This thread is to discuss projects, researches, architecture & design, building practices, building materials and other issues related to green buildings.

Green Building

Green building is the practice of increasing the efficiency with which buildings use resources — energy, water, and materials — while reducing building impacts on human health and the environment during the building's lifecycle, through better siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal.

Green buildings are designed to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment by:

Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources
Protecting occupant health and improving employee productivity
Reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation




The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) plays an active role in promoting sustainability in the Indian construction sector. The CII is the central pillar of the Indian Green Building Council or IGBC. The IGBC has licesensed the LEED Green Building Standard from the U.S. Green Building Council and currently is responsible for certifying LEED-New Construction and LEED-Core and Shell buildings in India. All other projects are certified through the U.S. Green Building Council. There are many energy efficient buildings in India, situated in a variety of climatic zones. One of these is RMZ Millenia Park, Chennai, India's largest LEED gold-rated Core & Shell green building.

CII-IGBC recently announced that Shree Ram Urban Infrastructure - a developer - is attempting the first ever LEED Platinum rating (Core & Shell) in India and will be the first ever residential building in the world to do so. Entitled ' Palais Royale', the building will be located in Worli, Mumbai with an estimated height of over 1,000 ft (300 m).


Source: Wikipedia on Green Building (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_building)



Indian Green Building Council

Definition of Green Building
A green building uses less energy, water and natural resources, creates less waste and is healthier for the people living inside compared to a standard building.

Vision
To usher in a green building movement and facilitate in India emerging as one of the world leaders in green buildings by 2010.


Source: Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) (http://www.igbc.in/site/igbc/index.jsp)




The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), provides a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable construction....

Certification
Different LEED versions have varied scoring systems based on a set of required "prerequisites" and a variety of "credits" in the six major categories listed above. In LEED v2.2 for new construction and major renovations for commercial buildings there are 69 possible points and buildings can qualify for four levels of certification:

Certified - 26-32 points
Silver - 33-38 points
Gold - 39-51 points
Platinum - 52-69 points


Point rating

Points have been distributed as follows. Required "prerequisites" in each category receive no points.

Sustainable sites (14 points)

Construction Activity Pollution Prevention Plan (required)
Site selection (1 pt)
Development density and community connectivity (1 pt)
Brownfield redevelopment (1 pt)
Alternative transportation availability (3 pts)

Public transportation access (1 pt)
Bicycle storage and changing rooms (1 pt)
Parking capacity and carpooling (1 pt)

Reduced site disturbance (2 pt)

Protect or restore open space (1 pt)
Development footprint

Stormwater management (2 pts)

Rate and quantity (1 pt)
Treatment (1 pt)

Reduce heat islands (2 pts)

Roof (1 pt)
Non-roof (1 pt)

Light pollution reduction (1 pt)


Water efficiency (5 points)

Water efficient landscaping (2 pt)

Reduce by 50% (1 pt)
No potable use or no irrigation (1 pt)

Innovative wastewater technologies (1 pt)
Water use reduction (2 pt)

(20%)
(30%)



Energy and atmosphere (17 points)

Fundamental commissioning (required)
Minimum (code) energy performance (required)
Fundamental Refrigerant Management (required)
Optimize energy performance by 14% (new) or 7% (existing) buildings (2 pts, required as of June 26, 2007)
Energy optimization (8 pts in addition to the 2 required above)
On-site renewable energy (3 pts)
Ozone depletion (1 pt)
Measurement and verification (1 pt)
Green power (1 pt)


Materials and resources (13 points)

Storage and collection of recyclables (required)
Building reuse (3 pts):

75% reuse of building structure and shell excluding windows (1 pt)
100% reuse of building structure and 50% of walls, floors, ceilings (1 pt)

Construction waste reuse or recycling (by weight or volume) (2 pts):

50% diversion (1 pt)
75% diversion (1 pt)

Reuse of existing materials (by cost) (2 pts)

5% salvaged or refurbished materials (1 pt)
10% salvaged or refurbished materials (1 pt)

Recycled content (2 pts)

Criteria vary in recent versions of LEED, but depend on value of pre- and post-consumer recycled content (2 pt)

Use of local materials (2 pts)

Fabrication shop within 500 miles (800 km) of building site and raw materials source within 500 miles (800 km) of building site, 10% (1 pt) or 20% (+1 pt).

Rapidly renewable materials (1 pt)
Certified Wood (1 pt)


Indoor environmental quality (15 points)

Minimum indoor air quality (required)
Environmental tobacco smoke control (required)
Outdoor air delivery monitoring (1 pt)
Increased ventilation (1 pt)
Construction indoor air quality management (2 pt)
Indoor chemical and pollutant source control (1 pt)
Controllability of systems (2 pt)
Thermal comfort (2 pt)
Daylight and views (2 pt)


Innovation and design process (5 points)

Points for this category are awarded above and beyond the core 64 points, and are described as rewarding strategies that go above and beyond the criteria for those points. Examples for up to four design points using steel construction include structure as finish, structure as plumbing, lightweight materials, recyclability, and potential for disassembly.

Source: Wikipedia on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadership_in_Energy_and_Environmental_Design)

The following buildings are first three in India to achieve LEED rating:

1. CII-Godrej Green Business Centre, Hyderabad - Platinum
http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/2553/ciigodrejgreenbuildinghni0.jpg
The PDF file here (http://greenbusinesscentre.com/Documents/Mallick.pdf) describes green features of CII-Godrej.

CII-Godrej is the first platinum rated green building in the world outside the USA. It is the first platinum rated green building of the world under LEED version 2.0.

2. ITC Centre, Gurgaon - Platinum
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1943/itcgreencentergurgaoncg6.jpg
The PDF file here (http://greenbusinesscentre.com/images/Photos/ITC56.pdf) describes green features of ITC Center.

3. Grundfos, Chennai - Gold
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/1123/grundfoschennaibs7.jpg
The PDF file here (http://www.airfrige.in/pdf/Green_Design.pdf) describes green features of Grundfos Pumps.

How about living in a 'green building'? The popularity of such eco-friendly 'green buildings' with their own water harvesting and solar power systems is catching on in India and the high price is no deterrent.

