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Volume 8The Future of Green Buildings

-Special Edition

www.inspiredgreen.in

We are happy to receive your queries, comments and contribution

130, Old Mahabalipuram Road,Shollinganallur, Chennai - 600119.Ph : +91 98432 [email protected] www.inspiredgreen.in M E M B E R

Dear Inspired Readers,

I am happy to present you Green

Inspiration for your mind. The articles we have compiled this time are focusing on the Future of Green

Buildings, and I am sure some of our articles will move you and motivate you. I had the pleasure to sit together with Architect Karan Grover and Architect Christopher Charles Benninger for an interview, and besides all their great building designs they have even more fascinating ideas for the future of the Green Building Movement. You can read about futuristic green building design, get some ideas from Suzlon's One Earth headquaters in Pune and get to know different Green Building Rating Systems around the world. Special thanks go to our Sponsors who made it possible that Inspired to be Green is now reaching out to over 7000 Green Building Enthusiasts.

Our passion is to motivate people to go Green and spread awareness on how to build Green. Over the past few month we have been working together with our Initiators from Aluplast, Breezair, Everest, Nippon Paint, Supreme Petrochem, Roca and Team Sustain on an innovative Green Building Concept: ZERO ENERGY SPACE. It is a new dimension of building design with the latest Green Building Technologies in the market. This space gives people the chance to experience a high comfort indoor environment with (net) zero energy consumption. Experience the ZERO ENERGY SPACE in your city at the Green Building Congress in Chennai, Economic Times ACEtech in Mumbai and at Economic Times ACEtech in New Delhi and see the website www.zeroenergyspace.com

Stay inspired,

Isabelle

Contents

More about:• Glass wool insulation - Pg 16

• Low temperature laundry - Pg 30

• Zero energy space - Pg 32

• Smart building solutions by Everest- Pg 50

• Realizing GREEN in God’s own country -Pg 52

4An inspiring interview with

Ar Karan Grover.

10Our green project of the month,

Suzlon One earth, Pune.

18

40

Ar Yatin Pandya, explaining the nuances of green design.

Article explaining the green features of Paharpur Business Centre

22

44

Future of green buildings, and technologies.

Article briefing the concepts of Building Envelope Insulation

34

26Article explaining the green features of

Paharpur Business Centre

Thought provoking discussion with Prof. Charles Benninger

An article explaining the Sustainability and green building rating systems around the world

Inspired to be GREEN I Volume 8 I 3

AN

INSPIRING

INTERVIEW

WITH

Ar.karan

grover

I had the chance to sit down with one the most well known and

appreciated Architects in the Green Building Community: Architect Karan Grover. I entered his house prepared with 8 questions and after a wonderful 60 minute session, I walked out with a recipe on how to change the world.

Here is the recap of this inspiring interview with the maestro himself… We started with one simple question; How will a green building look 20 years in to the future?

From this we moved from topic to topic, with Karan Grover expressing his views and opinions…

~ Isabelle, Editor Inspired to be GREEN

India’s Future Green Buildings:

“In twenty years, a green building in India will reflect the Indian

culture much better than these days where we are striving

towards modern buildings copied from the West. Design

elements like “jalis” and other passive strategies which keep the

building cool will be followed. We will rediscover the roots of

the past what will influence the aesthetics of the new buildings.

For every place and every climatic region buildings will show

different design features which support natural ventilation,

natural lighting and cooling. Looking at developments around

the world it is fascinating to see that modern buildings in the

West are taking advantage of Asian design elements like screens

and numerous passive strategies.

From Ratings to Standards:Today we are focusing on rating systems more then on actual green design. People started to think in LEED-points rather than following passive design from the beginning. A shift will happen. Rating and certification systems will lose in importance but standards will be increasing. Let me explain that to you: A LEED rated building does not necessarily reflect green design. In the future we will aim to increase standards instead of hunting for points. Rating systems get negotiable and are guidelines on the way to a green building. Architects will raise the benchmarks; we will see buildings as “Net-Zero”, “self-sustaining development” or “Plus-

Energy” and not anymore as Silver, Gold or Platinum.

Green Community and Collective Benefit:One green building in the neighborhood of thousands of non- green buildings does not make a big difference. It is about our environment, our neighborhood, our city; I am looking towards an integrated green design like green townships and green cities. We need to understand the collective benefits of communities adopting green standards. Green communities are the base for a sustainable, healthy and fulfilled life. In the present we can see egotistic developments focused only on our own benefits, but the time will bring changes

and we will rediscover to think as a community.

The Magic of Nature:It can’t be described in words, what the beauty of nature is. It must be experienced – an early morning walk through the forest could make us more sensitive. The sound of nature, the beauty of each tree and plant has a positive effect on human beings. We need to rediscover our mother nature. Once people experience the beauty, they will demand this beauty also in their buildings. We would demand buildings with individual character which also give us the possibility to interact with nature. Parks and landscaped areas around the building are important to find relaxation, and we will realize the positive effects when we spend time with nature.

Technology, Tradition and Design:Passive strategies and design is crucial for every building, new technologies are there to support, but not to replace passive strategies. Photovoltaic panels could be integrated in a façade design supporting the passive strategies, and offering the benefits of technology. Buildings have identity and we should aim to root this identity to our place. Nowadays it is architecture of space, buildings all over the world look the same without considering the place, the tradition and the culture. We need to root our buildings to our place, than buildings will also be more connected to people. Aesthetics should be based on individual

culture that people can relate.

National Institute of Design, Banglore


Build a Green Building YOURSELF:I want to share the basic green design strategies, which every architect can easily incorporate in the design to create a green building. It is a misconception that we need a green architect, a green consultant and the best green rating system to create a sustainable building. We should just ask ourselves what we define as green, that will lead into the right direction… I will share an easy recipe with you:

• Look at the orientation of the building. Make sure that smaller surfaces are facing east and west.

• Design buffer zones on east and west facades like verandas, equipment rooms and staircases.

• Integrate screens to allow natural ventilation and cross ventilation to cool the building.

• Design inclined windows on the south façade to avoid direct sun radiation on the windows.

• Try to avoid any openings like windows on the east and west.• Use ceilings which reflect the natural light and bring

it deep into the room.• Use green roofs and green walls.• Design rainwater harvesting pits to collect all rainwater from the site.• I believe the success of developing a Green Building Community lies

in sharing information without making yourself to the key-person. Teach people what they need to know to make a green building.

Everyone Is Green:I can see that every second developer promotes his project with the help of the word “green”. Most of the times it is only a word, and there is actually no element which is eco-friendly, energy-efficient or sustainable in this project. We should employ “green watchdogs” who will ask developers, builders and product manufacturers to prove their green statements. Consumers have the right of information and under no circumstances they should be mislead with the word “green”. Stand up and ask for the green features – and if you don’t feel it is green, speak up!

We Can Change The World:There is no community which has a greater impact on the world’s energy consumption than architects. 50% of the world’s energy is consumed by buildings. Architects can save at least ½ of the buildings energy consumption by passive design elements and with the help of energy-efficient technologies. That means by designing our buildings in a sustainable and energy saving way we have an impact of 25% on the words energy consumption!

If we work together we can make an extraordinary difference. Our community is responsible for the survival of this planet. Let’s go out and change the world!

Inspired to be Green thanks Architect Karan Grover for his valuable time towards this motivational article.

HNG Corporate Office, Kolkata

The Park Hotel, Pune

Jadavgarh Fort Orchid Boutique Hotel, Pune

THE SEED’s ...to a Greener Planet

For more information contact Inspired to be Green team at 08939911182; [email protected] www.inspiredgreen.in

• From the green building basics to cost & schedule impact of each LEEDTM credit.

• Sample mock exams for green building exams like IGBC AP, LEEDTM AP aspirants

• Opportunity assessment in the east & west - US- Canada - UAE - India- China

• Other green building rating systems - GRIHA-green globes - estidama pearl - China 3 star

• Green building process- planning charette - design - construction - commissioning - closing

• Green technologies - BIM, energy modeling & other tools

• Green building project management • Lessons learned from building LEEDTM platinum • Performance of LEEDTM projects

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Green Facade systems From KinGspan

Kingspan Insulated Panels have been present in the India market for 3 years with their cold store sandwich panels and roof

sandwich panels for industrial buildings. The Ireland based global market leader has now announced the launch of their insulated facade system designed for building envelopes of commercial and public buildings.

The use of these products in India is now necessary for the compliance with the green building concept as well as to comply with the new ECBC requirements. The Kingspan system delivers 6 to 8 times better thermal insulation values than the conventional 9 inches brickwork. Thisofcoursemeansasignificantcostsavingbyreducedheattransferthrough the building envelope. On top of the usual requirements of water tightness, dust tightness, thermal and structural performance, the aesthetics of the system have been a top priority for the design & manufacturing of this product.

Kingspan has 30+ years of experience with manufacturing insulated sandwich panels on continous manufacturing lines. Their facade system has been used in many countries in America, Africa, Europe, Middle East, Asia & Australia.

The panels combine an amazing insulation value with the aesthetics of the modern metal based rendering systems. Case studies show a whopping INR 400+ savings per annum on every m sq of the panel system. As per recent studies the panel system would add up to extra 3 LEED credit points as compared to conventional brick based wall.

Theotherbenefitofthesystemistheeliminationofwettrades–nobrickwork is required and the system is prefabricated hence the risk of site errors is minimized. Kingspan is a member of the Indian Green Building Council. A wide range of FM Approved Firesafe products are available within their product range.

Besides launching their facade system Kingspan continues to supply their roof and wall panels as well as cold store panels.

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GREEn PRojEct of thE Month

Suzlon one earth,

hadaspar, pune

47% 60% 75% 90%

TM

Project Team Profile

Owner Suzlon Energy Ltd.

Architect Christopher Charles Benninger Architects, Pune

HVAC Consultants Refrisynth Engineers, Pune

Structural Consultants Vastech Consultants Pvt Ltd, Pune

Landscape Consultants Ravi & Varsha Gavandi Landscape Architects

Contractor Vascon Engineers, Pune

Plumbing Consultants Rahul Dadhphale Piping Consultants, Pune

Energy Consultant/LEED Facilitator Environmental Design Solutions, Pune

Project conceived and managed by Synefra E & C Ltd.

Energy Savings Water Savings Recycle Waste Daylight & IAQ

The campus design, interiors, landscape and communication all reflect the core Suzlon values of agility, creativity, adding value, commitment, and integrity. With One Earth, the company wanted to create a brand experience for all stakeholders and visitors that would reflect the global Suzlon brand. The Synefra team was given a dream, a vision and an idea which they translated into impressive reality. The One Earth campus is the knowledge and support base for the company’s global operations that penetrate 40 countries.

Here are some of the features incorporated in this project to achieve the prestigious LEED Platinum ratings. The features are listed similar to the LEED rating system.

The Suzlon project has a Transportation Policy in place to cater to about 20% of the building occupants and employees can avail the company bus services in addition to the 200 executives participate in the carpooling program and 30 preferred parking spaces have been reserved for carpools.

Alternative Transportation has been encouraged in this project by providing 96 e-charging points to promote the use of low emitting and alternative fuel stations like electric cars and bikes.

Various Water Treatment Techniques have been used in Suzlon One Earth project to ensure general water quality. The Rain water harvesting system helps to capture and treat and reuse the rain water on site. This reduces the need for potable water.

The project has mitigated the heat island effect by providing 90.99% roof with SRI compliant materials. The steep slope roof is provided with high reflectance Indiana copper coated Kalzip Aluminium Profile sheet whereas the flat roof uses white ceramic tiles; a concept quite often seen in traditional architecture. The Solar Reflectance Index of these materials is more than 78, combining envelope performance with cost effectiveness.

The Suzlon project is an excellent example of a building that is water efficient. The water use is reduced, generated sewage is treated and reused on site.

To maximize the water efficiency within the buildings to reduce the burden on municipal water supply and waste water systems, following water saving fixtures are installed at site:

1. Low flow faucets (pressure compensated 1.6 GPM economic aerators)

2. Touchless urinals with hytronic sensor (0.22l/sec;default flush time of 4 secs.)

3. Geberit concealed Dual Flush - half/full (0.8/1.6 GPF)

The on site waste water treatment is being done through a Sewage Treatment plant located at basement to treat the wastewater to tertiary standards. This treated water is used for Irrigation completely by eliminating the potable water demand by 100%. The treated water is also used for AC make up for the water cooled chillers.

