Green Initiative by Chennai School
“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children” - American Indian proverb
In Chennai
More than 85% of natural
wetlands, lakes and other water
bodies lost in the last 30 years
Unregulated Over Extraction
of Groundwater leading to
Scarcity & Contamination
Hydroclimatic extremes
such as droughts and floods
The demand for fresh water
is greater than supply
Installing a living system that will educate the future generations on the importance of water conservation
The goal of the school was to build a state-of-the-art educational institute that combined technology-enabled classrooms and workspaces, with unique and captivating natural and architectural features, such as water bodies and indigenous kitchen gardens, to enable a holistic learning environment for children.
Firefly was approached for the creation of ornamental water bodies within the school campus. The emphasis was to impart and equip children with the knowledge and skills for a sustainable lifestyle and environmental protection through a hands-on approach from an early age.
Firefly’s approach enhanced the landscape, conserved water, brought back biodiversity, and became a model for children to learn about Environmental Sustainability
The Challenge in the context of Chennai City
Chennai experiences hydroclimatic extremes like floods and drought while also being hot and humid throughout the year. Unregulated extraction of groundwater in close proximity to the seas, over the years has changed the quality of water in Chennai, making it salty. As a result of urbanization, Chennai’s natural water bodies are shrinking and the demand for water far surpasses its supply.
To create healthy landscapes, water is needed but to conserve our water sources and address climate change, creating healthy landscapes is the solution.
The Opportunity for Change
Non-traditional water can serve as a source of water supply in support of water resilience. Multiple areas in the school have water needs that can be met with Non-traditional water sources, such as roof water, stormwater, and reclaimed water from Ornamental Ponds, that would offset the demand for freshwater.
Firefly’s design approach was a Constructed Wetland Treatment System that treated and recycled water from these Non-traditional sources, to irrigate the entire property along with enabling numerous ecological benefits for the long-term.
Like an oasis that sustains life in extreme climates, Firefly’s design approach came to address multiple social, economical, and environmental concerns of the client.
Children
Creating a holistic, healthy experience that engages, sensitizes and inspires children in schools to learn more about sustainability, climate change and the environment.
Low Maintenance Cost
Operational Expenses drastically minimized due to simple design with no use of aerators and other electrical equipment minimizing energy consumption and labour costs.
Parents
Incorporating sustainable values as a core part of the institution, attracts people with shared values and aspirations for their children.
Low Cost System
Reduced Capex due to limited and local resource use for the construction reduced the costs of the project drastically.
Water Reuse
The Constructed Wetland Treatment System allows for in-house water recycling and re-use for multiple purposes
Relief for guests and children
The landscape offers relief from the urban heat sink and pollution by acting like a powerful air filter.
Habitat for flora and fauna
The landscape offers relief for birds and bees and a habitat for local fauna.
Impact
The Landscape along with the Ornamental Ponds and Constructed Wetland Treatment System will have a far-reaching impact with both tangible and intangible benefits for years to come
Educational Tool for
our future generations
Attracting and
Protecting Biodiversity
Energy Efficiency
Water Conservation
Carbon and Heat Sink
Pollution Filter
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