Green buildings also have their own water re-cycling system. More than 50 percent of the building is covered with glass - making it reflect away the sun's rays and helping to keep the inside cool and save on electricity - among other eco-friendly measures.

Starting with a modest 20,000 sq ft green building in 2004 in Hyderabad, green buildings today account for over 235 million sq ft spread across India.

Now there are 315 green buildings in India, including 250 commercial. They include IT parks, hospitals, airports and educational institutions.

Of the 315, as many as 60 green buildings - or nearly 20 percent - have come up in Mumbai alone. The remaining are in other cities of Maharashtra. The important buildings in the city are the Hiranandani BG Building, K. Raheja group, Enercon India Pvt Ltd and Kalpataru building.

The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), a part of the Confederation of Indian Industry-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre (CII-Godrej GBC), Hyderabad, is credited with spearheading the green building movement in India since 2001.

The CII-Godrej GBC was India's first certified green building spread over 20,000 sq ft in Hyderabad.

"It is growing in popularity in a big way. By 2010, we expect about 1,000 green buildings, with over one billion sq ft to come up all over India," S. Raghupathy, senior director and head of CII-Godrej GBC, told IANS here.

He said an average investment of Rs.500 million has to be made per building to make it 'green', and the total investment in green buildings would be a whopping Rs.500 billion by 2010.

Green buildings cost 3-8 percent more than conventional buildings. However, the higher cost is recovered within two-three years by the handsome savings in maintenance costs, making the concept extremely popular.

Explaining the benefits, Raghupathy said that since such buildings use natural light and air, energy savings could be up to 35 percent, while water savings can be up to 40 percent and productivity benefits up to 15 percent.

Raghupathy said the day is not far when green buildings - offering water conservation, energy optimization, use of recycled products, and renewable energy, all of which ensure environment protection - would be the accepted norm of the construction industry.

The concept, currently implemented in 75 countries, has also spurred a heavy demand for many new construction materials, equipment, systems and services, leading to a transformation of the market.

"There is a huge demand for green building materials and equipment like high performance glass, wall and roof insulation, low VOC paints, adhesives, sealants, CRI (Carpet and Rug Institute)-certified carpets, specialized wood, roofing material, fly ash blocks, eco-friendly chemical waterless urinals, high performance chillers, carbon-dioxide sensors, root zone treatment plants, wind towers, and other things," Raghupathy listed.

"We estimate the market potential for all such green building materials to be about US$40 billion by 2012. This clearly testifies the growing popularity of green buildings and their acceptability among people," he pointed out.

On Sep 27, the CII-Godrej GBC is holding the sixth Green Building Congress in Mumbai, which will include an exhibition and an international seminar on green buildings.

Among other things, the congress will discuss how the IGBC can usher in a 'green building revolution' in India and help make it one of the world leaders in the field by 2010.


Courtesy: Quaid Najmi (http://news.boloji.com/2008/09/24564.htm) on September 22, 2008

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/5035/indiatowerbt6.jpg


Though India has never been a significant player in the global skyscraper stakes, one building promises to change that and for all the right reasons.

Introduction

The India Tower, currently under construction on the Queen's Necklace, the scenic Marine Drive in South Mumbai, is expected to dominate the skyline of India's main financial district. At 300m, it is a giant by Indian skyscraper standards. But when it is ready in 2010, the Burj Dubai is expected to dominate the global building height stakes at about double that height. So what is the main claim to fame for the India Tower?

The USP(s)

It might well be the tallest building in the world in its class of green-rated buildings. Designed by New York-based FXFOWLE architects, it will be a LEED-Gold certified project. Here are some of the features planned to improve its energy-efficiency:


A solar chimney to generate electricity (Solar chimney's need to be very tall - so incorporating one into the design of a skyscraper is really cool.)

On-site waste water reclamation (ease the load on public facilities, plus build more reliable ones)

Daylighting - a process to ensure maximum usage of sunlight for lighting within the building

Solar shading, natural ventilation and rainwater harvesting


The rotating form apparently comes from functional requirements (whatever those are - but it certainly looks kewl).

Mapping The Trend

This is a building for the very rich - with "a custom-designed residential-style Park Hyatt hotel and serviced apartments, and long-lease and duplex penthouse condominium apartments", in addition to luxury-brand retail and hospitality. (We the poor might benefit if they open up a sky-walk for the public though - imagine the view!)

But most new trends start with targeting the rich. The premium they pay helps fund research into making them more common place and affordable.

If India's tallest building is going to be one of its greenest, then that is a solid commitment we as a society are making towards sustainability.


Courtesy: The Indic View (http://indicview.blogspot.com/2007/0...-building.html) on July 23, 2007

i did move this thread to misc projects.
if the thread should be moved somewhere else do let me know

CHENNAI: When RMZ Millennium Park in Chennai was categorised as a LEED gold building by the Hyderabad-based Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) in September this year, the tally of certified green buildings in the city went up to nine.

Although Chennai’s realty sector embarked on the green quest in 2004, it is only now that the city is emerging as a top contender in energy-efficient and user-friendly office structures, ranking third overall in the country. What’s more, nearly 45 more commercial buildings in the city have registered and are awaiting the green-building certification.

“It is a reflection of the growing concern for environment and energy, and the awareness that huge consumption also leads to huge depletion of resources,” said C N Raghavendran, who heads the Chennai chapter of IGBC. “The concept of green buildings evolved due to the oil crisis in the seventies, and the growing concern over huge consumption of energy, water and other resources in the last 30 years. A green building consumes 40% less energy and 20% less water than a non-green building,” he said.

The movement that took shape in the US, has caught on with India, which now ranks fourth in the world after the US, Australia and Canada in embracing green. The guidelines for a green building, which originally followed American standards, were indegenised after the formation of IGBC in 2002, a CII initiative. The concept of LEED rating arrived in 2005. “The green-building concept is a holistic one, where a lot of research has gone into products which are energy-efficient,” Raghavendran said.