Sustainability at the site

Water Efficiency


Energy Efficiency

The following measures have been taken to improve the building envelope design:

• Optimized Orientation - Mass Articulation / Mutual Shading High Performance Glazing

• The exposed glass is 4mm Clear Annealed + 0.76mm PVB + 6mm KT 455 + 12mm Air gap + 6mm Clear Heat Strengthened. U value- 0.32 Btu/hr.ft2.ºF; Solar Factor- 0.26

• Over Deck Insulation• Interior lighting power density <0.8W/sqft (350 Lux

Average)• Use of Day lighting and Occupancy sensors

Some of the HVAC system Green Building features are:• HVAC equipment efficiencies have been designed to

exceed the ASHRAE 90.1 2007• System Flexibility Of Variable Refrigerant Volume System• Pre-cooling And Heat Recovery• Direct-indirect Evaporative Cooling

HVAC (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning) Systems: Air recycling systems that filter and also cool the air before re-supplying have been introduced to reduce load on air conditioners. The indoor unit’s cooling operation offers flexibility to the user to control the desired temperature in any location in the premises according to individual preferences. Controls for switching on or switching off, scheduling, temperature and air flow are possible for each enclosed space. Such flexibility of operation based on users’ needs curtails wastage and enables substantially higher energy savings than conventional systems.

Direct-indirect evaporative cooling: Systems such as Indirect Evaporative Cooling have been used in certain areas to help maintain comfortable temperatures of 25°C and eliminate the need for air conditioners. This has helped reduce the total air conditioning required for the project substantially.

The Renewable Energy system to generate on-site green power consists of 18 Wind mills combined with 243 Solar Panels and 5.69% of the building’s energy is being provided by on-site renewable energy.

Jet fans for parking ventilation: As opposed to conventional ducted arrangement, fresh air is drawn through large openings provided on the periphery of the basement, and pushed by PLC controlled dual speed jet fans towards the center of the basement. The foul air is picked up at 10 locations and exhausted onto the terrace level by exhaust fans. The connected load is brought down to 216 kW as opposed to 472 kW expected in conventional ways. The operation of fans is based on signals received from CO sensors which further reduces electrical consumption.

Task Lighting at Each Workstation/ Daylight Harvesting Design/ Exterior LED Street Lights: The building envelope optimizes its daylight harvesting potential, thereby greatly reducing the energy requirement of the building.

Efficient Lighting Design: Making maximum use of daylight helps to save a significant amount of energy. The 9-ft full height glazing coupled with a narrow floor plate - 79 ft in general and 59 ft in block F and G - provide tremendous potential for daylight harvesting. This potential has been fully utilized by nonobtrusive placement of enclosures like conference rooms and the use of intelligent lighting controls.

Cutouts along the periphery wall in the basement and a large one at the centre of the building cut down the need for basement lighting during the daytime.

The lighting system in the interiors incorporates dimmable ballasts, electronic ballasts, occupancy sensors, motion sensors and daylight sensors. These ensure that lights get switched on only when required. The general lighting level from the ceiling luminaries is fixed at 350 lux. The artificial lights can be dimmed up and down from 0% to 100% depending on the adequacy of available daylight to meet the 350 lux requirement. The task lights have a built-in occupancy sensor in conjunction with a continuous dimmer. Lighting of individual offices is controlled by combined daylight and occupancy sensors.

Exterior LED Based street lights: The project also showcases enhanced energy savings due to a LED based Outdoor Lighting system, which results in around 65% savings (in terms of wattage) when compared with a conventional scheme. All the outdoor lights are controlled through the Integrated Building

Management System.

To reduce impacts resulting from extraction and processing of

new virgin materials, products with high recycle content are

used, which measure to about 13.26% of the total value of the

materials in the project. The use of PPC cement for non structural

areas with fly ash, use of Rerolled reinforcement steel, Fly Ash

Bricks, High recycled content carpets and modular ceilings are

also a part of the Green design features.

To support regional economy and reduce environmental impact

resulting from transportation, around 80% of regional materials

(within a radius of 800 km) are used in this project. Out of this

around 20% of regional materials have been extracted and

manufactured regionally.

Rapidly renewable materials like Tarkett Bamboo flooring, Asis

Board, Archidply, Interface Carpets, Cotton/ Jute carpets were

used and amounted to 5.89% of the building material cost.

Materials

Indoor Environmental Quality

The Suzlon One Earth team has taken measures to ensure a very high level of indoor environment in this project. Some of the Green features pertaining to IEQ are listed below

• Campus is non smoking.• CO2 Sensors have been provided in densely occupied spaces and workstation

areas to monitor and control CO2 levels inside the building. • HVAC system is designed for 30% additional ventilation rates required by ASHRAE

Standard. • Low emitting materials - To reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants Low

Emitting Adhesives, Sealants, Paints and Carpets and composite wood products have been used.

• 3M Mats are being used at the entrances to prevent dust entering into the building. Separate exhausts for the photocopier rooms, separate plumbing at selected service rooms.

• Task lights are provided for individual control for all the workstations and occupancy sensors are provided for all the areas such as cabins, meeting rooms and workstation areas.

• For Thermal Control openable panels are provided in the glazing for more than 50% of building occupants.

• Also there are remote controls for each Indoor VRV unit for thermal control. • Multi occupant spaces provided with multi functional light module, DSI Smart

Sensor occulux, CEFL PIR Occus switches.• More than 75 % of spaces have been designed to get daylight & more than 90%

of occupants have views to outdoors. The workstations are designed with low partition for better external view.

• The basement is designed to be an active part of the structure and not a dead end meant only as a parking area. It houses the cafeteria and the central plaza and receives useful daylight through punctures in the upper slab. The result of this approach is a sense of openness and visual connect in the basement, making the area activity oriented even while ensuring optimal use of space.


GREEN DESIGN EDUCATION – Suzlon has in place a ‘Green Design Education’ policy through which green design education in given to the new recruits, green awareness program to employees as per training calendar & continuous Green Education Programs, distribution, display and dissemination of green education information.

GREEN HOUSEKEEPING POLICY –Suzlon with help of CBRE has in place a ‘Green Housekeeping’ policy through which a green housekeeping products and process has been implemented.

EXEMPLARY PERFORMANCE IN REGIONAL MATERIAL – The project has achieved exemplary performance by using regional materials which measure to about 50% of the total value of the materials in the project

CONSTRUCTION ON RENEWABLE ENERGY - The project offsets more than 50% annual energy consumption used during construction with renewable energy. This is the most unique approach taken by any project to ensure dedicated concern towards environment.

ZERO WASTE POLICY - In addition a Zero Waste Policy has been formulated that is slated to become a very ambitious, committed and synchronous part of Suzlon’s already established list of Green Corporate Social Measures. The Zero Waste Policy will guide people to redesign their resource use system with the aim of reducing waste to zero. It will also help

to make people understand that resources such as paper, cardboard, food, etc. should be used responsibly in order to achieve a green office environment. The policy will project the fundamental understanding that waste management starts at an individual level and that the person generating waste should be aware of its importance.

Suzlon has identified various processes to recognize and develop the human behavioral skills necessary to understand and appreciate the inter-relationship between man and his bio-physical surrounding. The entire One Earth campus is based upon the principle of initiating and promoting awareness about sustainability. Among the various communication strategies adopted at Suzlon One Earth are Green Design Education, Green Signage, and the Green Tour. These strategies consider the built environment in its totality and create a continuous process for effectively communicating the goals of social sustainability through the building and its users.

CONSTRUCTION ON RENEWABLE ENERGY - Suzlon made an attempt to offset the environmental impact of energy consumed by the facility, since the Offsite Green Power produced is more than 50% of Project’s Energy Consumption.

Innovation in design

Summary of Power Consumption from DG & MSEB

From DG From MSEB

Total Consumption

Actual power generated from offsite windmill

34151.4 60097 94248.4 7208180

Innovation in design

Thermalinsulationmaterialofferssignificantresistancetothepathofheatflowandhelpsto:

• Reduce energy requirement• Reduce green house gas emission.• Save scarce environmental resources like fossil fuel

Hence, thermal insulation materials are used in buildings to provide a comfortableworking&livingenvironmentefficiently.

Glasswool is one of the best thermal insulation materials known to mankind. As a green building material, it is a preferred option by specifiersandusersfromamongalltheinsulationmaterialsavailable,owing to its superior performance as mentioned.

Thermal Performance Glasswool helps in reducing energy loss through roof and wall by up to30%owingto:

• Low and yet wide range of thermal conductivity values (K values; in range of 0.03 to 0.04 W/m.K) pertaining to its wide range of densities (10 - 130 Kg/cu.m), Uniform fibredistribution, Resilient and Hydrophobic nature.

• High and stable thermal resistance (R-value) over long time period.

Glasswool when used in optimum thickness and mass in building envelope conforms to U-value as recommended in various standards like ECBC 2007, Ashrae 90.1,2007.

Fire Performance Glasswool will not support combustion even in direct prolonged contactwithflamesasitismadefrompuresilicasand.Itemitsnotoxicfumes or smoke, the two biggest hazards to health and life. It is in compliancewithstringentfirenormsasperthefollowingstandards-

• FM • International Maritime Organisation (IMO) • BS476part4–Noncombustible

• BS 476 part 6 & 7 - Class ‘O’ /Class 1 rated. Probably the only insulation that conforms to ZERO spread of Flame.

• BS 476 part 5. - Class P rated (highest class for ignitability test)

Durability Glasswool helps to increase the life span of the system as it is -

• Chemically almost neutral & hence minimum or zero reactivity with any material.( pH value is close to 7)

• Non corrosive ( it does not contain impurities like sulphur, chloride)

• Hydrophobic (water repellent chemicals are added in the product). There is no capillary (wick-type) action and hence does not retain significant quantum ofmoisture. In ‘wet todry’ cycle, it breathes out moisture and regains its original performance.

Environmental Performance Glasswoolisclassifiedasa“Green Building Material” for following reasons:

• Raw material is silica sand, the earth’s most abundantly occurring natural material which replenishes itself in nature. Unlike in other insulation material, primary raw materials are not based on fossil fuel

• Recycled content like glass cullet from industrial waste is used whichotherwisewouldbedestinedforlandfills.

• Site waste of glasswool can be sold off to various local equipment manufacturers.Evenwhenitisdisposedofftolandfill,itdoesnotcreate any kind of environmental pollution.

• Normally no adhesive is used for installation of glasswool in buildings. It is easy to apply and easy to reclaim.

• Glasswool is packaged through a vacuum packaging system that reduces its volume significantly (e.g reduction ration 1:7). Itsaves transportation cost and energy.

• No VOC as the material is oven-cured and no CFC present as there is no blowing agent present.

The efficiency of resource consumption and an impact of the built environment on human health & naturalenvironmentduringthebuildinglifecyclecanbesignificantlyinfluencedbyoptingfortherightinsulation.

LEED Credit Category LEED Requirement Fiberglass Insulation Contribution

Energy and Atmosphere-Optimize energy performance

1-10 points depending on percent reduction on energy used.”Project should comply with final version of ECBC-LEED-INDIA NC”

It helps to reduce building energy consumption by providing adequate insulation (achieving required R,U-value) in building envelop and HVAC system.

Material and resource-recycled content

1-2 points depending on post consumer, post industrial recycled content

15-20% post industrial waste (e.g Glass cullet) is recycled.

Material and resource-regional/local manufacturing

1-2 points depending on 20% total building material is locally manufactured (within 800 KM radius)

In India 2 existing manufacturing units in North (U.P) and West (M.H) can help to provide these points

Innovation and Design process 1-4 points depending on the innovation appliedAcoustic benefit in buildings, water proofing with fiberglass tissue, fiberglass wool as concrete reinforcement.

Glasswool Compliance with LEED India NC, Green building rating system

NOTE: No individual building material enables a credit point taken within LEED

Glasswool – Green Insulation Material for GREEN BUILDINGS

By Mr.Biswajit Roy (U.P Twiga Fiberglass Ltd.)

G reen has been a fashionable word these days. Unfortunately, more often than not it has remained a word rather than a colour. As a result it gets interpreted in numerous shades. While on one hand fully glazed buildings using a photo sensitive glass product may be rendered as green, on the other end building with adequate comfort conditions without use of air conditioners would not find favours with the LEED rating system. There needs to be a boundary defining the blacks and whites of the green. No doubt that with the current state of affairs, which has rendered the environment dismal grey, every possible shade of green may be a welcome tone. Range is vast but we still need to define priorities.

