THESIS SYNOPSIS

SUBMITTED BY
ABDULLAH
ASHFAQ
ARCH-20-01

SUBMITTED TO
AR. SADAF RAJA
AR. SADIA SAIF
 PROJECT: SUSTAINABLE HABITAT
Project Introduction
A (Sustainable) Mixed-Use Building represents a forward-thinking approach to urban design,
integrating environmental sustainability with multifunctional architecture. These buildings are designed
to minimize environmental impact, maximize energy efficiency, and serve multiple purposes—such as
residential, commercial, and recreational—within a single structure.
● A SHOPPING MALL
● CORPORATE
● CULTURAL CINEMA
● HOTEL/APARTMENTS (AIRBNB)
● Sky RESTAURANT on rooftop
● CO2 RECYCLING CONNECTED PLANT TO PRODUCE MORE OXYGEN
● SOCIAL INTERACTION

Problem identification

Urban Density.

• challenge As urban populations grow, cities face a shortage of available land for development,
especially in central and high-demand areas.

Lack of Urban Anchor/Landmarks

• challenge: As there is no landmark and no ideal building that can be consider as a
sustainable example in Lahore city where air pollution is increasing rapidly.
Traffic Congestion and Commuting Problems

• challenge: Commuting and traffic congestion are major issues in large urban areas, leading to
longer travel times, environmental pollution, and reduced quality of life.

Energy and Resource Efficiency Limitations

• Challenge: Ensuring optimal performance of green systems like renewable energy, water
recycling, or waste management under varying conditions.

Public Awareness and Acceptance

• Limited understanding of the benefits of green mixed-use developments among the public and
stakeholders.
• Younger generations, particularly between 18-40 years of age, are more inclined to
consider apartments due to efficiency, convenience, and access to amenities
• Searches for apartment units in Lahore increased by over 50% between 2020 and 2022,
according to real estate data. Additionally, leads for apartment projects outpaced horizontal
housing by four times during the same period. (Affordable Housing Advisory Center 2023)
Connectivity and Accessibility Issues

• Challenge: Ensuring the building is well-integrated with public transport and surrounding
infrastructure.

Changing Retail and Office Needs

• challenge: As e-commerce rises and remote work becomes more common, traditional office and retail
spaces are becoming less in demand. Cities are rethinking how to best utilize these spaces. Office
occupancy rates in major business districts exceed 85%.Bar Chart: Comparing office demand in Lahore to
other cities also to make flexible exterior and interior wise.

• Retail: Flexibility to give within restaurant/Entertainment Spaces.

Climate and Building Condition

Lahore's subtropical climate, characterized by hot summers, mild winters, and a monsoon
season, Lahore has a semi-arid climate with:

• Hot summers: Temperatures frequently exceed 40°C, increasing cooling demands.

• Mild winters: Energy requirements for heating are moderate but exist.
• Monsoon season: High humidity calls for better indoor air quality and ventilation
systems.

These climatic factors emphasize the need for sustainable buildings designed for energy
efficiency, thermal insulation, and renewable energy integration and energy-efficient
designs to combat high cooling demands and occasional heating needs. Strategies like

• Local sourced material but no compromised with Carbon Footprint

• thermal insulation,
• double-glazed windows,
• energy-efficient HVAC systems
are critical to minimizing energy usage in such conditions. Daylighting, natural ventilation, and
shading elements also play a key role in reducing electricity consumption while enhancing
indoor comfort.(Pakistan Green Building Council) (ACCO PAKISTAN)

Green Building Codes: Pakistan's Green Building Council and the National Green Building
Code promote sustainable construction. These guidelines emphasize energy efficiency, water
conservation, and renewable energy integration (Pakistan Green Building Council) (Avenir
Developments).

• Energy-Efficient Designs: Recent developments in Lahore, such as in DHA, showcase

energy-saving features like smart lighting, solar panels, and rainwater harvesting systems.
Prefabricated construction and low-carbon materials are also being adopted to reduce
environmental impact (Avenir Developments) (ACCO PAKISTAN)
.
• Case Studies: Several commercial and residential projects in Lahore integrate green
technologies like VRF(Variable Refrigerant Flow)
HVAC systems, solar energy, and greywater
systems. These implementations demonstrate
both economic and environmental benefits
(ACCO PAKISTAN).

Reference: Pakistan Meteorological Department

(PMD), World Weather Online, IEEEP
Conference, Pakistan Green Building Council
(PGBC),(Pakistan Observer, 2024):
Demand for Restaurants
• 15% annual growth in the food industry; Lahore leads in dining out culture.
• Pie Chart: Share of dining demand in various urban areas of Lahore.

Demand for Apartments:

• Multi-story apartment living has increased by
20% over the last five years.
• Line Chart: Growth in apartment sales and
rental rates in Lahore.

Demand for Restaurants:

• 15% annual growth in the food industry;
Lahore leads in dining out culture.
• Pie Chart: Share of dining demand in various urban areas of Lahore.

Desire for urban planning and Social Interaction

• challenge: Rapid urbanization in Lahore has led to a lack of integrated community spaces in many
areas. Around 45% of the city’s population resides in informal settlements or areas with inadequate
urban planning, leading to reduced opportunities for community engagement and social interaction.
• Public surveys indicate that a significant proportion of Lahore's residents (estimated 30–40%) feel
their neighborhoods lack sufficient community centers/Interactive spaces, which are essential for
fostering social connections.