Though structurally a green building doesn’t differ much from other buildings, it causes minimal disturbance to landscape and site condition. It uses recycled and environment-friendly building materials as well as non-toxic and recyclable waste material, manages water and power efficiently, and has better indoor air quality leading to better health and safety of inhabitants.

“Site sustainability is a key factor and buildings which come up near a railway station or MRTS station, making public transport accessible to users, will score more,” said Raghavendran.

So what are the criteria for declaring a building green? Use of fly-ash bricks (a residue from coal-powered thermal plants), high-performance glass, gypsum waste boards instead of wood, broken ceramic tiles on roofs (to absorb and dissipate heat), application of heat-reducing roof insulation, use of glass skylights to permit natural lighting, taps that manage water consumption, and reusable waste-water system, and energy efficient AC with carbon dioxide sensors can help a building get green tag.

“The intention is to replace the shoe-box environment with a healthier one,” said Deepa Sathiaram, consultant for specialised sustainability solutions for green buildings. “Saving energy is a key concern. Today even 25 degrees is uncomfortable unlike 15 years ago when no one needed an AC even when the temperature touched 30 degrees. Smart AC systems which take into account the total heat coming in, and the internal heat generated by computers, machines and people are increasingly used,” she said.

“The certification is only incidental. What is important is to transform the green idea into workable solutions and sustain it,” said Vinita Badawe, one of the first architects to incorporate green concepts in designs, as early as 2002, long before green buildings became a byword.

The green envelope is an expensive outing: the construction cost can go up by anything between 5% to 12 %. Moreover, there is no government incentive for builders who take the green road.

“The end-user benefits are tangible, and we are confident of recovering the incremental cost in three to five years time,” said Chitty Babu, managing director of Akshaya Homes.



Source: Bhama Devi Ravi, TNN, 26 Nov 2008 (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chennai/Chennai_buildings_get_closer_to_nature/articleshow/3757697.cms)

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/3904/gulbargapolicebhavanfv5.png
Picture Courtesy: Gulbarga District Police Blog (http://gulbargapolice.blogspot.com/2008/09/wadgera-ps-crime-report_09.html)


Karnataka can take pride in the fact it houses the country’s first government building that has won the international Leed gold rating for its Police Bhavan in Gulbarga. This building is also the only such structure that does not use air conditioning despite being situated in a hot place like Gulbarga where the mercury hurtles past the 40 degrees mark in summer.

Source: Deccan Herald (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/Sep252007/snt2007092427171.asp) on September 25, 2007

Built on 3.3 million square feet area at a cost of 32.2 million rupees
Uses environmental friendly Passive Architecture
Ten Wind Towers to increase air circulation
Two layers of walls - external layer of stones and internal layer of bricks
Rat Trap design for the circulation of air between these layers
Mosaic Tiles & Albedo Thermoshield roofing to reflect sunlight and reduce internal temperature
Waterproof Roof Top Garden
Recycling of water with Root Zone System
Two Wind Turbines and solar panels on roof generationg 800 Watts of energy
Solar powerd water pumping station
Solar panels generating a total energy of 3600 watts
Rain harvesting
Toilets with Blue Seal

....

Now, in time for 2010, India is preparing the Commonwealth Games Village Complex (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=21057225&postcount=401) on the banks of the Yamuna river in New Delhi. And when the Games are over, the Village is expected to be one of the most prestigious addresses in India's booming property market.

....

The development will also be certified as a Green Building, which may salve the consciences of those worried about their carbon footprint (not to mention the expense) as they fly between Britain and India to stay at their apartment.

Marketed by Hamptons International, the Village Complex is being developed by Emaar MGF, a joint venture between Emaar, of Dubai, and MGF, of India. The developers claim they sold half of them in the three weeks from launch.

....


Source: Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/3448170/Property-overseas-India-beckons-for-those-who-flew-the-nest.html) on 13 November, 2008

CHENNAI: The new Rs 425-crore Assembly complex (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=21814471&postcount=30), coming up on the Omandurar Government Estate at Chepauk in the city, will be Tamil Nadu's pride for more than one reason. It is not only designed to be an architectural marvel of modern times but is also poised to set a new benchmark in the design of eco-friendly buildings in the state.

The state government is aiming at getting Platinum certification, the highest rating for green buildings in India, for the sprawling complex. "We are taking efforts to comply with the prerequisites for getting the prestigious rating," official sources said.

If the requirements are met, the state Assembly complex will be the first in the state and one of the few in the country to become ‘Platinum- LEED' (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rated green building.

Besides, the Public Works department has taken efforts to plant about 1,000 saplings on the complex in the next couple of months. "We've held discussions with Forest department officials in this regard. We will also take efforts to relocate the existing trees wherever it is possible. Money is not a constraint and will take every possible effort to save the trees. Already, two or three consultants are working on the modalities,' the sources added.

While the CII-Godrej Green Business Centre, Hyderabad, Wipro Technologies, Gurgaon and Hiranandan BG Building, Mumbai, are some of the proud winners of the Platinum in India, the buildings of Grundfos Pumps India Ltd, Olympia Technology Park and L&T, EDRC are among the few in the city to have won the LEED-Gold.


Source: The Times of India (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chennai/New_Assembly_to_be_eco-friendly/articleshow/3687701.cms) on 8 November, 2008

....

Maharashtra Minister of state for Urban Development, Mr. Rajesh Tope complemented the MCHI and the CREDAI, Maharashtra for their efforts in organizing a convention based on the theme of housing for all. He further said that the state government is keen on offering lower tax on the green building and renewable energy initiatives.

....


Source: moneycontrol.com (http://news.moneycontrol.com/india/news/pressnews/maharashtra-govt-announces-slewmeasures-for-real-estate/18/54/365649) on 11 November, 2008

GURGAON: Haryana governor A R Kidwai inaugurated a green building in the Millennium City on Tuesday. An initiative of S M Sehgal Foundation, a non-profit organisation working for rural development in Mewat and Kurukshetra, the building is located in Sector 44.

A solar power generation unit, a water-harvesting mechanism to reuse rainwater and use it for groundwater recharge and built in accordance with zero-waste concept are factors which contribute to the construction's "greenness".