While, turning off the television at night, rather than keeping it on a standby mode can save billions of Rupees worth of Energy (50 million pound estimated for entire UK in a year). We still need to identify our own spectrum of green and chart strategies around the same. It has to be a contextual resolution rather than a global statement. Universal-global norms have been one of the major factors in aggravating the problems. For example, even for the basic essential tasks there are such diverse norms existing in the world that universalising them with the higher denominator as the benchmark will only remain unduly wasteful. For example, an average consumption of water in USA is 600 litres per person per day, in Europe it is 250 litres, 135 litres is the Indian average while in Africa they manage with as little as 30 litres per day. India has 8 vehicles per thousand as compared to nearly 800 of America. Ninety percent of word’s cars are owned by sixteen richest nations accounting for only one fifth of world population. Need India follow the suit? India ironically ranks fifth in the energy requirements. Of which buildings account for nearly forty percent. (Residences 23.4% and Commercial buildings 6.6%). Industries follow next with 36.5% and agriculture 30.7%. As a development agent dealing with the building industry it makes us quite responsible for our decision making.

Redefining the Greys of the Green

Mr. Yatin Pandya Architect, Footprints E.A.R.T.H (Environment Architecture Research Technology Housing), [email protected]

I n a daytime use building nearly ninety two percent of energy is spent in cooling (60%) and day lighting (32%). The same figures for residential

buildings are 64%. This makes it quite logical for us to prioritize cooling and day lighting to be the preoccupation of the sustainable designs. How does our decision matter in these aspects? For example a building type can be a critical decision for its energy demands. A multi owner high-rise residential building has energy demands of (59.8KWH/sq. M) one and half times that of the single owner low rise building (40 KWH/sq. M), owing largely to the elevators and the energy intensive services. Entertainment centres guzzle three and a half times (135 KWH/ sq. M) while hotels and data centres are ten times more intensive. But topping all the list are the recently found shopping malls pegging energy needs at 565 KWH/sq. M. Needless is the debate whether after all these if they even measure up to the plurality and vitality of the traditional street bazaars. Air conditioners take up nearly half of the energy demands consuming at 1000 watt unit rate versus a fan which is only 80 watts. Do we need to chart an agenda for twenty percent reduction of air conditioning load to resolve to find comfort without one? It is also a fallacy to think that modern times imply more comfort. Electricity has been invented and applied since over two centuries but the energy consumption of entire year of 1950, even after 150 years of its invention, is equivalent of today’s consumption of six weeks only. And yet it remains inaccessible to over 40% of world’s population. Where has it got consumed and what are its alternatives? Entire estimated stock of fossil fuel of the world is equivalent of eleven days of solar energy. Moreover one kilowatt of solar panel saves one ton of carbon dioxide. In last fifty years world’s population has doubled and that along with the enhanced consumerism has put strain on the resources. Not to mention the severities of alarming pollution levels. In this reality of world and times of inundated construction can we pull ourselves back to question the taken for granted conclusions?


I t still makes sense to apply commonsense and conventional wisdom in resolving architecture. As

architects we are called to take six basic decisions and the sum total of which is architecture.

A) Sitting and location: This has severe implication through orientation, exposure and impact of natural forces. In western hot arid zones of India orienting a building with its longer faces to North-South compared to East-West can reduce solar radiation and exposure and thereby the energy demands to nearly half.

B) Form and Mass: This has potential for confronting natural forces as well as to benefit from mutual shading and scaling. As a thumb rule exposure levels and thereby energy demands can be reduced in a building in hot-arid zone up to ten percent by optimising on volumes of the building in areas such as passages, verandas, toilets, alcoves etc. Something like split levels. By adding a floor with reduced radiation from the top it gets reduced to about twenty percent. It is nearly halved by attaching the building from sides as well as stacking floors above.

C) Space organisation: This governs the extrovertedness or introvertedness, compactness or fragmentation, along with directionality and exposure value of the architecture. For example traditional buildings from hot arid regions have been compact, stacked and attached in their form, and have been interspersed with multiple yet small scale courtyards to reduce heat gain. As against Bungalows of the hot-humid zones have been extroverted with veranda like living spaces in the periphery to increase its transparency to breeze.

D) Elements of Space making: This forms the essential syntax of the architecture and thereby it’s interactivity with external conditions. For example a pavilion like structure with prominence of inclined roof form versus lightness-often absence- of wall is the syntax of hot-humid climate. Conversely predominance of wall and subjugation of roof is the grammar of hot-arid climate zones.

E) Material and Construction techniques: This is vital in setting forth the chemistry of building with external elements through its thermal coefficient, material properties and dynamics of its physics. If sunburnt clay block is taken as an unit of energy demand of material, cement is nearly ten times as energy intensive, steel thirty times, PVC 120 times and aluminium 160 times.

f) Finishes and surface articulation: Although seemingly micro, the skin rendering turns out to be the first aspect of building to negotiate with environmental conditions. As the first line soldier it takes most of the brunt of the vagaries of nature. Dark versus white or very light colour rendering with glossier surface can create up to five degree temperature difference within through its high reflectance value.

Any building, good or bad, demands the architectural decision on these six aspects. If only we understand the wider implications of these decisions we would be able to make informed choices and arrive at the resolutions basically sustaining. While smallest details can matter and advanced technology can help further in achieving efficiency of environment management these device or technology based solutions come later after the basic architectural resolutions. For example if heat gain through clear glass opening is seen as 100% the double glazing can help reduce it by about ten to twenty percent. The tainted glass can reduce by about forty percent. As against external awning or a meter wide eaves band can reduce it easily by over sixty percent. Thus technology does not absolve us, as doctor of vital forces, from our primary responsibility of managing the basic architectural resolution in consonance with the forces of nature and the local context.

So the debate is not about shying away from the technological advancements but rather to let it play as second fiddle and not to hide architectural fallacies behind the facades of energy intensive technologies. Through history we have known of full wall openings or undeterred views but we resolved them either as perforated Jaali walls in Rajput or Islamic phase or as stained glass openings in colonial phase. Both discouraged ingress of heat and yet provided extended views from inside out while protected outsider’s peek within. Smaller apertures of Jaali created microclimate features to induce velocity of air and cooling of air particle through Ventury and Bernoulli’s principle respectively. There is no logic for omission of overhangs for curtain glazed western or Southern facades in present day buildings, in our extreme hot climate condition. We seem to have left our bearings somewhere...

Here is one of the interpretations to demonstrate sustainable builtform using recycled waste material.

Manavsadhna Activity Centre is the very different interpretation of sustainability. A community centre in a squatter settlement, it uses the building components recycled from the domestic and municipal waste. The entire building is the demonstrative application of waste recycled products indigenously developed. Recycling the waste answers the call of environment through reduced pollution, empowers and employs the poor through value addition processes, and helps towards affordable and durable housing as these products are cheaper and more performing than the present options. The building uses fly ash bricks, dump fill site waste residue bricks, stabilised soil blocks, wood crate panels, glass bottles and waste filled plastic bottles etc. for walling options. It uses cement bonded sheets with clay tiles, stone slabs, glass-plastic bottle filled filler slabs etc. for the roofing, wrapping waste reinforced F.R.P., oil tin container panelling, wood crate panelling etc. for the doors and windows and in parts waste-fly ash-china mosaic tiles and blocks for flooring. These become live demonstrations for the urban poor to emulate in their homes.

The team at Inspired to be Green would like to thank Architect Yatin Pandya for sharing his valuable time and insights on Green and Sustainable Architecture with us. We will be covering 2 very interesting projects by Ar. Yatin Pandya in our next issue. The projects are the Environmental Sanitation Institute and the Gandhinu Gam Ludiya.

Sustainable development as defined by the Brundtland Commission is “development that meets the need of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. The world is now

confronted with the challenge of optimizing the use of the currently available resources in a way to meet the needs of the present generation without affecting the following generations.

The building sector alone accounts for 30-40 percent of global energy use, which reiterates that Sustainable Development is the need of the hour for the building sector. The current practices of Green Buildings are still in the phase of development, which is growing day by day through various practices and R&D’s across the globe. This article shall focus on the futuristic ideas and technologies corresponding to the building sector.

The Rotating Tower by David FisherDubai has garnered much attention in recent years with a never-ending supply of architectural wonders being built (or proposed) at a head spinning pace. One such architectural marvel is the “Rotating Tower” by David Fisher.

The building which exemplifies dynamic architecture has been aptly named “Rotating Tower” as the floors would be capable of rotating around a central axis. It will be continually in motion, changing shape and giving residents the ability to choose a new view at the touch of a button. The form of the building would constantly change as each floor rotates separately giving a new view of the building as it turns. According to Fisher, the building ensures a very high resistance to earthquakes as each floor rotates independently.

The new tower is the first building of its size to be produced in a factory. Each floor, made up of 12 individual units, complete with plumbing, electric connections, air conditioning, etc., will be fabricated in a factory. These modular units will be fitted on the concrete core or spine of the building at the central tower.

The 59 floor building will be powered entirely by sun and wind energy and the architect claims that the building will generate 10 times more energy than required to power it, thus making it a positive energy building. Solar panels will be fitted on the roof to harness sunlight, and a total of 48 wind turbines will be sandwiched between the rotating floors, placed so that they are practically invisible. Each wind turbine could produce up to 0.3 megawatt of electricity, and it is estimated that 1,200,000 kilowatt-hours of energy would be generated every year.

Project website, picture & information source: www.dynamicarchitecture.net

Picture & information source: inhabitat.com/2008/06/18/charles-patons-teatro-del-agua/

Picture & information source: www.solarpowerbuzzmedia.com/2010_07_01_archive.html

Teatro Del Agua by Charles PattonCharles Paton has come up with his Seawater Greenhouse Project, which takes a low-cost, low-energy, carbon-neutral approach to desalination.

The Teatro del Agua, utilizes energy from the sun, the sea and the atmosphere to create cooling and fresh water. The process is based on the Seawater Greenhouse concept and the range of possibilities for cooling is considerably enhanced by using seawater. This is a relatively new development, requiring the use of low cost plastics for pipes, pumps and heat exchangers (metals that are adequately corrosion resistant to seawater are generally too expensive for such applications).

The Teatro del Agua works by coupling “a series of evaporators and condensers such that the airborne moisture from the evaporators is then collected from the condensers, which are cooled by deep seawater.” The sweeping structure will incorporate solar panels to provide heat for the evaporators and will operate almost entirely on renewable energy. The Teatro del Agua is planned to be built in Spain’s Canary Islands.

The proposed development covers an area of about 400 000 square meters. In the sunny climate of the Canary Islands, the amount of solar energy falling on this area is very large, reaching about 320 MW. If, for example, just 1/10th of that energy were used to distil fresh water from seawater, around 300 m3 per day of freshwater would be produced. The buildings are thus self-sufficient in water, and the surplus is sufficient to irrigate some 50,000 m2 of gardens.

Dice House by SybariteSybarite, a British Architecture firm has designed an extraordinary architectural concept of “Dice House”. It is a zero carbon home emphasizing the outline of the Dice. The 9x9 meter cube which sits on an octagonal plinth, is set back from the facade of the house to emphasize the outline of the Dice.

This Dice house has been provided with maximum opening from all sides so that you can have a view of its surroundings. The front and rear facades are broken up by glazing’s and openings maximizing access to and from the house and providing a view of its surroundings.

The centerpiece is a photovoltaic umbrella dome that collects roughly 90 percent of the house’s energy needs. Made of a common plastic, the dome traps heat like a greenhouse. That hot air warms water in a tank tucked under the roof, turning out a daily average of 80 bath-ready gallons, even on the darkest days of December. At the umbrella’s apex, a generator-equipped turbine produces electricity and, in chilly months, drives heat into the house. Photovoltaic cells studding the 484-square-foot dome floor create additional electricity generating an estimated average of 33 kilowatt-hours per day. The roof is covered in plants under the dome. Walls made of structural board stabilize temperatures. Windows circumscribed by a big dot—the “one” side of the die—absorb light from the sun-drenched south. The excellent multiple dwelling scheme of Dice house makes it a truly standout home.


Thin-film PhotoVoltaic textilesThe thin-film photovoltaic textiles are essentially solar panels created from organic photovoltaic. While not as efficient as the silicon based type, they are able to be molded and modified without any manufacturing process.

Photovoltaic textiles have the potential to extend the integration of solar technology into buildings or items such as garments, tents or coverings.

Structure: Fibers consisting of nano-layers of polymer-based organic compounds are flexible solar cells, which include a polymer-based anode. Two different nano-materials in bulk hetero junction blends as the light absorbing materials, and a semi-transparent cathode to collect the electrons, formed by coating these materials onto flexible polypropylene (PP) fibers layer by layer, respectively, to produce electricity.

