This Content Is Only For Subscribers
In a recent interview with IE, Rajan Govind (RG), Director, BES Consultants, delves into critical aspects of the industry, addressing challenges, sustainable practices and the evolving role of technology. BES Consultants, renowned as building envelope specialists, focus on the intricate intersection of architecture and engineering. With a 13-year legacy and presence in Mumbai and Singapore, the firm undertakes projects across southeast Asia, India and Africa.
IE: How do you see the construction industry evolving in the future?
RG: The present trend is advancement in design due to improved connectivity, upgraded computer software and enhanced skills. AI is revolutionising the industry and by leveraging its capability, construction processes can be streamlined, efficiency enhanced and potential risks mitigated through defect detection. This results in the ability to generate designs with fewer errors, requiring less input. Ongoing research and experimentation are underway to refine and optimise these further.
While not lagging significantly, there’s a deficiency in the approach to project execution. Bridging this gap requires expertise, exposure to international practices and a concerted effort in implementing solutions.
In the next ten years, I foresee continued growth in the industry, but there’s a concern about excessive urbanisation and construction. The challenge is to avoid replicating the issues faced by China, where over-urbanisation led to significant pressures on cities. Ideally, there should be balanced and distributed development across the country to minimise migration and ensure sustainable growth.
IE: What are other major technologies to look for in the industry?
RG: Apart from AI, 3D printing and prefabrication offer potential. But the construction industry’s slow adaptation hinders progress. Encouraging a shift towards the prefabrication concept, akin to Singapore’s practices, could mitigate on-site challenges. Improvements in fabrication and manufacturing technology, coupled with computer advancements, indicate a positive trajectory in the industry’s evolution.
IE: What would be the challenges?
RG: Our primary challenges lie in both design and implementation. Design faces the complexity of unifying diverse requirements across India’s varied regions. Unlike the U.S., India’s vastness brings unique challenges, requiring adaptability in each location. Implementation hurdles include scarcity of skilled labour. A focus on education, training and skill upgrading is necessary. The gap between academic knowledge to practical skills is high. While there is an abundance of engineers, employability remains a concern. Bridging these gaps will be crucial.
IE: Do you anticipate the construction material industry widely adopting eco-friendly alternatives?
RG: The trend towards eco-friendly practices is primarily driven by the western world. It is enforced through penalties, urging a shift in production methods. While addressing embodied energy is crucial, the current approach involves partial penalisation through taxes. A more proactive stance, such as government subsidies, could incentivise industries like steel, cement, glass to invest in improvements, fostering positive impact and encouraging sustainable practices.
The focus on material reuse in India is premature, due to the relatively young building stock. Unlike Singapore with a significant number of older buildings, India’s new construction wave lacks a substantial inventory for demolition. As the building stock ages, a burgeoning market for material reuse will emerge, presenting a potential area for industry development and sustainable practices.
IE: What specific policies or incentives do you believe the government should implement to foster sustainability in the construction industry?
RG: The government should prioritise incentivising manufacturers producing eco-friendly materials and efficient building technologies. Substantial subsidies must be offered to those demonstrating energy efficiency in both material production and building construction. This will encourage widespread adoption and signal a positive shift toward sustainability.