Speaking on the occasion, Kidwai said, "Solar energy is the future and we are wasting it. To meet the growing demand for electricity, hydro power combined with solar energy will be ideal for India.''

He added that the government of India had introduced a scheme to set up 50 MW solar generators in different parts of the country.

Suri Sehgal, chairman, S M Foundation, said green buildings increase the efficiency with which buildings and their sites use and harvest energy, water and materials and reduce the building's impact on human health and environment through better design, construction, operation and maintenance.

The building has been constructed according to the platinum rating of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards set by the US Green Building Council.

Expert said this was the first institutional building in Gurgaon that had been designed to minimise carbon dioxide emissions. Also, wood had been used in place of aluminum for doors and windows and the use of burnt brick was minimized, while no imported stones were used in its construction.

"An interesting feature of the building is that it derives beauty from waste. The entrance lobby, boardroom and the central atrium use waste plywood wooden planks, broken tiles and glass to demonstrate how waste can be converted into a beautiful resource,'' said Sehgal.

"The 35 KW solar photovoltaic installations on the roof meets 100% of the building's basic electricity needs, including computers, lighting, fans, and mechanical ventilation directly from solar energy,'' he further said.

He added that though the cost of construction was 15% more than a traditional building, the extra cost incurred could be recovered by way of less electricity consumption in five to eight year's time.

GOING GREEN


Solar power generation unit
Water harvesting mechanism
35 KW solar photovoltaic installation on rooftop
Minimal carbon dioxide emission
Designed to use sunlight for lighting
Cost 15% more than traditional buidings to construct
It has an indoor climate control mechanism




Source: The Times of India (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Delhi/Gurgaon_gets_green_building_/articleshow/3785795.cms) on 2 December 2008


The Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/2166/ruralresearchinstitutegec7.jpg
Photo Courtesy: The Tribune (www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20070916/haryana.htm)

Good Initiative.

India's first LEED pre-certified platinum green building

Ecospace, Kolkata
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3254/3055486021_660cc283d2_o.jpg
cc:g gauri

India’s First Green Housing Project Completed

Rabi Rashmi, Kolkata
Built in Kolkata, Rabi Rashmi Abasan is India’s first completely solar-powered housing complex. The complex has been built on a plot of 1.76 acres at Action Area I in New Town. The 58 kilowatt project consists of 26 photovoltaic systems comprising 464 units of Conergy C125W solar modules. The solar modules were customized to fit on the building roofs. Each home will generate 2kW of power. The solar power generated will be used to fulfill electricity needs of the homes, and the surplus power will be sent to the public grid. This is also India’s first building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) project. The building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system would save 0.5 kgs of carbon emissions for every kw hour of solar power produced.

The houses will have both passive solar architecture and active solar energy features. The passive solar features will make houses cool during summer, ensure natural light, and better air circulation inside the house. The active solar energy elements include the solar water heating system. The housing complex will also have other sustainable features like garbage management system, battery operated pick-up vans for residents, solar street lights, and a swimming pool with solar water heating system.

The complex has been conceived, designed, engineered and built by West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency (WBREDA) and Bengal DCL. The solar photovoltaic has been installed by SunTechnics India, a brand of the Conergy Group.
http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/bengal3.jpg
cc:http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/07/30/indias-first-green-housing-project-completed/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/2623914061_4b072dd93d_o.jpg
cc:suncity

India's first ever dedicated 'green building' in India's infotech arena.

Technopolis, Kolkata
Dec. 1--KOLKATA, India -- Watch out Bangalore and Hyderabad! Kolkata is out to steal your thunder as the country's snazziest IT hot-spot with the first ever dedicated 'green building' in India's infotech arena.

'Technopolis', at Salt Lake's showpiece Sector V, will be ready by March 2006.

Modelled on the specifications laid down by the US Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (USGBC-LEED), the 14-storey 675,000 square feet facility would be an architectural marvel designed to maximise natural light and ensure optimum insulation from heat and sound.
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-125738223.html

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/4006/technopolissatishdhote1bx3.jpg
cc:Satish Dhote

Kolkata to get nine green buildings

As many as nine "Green Buildings" are coming up in Kolkata in the next two years. The concept, which is relatively new in India, is steadily taking off with environment conservation becoming a part of the corporate social responsibility.

Speaking on the sidelines of a seminar organied by Confederation of Real Estate Developer's Associations of India in Kolkata, S C Kumar, senior advisor, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design said, as many as 160 real estate projects across India, with nine in Kolkata, have got LEED recognition.

The first green building project was started in Hyderabad in 2003, and major changes have taken in the field since then, he said.

"India will usher a green revolution in real estate, and become a world leader in the field by 2010," he said.

The investment in a green building is 5-10 per cent more than an ordinary building, but the benefits sustain for a long term, he said.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating system has been developed by the US Green Building Council. It provides standards for environmentally sustainable construction.

Since its inception in 1998, LEED has grown to encompass over 14,000 projects in 50 US states and 30 countries covering 1.062 billion square feet of development area.
http://in.rediff.com/money/2008/mar/17kolkata.htm

Kolkata scores a first: to have Green Rating for its buildings


Kolkata, August 06 Keeping in view the climatic conditions of West Bengal and the rising need of renewable energy, Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy was launched in Kolkata on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr R K Pachauri, director general of The Energy Resources Institute (TERI), said, “The West Bengal government has already been very enlightened on the issue and that is one reason why GRIHA has been launched first in Kolkata.”

According to him, GRIHA will be movement and West Bengal can set precedence for all the other states. He added that he has requested Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to reduce the subsidy on kerosene and instead subsidise solar lanterns to encourage the use of renewable energy in the rural pockets.

He added that western rating systems are not suited for the Indian climate and GRIHA has been designed exclusively for Indian buildings.

GRIHA is a national rating system, by which, green buildings will be rated by the West Bengal Green Energy Development Corporation Limited (WBGEDCL) with technical expertise from TERI. The aim of a green building design is to minimize the demand of non-renewable sources and maximize its utilisation.