Photovoltaic performances of the fibers were analyzed by measuring current versus voltage characteristics under AM1.5 conditions. The maximum value obtained as the short-circuit current density of photovoltaic fibers was 0.27 mA/cm2.

Maglev Wind TurbineRenewable energy produced from the wind has garnered much attention and support in recent years. But now a super power wind turbine has come along that may be just what the renewable energy industry needs. The Maglev wind turbine, which was first unveiled at the Wind Power Asia exhibition in Beijing, is expected to take wind power technology to the next level with magnetic levitation.

How Does It Work? The vertically oriented blades of the wind turbine are suspended in the air above the base of the machine, replacing the need for ball bearings. The turbine uses “full-permanent” magnets, not electromagnets — therefore, it does not require electricity to run. The full-permanent magnet system employs neodymium (“rare earth”) magnets and there is no energy loss through friction. This also helps reduce maintenance costs and increases the lifespan of the generator.

Advantages over conventional wind turbines: They’re able to use winds with starting speeds as low as 1.5 meters per second (m/s). Also, they could operate in winds exceeding 40 m/s. currently; the largest conventional wind turbines in the world produce only five megawatts of power. However, one large maglev wind turbine could generate one gigawatt of clean power, enough to supply energy to 750,000 homes. It would also increase generation capacity by 20% over conventional wind turbines and decrease operational costs by 50%. If that isn’t enough, the maglev wind turbines will be operational for about 500 years!


Nano-vent skin by Agustin OteguisNano-vent skin project was born as an alternative to all the gigantic projects being built around the world. Nano Vent-skin (NVS) tries to make people think on a smaller scale and apply it to existing buildings, houses and structures (tunnels, road barriers, etc) to generate energy. With this approach NVS makes existing objects greener by covering them with a skin made out of micro wind turbines.

It consists of a set of micro turbines (25mmx10, 8mm), which generate energy from wind and sunlight. The outer skin of the structure absorbs sunlight through an organic photovoltaic skin and transfers it to the nano-fibres inside the nano-wires which then are sent to storage units at the end of each panel. Each turbine on the panel generates energy by chemical reactions on each end where it makes contact with the structure. Polarized organisms are responsible for this process on every turbine’s turn. The inner skin of each turbine works as a filter absorbing CO2 from the environment as wind passes through it.

Each panel has four round supply units (one on each corner). These units are in charge of:

• Monitoring that all the turbines are working.• Delivering material to regenerate broken or malfunctioning turbines.• Receiving and storing the energy produced by the turbines.

In order to achieve the best outcome of energy, the blades of each turbine are symmetrically designed. With this feature, even if the wind’s direction changes, each turbine adapts itself by rotating clockwise or anti-clockwise, depending on the situation. NVS is not trying to reinvent or reshape nature. It’s just acting as a merger of different means and approaches into energy absorption and transformation, which will never happen in nature.

Super Futuristic Green Car Design (Globetrotter 2017)A decade from now, the worldwide culture will be one of environmental consciousness, where increased awareness of climate issues will have engendered a scrutinizing and well-educated consumer niche. The Globetrotter is inventive as a lightweight, nimble urban vehicle aimed at various emerging and developed markets in 2017.

Given the likelihood that tomorrow’s consumers will be environment-sensitive, Globetrotter is designed from the ground-up and inside-out to be customizable and minimalistic at every step. It aspires to be functional, frugal, and fun, and gentle on the environment as well. The level of individualization this offers to the consumer market allows for the car to seamlessly fit into virtually any global context.

An ultra-lightweight, solar-powered plastic car designed by HARSHA RAVI will be the future of transportation. Winning him the coveted Young Designer of the Year Award, Ravi’s car design for 2017 is independent of fossil fuels, packed with eco-friendly technologies, and cuts back the weight and bulk of today’s gas guzzlers. His design employs a carbon-neutral, bio-plastic body that is 12% petroleum-based and 88% corn-based, which cuts manufacturing energy by 30%. And there’s more: a zinc-air fuel cell, a nano-paper battery, airless tires, and nano-paints to absorb solar energy while parked to charge its batteries, and woven seat material.

The Globetrotter is, indeed, the ultimate “tread lightly” automobile for the environment-savvy consumer.


Prof. Christopher Charles Benninger

Director, Christopher Charles Benninger Architects Pvt.Ltd

I had a wonderful conversation with Christopher Benninger at his breathtaking office and residence, “India House,” at Pune. ~ Isabelle, Inspired to be GREEN

Isabelle: Sir you have designed many sustainable buildings and most recently the Suzlon One Earth campus that is LEED Platinum rated and also received the Five Star rating from TERI-Griha – what is the secret behind your sustainable design?

CCB:Weareapplyingalotof thoughtwhenwedesignabuilding;weareusingthegiven conditions of the place to our advantage to save energy and save resources. For example, here in India House, the orientation was chosen to maximize natural ventilation. The open courtyard allows the wind to enter and cool down the building in a passive way. Louvers in front of the windows are designed to block direct sunlight, allowing tempered natural light to enter deep into the rooms. Since they are operable we can control the light throughout the day and in different seasons. We have selected agoodreflectivecolorthatbouncesthelightdeepwithintherooms.Wehaveusedathermo-isolativematerialon the roofs that cuts temperaturesbyfivepercent and thelightreflectivetilesonthemreflectthesunlightandfurthercooltheroofs.Itiseasiesttostart the battle at the envelope edge than to bring it inside the structure.

Green design is not only the concern of architects. It is the task of the entire project team and the owner who must bring a passion for green design in to the building process. A good deal of the approach deals with the location selection, the site development and the day to day management of the earth works, vehicles, and the attitude toward the people working on the site. You can’t just put the whole responsibility to the architect, thinking that by sitting in his studio he will just specify and design the solutions. The leadership and the sense of mission, and the passion for a sustainable world must emanate from the client. We all need to bring ideas on to the design table. This is the only way we create a green community and build sustainable structures.

India House Pune

GREEN BY NATURE: GREEN BY RATINGS

Isabelle: You are talking about a green community, what status will green buildings have in the future?

CCB:Buildings in themselves aremicrocosmsof cities andwe should start to treat buildings like that, as a micro unit of a bigger system. Green buildings are micro models of sustainablesystemsthatmustbeamplifiedtothemacroscale.While the number of rated green buildings is expanding, it will always be a miniscule share of the total built fabric of urban form. We now have to think of “ Sustainable Cities” of which these individual structures are just like the biological cells of the city, or small parts of urban fabric. Their roles are to demonstrate and to show the way. They are not the solution.

There is a natural way of building. We all used to do that by nature several decades back. It was just the way we worked that made us design buildings that had cross ventilation, thick walls for insulation and plenty of light off of the verandahs. Here were vents at the top of the ceilings to release the hot air that rose up.

Maybe ten years back we had just ten building materials on our pallet and they all came from nearby areas. Suddenly we had a plethora of complicated, new and composite materials. We started to air condition everything. Aluminum Composite Panels cladding everything became the in thing. Hermetically sealed, stuffy and dark rooms became the norm. From green by nature we started designing bad, irresponsible and rude buildings that insulted one’s sense of good manners. Now that we switched from designing in a “green by habit manner,” we started designing just plain bad buildings that guzzled energy, pollutedtheair,wastedwaterandrequiredartificiallighting.We were specifying toxic materials that required a huge carbon footprint to produce and to transport. Then the idea of making us learn by numbers came on the scene. Giving us points for doing the wrong thing a little bit better caught everyone’s imagine. We are all basically children. We are anal-retentive seekers of attention. So “Hey, look at me, I have more green

points than you,” was a very good idea. I think the green rating systems are trying to make bad things a little bit better. This teaching tool and game is a good beginning. But it is not the way to solve the world’s environmental problems. I would like to start at “Point 0” and outline the picture.

If you look at the pattern of early human civilization you can see that villages always developed around a micro-watershed catchmentarea,withdensevegetationandforestshousingfloraand fauna and a wide variety of biomass. The insect and bird life was intermixed into an ecologically balanced system, of which mankind was just a small part. As villages grew people requiredmoreandmorelandforagricultureandfirewood...and here the problem starts. More land for agriculture means that forests, and the supporting biomass were cut and burned and transformedintofields.Duringthemonsoon,afterthebiomassis removed through harvesting, the topsoil of the gets washed into streams, rivulets, rivers, lakes and oceans. The rainfall in the catchment areas remains within the same volume and the carrying capacity of the drainage systems are reduced through siltation. Filling in from the bottom the streamsides erode and widen, collecting more silt making the rivers shallower! This resultsinfloodingandthepowerfulfloodcurrentserodemoreand more land. Meanwhile the cutting and burning of the hill slopes and tops continues unabated. The forested hilltops are denudedoftheirfirewood!Goatsandotherdomesticanimalsgraze over the barren lands, eating the biomass coverage and chewing away even the roots of protective plants leaving the hills unprotected. What soil is left is blown away in the hot, dry summer winds covering the countryside with dusty polluted air.Denseforestswithwildlifeandfishfilledstreamsbecamedesolate wastelands.

At the same time our population continues growing. We try to solve this problem by using chemical fertilizers and pesticides to grow hybrid plants that promise abundant harvests. These weak crossbreed plants cannot survive without chemical treatments. The treatments are toxic and these poisons deteriorate very slowly, nesting into aquifer systems and poisoning the subsoil layers.


YMCA campsite Pune Centre for Development Studies and

Nowwehavesolvedourfirstproblemofamplifyingthefoodsupply to feed the enlarged population, but we have created a new problem for the environment. All the chemicals and toxins are now washed into the subsoil, the subterranean water reserves and the aquifers that keep the water system vibrant. Many of the cash crops, like sugar cane, are water guzzlers. One acre of sugar cane requires enough water to irrigate seven acres of leafy green vegetables of food crops. It is more expensive to grow sugar cane in India than to import it from tropical rainforest areas like Cuba and Malaysia. So even the rural economy becomes dependent on an unsustainable mode of agricultural production. The Green Revolution is not so green after all.

We have started the same vicious cycle with our buildings. First we made use of regionally available materials and tried to use the weather conditions to our advantage by designing buildings that allow natural ventilation to cool our buildings and daylight to illuminate our spaces. Slowly we started to move away from our traditions. We developed buildings that are very uncomfortable without the help of technologies like air conditioning, elevators and artificial lighting. Wedeveloped sanitary systems that demand huge per capita consumption of water. Here we are, right now, trying to solve the problem of our energy-guzzling buildings. We call the solution Green Buildings. That is actually the point where we are trying to make something bad a little bit better. We start with the wrong assumptions and we do the wrong thing better and better and better. We get points for doing the wrong thing better and better. We try to reduce energy consumption with new non-toxic materials and incorporate systemsthataremoreenergyefficient.Butwehavenoideaabout the ecological impact of production of those materials. New technologies come from all over the world to cut down on energy bills, but have we ever thought of how much energy is spent in transporting these materials, equipment, and their inputs around the world? Do we know what toxins

areemittedduringproductionorarelatentwithinthefinishedproducts? Yes, we are learning to do the wrong thing better and better, but we are doing it wrong from the beginning.

Isabelle: You are right, I have not thought about it this way. Iwillgiveyouanotherexamplethatmayopenyoureyes:

The GREEN REVOLUTION involved the introduction of high-yield varieties of hybrid seeds after 1965 and requiring theincreaseduseoffertilizersandirrigation.Thisscientificfeat provided the increase in production required to make Indiaself-sufficientinfoodgrains,thusimprovingagriculturein India. This movement is now is blamed for the spread of land degradation in India due to excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides. It requires immense amounts of capital each year to purchase equipment and fertilizers. This may lead to a cycle of debt if a farmer is unable to repay the loans required each year. Additionally, the crops require so much water that water tables in some regions of India have dropped dramatically. This drop continues affecting negatively the process of desertification.Where cash crops demand highlevels of irrigation the evaporating water creates salinization destroying the fertility of the land. Already, the low water is starting the process of salinization. If continued, this will leave vast land tracts infertile and spelling a disaster for India. Fifty years ago the Green Revolution was started for a good cause and saved millions of people from death and starvation. Now the environment must bear the cost, and we will be affected soon. I do not wish the same process to take place with our buildings. We should think about sustainable solutions without negatively effecting the environment.

Let us design buildings with local resources, incorporate technologies carefully and pay a lot of attention to a balance with Mother Nature.

