimises construction waste and recycling can be practised. Hearteningly, many construction companies today are focusing on constructible designs, methods and techniques. For Hiranandani Group, quality planning starts right from the conceptual stage of the project. For speed and timely delivery, equipment like RMC, crane and vertical transportation systems like rack and pinion hoists during construction are important. “Engineered formwork such as aluminium formwork is an important part of construction and we have the in-house capability of formwork design, which ensures the desired quality finish of RCC,” shares Dr Niranjan Hiranandani, Founder & Managing Director, Hiranandani Group and President, NAREDCO. Green projects involve the usage of construction methods that are environmentally efficient. “Before finalising plans, we undertake a sustainability analysis that includes thermal, wind, building orientation and micro-climate analysis,” says Shabbir Kanchwala, Senior Vice President, K Raheja Corp. “Based on the above results, we design MEP services to maintain long-term sustainability and energy-efficient buildings.” For K Raheja Corp, advanced technologies such as formwork make it easier to achieve quality targets more effectively. Additionally, the company uses BIM software for all architectural services, Autocad, Revit and SAP. For structural work, STAAD PRO is used. Other equipment includes tower cranes, concrete batching and mixing plants, concrete pumps and vibrators. Mahindra Lifespaces has adopted green construction practices across its projects since 2006. “We are continually evaluating ways to conserve scarce natural resources, keeping in mind the local context: reducing and replacing river sand in construction; converting food waste to bio-fuel and the development of world cities that are focusing on a zero-carbon roadmap,” says Deepak Suvarna, Chief Projects Officer-Head Projects, Mahindra Lifespaces Developers. The company has incorporated low-VOC products and use of XPS boards to have lesser U-value. Features and initiatives include optimal wall-window ratio, use of locally available materials to reduce the environmental footprint owing to transportation, LED lighting, solar power and low-flow water fixtures and fittings. Construction equipment typically used includes tower cranes and hoists. Also, rope-suspended platforms play an important role in shifting and placement of materials and concrete. Parsvnath Developers, too, always selects the best construction technology to ensure structures are earthquake-resistant and able to last. The building equipment used by the company varies from project to project and benchmarks best projects, such as the use of batching plants with RMC trucks, boom cranes, material handling lifts, etc. For its part, Poddar Housing mainly uses aluminium formwork along with orienting the building in a manner that it receives natural light and ventilation, which reduces the utility bills of the end-user, further lowering maintenance costs as well. And Siddha Group has undertaken significant initiatives towards sustainable urbanisation by using Portland Pozzolana Cement, Portland Slag Cement, AAC blocks, fly-ash bricks and environment-friendly products. Also, to reduce the use of wooden shuttering, the company has been using aluminium shuttering. SHRIYAL SETHUMADHAVAN

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

JNPA Becomes First Indian Port to Cross 10 Million TEU Capacity

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), located at Uran in Navi Mumbai, has become the first port in India to achieve over 10 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in container handling capacity.With the recent expansion, the port now operates five container terminals with a combined capacity of 10.4 million TEUs, alongside two liquid and two general cargo terminals.Handling more than half of India’s container traffic, JNPA processed 7.05 million TEUs in 2024 and has moved 15.39 million tonnes of containers and 16.64 million tonnes of total cargo in the first two months of FY 2025..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Nod for Rs. 36.26 billion Expansion of Pune Metro Line 2

The Union Cabinet has approved the Rs.36.26 billion expansion of Pune Metro Line 2, adding 12.75 km of track and 13 new stations to improve east–west connectivity across the city.The project aims to link Pune’s urban core with rapidly growing suburbs, supporting the city’s rising demand for efficient and sustainable transport solutions. This expansion is part of Corridor 2 of the Pune Metro and includes two key routes: Vanaz to Chandani Chowk (Corridor 2A) and Ramwadi to Wagholi/Vitthalwadi (Corridor 2B).It will connect residential, IT, and educational hubs in areas such as Bavdhan, Koth..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Assembly begins for ‘Nayak’ TBM on Thane– Borivali Twin Tunnel Project

The assembly of ‘Nayak’, the first of four Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) for the Thane–Borivali Twin Tube Tunnel Project, has commenced at the Thane site. Built by German firm Herrenknecht AG and deployed by Megha Engineering & Infrastructure (MEIL), the TBM marks a key milestone in Mumbai’s ambitious 11.8-km underground road corridor beneath Sanjay Gandhi National Park.The twin tunnels will reduce the Thane–Borivali travel distance by 12 km and decongest Thane Ghodbunder Road. ‘Nayak’, with a 13.2-metre diameter, is designed to bore through challenging geological conditions ..

Advertisement

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?