The centre for environmental science and engineering at IIT Kharagpur is the first building that has undergone green certification and has been awarded a five star rating. Buildings will be rated on the basis of design, system design, including ventilation, water and waste management, in door environmental quality and selection of ecologically sustainable materials.

“West Bengal already has Rabi Rashmi Abasan, India’s first solar housing complex, in New Town, Kolkata, we plan to have more such projects in future along with project on solid waste management with assistance from JBIC (Japan bank for International Cooperation) and JNNURM (Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission),” said Ashok Bhattacharya, minister for municipal affairs and urban development.

SP Gon Chaudhudhuri, MD of WBGEDCL said that the corporation will appeal to the urban development ministry to make GRIHA rating mandatory for all commercial buildings consuming above 100 KW of electricity.
http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/kolkata-scores-a-first-to-have-green-rating-for-its-buildings/345746/

Technopolis looks really impressive...

The PDF file here (http://www.tac.com/data/internal/data/07/37/1219341883830/Technopolis_A4.pdf) explains green and intelligent building features of Technopolis briefly.

The Olympia Tech Park in Chennai is also 'GOLD' rated right?

....

With increasing activity in urban real estate and building sectors, urban buildings will soon become big polluters. The time to take initiatives in this direction is now, through popularising what are called `intelligent' and `green' buildings.

SAFER, MORE EFFICIENT

An intelligent building (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building_automation) is one that uses technology and processes to create a space that is safer and more productive for its occupants and more operationally efficient for its owners.

In such a building, a network of electronic devices monitors and controls the mechanical and lighting systems to reduce energy and maintenance costs. Lighting is controlled with a system based on sensors, which can detect the presence of occupants and the relative darkness, and modulate lights accordingly. Air-handling units mix outside air to regulate temperatures in various parts of the building. Sensors are placed in rooms and air-ducts to monitor temperatures. Such buildings have hot water systems to supply heat to the building's air-handling units and chilled water systems to cool its air and equipment, with sensors maintaining temperatures at optimum levels.

Intelligent buildings also have alarm capabilities. While fire and smoke alarms are common, other types of alarms for reporting critical faults in the mechanical and electrical systems are also increasingly coming into use.

Green buildings possess three main elements: healthy indoor environment, maximum energy efficiency and a conservative and thoughtful use of natural resources.

Worldwide, green buildings are certified through an independent body, the US Green Building Council (USGBC), through its LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification programme. This focuses on the following five categories: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy performance, use of recyclable materials and indoor environmental quality.

According to the USGBC, buildings that meet its LEED certification process may be built with little increase in first costs. It has been stated that if `green' concepts are incorporated early in the design process, a certified green building may cost no more than a code-compliant building.

....

THE ROAD AHEAD

Intelligent building technologies are generally available but have not yet been widely adopted by the construction industry. There is an urgent need for their promotion and adoption.

It is also important that the costs and values of such buildings are quantified so that their adoption on a larger scale is propagated. The economic benefit in using green and intelligent technology requires deeper study. Financial considerations are important: while builders and project promoters look for low initial costs, the occupants are concerned about recurring costs. Such smart buildings have to demonstrate their strengths on both these counts for their large-scale acceptability.

The technological challenge lies in developing materials at affordable costs. Research in materials science has to focus increasingly on producing widely acceptable eco-friendly materials.

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) has developed an Indian rating system (TERI-GRIHA) for green buildings. The system has to be given wide publicity and requires adoption by the industry.

At the apex level, the National Housing Bank can consider financial assistance to ventures that propagate green and intelligent buildings. It can set up a dedicated fund by contributing the initial corpus, which may be used to support green projects.

The former President, Mr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, inaugurating the Bangalore International Centre in November 2005 had said that the concept of green buildings should enter the houses of the common man in a big way. That indeed is a big challenge for the housing sector in India and all stakeholders must rise to meet the same by adopting a focused strategy in this direction.

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An Old but Relevant Article on The Hindu Business Line (http://www.businessline.in/cgi-bin/print.pl?file=2007103050190800.htm&date=2007/10/30/&prd=bl&)

The Olympia Tech Park in Chennai is also 'GOLD' rated right?

Yes. It was recognized as the world’s largest ‘green’ building and was awarded the LEED Gold Rating.


http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/2209/olympiatechparkjf6.jpg



This building uses high performance glass coupled with shading devices and high efficiency walls to reduce heat ingress. Green roofs further reduce the heat ingress. 20% more open space than that specified in the local regulation has been ensured to reduce the impacts of development.

With an intent to provide very high standards of indoor environmental quality to the occupants, enhanced fresh air quantities has been provided for. Majority of the car parking lots are covered with a multilevel parking provision. Exterior lighting has been carefully designed confining the light within the site and with energy efficient luminaries.




Source: Green Business Center (http://greenbusinesscentre.com/Green%20Habitate--Sept%202007.pdf)

BANGALORE, November 14, 2008 -- Don't wait for a bailout. There is none. This deepening understanding is bringing together leading green energy experts, heads of state, top government officials, heads of large international organisations, policy makers, sustainability experts, environmentalists and global investors at Green Energy Summit 2009 (GES 2009), March 4-7, 2009 to be held at the Palace Grounds, Bangalore, India

....

ASIA'S LARGEST EXHIBITION FOR RENEWABLE AND CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES

Green Energy Expo is spread out over 10,000 sqm and will enjoy a footfall of more than 100,000. The exhibitions will have separate pavilions for Green Power, Green IT, Green Buildings, Green Fuels & Transport, Sustainable Brand Showcase, Nano in Sustainability and Biotech in Sustainability. Featuring Indian and International exhibitors from the US, Europe, Canada, Middle East and Asia Pacific, meet manufacturers, builders, vendors and investors of unconventional energy technology (solar, wind, biofuel, thermal), enterprise hardware & software technology vendors, semiconductor companies, financial institutions, venture capitalists and government bodies.

The summit is supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India; EUROSOLAR, World Council for Renewable Energy (WCRE); Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA), Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Confederation of Real Estate Developer's Associations of India (CREDAI) and Karnataka Renewable Energy Ltd. (KREDL).