About CCB:Christopher Benninger’s early career was as a teacher at Harvard University and in India, where he founded the School of Planning at Ahmedabad and the Center for Development Studies and Activities under the University of Pune. Sixteen years ago,wellpasttheageoffifty,hegaveupathrivingacademicandUnitedNationsconsultingcareer,startinganarchitecturalstudio nearly from scratch. Along with his partner, Akkisetti Ramprasad and senior colleagues Rahul Sathe, Daraius Choksi, Harsh Manrao and others, an architectural studio was quickly turned into an internationally acclaimed “design house,” winning the prestigious American Institute of Architect’s Award, India’s Designer of the Year Award amongst others. Their studio’s patrons have ranged from the King of Bhutan, Queen Noor of Jordan, Nelson Mandela, and the United Nations to corporates liketheKirloskars,Suzlon,theBajajGroup,CochinRefineries,theTajHotels,theMahindras,TataTechnologies,ExecutiveShip Management (Singapore) and many more. They have served voluntary agencies like the SOS Children’s Villages, YMCA, Arthabod, the Good Sheppard Homes and the TGBMS. Their present focus is on the new campus of the Indian Institute of Management at Kolkata, the new National Capitol Complex in Bhutan and the Azim Premji University at Bangalore. (More information on projects and ideas at www.ccba.in/home.htm)Inspired to be Green thanks for this great conversation beyond green buildings and towards more sustainability. It was a pleasure to listen to the vast experience and knowledge of Architect Christopher Charles Benninger about the connections of our ecosystem.

Mahindra United World College Pune

Centre for Development Studies and Activities Pune

The On Premise Laundry (OPL) segment of the marketisdefinedasHealthcareorHospitals,Hotelsand large Flight Kitchens that launder their own

linen in their own premises or in-house. The washers in these segments range in the size from 10 to 200 kgs capacity machines. These accounts choose to process their own laundryin-houseforthefollowingreasons:

• In some cases it is more cost effective to wash linen on premise.

• It gives the user complete control over the wash quality of linen which in the long term helps in controlling cost on account of linen discards.

• It helps the user to set and maintain linen standards.

The five basic variables that affect cleaning performance in any laundry operation are:

• Water• Agitation or Mechanical Action• Time• Chemicals• Heat or Temperature

The proper balance of all the above brings about maximum cleaningeconomyandefficiency.Tomaintainworkqualitywhen one variable is changed, we have to compensate by changing the other. All OPLs typically try to maintain this proper balance. The laundry wash formulas which are a series of operations or steps designed to loosen, suspend or remove soil from linen are also critical in ensuring that weachievethedesiredeconomyandefficiency.MostoftheOPL today use the standard high temperature wash process, which involve high temperature, high alkalinity and high detergency action. This in turn leads to higher water, energy and power cost.

Once the soil is removed from the surface or linen, the left over is stain which needs bleaching action will mask or decolorize it.Bleaching operation predominantly has both Chlorine and Oxygen as bleaching agents. However excessive temperature can be detrimental in some parts of the wash cycle. Bleaching in high temperature can cause fabric damage or can result to setting of stains in initial stage. High temperature systems also mean higher consumption of energy which is required to achieve the desired performance.

Many OPL today, sometimes have machines which because of technical or mechanical problems are unable to provide the required high temperatures. In such cases most users end up compromising on wash performance. There are also concerns of water hardness in many parts of the country which can be an issue. In high temperature system, scaling

deposit on the fabric and machines which lead to reduction inmachineandfabriclife.Thus:

• High energy leads to high fuel consumption which increase the cost

• High temperatures leads to high linen deterioration which again results to higher cost

• High temperature systems will have wash formulas designed of high alkaline, that provide the potent cleaning force which helps to mask stains. However when the same is discharged to sewage, would increase the COD and BOD levels, resulting in an increase in sewage treatment cost.

To offset all the above critical points, OPL are now moving to a new concept of low temperature and low alkalinity wash process. The distinctive advantages of the low temperature systemare:

• Energy savings up to 30% due to lower temperature• Water savings up to 28%• Productivity savings up to 30% due to shorter wash

processes• Affluent reductions up to 30% due to reducedwater

consumption• Extended linen life up to 30% due to lower temperature

wash processes.

A low temperature wash process provides the user with the above mentioned possible savings because of acombinationof:

• Good wetting agent• Low temperature bleaches

This low temperature system, which uses a milder bleaching system and lower temperature, will be the future of OPL. As resources like water, energy, power are scarce & expensive, it will become the need of the hour for all OPLs to move to a processes which will consume less water, energy and power. Many local municipal corporations today have already regulatedsupplyofwater toOPLsand to fullfillbalance needs, many of them get water supply from wells, tube wells and tankers.

As water is the largest consumable in Laundry and single most important factor that can affect the quality of wash performance, it becomes important for all OPLs to adopt the system. This not only saves water, but also low temperature bleach provides a superior performance. The low temperature system saves an over all operating cost and also helps preserving the environment and hence achieving the mission and goal in reduction of Global Warming.

Mr. Abhay Desai Director Marketing South Asia,

Diversey India Pvt. Ltd.

LOW TEMPERATURE LAUNDRY

A cleaner, healthier future.As JohnsonDiversey, you expected us to deliver the best, most effective portfolio of cleaning products. You relied on our world-class innovation and service to make cleaning and sanitation more efficient. You valued partnering with us to address the most challenging needs. You looked to our leadership in making a cleaner, healthier future for the world.

Now, we’re simplifying our name under one powerful brand—Diversey—to better reflect our world leadership in the commercial cleaning and hygiene business. As Diversey, you can continue to expect us to deliver the very best products, services and partnership. And you can count on us to do even more to deliver real, sustainable value.

We’re Diversey, and we’re leading the world toward a cleaner, healthier future.

Diversey India Pvt. LtdA - 8, Laxmi Towers, Bandra Kurla ComplexMumbai 400 051Tel: 022 66444222www.diversey.com

ZERO ENERGY SPACEExperience the

Future of BuildingsVision

A Net Zero building which is energy efficient as well as generates all it’s power needs with PV panels on the rooftop - a Green Building par excellence.

The growth of Green Building materials and products has been very encouraging, but awareness needs to improve within the design & construction community. Since most of the green building materials and strategies are different from conventional construction practices it needs efforts to educate people and make them realize that green practices can be incorporated in every building.

Reaching out to 250,000 people by 2010

We believe in a holistic approach to education, where industry stakeholders can understand the concepts through “hands – on” approach and are able to see “sustainability” in action. Showcasing a building which actually works without grid connection inspires people. Visitors get more confident about using/applying green

products and strategies. The concept is exhibited at the Indian Green Building Congress 2010, Chennai from 6th-9th October (Asia’s largest Green Building Conference), ET ACEtech, Mumbai, ET ACEtech, Delhi (Asia’s largest Construction related Exhibition).

Yes, the Zero Energy Space can do all of that and more. This building is independent of the electricity grid and is powered by solar-energy only. It shows the latest technologies and materials used for construction of energy efficient buildings without compromising on high comfort and healthy indoor environment.

The Zero-Energy-Space is on a building awareness tour through India starting it’s way from Chennai to Mumbai and Delhi. With prominent exhibitions like the IGBC Congress and ET ACEtech exhibitions this program will reach out to more then 2.5 lakh people in 2010. Leading by example is the motto for this initiative sponsored by Aluplast Windows, Breezair, Everest Industries, Nippon Paints, Supreme Petrochem & Roca.

Can a building work without electricity connection?

Can green building design and materials reduce the energy consumption of an air conditioned space by 60% or more?

Can the savings be achieved without compromise on indoor quality and performance?

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Roca Bathroom:Water is one of the most precious resources on earth. Water efficient fixtures for toilets and taps reduce the fresh water consumption in a building and also contribute towards points in the LEED rating system.

Breezair fresh air:Air conditioning consumes a major part of the energy consumed by a building. The Breezair system works through an evaporative cooling cycle and consumes 1/10 of the energy of a conventional air conditioning device additional to 100% fresh air ventilation.

Photovoltaic by team sustain:The sun is a strong power-generator. To convert the sun's energy to electricity the building accommodates photo-voltaic panels on the rooftop. Through the use of an inverter and a battery storage the uninterrupted power-supply can be guaranteed. The building is completely independent from the electricity grid.

Surabhi Bamboo:Bamboo is one of the most sustainable building materials as it grows rapidly and can be harvested in a much shorter time than hardwoods. With the help of modern production techniques bamboo is transformed in to an excellent material for flooring, furniture and other interior design elements.

Supreme Insuboard & Beardsell:Insulation of wall and roof is a vital part of a building's envelope, to prevent the transfer of heat in either direction. This product reduces heat ingress through walls/roof and hence cuts down energy consumption for air conditioning. Insuboard offers one the highest insulation values for XPS insulation.

Everest Fibre Cement Boards:The drywall construction with fiber cement boards creates a strong, lightweight, water resistant and energy-efficient building envelope which is also suitable for a variety of finishes. The recycled content of the boards is 55%.

Nippon Paints:LOW-VOC Paints are used on the interiors to create a healthy indoor environment and avoid toxins which could lead to respiratory problems of occupants. Solar Reflective Paint on the outer skin reflect s sunlight and reduces the solar heat gain through the envelope, thus reducing the energy consumption.

Aluplast Windows: High performance double glazed units and energy-saving UPVC frames contribute towards lower energy consumption and reduced sound transmission. This German product savesenergy by reducing infiltration and the frames are provided with thermal breaks to prevent heat ingress.

This is an innovative marketing and awareness campaign from inspired to be green. To receive more information & join the concept.

SUSTAINABLE FEATURES


Experience the ZERO ENERGY SPACE in your city at the Green Building Congress in Chennai, Economic Times ACEtech in Mumbai and at Economic Times ACEtech in New Delhi and see

the website www.zeroenergyspace.com

Sustainability and Green Buildings

around the World!

Introduction

There are many Green Building Rating Systems out there and we’re about to give you some informationaboutthelarger,moreinfluentialones.Thefollowinglistofnationsrepresentsasignificantproportion of the Earth’s population and each nation listed here is at least attempting to answer the call on why we must live more sustainably.

Sustainability in the United StatesThe United States, with approximately 300 million people, is the largest consumer of energy in the world. In comparison, the average Indian is one of the world’s smallest consumers of energy. The majority of the energy consumed in the US comes from fossil fuels with less than 9% from nuclear and around 7% from renewable energy sources. Paradoxically, the United States, with it’s huge appetite for energy, is also a world leader in sustainability initiatives. There are several notable rating systems in the US of which we want to talk about LEED, Energy Star and Green Globesforthisarticle:

USGBC: First, let’s talk about the United States Green Building Council. Founded in 1993, is a non-profit trade organization that promotessustainability in how buildings are designed, built and operated. With over 20,000 members, the USGBC is best known for the development of the

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED green building rating

systems and the annual Greenbuild conference and exposition that promotes the green building industry.

LEED

The LEED building rating system is broken into 6 different credit categories for which points are earned based on the green merits of the project being rated. With over 25,000 registered projects, it is the largest green rating system in the US. The USGBC established benchmarks for the LEED green building rating system in 2000. LEED is a framework for assessing building performance and meeting sustainability goals. Certificationis generally voluntary, but is quickly becoming a requirement to follow the LEED protocols for government buildings and in certain localities.

By Joe Koizen, LEED AP & Jeslin Varghese PMP, LEED AP (Principals at Green Building Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA)

LEED Platinum Certified -Artists for Humanity EpiCenter- Massachusettes- USA

LEED Platinum Certified -Living Homes- Santa Monica- USA

GBI - Green Globes

Green Globes is an environmental assessment, education and rating system that is promoted in the United States by the Green Building Initiative, a Portland, Oregon-based non-profit.The system, which is an on-line interactive software tool, awards points under multiple categories. Currently, Green Globeshasover250certifiedprojectsintheUS.

EPA- Energy Star

Energy Star is an international standard for energy efficient consumer productsoriginatedin theUS. Itwasfirstcreatedas a US government program by the Clinton Administration in 1992, but Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan and the EU have also adopted the program. Devices carrying the Energy Star logo, such as computer products, appliances, buildings and other products, generally use 20%-30% less energy than required by US federal standards. Currently, thereismorethan1.9billionsquarefeetoffloorspaceintheUS that has met the Energy Star label.

Sustainability in Canada

The Canadian Federal Government, through the Auditor General Act, has made a goal of advancing sustainable development a public policy for all of Canada. As in the United States, federal, provincial and local utility incentives exist to encourage responsible management of natural resources.

Thenon-profitCanadianGreenBuildingCouncilwasformedto promote sustainability in how buildings are designed, built and operated. As in the US, the CaGBC is perhaps best known for the development of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED green building rating systems and the annual national conference and exposition that promotes the green building industry. Currently there are more than 2000 registered projects throughout Canada.