SITE
Lahore, DHA OR GULBERG

Reason of site selection

City like Lahore, encounter challenges related to less sustainable activities & has no concept
Of green building at all as building keep on constructing with no sustainable technique
Especially mix use as result the user not entertained properly.

Scope of the project

 • Site location of the project
• Masterplan
• Addition elements within zones of masterplan
• Exterior and interior elements of mall, corporate, residential, restaurant etc..
• Project based on planning a sustainable mix
use building an iconic structure both
functionally &aesthetically including spaces
Green roofs, vertical gardens, and natural
landscaping.
• Energy-efficient systems, including renewable
energy sources like solar panels and wind
turbines.
• Promote attraction and tourism point of
view, medical facilities (medical center)
within Connection among building.
• To provide masjid & cultural belief &celebration, events space etc.to give
proper shaded landscape, sitting space, courtyard, parks, green space (botanical
garden) etc..
Feasibility
Energy Efficiency

• Energy Savings: Mixed-use buildings that

incorporate green technologies (such as energy-
efficient HVAC systems, LED lighting, and smart
systems) can reduce energy consumption by 30%
to 50% compared to traditional buildings.
• Renewable Energy: The integration of solar
energy systems can cover 10-30% of a building's
energy needs, depending on geographic location
and system capacity.

Water Efficiency

• Water Consumption Reduction: Sustainable mixed-use buildings often achieve 20% to 40%
reduction in water use through low-flow fixtures, rainwater harvesting, and greywater recycling
• These systems help minimize reliance on municipal water sources and support local
sustainability goals globally.

Waste Diversion

• Construction Waste: Aiming for high sustainability

standards, mixed-use buildings can divert
70% to 90% of construction waste through
recycling and reusing materials

Operational Savings

• Energy Cost Savings: Over time, energy-efficient

systems in mixed-use buildings can result in 20-30%
annual savings in energy bills, which is a significant
benefit for both commercial and residential tenants.
• Maintenance Savings: Sustainable materials and
systems also reduce long-term maintenance costs by
about 15-25%.
Return on Investment (ROI)
• Property Value Increase: Sustainable mixed-use buildings can achieve 5-20% higher rental
rates and 10-15% higher occupancy rates compared to conventional developments. This is due
to the increasing demand for eco-friendly, energy-efficient spaces.

Feasibility data for sustainable mixed-use buildings in Lahore reveals a growing demand for green
building practices. The increasing urbanization and rapid economic growth in the region present an
opportunity for promoting sustainable construction in the
residential sector. Key trends include high demand for
energy-efficient systems, water conservation measures, and
eco-friendly materials as recycled steel, locally sourced
materials. Lahore’s urban projects, such as ACCO's
sustainable apartments, integrate advanced technologies like
solar panels, smart home systems, and energy- efficient
HVAC systems, rainwater harvesting and greywater
recycling, some building produce its own electricity by
recycling its waste, co2 plants to provide oxygen, which
are becoming standard practices in modern developments.
The adoption of LEED certification & other green standards
is still growing, with only about 62.3% of Architects familiar
according to research, references with LEED principles and
still the percentage is increasing.

Aims and Objective

● Site location of the project matter
● Masterplan
● Addition elements within Mall, Corporate, Apartment etc..
● The interior elements of zones in project.
● To create building an iconic structure which act as landmark.
● To create pleasant, relaxing, stress free, activity base living for user.
● Reduce carbon footprint through energy-efficient systems and renewable energy integration.
● To combine the concept of green building (sustainable living) and mix use.
● To promote long-term financial sustainability with lower utility bills and maintenance costs.
(zameen.com)
● Offer access to amenities and cultural spaces within a vertical habitat through walkable
distance’s.

References
• World Green Building Council (WBCG) provides resources and case studies on green
buildings and certifications: World GBC Case Studies
• U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC): Offers in-depth research on LEED certification and
building performance: USGBC Resources.
Urban Land Institute (ULI): offers detailed case studies of mixed-use developments that
showcase innovations in sustainability.
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) – Sustainable Buildings and Climate.

• US Green Building Council (USGBC): Features detailed research, white papers, and
resources on LEED-certified buildings.

• BRE Group – BREEAM: Offers resources on environmental assessment methods and

certifications for sustainable construction projects.

• Pakistan Green Building Council (PGBC): Promotes green building practices tailored to
Pakistan’s climate and economic conditions
• European Environment Agency (EEA): Provides research on sustainable building practices
across Europe, focusing on energy efficiency and renewable materials.

• ResearchGate: Includes numerous academic papers and case studies on green buildings,
such as energy-efficient design and materials in different climates.

• Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) for population statistics.

• Air Quality Index (AQI) reports for Lahore from platforms like IQAir & local environmental
bodies.

• Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) for temperature and weather analysis.

• Research studies on green building impacts published in Energy Policy and Building &
Environment journals.

• Real estate trends published by Zameen.com and Graana.com.

• Surveys on housing preferences in urban Pakistan conducted by Gallup Pakistan.

• Reports by Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) of Pakistan.

• Articles on the adoption of solar energy in urban Pakistan by Pakistan Solar Association.

• Pakistan Green Building Council (PGBC): https://www.pakistangreenbuilding.org

• Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• The Urban Unit - Punjab Government: https://www.urbanunit.gov.pk

• Research papers and publications available through Academia.edu and ResearchGate.

• World Green Building Council (WGBC): https://www.worldgbc.org