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Source: clickindia (http://www.clickindia.com/detail.php?id=515733)

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/5575/wiprotechgurgaonxq8.jpg

Wipro Tech, Gurgaon is the third LEED Platinum rated building in India.


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Even Wipro Technologies Development Centre's courtyard design is inspired by the traditional inward looking haveli plan that performs varied functions -- designed to form a light well, it acts as a micro-climate generator, thus reducing energy consumption; mutual shading of the courtyard walls keeps them cooler than outside walls; a big water-body and vegetation in the middle of the courtyard reduces its temperature by evaporative cooling.

"Free cooling method or blowing natural air that passes through air filters is used for the building, again saving on electricity by not using air-conditioners," says Bhardwaj.

....

Further, grass concrete pavers on the outside surface of the building area reduce storm water run-off and decrease the heat-island effect caused by asphalt pavers. Also, the terrace gardens at various levels and the grass concrete pavers help to filter sediments and pollutants from storm water before it reaches the rainwater-harvesting pits.

Contrary to the belief that a green building escalates cost of construction, the Wipro green building project proved its feasibility to Wipro Technologies. "The total energy conserved is 46 per cent in terms of electricity saved, whereas the total extra cost was only 6 per cent, which is recoverable in a span of 18 months. That's a big win," says Bhardwaj.

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Source: Wipro and the green buildings (http://www.rediff.com/money/2006/jan/14wipro.htm)

The development process
TERI's green building rating system (TERI–GRIHA) has been developed after a thorough study and understanding of the current internationally accepted green building rating systems and the prevailing building practices in India. The team has researched on several international rating systems. A few team members were also sponsored under a study tour by USAEP (United States Asia Environmental Partnership) to understand the eco-rating systems prevalent in the US. The team has vast experience in providing design assistance to green buildings in the country and long and varied experience in carrying out energy conservation studies in existing hotels, offices, and other commercial building. The team has effectively utilized the several multi-disciplinary strengths and experiences of the colleagues at TERI to arrive at the tools that addresses cross-cutting issues in the design, development, and operation of a green building.

....

The basic features
Currently the system has been developed to help ‘design and evaluate’ new buildings (buildings that are still at the inception stages). A building is assessed based on its predicted performance over its entire life cycle – inception through operation. The stages of the life cycle that have been identified for evaluation are the pre-construction, building design and construction, and building operation and maintenance stages. The issues that get addressed in these stages are as follows.

Pre-construction stage (intra- and inter-site issues)
Building planning and construction stages (issues of resource conservation and reduction in resource demand, resource utilization efficiency, resource recovery and reuse, and provisions for occupant health and well being). The prime resources that are considered in this section are land, water, energy, air, and green cover.
Building operation and maintenance stage (issues of operation and maintenance of building systems and processes, monitoring and recording of consumption, and occupant health and well being, and also issues that affect the global and local environment).




Source: TERI GRIHA (http://www.teriin.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=76&Itemid=32)


The new core building of the Hitkarini College of Engineering is the first building in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh to undergo green certification.

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/9171/hitakarnior6.jpg


Hitkarini College of Engineering has implemented the following green practices.

Erosion and sedimentation control measures like trenches, sedimentation basins, and mulching have been incorporated on the site, and the dense plantation of trees is being proposed on steep slopes to prevent erosion.
Temporary drainage channels are being constructed around the construction site to direct pollutant-laden water to a treatment device, thereby preventing groundwater contamination.
Topsoil from the site has been collected and stored; it will be re-applied, after adding fertilizers, to achieve the nutrient content recommended by TERI-GRIHA for the healthy growth of vegetation.
Compensatory plantation in the ratio of 1:4 of removed mature trees has been integrated in the landscape plan.
Water consumption in the building has been reduced to 50% as compared to a conventional building by the use of fixtures with flow rates recommended by TERI-GRIHA.
Features such as soak pits and detention basins in the form of water ponds have been incorporated to integrate rainwater harvesting at the site.
Taking cognizance of the lack of sewer lines on the existing campus, the college has followed the norms provided by TERI-GRIHA to treat all waste water on the campus by a decentralized waste water treatment plant.
The building envelope in the air-conditioned spaces has been optimized following recommendations provided by the draft ECBC (Energy Conservation Building Code).
The building envelope has been optimized through proper fenestration design, shading, a combination of insulated and double brick cavity walls, and an efficient lighting and air-conditioning system.
It is estimated that the annual energy consumption for cooling and lighting the building will achieve a 24% reduction from the benchmark.
Thermal comfort criteria as specified by the National Building Code 2005 have been satisfied for air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned spaces.


Source: Bureau of Energy Efficiency (http://www.bee-india.nic.in/sidelinks/Announcement/11TERIGriha.pdf)


The following is the list of green buildings rated by TERI under TERI-GRIHA till year 2007:
1. Hitkarini college of Engineering and Technology, Jabalpur.
2. Residential Building for ITC Limited, Kolkata.
3. Earth System & Environment Science Engineering Building, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur.
4. Triburg Headquarters, Gurgaon, M/s Uchit Holdings Pvt. Ltd. Mehrauli, New Delhi.
5. Bengal Shristi Infrastructure Development Limited, Kolkata.
6. The Doon School, Dehra Dun.
7. Office of Public Works Department, Nashik.
8. Suzlon Energy Limited, Pune.
9. Delhi Public School, Aligarh.
10. Fortis hospital, New Delhi.

Source: ENVIS (http://www.spaenvis.nic.in/pdfs/monographs/green-building.pdf)

First LEED Gold rated green building of Ernakulam/Cochin/Kochi WIPRO SDB (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=14601167&postcount=501)-1


http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/5889/wiprosdb1yk0.jpg

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/1184/wiprosdb12vm8.jpg

The PDF file here (http://www.greenbusinesscentre.org/site/mmbase/attachments/19881/Mr_Niranjan_Kumar.pdf;jsessionid=43BD5D90C32556D777D577EF5974083D) describes green features of WIPRO SDB-1.

Recognizing Confederation of Indian Industry's (CII) pioneering efforts in fostering and promoting green architecture & buildings in India through its CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre, Hyderabad, CNBC AWAAZ conferred CII with the prestigious Special Award for Green Architecture at the CNBC AWAAZ-CRISIL Real Estate Award function organized in Mumbai today.

CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre in Hyderabad is India's first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum rated Green Building outside of USA and the third in the world.

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Source: Web NEWSWIRE (http://www.webnewswire.com/node/446101) on 5 December, 2008

Green concept catches on

The Green Building concept is slowly assuming the contours of a lucrative market, albeit a niche one. T. NANDAKUMAR takes a look.
— By Special Arrangement
http://www.hindu.com/pp/2008/12/06/images/2008120650560101.jpg
Going green: The exterior design of a green apartment complex coming up in Thiruvananthapuram.
The building sector in the State is gearing up to go green, in sync with the global trend towards sustainable development.
The Green Building concept, until now confined to technology demonstration projects, is slowly assuming the contours of a lucrative market, albeit a niche one, catering to high-end clients, according to industry observers. To most laymen, the term green building still means either an aesthetic structure that is in harmony with the natural environment and features in the neighbourhood, or one incorporating a random collection of environment-friendly technologies.
“It is much more than all this,” says N. Mahesh of Iyer and Mahesh, an architectural firm. “Just as a film cannot be judged by the quality of acting alone, a building has to satisfy so many mandatory requirements to qualify for the Green label,” he said.
According to Mr. Mahesh, the Green Building trend is yet to take shape in Kerala because incorporating the necessary features and technology will add to the cost. “That is why most builders are reluctant to go green,” he added.
K. Srikant, Director, Skyline Foundations and Structures (SFS), a company that claims to have launched the first green apartment complex in Kerala, says, “A client will have to shell out an additional Rs.200 per sq.ft for an apartment at SFS Grande. Yet, the response has been good, even in the time of recession. It shows that there is a niche market for green buildings.”
The project has been registered under the IGBC (Indian Green Building Council) Green Homes programme. It is designed to accommodate 40 apartments in two- and three-bedroom configurations in a 13-floor complex located at Vellayambalam within the city. “We are aiming for a good rating under the IGBC certification programme,” Mr. Srikant said.
For the architect, designing a green building translates into additional inputs. “It means at least three consultants to help incorporate over 100 parameters covering energy, conservation, social aspect, accessibility for the physically challenged and community services,” says Mr. Mahesh, who designed the project for SFS.
For example, the specifications for daylighting design in a green building include shading devices, light shelves, courtyards, atriums and window glazing. The orientation of the building, window size and spacing, glass selection, location of interior walls and reflectance of interior finishes will have to be factored into the overall design. “Such a complex job necessitates the use of computer modelling software to simulate daylight conditions,” Mr. Mahesh explains.
So what are the advantages of going green? The immediate and most tangible benefit of a green home is the lifecycle cost savings due to the significant reduction in water and operating energy costs. An IGBC-certified building is expected to return 20 to 30 per cent saving in energy and 30 to 50 per cent reduction in water use.
Intangible benefits

The intangible benefits include better air quality and daylighting that contribute to the health and well being of the occupants, enhanced safety and conservation of natural resources. The rating system developed by the IGBC addresses issues such as handling of consumer waste, water efficiency, reduction in fossil fuel use in commuting, energy efficiency and conservation of forest resources such as wood.
It encourages the use of water in a self-sustaining manner through reducing, recycling and reusing strategies. The waste management system proposes segregation, storage and effective disposal.
It recommends the use of energy-efficient equipment and appliances such as lights, air-conditioning system, motors, pumps and elevators. The rating system also encourages projects to use recycled and reused material and discourage the use of virgin wood and indoor air pollutants. It uses prescriptive and performance- based assessment to evaluate credit points. Siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance and removal are factors taken into consideration.
Some of the other features specified for a green building include landscaping in open areas, minimum disturbance to building site by retaining the natural topography, reflective coating over 50 per cent of the roof area, adequate parking space, designated battery charging points for new-generation hybrid cars, designated parking for the physically challenged, rainwater harvesting system for reuse in apartments and gardening, water-efficient fixtures such as dual flush and faucets, reuse of salvaged building materials, sewage treatment plant, dual water piping system for flushing and gardening, barrier- free design for the physically challenged, timber-free structure and maximum emphasis on natural lighting and ventilation.
“It is time every builder is encouraged to take up green architecture, either by law or by offering an incentive such as tax concession,” Mr. Mahesh adds.

http://www.hindu.com/pp/2008/12/06/stories/2008120650560100.htm

Bangalore : The Economic Times of 5,000 MW of energy in five years, at the rate of 1,000 MW each year, should be the government's aim to
meet the state's energy needs. The current capacity is 2,000 MW of renewable energy with a shortage of 1,700-2,000 MW. K Jairaj, principal secretary, energy department, speaking at a seminar on clean development mechanism (CDM) and its benefits organized by Karnataka Renewable Energy Development (KRED) and the energy department, said the government was mulling over a renewable energy policy in the state.

KRED will be empowered to trade in carbon credits (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_credits).... The department will also mull over showcasing eco-friendly bulbs of Bescom and extend the scheme to Hubli, Mangalore, Mysore and other places.

....

CDM benefits

As of September 2008, Indian projects received CDM (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clean_Development_Mechanism) benefits worth 489.77 lakh CERs while Karnataka projects received CDM benefits worth 80.62 lakh CERs. Karnataka's share is 16.46%. Damian Miller, CEO, ORB Energy, told mediapersons that glass buildings generated more heat and led to consumption of more energy and, in turn, contributed to the carbon footprint.




Source: The Times of India (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bangalore/Renewable_energy_policy_on_anvil_/articleshow/3770777.cms) on 28 November, 2008

Hope that the poilicy will benefit the builders of Green Buildings and Green Industries in Karnataka.

Ahmedabad : With large projects like GIFT city being designed with sustainable elements and energy efficient systems, state state health and
family welfare minister Jay Narayan Vyas promoted the concept of green buildings' to ensure minimum damage to the environment.

Speaking after inaugurating the annual technical summit of the Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE) on Saturday, Vyas said that "the campaign to develop green buildings is a step towards saving mankind from becoming extinct like dinosaurs".