The CaGBC’s “Green Up” program provides tools, performance standards and resources to help building owners and operators understand, measure and compare on-going performanceoftheirbuildingstohelpthemfindefficienciesand improvements to achieve deep reductions in energy and water use, and greenhouse gas emissions.

The CaGBCs “Living Building Challenge” was established as an additional outlet to promote the goals set forth by the

USGBCandCaGBC–itestablishesavisionforaproject’senvironmental and social responsibilities from a new vantage point. With more than 60 registered projects spanning the length of Canada, the buildings are pursuing certificationunder a more vigorous performance standard than the normal LEED process. The Living Building Challenge is not meant to compete with LEED and in fact has been endorsed by both the USGBC and CaGBC.

BREEAM:

BREEAM is a voluntary measurement rating for green buildings that was established in the UK by the Building Research Establishment. It stands for BRE Environmental Assessment Method. Since its inception in 1990, it has grown in scope and geographical relevance by being exported in various forms across the globe. It’s equivalents in other regions include LEED in North America, Green Star in Australia, and HQE in France. It is touted as being the largest and most widely used environmental assessment tool in existence.

CaGBC Certified -Omega Centre for Sustainable Living- Canada

Breeam Certified -Keynes Collge-UK


Sustainability in the Middle East

The Middle East Centre for Sustainable Development (MECSD) has a mission to promote innovation enabling sustainable development in the Middle East. The Centre will enableguidelines,technicalsupportandGreenCertificationwithin the reach of all interested parties that wish to progress on sustainable development projects in the region. The Centre was established to address standardization and integration of Green building requirements within Dubai, establishlocal“EnergyEfficiency”certificationandnormsand guidelines, technical support and green certificationwithin the reach of all interested parties that wish to embark on a sustainable path within the region. Some specificexamples:

UAE & LEED

Little noticed in the US & India, is his Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum’s dictate that all new buildings in the United Arab Emirates meet LEED standards. Sheikh Mohammed, Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai has mandated that all new buildings in the emirate be meet LEED standards. As you might guess, a huge emphasis is placed on water conservation as well as an adaptation of the standard LEED credits to meet the unique challenges of construction in the UAE. It is believed that this mandate will cause a revolution of sorts given that the world’s architects, contractors, engineers of nearly everylargeAmericanandEuropeanfirmofconsequenceisdesigningandbuildinginDubaiandAbuDhabi–twokeycities in the UAE.

Estidama – Pearl

Estidama is a building design methodology for constructing and operating buildings and communities more sustainably. The program is a key aspect of the “Plan Abu Dhabi 2030” drive to build the city of Abu Dhabi according to innovative green standards. Estidama is the Arabic word for sustainability. The program is not itself a green building rating system like LEED or BREEAM, but rather a collection of ideals that are imposed in an elective code type of format. However, within Estidama there is a building rating system called the “Pearl”. This system is used to evaluate building design in Abu Dhabi.

Sustainability in Singapore

As part of Singapore’s strategy for sustainable growth, the Inter -ministerial committee on Sustainable Development has set a target of 35% reduction in energy intensity by 2030 from 2005 levels. As buildings account for about one third of Singapore’s total electricity consumption, the energy efficiencyofbuildings isaprime target. To thisend, thegovernment has already put in place both incentives and regulations under a Green Building Master Plan. The target is to make 80% of all Singapore’s buildings “green” by 2030. The government is further introducing a $100M Green Mark Incentive Scheme for Existing Buildings to encourage and incentivize building owners to undertake necessaryretrofitstoupgradetheirbuildings.

Wafi City, Dubai

Nanyang University, Singapore

Sustainability in India

Finally let’s talk about sustainability and green building initiatives in India. Though the terms “sustainability” and “green buildings” are relatively new– the practicessurrounding them were never new to India. Ancient and medieval structures are testimony to the fact that India has a long history in Green Buildings and sustainability. India is one of the largest growing economies in the world with economic growth rate of 8.9%. Commensurate with economic growth, urbanization in India is growing fast. Everyday – India’s growing economy needs moreenergy, water and resources for the built environment. The construction sector in India is witnessing a fast growth due to several factors. Some of the key growth drivers are increased demand for housing, strong demographic impetus, expansion of organized retail, increased demand for commercial office spaces by multinationals and IThubs, and coming up of SEZs (special economic zones). Let’s look at some of the sustainability and green building initiatives in India.

The Indian Green Building Council represents all the stakeholders in the construction industry. It has developed a green building rating programs that cover commercial, residential, and factory buildings and special economic zones. Rating programs would help projects to address all aspects related to the environment and is an effective tool to measure the performance of the building/project. IGBC along with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry developed the Green SEZ guidelines. The Green SEZ Rating System encourages projects to exceed the requirements of many codes and standards.

HPCB – High Performance Commercial Buildings inIndia is an initiative targeted at air conditioned commercial buildings aiming at establishing relevance and impacts of low-energy passive strategies and making them Code compliant. According to the Bureau of Energy efficiency - ECBC / EnergyConservationBuildingCodecompliant building use 27-30% less energy compared to traditional buildings.

TERI or The Energy and resources institute formerly known as Tata energy research institute has been supporting India’s Energy and sustainability demand for the last 30 years. Some of Teri’s notable contributions include the rating system called GRIHA. TERI does a lot of research and brings value to the Indian society in areas including alternative energy including new age bio fuel, green buildings, bio technology, etc.

BEE-SimilartotheEnergyStarprogramintheUS–BEEorBureauofEnergyefficiencypromotesSTARRATINGfor electrical equipments and appliances. Recently the BEE has introduced a rating for building as well where buildings based on Energy Performance Index gets a score between 1-5 stars. The Lower the EPI (KWh.Sq.m) –the higher the star rating.

So now you know what’s happening around the world with respect to sustainability, energy and water conservation and green buildings. And you also know what’s happening in your corner of the planet. We would like to end this article byaverse from theRig-Veda–Letnoble thoughtscomefrom all sides.

IGBC Green Homes Platinum Certified - TZED Banglore GRIHA 5 star rated - CESE, IIT Kanpur


• This is the only seamless green wall system & the basal infrastructure is not seen as it always covered with thick vegetation.

• This is the most Sustainable living wall system, as the external installations have already sustained varied climatic conditions, from 2 degrees C to 46.5 degrees C temperature.

• This is a modular system and it consists of Living wall panels of size 30cm x 30cm x10cm.• Weight of Living wall when fully saturated with water is less than 8.5 kg per sft. • The growth medium is longevity enabled & replenishment of organic materials or change of growth medium is not

required for many years.• Panels have in built irrigation system, which works on gravity & assure that each cell of the panel gets water.• The panels have provision to introduce illumination and also mist irrigation through the panels. the introduction of

spraying system makes maintenance easy in case of high rise buildings• The panels can be planted in the place or pre-grown panels are also available.One can have ready effect from

firstdayofinstallation.

Paharpur Business Centre and Software Technology Incubator Park (PBC™ - STIP) has been conducting it’s business in a environmentally friendly manner since it’s inception some two decades ago and it firmly believes that care for environment is intrinsic to its business.

Introduction:Paharpur Business Centre & Software Technology Incubator Park, is an SME, & is engaged in the business of providing furnishedofficespaceona“plugnplay”basis, toahostofmultinational and Fortune 500 companies planning forays into the Indian market place, in a mountain fresh air ambience and facilitating business through it’s suite of twenty-eight support servicesatonestop.Allit’sofficesareequippedwithstateofthe art facilities & services.

Motto: A good environment ultimately leads to sustainable development.Under this PBC signed a MoU with MCD and adopted a 4-acre area that was a slum and converted it into a beautiful park by planting more than 2000 trees and shrubs. This tremendously improved the air quality in the area, as prior to this it was a concrete jungle with no green space.

PBC™ - STIP strictly follows the principle of 3 R i.e. “reduce, reuse and recycle” as stated in its environment policy. Over the past many years it has taken several environmental initiatives for sustainabledevelopmentwithoutsacrificingthequalityoflife.

Some of the notable initiatives taken by PBC have been in the area of energy saving, water conservation; water harvesting and indoor Air Quality (IAQ).

Environmental Responsibility:Our service business must have minimum impact on our surroundings, neighbors and environment. Our motto “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” is applied wherever practicable in our business without sacrificing quality of life.

In accordance with the above, the PBC has formulated a number of procedures and processes to improve and sustain their environmental performance.

To begin with the Business Center at Nehru Place Greens is a No Smoking Building – much before Government ofDelhi made it mandatory for all commercial buildings in the city to be “No-Smoking” buildings. The occupants are not allowed to eat in offices; the PBC has separate designatedareas for both smoking & eating. This was done in order to improvethequalityofindoorair&tofighttheill-effectsofsick building syndrome.

PAHARPUR BUSINESS CENTRE

GREEN EXISTING BUILDING PAR EXCELLENCE

Indoor Air Quality

The IndoorAirQualityatPBC™-STIPmeets thespecifiedASHRAE (American Society for Heating Refrigeration and Air conditioning Engineers) Standards. A dedicated Indoor Air Quality division equipped with a lab has been set up to continuously monitor and improve the indoor air quality. PBC uses bio-technology originally developed by NASA to purify the air. This process makes use of plants like Sensevieria Trifasciata that produces oxygen at night, Areca Palm and Money Plant.

PBChasbeenpracticingthisnaturalsystemofairpurificationthrough plants for nearly two decades now. This ensures lower CO2 levels that result in higher blood oxygen and higher productivity.Thisisdonethroughaveryscientificsystem:airfrom a height of 120 ft is sucked in, passed through a water shower to free it from any water soluble particles / pollutants, it is then pumped into a chamber / Green House which has more than 1500 plants that enrich it with oxygen and increase its humidity. The oxygenated air is then fed into the AC plant forcooling.Thistreatedfreshairisprovidedtoall thefloorsthrough individual AHUs. The AC plant has been so designed that it does not reuse the air but takes in fresh air every time. To save energy, a heat recovery wheel is placed that exchanges heat. It reduces the temperature of the incoming air. A chemical cartridge has also been installed in the wheel to reduce the poisonous gases like SO2. As a result of this we have been able to maintain SO2 levels to below detectable limits. Other than this there has been partial reduction in NO2 and SPM levels. The HVAC system provides fresh air supply to 20 cfm per person. The building is designed to accommodate 400 people at a time with 4 plants per person.

A View of Green HousePBC offers, near mountain fresh air, in the heart of New Delhi – for thosewhowork in the buildingwhich improvesproductivity, as a person does not get tired and feels fresh, thus leading to good health, fewer sick days.

AstudywasconductedbyCPCB–MOEF,GovernmentofIndia & as per this, it was found that providing cleaner air reverses the effects of pollution. People working at Paharpur Business Centre in Nehru Place, which has filters to cleanpollutants from air, were found to have 10-12% less lung impairment than those working in Nirman Bhawan & Mausam Bhawan,wheretherearenoairfilters.

Compared to other buildings in Delhi, the incidences of Eye irritation reduced by 52%, Respiratory symptoms by 34%, Headaches by 24%, Lung impairment by 12% and Asthma by 9% at PBC.

PBCpostsairqualityreadingsontheirwebsite:www.pbcnet.com, please log on for the day’s readings.

Growing Fresh Air at PBC:A Natural Way of Purification……… …….. By Using Green Plants

Areca Palm • Produces Oxygen during the day• Removes Chemical Toxins• Easy to maintain.

Sensevieria Trifasciata• Produces Oxygen at night • Removes Chemical Toxins• Easy to maintain

ApartfrominitiativestakeninthefieldofIndoorAirQuality,thePBChasalsotakeninitiativesinthefieldofwastemanagement,energy & water conservation.


Energy Conservation:In any organization 60% of the total power consumption is attributed to the Air Conditioning Plant.

To reduce the load on the air conditioning plant, the project has installed green mesh outside the west facing balconies, placed green plants in the balcony, all the windows have solar films and are sealed with rubber lining to preventinfiltrationofair.

Apart from this a Heat Recovery Wheel has been installed to transfer the heat from the incoming air to the outgoing exhaust air. PBC also follows a lot of good practices like cleaning theAHUfiltersonadailybasis,monitoringandrecording temperatures at all levels on a 24 x 7 basis.

The project has installed sub meters at all strategic locations in the building in order to track the daily power consumption and to control any wastage hence, electricity consumption is recorded twice a day in order to have an effective control on the daily power consumption.

Motion Sensors have been installed in the bathrooms in order to control electricity wastage.

AT PBC™- STIP all General Lighting Solution lamps (GLS) havebeenreplacedbyCompactfluorescentLamps(CFL),while maintaining the same lux levels this has resulted in a net saving of 6.04 MW per month.

