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It’s not just fashionable but very essential to get ecofriendly. Namrata Kohli on how just about everyone, from developers to institutional sector to corporate, is going green
Recently, a building at Jaipur was awarded best-learning building award of the year at world architecture festival awards (WAF) 2009 at the Centre Conventions International Barcelona, from among 611 projects from all over the world. This was the Jaipur campus of Pearl Academy of Fashion, a building designed in a way that helps in controlling the temperature of internal spaces, ie, the temperature remains at 28 degrees Celsius inside the building even though it is a scorching 46 degrees Celsius outside. The main focus was to provide submissive cooling strategies such as open courtyards, water bodies and a step well in the academy where the students can overcome the hot weather. Passive environment strategies were used in the academy to decrease power consumption, be it ACs or lighting.
According to Arindam Das, director of Pearl Academy of Fashion, “We hardly use artificial light in our campus as natural light is enough - if anything, we have to shut it [natural light out with blinds. Also, the use of ACs has been reduced substantially due to path breaking techniques employed by our architect, Morphogenesis, such as in the use of ‘matkas’ as fillings in the floorings, which trap heat and are a natural coolant. Use of ‘jaali’ designs throughout the campus for ventilation has also helped.” Akshay Kaul, a landscape architect, traces the history of green buildings in India.
He says that all old havelis and buildings of colonial British India were green as they were built keeping the natural climate in mind (another example is Connaught Place). “It is only in the recent times that very thin building skins like aluminium, steel, glass, which are high in embodied energy, have been used - which means you need to spend a lot of money and energy in first creating them, and then later maintain them using artificial systems like airconditioners and heating systems.
All the slick buildings of suburbs have blindly imitated the west where the climate is temperate and amount of energy available in US or Europe is inconceivable in India. But, now, with growing eco-consciousness and with construction sector becoming competitive, going green is suddenly seen as an USP. Still, we have only grazed the tip of the iceberg and we need to customize every building to our climate and not as per the climate conditions of the west,” says Kaul. Suddenly, there is an awareness that we need to secure our environment as our future depends on how we conserve the food resources and the environment we live in. And that’s where their money should be invested. So, what were exceptions yesterday seem to become the norm today with occupiers emphasizing ongoing green.
From planting trees, to using solar energy, to constructing smart buildings and even collecting litter, corporate India is going green. Patni Computers in Noida is IGBC (Indian Green Building Council) Platinum Rated LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified green building. The basic design has been inspired by the traditional inward look “Indian Haveli plan” design that balances environmental responsibility, energy efficiency, resource efficiency, occupant comfort.
The design concept is that of a simple straight-line low-key architecture in sync with the surroundings, site and climate. Passive (architecturally) and active (mechanical, electrical) strategies have been optimally designed to minimize energy consumption. The building depth is optimized to capture daylight for more than 75% of occupied interiors and to maximize outdoor views. The campus of Wipro Technologies in Gurgaon is also Platinum Rated LEED certified green building.
The main focus of the design is the inverted cone, strategically located at the cross-junction of two roads to give visibility to the building. A highlight of the building is a control, open to sky landscape courtyard that will contribute towards keeping the building cool during summer. All open office spaces look into the courtyard, thus these spaces have good access to daylight. Developers have been making many announcements of eco-projects, by the hour and day. Recently, Supertech launched “Eco-City” residential project in Sector 137, Noida with the idea to building a zero-carbon emission and eco-centric development project by using special generators, machineries and ecological sanitation.
According to R K Arora, CMD of Supertech Limited, “In Eco-City, our approach is based on the idea that all the ecologically responsible aspects of the building are ‘made visible’ as part of its role as an eco-habitat.” Green Boulevard, a project by 3C, is a green building that is home to multinational corporations like Accenture, Sapient, Nokia, Siemens Network, and others.
It has been designed around shaded landscape courts with water bodies and plants, which help reduce the ambient temperature. The building depth has been optimized to capture daylight and to maximize views. 3C has executed Lotus Boulevard, a green residential project, which has features like insulated walls and insulated roofs that reduce heat by up to 60%.
While the external lighting is solar, the mechanical and the electric equipment inside are energy efficient. Other features like 80% open spaces, zero-discharge, a mechanism to recharge water by water-harvesting methodology make it a unique project. In an endeavor to reduce its carbon footprint, 3C is creating environment-friendly buildings. According to Vidur Bharadwaj, director of 3C, “Realizing that green-building technology is the way forward for saving the planet, and as it is pro-life, we will constantly strive to make our projects safe, secure and a delightful experience for occupants. The mission for developing green buildings has helped in saving huge operating energy costs, which ultimately benefits end users.”
According to Sandeep Singh, an architect and director of a project management company, TPM, “Earlier there was a thrust only on aesthetics but finally, builders and occupants have realized that aesthetics can take a backseat and functionality should rule. Products which offer functionality are being introduced, like Hindalco manufactured fireproof glazing on glass facade.” He adds that the practice is to go in for green buildings - that of utilizing maximum natural light and conserving energy in every possible way. Newer techniques and materials are being invented by the day to ensure that the buildings are in sync with nature. A lot of green products are foraying into the construction industry. One such innovation is Green Windows by Fenesta Building Systems, which are UPVC windows and help in saving energy as they cut air-conditioning costs significantly. Also, they allow ample ventilation and sunlight into the house.
These windows do not require paint or polishing and are therefore maintenance-free. While green is a buzzword now, it all started with Orchid, who call themselves a ‘ecotel’, instead of a hotel. From the basic architecture of the building, to water conservation, to use of ‘rubber’ wood instead of real wood, to use of energy-saving devices, the hotel does it all to qualify as an ecofriendly hotel.
Courtesy:- Times Property dt:- 09-01-2010