Going Green! The concept aims to promote environment protection, water conservation, energy efficiency, use of recycled products and renewable energy.

The buildings where we live, work, and play in protect us from cold, heat, wind, rain, and snow. And these structures affect and shape our environment too. Building construction and operation require huge amounts of energy, water, and materials and create large amounts of waste.

The place and method of construction affect the ecosystems in the neighborhood at the same time creating new indoor environments that present new environmental problems and challenges.

Construction activity is growing at a rapid pace and is the third largest consumer of energy, after industry and agriculture. This necessitated “Green Buildings” to addresses environmentally sustainable issues. 

Adoption of environmentally friendly technologies and practices in the building sector contributes to conserving the national resources, besides saving on the operating costs.

Green Buildings 

Green buildings offer thermal comfort at optimum energy consumption. The US Green Building Council, a leader in energy and environmental designs, rates buildings based on energy utilization keeping constant comfort level as stipulated by ASHRAE specifications. As per the ASHRAE specifications, comfort level for brain work is achieved when the room temperature is 240 C, relative humidity 55% - 60% and input of fresh air is 20cft per minute per person. This is generally achieved with the help of air conditioners. Input of electrical energy at optimum level to achieve above comfort conditions determines rating.

Alternatively, by using evaporative cooling techniques comfort level could be improved in arid regions by reduction of temperatures to tolerable limits.

Corporation is adopting evaporative cooling techniques for construction of IGP office complex at Gulbarga to bring down the temperatures from 440C to 340C. Special wind towers are built inside the buildings to achieve this reduction. To radiate heat and provide cooling effect inside the rooms, rat trap composite masonry and china mosaic cladding on special vaults are adopted.

These cooling techniques, also known as passive architecture, will also be considered for special rating of green buildings by the GBCUS. KSPHC has already applied for certification by LEEDS under GBC.

This will be the first GREEN building in the Government sector in the country.

Green Building Defined

A Green Building is one that is environmentally responsible, profitable and a healthy place to live and work in. Green Buildings ensure that waste is minimized at every stage during the construction and operation of the building, resulting in low costs.

Green Building applies to both existing and new constructions, from a simple commercial space to large development projects.

A Green building is one which incorporates several Green features such as:

• Effective use of existing landscapes. 
  
• Use of energy efficient and eco-friendly equipment. 
  
• Use of recycled and environmental friendly building materials. 
  
• Indoor air quality for human safety and comfort. 
  
• Efficient use of water. 
  
• Use of non-toxic & recycled materials. 
  
• Use of renewable energy. 
  
• Effective controls and building management system. 
  

• Use nature effectively. 
  
• Prevent loss of soil, either by wind/facility. 
  
• Select the site close to local transport facility. 

b) Water use efficiency:

• Capture storm water from unreceptive areas of the building for ground water recharge or reuse. 
  
• Use recycled water/storm water, instead of potable water, for landscape irrigation. 
  
• Install moisture denser on plants for water conservation. 
  
• Use recycled water for NVAC system. 
  
• Use recycled water for toilet flushing. 
  
• Use ultra high efficiency water fittings and controls. 
  
• Monitor water consumption through online controls. 

• Design the building to get maximum day-lighting. 
  
• Use green roof and green wall to avoid heat inside the building. 
  
• Adopt spectrally natural glass materials such that it reduces heat gain minimize lighting of landscape features. 
  
• Use energy efficient goods. 
  
• Use zero CFC base refrigerants in refrigeration and air-conditioning system. 

Solar Energy being used for pumping water at IGP Office Complex at Gulbarga.

• Use renewable energy to reduce environmental impacts associated with fossil fuel energy use. 
  
• Establish baseline date for energy consumption.

d) eco-friendly building materials and resources:

• Select materials such that a major portion of the building is recyclable during renovation and reconstruction. 
  
• Use materials having longer life which ultimately can reduce environmental impact in materials manufacturing and transporting (wood, flooring, paneling, cabinet, doors, frames, brick, light, fixtures, etc). 
  
• Use locally available materials for construction to reduce environmental impact resulting from transportation. 
  
• After construction of the building, recycle or salvage at least 50% to 75% (by weight) of construction, demolition and land clearing waste. 
  
• Allocate separate space for sorting and storing waste disposals (Newspaper, organic substances, dry waste, etc.). The location of storage place should be easily accessible for the workmen. 
  
• Provide rest / change room with shower facility for residents commuting on two wheelers & four wheelers.
  
• Design waste bin which allows for easy cleaning and thereby avoids health hazards. 

e) Indoor air quality:

• The intake air should be clean – suction should not be close to exhaust fan, a/c exhaust, cooling tower and other source of contamination.
  
• Install online CO2 systems for monitoring indoor air quality through building automation system. 
  
• Provide sufficient fresh air intake, use non-toxic materials to avoid contamination of air. 
  
• Avoid exposure of building occupants to potentially hazardous chemicals. Provide controls for temperature, ventilation and lighting system, which can be controlled as per individual requirements. 
  
• Use of low VOC content material (paint, carpet, sealables). 
  
• System control to maintain IAQ. 
  

• 30% to 40% reduction in operation cost 
  
• Health and safety of building occupants 
  
• Enhance occupant comfort & productivity 
  
• Imbibe best operational practices from day one 
  
• Incorporate latest techniques and technologies 

Green Building Potential

The Green Building movement is advancing at a rapid pace in India. Considering the tremendous benefits that Green Buildings can bring in, several corporate and Government agencies are seriously considering the Green Buildings concept.

This could open up a plethora of opportunities for various stakeholders such as construction industry, architects, material and equipment manufacturers, etc.

The projected growth potential for Green Buildings in India is estimated at Rs.730 crore by the year 2007.

Daylight Harvesting

Large size windows are designed to allow maximum sunlight into the building, minimizing the use of electrical energy during daytime. Use of special glass panes reduces heat radiation. Solar lights are provided all around the building for illumination during the night.

Composite walls

Composite stone and brick masonry sandwiched with rat traps insulate the building against heat emanated from solar radiation. Terrace green grass, china mosaic and covered vaults too aid in reducing the effects of heat radiation. 

Pseudo triangular pillars enhance the passive architectural beauty of the building.

Wind Towers

The building includes ten Reverse Chimneys or Wind Towers to improve thermal comforts inside the building by bringing down the inside temperature by about 100 C. The Towers are fitted with charcoal trays and cold water sprinklers to filter and reduce the temperature of the hot air by evaporative cooling.

Internet

     http://usgbc.com

     http://worldgbc.com

     http://www.greenbusinesscentre.com