This initiative has also been extended to the PBC Team that has also taken the step forward and replaced the GLS lamps at their home with CFL lamps. Assuming that 60 W lamps were replaced by 11W CFL lamps, there was a straight saving of 49 W thus, resulting in a cumulative saving of approximately 12 MW per month.

This is based on the declaration by each Team member that threelampshavebeenreplacedperhouseandbasedonfivehours of lighting per lamp per day.

PBC™ - STIP replaced 1,600 old tube lights with 1,200 new TLD true light & electronic ballast while maintaining the lux level as per DIN 5035 standards. This initiative resulted in saving of 9.29 MW per month i.e. a saving of 15 W per Hour per tube light.

As a results of various Energy conservation initiatives the project’s MDI has come down from 735 to 392 KVA

Waste Management• Waste is segregated at the point of its generation itself.

The PBC converts food waste into organic natural manure through vermiculture with the help of worms. This waste is like a value-added product that improves the plants & the environment.

• Organic waste management is done through vermiculture. The manure produced is rich in microbes, humus and plant. All these are available at minimal cost and are used for horticulture purpose.

• Inorganic waste like paper, aluminum foils, plastic bottles, is recycled.

Water Conservation• RainWaterHarvesting:

• PBC collects the rain water from the roof and through pipes it goes to an underground tank where the system filtersthecollectedwaterandrechargeitbackintotheground.

• This technology has been provided by the Centre For Science And Environment, New Delhi.

• The effective water saving at normal rainfall at PBC is 183,000 liters per annum.

• The surface water from the surrounding areas is diverted to a well in the NPG park from where the ground water is recharged.

• All the balconies in the building have a large number of plants that are being watered with drip irrigation to avoid water wastage.

• Sensor Taps have been installed in all the Washrooms to avoid water wastages.

• The Water monitoring that is done at all the major water consumption points is also compared on a monthly basis.

• UseofdualflushToilets.

• Useofeffluentwaterforgardening.

As a part of the ongoing campaign to endeavor to improve the Environmental Performance, the project has installed Waterless Urinals in PBC, by this a savings of 19,500 liters of water every month and 234,000 liters in a year can be achieved.

Green Building Certification: LEED Existing BuildingsWith the goal of maximizing operational efficiency whileminimizing environmental impacts, PBC™-STIP aims to get certifiedforUSGBCLEED(EB)-“Platinum”certificationby 2010. In this regard, PBC™ - STIP has changed the entire HVAC systemwith energy efficient equipments. The newsystemhasthefollowingadvantages:

• New Trane water screw chiller is energy efficient,with a COP of 6.15

• Variable frequency drives (VFD) are installed at pumps, AHUs & cooling tower fans to regulate energy as per heat load requirement.

• Complete HVAC system is monitored & analyzed in terms of energy consumption and heat load through Building Management System (BMS).

• The system has CO2 sensors to regulate the fresh air inlet inside the air-conditioned space.

• There are UVC emitters installed in AHUs to keep the air clean of indoor air contaminants.

• There are VAV units installed in the supply air ducts that cansensetheheatloadinthatareaandadjusttheairflow.

• The combination of pre filters (MERV 8), bag filters(MERV13)&electronicfilters(atfreshair)putintheAHUs can remove most of the air borne particles.

• Double skin AHUs reduce the noise generated and hence reduce discomfort to the users.

• Cleanliness of the supply air ducts is checked regularly.

The Recognitions:PBC™ - STIP has effectively demonstrated that small environmental initiative can result in substantial savings for an organization, enhances its corporate image and contributes towards sustainable growth of the organization. Thus, contributing positively in nation building and saving the environment for the future generation.

PBC’s efforts & initiatives have been widely recognized and rewarded by the Industry and Government alike and some of the awards & accolades received by us for the responsible actions in the area of environment are Greentech Silver Award 2002, Ethics is good Business award in December 2005 from H.E. Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Hon’ble President of India, Golden Peacock Award 2007 for Environment Management, Greentech Environment Excellence Gold Award 2007, Commendation Certificate from Delhi Transco Limitedfor the efforts towards promotion of Energy Efficiency&Renewable Energy Measures, Special Jury Recommendation Award for “Innovative System Design in IAQ” from Bry-Air in 2008, G-Cube Shrishti Award for Good Green Governance on April 22nd 2008 from the Honorable Chief Minister of Delhi Ms. Sheila Dikshit, etc.

The Road AheadPBC will replicate similar initiatives but on a much larger & advanced level in their new project that is being promoted bythemanagementofPBC™-STIP–GreenSpaces™,anotifiedSEZ,1.67millionsquarefeetofcommercialbuilding.This will be built as the World’s Greenest & most energy efficient commercial building.

This project will help to demonstrate that it is economically possible to reduce the energy use in commercial buildings from 40% - 10% through technology, lifestyle changes and design. The project will look to demonstrate that the GreenSpaces™ model is sustainable and thus can be replicated across geographies.

For more information on this new project log on to the website: www.greenspaces.in

Inspired to be GREEN, thanks Veenu Kapoor - Manager Corp. Comm, Paharpur Business Centre & Software Technology Incubator Park, for sharing this information with us.


BUILDING ENVELOPE INSULATION

ABSTRACT:

Buildings across the globe consume 60-70% of the total electricity generated and are a major contributor to the greenhouse gases. The maximum share of this energy usage is in conditioning (heating or cooling) the building interiors. In India, which has a tropical climate, insulation of building envelope would result in major energy saving and minimizing the greenhouse gas emissions which would contribute to a green and sustainable development. This paper dwells on the various aspects of “Total Insulation” of building envelope that includes moisture insulation (waterproofing) and thermal insulation.

INTRODUCTION:

It is estimated that across the total life-cycle of a building, the design and construction of a commercial building constitutes just 20-30% of the overall cost; the rest comprises of operations and maintenance costs. Hence, it is important to actually consider how the high cost of operating can be reduced substantially.

Today’s modern buildings – marvels in terms of architecture and technology – have led to an adverse impact on the environment. Buildings are responsible for more than half of harmful greenhouse gas emissions in most major cities of the world.

The maximum energy demand 50-70% in a building is for conditioning (heating or cooling) the interiors. This major

energy demand in a building is due to “Building Envelope” which contributes to 60-75% of the heat gain/loss. Recognizing the need to save energy and minimize green house gases, efforts are being made to increase the awareness and importance of reducing energy loads in a building.

Insulation of building envelope has become one of the key practices across the globe to effectively manage heat incidence in the buildings and save on the high energy cost.

For roofs, both LEED-India and GRIHA advocate over-deck insulation as against the conventional way of under-deck insulation; green credit points for building envelope insulation are credited for over-deck roof insulation.

In over-deck insulation, a thermal insulation with waterproofing is provided over the RCC as a barrier against direct solar heat on RCC roof slab. This prevents the RCC slab from heating up. The conventional method is under-deck thermal insulation by using methods like false ceiling or extruded polystyrene. However its effectiveness is always a question since the thermal barrier is provided under the RCC roof slab. Some heat passes through the under-deck insulation and decreases the comfort level of the room. If the building is air-conditioned, this heat leakage increases the AC load. Hence it can safely be concluded that over deck insulation has its own advantages against under deck.

By Mr.Himanshu Agrawal, Manager – Sustainable Building Solutions BASF Construction Chemicals (India) Pvt. Ltd.

A KEY TO ENERGY SAVING & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

BUILDING ENVELOPE INSULATION – A HOLISTIC APPROACH:

Brick Bat Coba:The love of the Indian construction industry is the use of brick bat coba for roofs. This system consists of putting brickbat on flat roofs to give a slope and then grouting the same with cement mortar admixed with some water proofing compounds. This is mostly finished with IPS topping with a tile pattern cut into the top to form crack inducer joints to prevent cracks from appearing; alternatively China mosaic is done as the top wearing course. There is a myth that brick bat coba offers waterproofing and also insulation against heat. Nobody can rightly call it a waterproofing material because it is porous and allows the entry of water into it very easily, serving as a reservoir. Neither is it, by any stretch of the imagination, a thermal insulation product. In fact the heat absorbed by brick bat coba it is the same as that absorbed by concrete.

Advantages:

• Provides Slope: This system provides an excellent slope for the water to drain away. As water does not accumulate and as it has a certain capacity to absorb water, there is no leakage.

Disadvantages:

• Impose Dead Load: This system puts unnecessary dead load on the structure.

• Cracks Up: Brick bat coba cracks up due to temperature variation and movements due to thermal stresses. Once cracks appear, water travels below the coba and leakage starts. It is very difficult to trace the inlet point & repair it.

• Difficult to Dismantle: Some parts of the coba stick so well to the concrete that an attempt to dismantle the system may damage the slab.

Tar Felt / APP Membrane:This system uses layers of tar interspersed with various forms of reinforcements to hold the layer together and prevent cracking to provide impermeable layer between the water and the surface to be protected.

Advantages:• Cheap• Suitable for AC sheet roofing

Disadvantages:• Not UV Resistant: Tar/Bitumen - the binder in the system disintegrates

on contact with 'UV' radiation leading to biodegradation of reinforcement leading to collapse the system.

• Debonding: Vapour trapped inside exerts vapour pressure resulting in debonding of the membrane.

Mud Phuska:In this conventional system of providing thermal insulation, a 10 cm layer of puddled clay mixed with grass straw is applied in slope on a sand-bitumen waterproofing layer. This layer is consolidated and plastered with 13 mm of cow-dung mortar. Tile bricks are laid flat on plastered surface and the joints are grouted with cement mortar.

The Thermal and surface properties of mud phuska

Density = 1622 kg/m3Thermal conductivity = 0.750 W/mKSpecific heat capacity = 0.88 kJ/kg-K

[Reference: SP 41, Handbook on functional requirements of building (Other than industrial buildings), Part 1-4, Bureau of Indian Standard (1988)]

The traditional and conventional systems of waterproofing and thermal insulation in India worked well for ages to suit the Indian construction and economics. However, these systems do not have a long life and require frequent maintenance. These systems also do not suit the complicated site dynamics of today’s construction and do not offer insulation values to comply to ECBC norms.


I. ROOF INSULATION COMPONENTS:

1. WATERPROOFING

MASTERSEAL® 550 EL: Two-component, flexible, cementitious, polymer modified, brush-applied, water-proof coating can be applied directly on the concrete substrates and provides watertight sealing of pores and dormant cracks in the substrate.

SONOSHIELD® HLM 5000R: Single component, moisture curing, liquid applied, modified polyurethane, Elastomeric water-proof membrane has >600% elongation.

MASTERPREN® TPO: Single-ply, preformed, TPO water-proof membrane is a single-ply, water-proof membranes available in glass/polyester reinforced versions.

MASTERPREN® TPO can be selected and designed on the basis of the roof overlay like green roof, podium, ballasted roof, metal deck. It is also capable of re-roofing the existing leaking roof without dismantling the existing system.

CONIROOF®: Spray-applied, PU water-proof membranes consists of low-modulus PU membrane which is best in class for high elasticity and high adhesion capability which makes it perform on variety of substrates like natural stones, bricks, metal sheets, marine ply and even old/leaking bitumen membranes and PVC membranes.

2. THERMAL INSULATION:

Peripor Board: The Water-resistant insulation.

When building components are subject to pressure and moisture, the insulating materials used should absorb as little water as possible since water absorption has a significant detrimental effect on thermal insulation. Peripor Board has been developed specifically for such applications. It is a high-quality thermal insulation product with a water-resistant bead surface. This combination of properties greatly reduces water absorption and is thus suitable for use in the tropics.

Elastopor Board: Thermal Insulation PUR Board.Polyurethane Resin (PUR) based thermal insulation boards offer best in class insulation performance. Higher densities make the boards tough and can be used in trafficked system built-ups. Elastopor Boards are specially designed with skin layer on both faces, making it resistant to water ingress and long lasting.

MASTERSEAL 755 SPF: Spray applied PU foam for thermal insulation is a two component system, spray applied at site. This allows spray application on complex substrate shapes and confined spaces, besides it lowers materials transportation cost.

A comparative graph of “R-value” with the above insulation materials as compared to brickbat coba is shown here:

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

150mm RCC 150mm RCC+100mm

BrickbatKoba

150mm RCC+50mm

PERIPOR

150mm RCC+50mm

Elastopor

R V

alue

, sq.

m.K

/W

Tile Grout Stone Tile/ China

mosaic

Bedding mortar

Coving using, Polymer

Modified Mortar

MASTERSEAL Waterproof coating

Peripor / Elastopr Board/

PU Spray Foam Insulation

THERMOCRETE EPS Bead Mortar

Overlay

MASTERSEAL 300H

Protective coating

TOTAL INSULATION CONCEPTTo provide over-deck roof insulation that complies to ECBC requirements, a composite built-up is required which consists of a thermal insulation material with high “R-value”, coupled with a suitable waterproofing and complete with a light weight material for the slope built-up for water run-off. A typical schematics of total insulation built-up would be as shown in the diagram below.

