MOSAIC: Could you share the connection between architecture, heritage, and sustainability?
Dr. Benny: Architecture, in its true sense, has evolved over thousands of years. It was never just about style, that’s a superficial interpretation. Traditional architecture grew organically using local materials, local climate adaptations, and local culture and customs. That is why what you see in Kerala is different from Tamil Nadu, and even within Tamil Nadu there are several distinct variations.
Unfortunately, in the last few decades we’ve lost much of this richness. Architecture today is dominated by cement, steel, and concrete, and the buildings that have come up look the same whether you are in Jakarta, Berlin, Brazil, or Chicago. They are disconnected from place, culture, and climate.
Now, with climate change and global warming, we know buildings contribute nearly 40–50% of the problem. Technology has failed to provide sustainable solutions. What was predicted in 1994 has only worsened. Today we see cloudbursts, flash floods in Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Bihar—phenomena that didn’t exist in our vocabulary until recently. My generation may survive it, but future generations will find the planet unlivable if we don’t change our approach to architecture. The solution lies in learning from heritage and traditional architecture, which evolved sustainably over centuries.
MOSAIC: International governments are committed to protect and preserve their heritage architecture, but in India, most of our cities look the same now and have lost regional identity & character. Could you elaborate on our conservation efforts?
Dr. Benny: You must understand that modern architecture only emerged in the 1930s which is a completely different context. Back then, there was no global warming, no energy crisis. The logic was simple, air conditioning would artificially cool buildings, so why bother designing for climate? Concrete was hailed as a material that would last 700 to 800 years. But today, we know that most concrete structures won’t survive beyond 100 years.
By the 1960s and 70s, terms like environment and ecology entered mainstream discourse. Yet architecture as a profession ignored these changes. That disconnect is the root of today’s crisis.
Now, when you conserve historic buildings, you spend more on labour and less on materials. Labour doesn’t cause climate change, but materials heavily do. Even a platinum-rated green building makes a huge environmental impact, whereas a historic building has already made its impact long ago. Conserving them is the most sustainable choice.
MOSAIC: You have worked with UNDP, governments, and public institutions. Do you think India is lagging behind in heritage conservation compared to global trends?
Dr. Benny: Yes, we are lagging. Europe too went through phases of neglect in the 1950s to 70s, demolishing heritage for concrete modernism. But they quickly realized the drawbacks and enacted strong legislations, for example, in the UK, a landmark law in 1967 protected historic structures beyond just “big monuments.”
In India, we all agree the Taj Mahal and Red Fort must be preserved. But what about ordinary buildings that reflect our lived history? That’s where the real battle lies.
Tourists don’t come to Paris for modern glass towers, they come for the Eiffel Tower and historic quarters. Similarly, tourists flock to India for our historic sites, not our malls or skyscrapers.
MOSAIC: Tourism trends themselves seem to be shifting. How do you see architectural heritage contributing to tourism and the economy?
Dr. Benny: In the 1980s, 85% of tourists sought beaches. That’s when Goa, Maldives, Hawaii grew as destinations. Today, 65% of tourists prefer cultural and heritage sites. Many split their trips between a few days at the beach and longer journeys through historic destinations.
This shift is a huge opportunity for India. Heritage tourism generates widespread economic benefits, not just hotel stays or entry fees, but taxis, restaurants, handicrafts, and local livelihoods. But tourism must be sustainable. That means clean places, sanitation, toilets, affordable options for budget travellers, not just five-star hotels. Our future generations should be able to travel, learn, and connect with our heritage. Otherwise, we’re erasing entire chapters of history.
MOSAIC: The construction sector is energy-intensive, using stone, sand, water, electricity, cement. How is the industry incorporating sustainability measures?
Dr. Benny: Compared to 40 years ago, awareness has grown significantly which I am happy about. Back then, sustainability wasn’t even a discussion. Now at least it’s being talked about, that itself is progress.
But the pace is slow. We could have done much more to educate the public and policymakers. Awareness among the public is critical, because politicians and bureaucrats will follow only when citizens demand change. Unfortunately, everyone from the media, scientists, engineers, architects have failed in fully communicating the seriousness of climate change. The predictions we once thought were 75-80 years away are happening now. Sea level rise, flash floods, extreme weather, this is already our reality and we are living it.
MOSAIC: Where India stands in terms of compliance to environmental sustainability norms, is legislation effective in an industry like architecture and real estate?
Dr. Benny: Legislation is not enough. Even if laws exist, people find loopholes, as noted enforcement in India is weak compared to Europe, where citizens respect laws more.
The real issue is understanding consequences. Cities like Trivandrum are already experiencing flash floods multiple times a year. By 2045 or 2050, many Indian cities will face regular disasters. Yet we keep pushing the problem to the future.
Too much of what we call sustainability today is just greenwashing; superficial fixes that don’t address root causes. We cannot go back to primitive lifestyles, but we must find via media solutions that balance comfort with reduced environmental impact.
Remember an average Indian emits 1/10th of the greenhouse gases of an average American. If 1.4 billion Indians reach western consumption levels, the planet will collapse.
This is not a problem one country can shift to another, it’s a shared planetary crisis.
The US is building protective dikes around New York. The Netherlands is investing billions, treating it as both climate defence and economic opportunity. India, meanwhile, has climate change cells and IIT centres on paper, but with little tangible outcome. Politicians, bureaucrats, even scientists are not raising alarm with the urgency required. It is the public that must wake up, realize the seriousness, and demand action.
MOSAIC: Looking ahead, what trends in architecture and design do you foresee for the next 25 years?
Dr. Benny: We may reach a point where governments have no choice but to ban new construction—because it’s a matter of life and death. Just like COVID forced lockdowns, climate change will force drastic measures.
But people still need comfort. We can’t tell them to give up air-conditioning or modern food habits. The solution is to reduce demand through design:
- Buildings that remain naturally cooler (say 30–32°C instead of 40°C), so energy demand is reduced.
- Natural cooling, rainwater harvesting, and renewable energy integration.
- Holistic, long-term thinking that balances comfort with sustainability.
- In my practice, I always tell clients that my buildings will be at least 5°C cooler than conventional ones. Practical solutions like these, not just theories, will help.
MOSAIC: Can heritage and vernacular architecture provide hidden solutions for the future?
Dr. Benny: Definitely, yes but not blindly. Times have changed for instance, in Uttarakhand or Rajasthan, old houses had very small windows. That worked in a society where people didn’t need much natural light for reading or writing. Today, we need brighter, functional spaces.
Some practices are obsolete, like free use of river sand 30 years ago, which is no longer available. So we can’t take a romantic view of the past. Instead, we must adapt lessons pragmatically using heritage knowledge for durability, climate responsiveness, and resilience, while addressing modern needs.
I often joke at conferences that governments may soon need to ban new buildings, we just can’t have new structures because their cumulative environmental impact is so destructive.