FAQs About Cost
Yes & No.
In terms of Operational Cost, it is cheaper.
In terms of Capital Cost, it is more expensive.
Sustainable buildings are cheaper to run since they are in sync with the climate and require lesser electricity for lighting and power. The capital cost of building something sustainable will almost always be more expensive than conventional construction techniques.Due to the following reasons:
1. ADDITIONS. In Sustainable construction, you will having rainwater harvesting tank, wastewater system, solar power, etc – all of which is absent in standard buildings. Since you are adding more items to your building, it will obviously cost more.
2. SKILLED LABOUR. Non-conventional techniques need more skilled labour. You may have seen news articles where someone built a house out of recycled materials or with earth and it turned out to be cheaper than conventional techniques. The articles are not conveying the whole picture. In most of those cases, they have not shown the cost of labour and the cost of the architect / project manager who was involved in the project.
3. BESPOKE MATERIALS. Standardised materials are easily available and are always cheaper than bespoke materials. Most materials like bamboo, earth, reclaimed wood and stones which are not readily available in standardized packaging would need to be procured from reliable sources and treated / made suitable for construction.
4. CYCLICAL PROCESS. A process in which you think about “cradle to cradle design”, zero waste of materials and complete optimisation of energy will obviously require more skill and talent on the part of the designer.
When you think about all these factors, it becomes obvious – if building something eco-friendly would have been cheaper than standard techniques, why would anybody build conventionally?
Standard Construction cost for a good quality RCC framed structure in South India would be in the range of Rs. 1800 – 2500 per sq ft depending on the cost of the foundation (which depends on the soil on the site)
Eco-friendly construction cost will be at least 15% above this. It depends on how many sustainable features you wish to add.
Auroma will need to understand the client’s proposed area requirement, budget and location to arrive at a preliminary financial feasibility of the project.
Detailed costing can be arrived at after beginning the design process.
General FAQs
Auroma is a one-stop shop for Sustainable Building Design.
We are widely known for our delightful aesthetics, innovative sustainability engineering, alongwith resource efficiency & optimisation to create a bespoke design which is uniquely you.
Auroma has been recognised among the Top 10 Eco-Architect firms in India by several prestigious platforms.Auroma does complete end to end Integrated Sustainable Design of Buildings. This includes Architectural Design Selection of appropriate materials and technologies Sustainability Engineering – selection of appropriate materials and construction technologies for your project, strategies for Natural Cooling / Thermal Comfort, Rainwater harvesting, Wastewater treatment, Energy efficiency, Renewable Energy, Design for Biodiversity, Structural Design, Electrical Design, Plumbing Design. However, if you already have structural, electrical and plumbing engineers, Auroma is happy to work with them. Upon special request, we also undertake Landscape Design & Interior Design.
Depends upon the size and scope of the Project. Ball park figures would be :
Residential home: 2 – 3 months
Institutional / Commercial projects: 4 – 6 months
Auroma can take up construction for certain areas in Pondicherry, Auroville and Tamil Nadu, depending upon certain factors. For big projects (more than 20,000 sq.ft) outside this range, Auroma can suggest highly skilled contractors, adept at Sustainable Construction. For smaller projects outside this range, the client will need to source his own contractor and Auroma can offer assistance in Supervision.
We design Architectural Interiors for all our projects. This includes all the aspects that get integrated into the Architecture such as built-in wardrobes, flooring, special feature walls, etc.
Auroma works with a wide range of materials and construction technologies and will make specific suggestions based on your project requirements, location, availability and suitability.
Yes, we provide support in getting your building certified by National bodies for Green Star Rating.
Yes, Auroma can supervise projects for the purpose of Quality Management. Client or his representative needs to send weekly documentation and photos to Auroma for this. Certain site visits, if feasible, can be made by a qualified representative from the Auroma team.
Yes, upon request.
Yes, we can integrate Vaastu compliance in your building design, upon request.
FAQs from Institute Builders
Who wouldn’t like their building to narrate a story ? This is Auroma’s unique talent which can seamlessly synthesize inspirational Storytelling Concepts into your design, whether it be a bespoke Design for your Institutional Project, Cultural Centre, Business Centre, School, Work space, Educational Centre or Performing Arts Centre! In addition to Sustainable Design, Auroma has been widely applauded for coming up with inspirational & unique Brand building Solutions which can make your project stand out and appeal at a much higher level to your investors, employees and the end users.
FAQs from Job applicants
Auroma likes people who are inspiring and fun to work with. Auroma prefers Architects with a minimum work experience of 1 year. If the candidate has an experience on a building site and understands how construction works, even better! We are very careful about selecting our Team members. In addition to being competent at what they do, we give special attention to personal qualities which define who they are. E.g. ease of working, ability to work in teams, receptivity to constructive feedback, passion and belief in the work. Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is a must.
FAQs from Developers
Yes, definitely. Auroma provides expert design solutions to Builders and Developers who are keen on Sustainable Design for Residential projects.