Comparitive charts for Dead Load & Thermal Resistance “R” for 150mm thick overlay:

3. SLOPE BUILT-UP

ThermocreteTM:

A need is felt for a suitable material to replace brickbat coba for the purpose of making slope/fall on the flat roof slab for the purpose of water run-off and also for the protection of waterproofing and insulation layers.

II. WALL INSULATION COMPONENTS:

Though a major contribution to heat gain in a building is from walls, still, wall insulation has never been of much concern or simply, wall insulation has just been neglected. Some traditional ways of providing thermal insulation to the walls have been in the form of using light coloured stone tiles on exteriors to minimize sunlight, double-wall with air cavity, cavity wall with insulation material as infill, insulating panels on interiors, etc. However, each of these methods have their own disadvantages as apart from not offering a high thermal insulation, they have the problem of rain water seepage, water filling the cavity, poor indoor air quality, decrease of valuable internal space, etc.

All these drawbacks are avoided by using “External Insulation & Finishing System” (EIFS) on the walls.

• SENERGY EIFS system consists of Neopor insulation board, adhesive for fixing insulation board to the substrate, anchoring system for fixing the reinforcing mesh in place over the insulation board and base coat which provide the mineral substrate for the application of the top coat. The top coat provides the long lasting aesthetics and finish to the system. Based on the insulation performance warranted, the type and thickness of insulation board is designed.

Sections of EIFS on a framed sheathing and on a concrete/plastered brick surface are as shown below:


Neopor Insulation Board: This high performance thermal insulation board is used in SENERGY EIFS

• Contains Infrared absorbers/ deflectors • 20% higher energy efficiency then EPS• Flame retardant grade (B2)• K value of 0.032 W/m.K• Free of CFC, HCFC or HFC

CONCLUSION

Buildings consume a major portion of electricity generation and put a lot of stress on the society at large in terms of electricity shortage and emission of greenhouse gases. With the fast depleting fossil fuel reserves and ever increasing electricity prices, it is imperative to adopt energy saving measures. It is necessary for the construction industry to adopt green measures which would benefit their own pocket and the society. We should adopt workplace strategies to meet sustainability goals while reducing overall occupancy costs. Today, global companies are offering to the Indian construction industry, new products, technology, systems and application expertise as

a one-stop 360O solution for the building envelope insulation. Adopting Green Building practices will substantially reduce or eliminate adverse environmental impacts and improve upon existing unsustainable design, construction and operational practices.

For additional information on Building Envelope Insulation, contact author at BASF Construction Chemicals (India) Pvt. Ltd., C-68, TTC Industrial Area, MIDC Turbhe, Navi Mumbai-400613. Phone +91 22 4157 7777, Fax 022-4157 7766. e-mail: [email protected]

About the Author

Himanshu Agrawal did his graduation in Civil Engineering from Regional Engineering College – Surat (South Gujarat University) in 1991. He has a rich experience of industrial project management and worked with companies like United Phosphorus Ltd., Metrochem Industries Ltd., Cyanamid India Ltd. & BASF India Ltd. He has also worked in Sales with BASF Construction Chemicals (India) Pvt. Ltd.

Currently working as “Manager – Sustainable Building Solutions” in Marketing with BASF Construction Chemicals (India) Pvt. Ltd. to develop and promote Green and Sustainable products, technology & systems for the construction industry.

EIFS offers the following benefits which are not offered/matched by other wall insulation methods

• EIFS has superior energy efficiency by reducing heat transmission and helps in reducing HVAC load.

• The adhesive coat, base coat & top finish coat are polymer based and provide high degree of water resistance to the wall.

• It can be applied to new & existing structures.• External Location; Virtually Seamless – Reduced

Air Infiltration• Offers design flexibility, shapes, colors and textures• Flexible and Lightweight Material• Little Routine Maintenance• It is the only solution for insulating

existing buildings.

EXPERIENCE CHANGE WITH SMART BUILDING SOLUTIONS

EVEREST INDUSTRIES

Every time you see a new mall or residential/IT Park coming up in your area, more often that not you see the area being cleared of its Green cover. It is the price

that we have to pay in order to make way for newer projects and giving more people a suitable place to live and work in. However, if intelligent building practices are made an order of the day we can always strive to minimize the impact and help provide nature with time to replenish its lost resources.

The Innovative Building Practice: FCB

One of the recent trends, pioneered by Everest Industries is the extensive usage of Fibre Cement Boards in construction. There are a number of advantages offered by FCB’s in judgment to wood and wood-based products. For one, being easily re-locatable and are made from 40% recycled material. So that makes them a clean green material by default. It also helps that

it is designed around being nature friendly and is resistant to moisture, fire and termite attacks.One of themost boomingsectors in India is the hospitality sector and with so many international events like Commonwealth Games slated to go on thefloor,itwilldefinitelyaddtothesurge.However,theyarealso required to operate at breakneck speeds where everything has to be on time, every time.

Any modern architect would suggest you to use Fibre Cement Boards because of their quick installation. These boards in combination with different frameworks like timber, steel and aluminum offer unique dry wall constructions thus maximizing space utilization along with savings on time. Our in-house architect Mr. Rakesh Verma has been a vociferous supporter of FCB’s even before he joined Everest. They have become more popular in recent times for their low cost of installation.

Tata Bakery, Munnar

Sreedharan Eye Hospital, Mumbai Westler Resort, Muvattupuzha

Lavasa, Pune

It’s Smart to Use Smart Steel

Aesthetics and design are a major part of any modern workspace. To ensure optimum level of safety, Everest Industries presents Smart Steel Doors an innovative security system keeping in mind your beautiful home When you are making an addition of a shed or different exterior construction it’s much simpler if you go out and buy yourself smart&flexiblesolutionssthantotryanddoitallyourself.Modern Business need modern buildings that need to be highlyspecifiedwiththelatestenvironmentfriendlyfeatures.Offering 100% customized smart steel buildings; it is the most innovative, best in class technology for manufacturing & erecting buildings offered under the ages of Everest Industries.Besidesdesignflexibility,thesebuildingsarealsoresistant to moisture; adverse weather conditions, earthquakes termites&fie.SmartSteelhasmanybenefitsoverdoing ityour self and can make your life so much simpler and save lotsoftime.Youcanfindasmartsteelbuildingfornearlyanytype of construction you need to erect.

It is one of the motivating factors for an employee to come to officeandareasonforanewrecruittofeelencouragedabouthis cubicle or bay.

Acoustic Ceilings are Here for You

Everest Acoustic Ceilings offer a number of advantages over the conventional false ceilings or other similar products. For one, they are made using high quality mineral wool and composite fibres with superioracoustic performance and improved resistance to humidity. Also the tiles are acrylic coated to offer outstandinglightreflectanceandarecomplementedwitha variety of grids for a complete acoustic experience that brighten up the interiors.

They are excellent for heat insulation and resistance against fire. One of the unique features it offers isresistance to sagging/deformation even under higher moisture exposure. Usually during monsoon or due to faulty installation, acoustic ceilings start sagging after sometime. This, apart from looking out of place, also leaks out insulation– thus defeating the basicpurpose of putting up a false ceiling. Everest’s Acoustic Ceilings do not sag, are very lightweight and install quickly.

Green Building: The Success Mantra

ThebenefitsdrawnbysustainabledevelopmentandGreenConstruction methods can be categorized into tangible and intangible advantages. While some are instantly identifiable,somecanberealizedovertime.Thedifferencelies in focusing on the occupants comfort and internal environment. We can encourage building of sustainable sites by using the landscape effectively, using alternate fuel vehicles within the complex and use heat reflectivematerials like paint, building materials etc.

Similarly, water conservation needs to be dealt seriously with if any project aims to attain zero damage to environment.Simplestepslikeusingwatersavingfixtures,reducing landscaping turf, using negative ground cover, conceptualizing rainwater harvesting infrastructure right from the inception etc. are time tested ways to save water. Everest has evolved the drywall construction technique using Fibre Cement Boards that save upto 40% water over conventional wall making techniques. In fact, Everest’s commitment to sensitivity to nature is such that our Fibre Cement Boards itself are constructed from reusable material.Itconsistsof35%offlyash,recycledcementand5% of paper kraft.

It is no unknown fact that natural resources, although abundant, aren’t unlimited. It is better to take corrective measures early on and make the best possible use of everything that’s available.

Swissotel, Kolkata


Realizing GREEN in God’s Own Country

Man has stood up for Nature!The planet Earth has been celebrating 23rd September as World Green Building day. This year, the World Green Building Council took as bold and vital step to spread awareness and create a worldwide movement on SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE. The Indian Green Building Council heed to this clarion call was delegated to all its 9 chapters,among which the Cochin Chapter took the onus creating a serious and sensitive GREEN campaign in the Business capital of Kerala.

SpearheadedbyBRAjit,Chairman, IGBC–CochinChapter, theweek long initiative was intended to focus not on ‘celebration’ but on ‘realization’ of the sensitive elements of man’s ignorance, neglection and arrogance towards earth. Each day was given a theme and a message to be communicated to a select audience, by virtue of which it would envelope the major disciplines of the community.

TheweekwasinauguratedbySri.KBabuM.L.Aflaggingoffover100 student cyclists of Energy Conservation Society (ECS) and Calicut University, National Service Scheme who were pedaling fromKozhikkode –Thiruvananthapuram observingNational CycleDay. The students were given a green welcome at the Durbar Hall ground, Ernakulam by G Vishwanathan, District Governor, Rotary International who distributed saplings to each cyclist as part of Rotary International’s initiative to plant more than 1 Lac trees. Doned in White T-shirts and caps distributed by BSA Cycles and Zuari Cements, the students parked the cycles on the dias and were felicitated for their noble campaign.

The Second Day was themed ‘Our Beautiful Earth – The role ofreligion in spreading Green Awareness’. The evening gained a huge momentum with the children of Pallikoodam performing a magnificent street play onman’s unkind approach towards nature.Later, Prof.Dr. C V Jayamani, Rev. Fr. K. M. George and Adv. Mayankutty Mather, eminent scholars in their respective religion contributed and enlightened the audience on how each religion has been contributing words of wisdom on conserving earth and retaining every natural element on earth.

Thethirddaywasscreeningofthefilm‘TheInconvenientTruth’byformer US Vice President and Noble Laureate Al Gore. Over 350 students at FISAT, Kochi attended the screening and encouraging IGBC to initiate many more such educative programs.

The fourth day began with a seminar on Climate Change by Sri. Dharesan Unnithan, Director, Energy Management Centre, Thiruvananthapuram and Dr.V. Madhusoodana Kurup, Director, School of Industrial Fisheries, Kochi. The seminar brought up various snapshots of climate changes of the past and projected changes on the future. The packed auditorium of St. Teresa’s College was a witness to one of the most informative sessions held in the campus.

Day five saw a formal gathering with P V KiranAnanth, SeniorCounsellor,CIIpresentingalectureon‘CarbonFootprint–Impactof climate change’. He highlighted the basics of the term ‘GREEN’ and dwelled in depth the impact of our current routines and systems on the environment..

The sixth day began with a colourful event with over 60 kids battling with their mid term exams came to TocH school premises to paint on the theme ‘MyHome – Green Home’. IGBCChairman B RAjit highlighted the importance of conserving energy to the creative children who went on to sketch some bold, innovative and dynamic ideas and themes.

The concluding day program was held at BTH, Kochi with Mr. Dominic Presentation M.L.A inaugurating the function. Ar. Jaigopal presented a hilarious slide show on grunt and brunt of city-chaos. My Green Book’, a pocket diary of green notes was distributed to the gathering, who were admiration of the concept of spreading green messages that even a common man can adopt in his life The week long exercise concluded with Adarsh Kavungal, IGET; extending many thanks to all the volunteers, sponsors, media and the audience who pledged along with B R Ajit to take responsibility of spreading the Green message and abiding by it for the years to come.

Inspired to be GREEN commends this marvellous effort by the IGBC Cochin Chapter.

Information and Photographs Courtesy:IGBC–CochinChapter

Articlecompiledby:Ar. Mahesh PillaiAsst. Director- Architectural Project Management, Ajit Associates Kochi.

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