According to Vyas with 80 per cent facade of the buildings in the city being made of glass, it leads to excessive heating. "Persons constructing buildings with 80 per cent glass facades should be hanged. Buildings at Law Garden are a disaster," he said.

Vyas expressed concerns over the issue of growing population and the scarcity of natural resources. He said, "Water availability per person in India has decreased. In the case of Ahmedabad it's just 800 metric cube per person.'

"We are providing water for three-and-a-half hours in Ahmedabad and still people demand more, while the water supply in Rajkot is for 15 minutes in two days, and just 30 minutes in one week in Amreli," Vyas said.

"Sustainable building design and green building rating system is fast catching up in the country as well as in the state. Currently there are only two leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) certified buildings in the state and the number is likely to reach to ten in the coming weeks" said immediate national president of ISHRAE, Pankaj Dharkar.

"Awareness is also increasing among the architectural fraternity to work with energy efficient design. Also awareness about the energy conservation building code (ECBC) which ISHRAE is promoting nationally is also fast catching up" added Dharkar.



Source: The Times of India (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ahmedabad/Develop_green_buildings_save_mankind_/articleshow/3802890.cms) on 7 December, 2008

Poznan (Poland), Dec 6 (IANS) A five-star hotel and an office complex in Kolkata went green in various ways but their applications to be registered under the UN’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clean_Development_Mechanism) so that they could be paid for their troubles were rejected for no fault of theirs, an official said here Saturday.

‘It shows that the CDM needs reform,’ Mark Radka, head of the energy branch in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), told IANS.

On the sidelines of the Dec 1-12 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) summit, Radka was releasing a UNEP report on how the CDM has failed to take care of the building industry.

The two Kolkata buildings - the ITC Sonar Bangla Hotel and the commercial building Technopolis - were among the four studied by the UNEP worldwide to see why only 10 out of 4,000-odd proposed CDM projects were from the building sector - and why even fewer of those had been approved.

‘And this is in a situation where one-third of all greenhouse gas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gas) (GHG) emissions are from buildings,’ Radka pointed out.

GHG emissions, mainly carbon dioxide, are leading to climate change that is already affecting farm output, leading to more frequent and more severe droughts, floods and storms and raising the sea level, with developing countries bearing the brunt of the effects.

The UNFCCC built the CDM so that green projects in developing countries could be rewarded by giving them carbon credits, that they could then trade for money through international carbon markets.

But the CDM has been structured keeping large factories in mind, and the building sector finds it almost impossible to use, Radka said. ‘The problem is that in each building, energy savings are through small measures that add up to a lot. But each individual energy saving is very hard to measure and to monitor regularly, which is what the CDM management wants.’

The other problem is more fundamental. The CDM was meant to encourage green projects that would not be taken up if this extra money was not available. How does one say if a builder, or an individual living in a house, would not put in extra insulation or a CFL lamp unless he knew he would get money from CDM?

The management of the ITC Sonar Bangla Hotel retrofitted its air-conditioning system, pumps and sewage treatment system to increase energy efficiency, replaced electric water heaters with solar alternatives and also used waste heat to warm the water for its guests.

The hotel saved 3.42 gigawatt hours (GWh) in the first year, which by CDM calculations translated to reducing carbon emissions into the atmosphere by 2,987 tonnes.

But the monitoring agency appointed by the CDM board could verify carbon emission savings of 1,886 tonnes only, because the other steps taken were individually too small to measure. That did not make it worth the while of the hotel management to go through the complicated administrative process of applying for CDMs in the first place.

Technopolis is an office complex that has got the gold-level certification for an energy efficient building from the US Green Building Council. Its 14 floors were rented out within five months of the completion of construction in 2005.

In May 2007, the builder applied for CDM approval, largely for further recognition as a green building, says the UNEP report. The various energy efficiency features installed in the building save an estimated 8.37 GWh per year, which means its reduces GHG emissions into the air by 8,724 tonnes a year.

The problem was that the building was already there, with all green features installed, when the builder applied for CDM approval. There was a question on whether he could prove that he would not have done all this if he did not get CDM approval.

The approval is pending. A supermarket chain in Sao Paulo and a housing project in Cape Town are in the same boat.

At the ongoing Poznan summit, CDM reform is one of the important items on the agenda. Radka suggested four reforms:


Move towards performance-based measures from project-based measures; for example look at energy use in a given area and to what extent it has been reduced.

Use sampling for verification, as it is obviously prohibitively costly to check if 10,000 homes all have CFL lamps installed in them.

Make the baselines from which you calculate energy savings performance-based too.

Allow CDM to reward governments that enact tighter building standards.

Source: SindhToday.net (http://www.sindhtoday.net/south-asia/41693.htm)

CII – Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre is organising “Energy Summit 2008”, a flagship event from 8 – 10 December 2008 at Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai.

Coinciding with the above international event, the following programme are being organized to bring in the latest world wide Green Building practices with emphasis on the LEED Rating System.

Training programme on LEED India for new construction
Green building Mission
The LEED India training is an unique opportunity for the Architects, Builders, contractors, Governments Agencies, Consultants, and other stake holders to update their skills and expertise in designing green buildings.

The Green Building Mission is an unique opportunity for the delegates to take a tour of the Green Buildings and have a direct feel of concept and process.


Source: GSIA (http://www.gsia.in/2008/11/energy-summit-2008.htm)

ITC Sonar Bangla, Kolkata is the first hotel in the world to obtain Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Emission_Reduction) issued under the aegis of the United Nations Framework on Climate Change Convention.

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/8360/kolkatasonarbanglamainwg2.jpg

The PDF files here (http://cdm.unfccc.int/UserManagement/FileStorage/2YE85NQA8EP5YQM06ZY40BVU3DHVJQ) & here (http://cdm.unfccc.int/UserManagement/FileStorage/IE15IJYK55US1KTAF38L9O62753DMJ) explain how ITC Sonar Bangla reduced greenhouse gases.

^^I love that hotel, especially their beautiful lotus pond. The hotel does a great job promoting Bengali Architecture. In a way the inside of Hyderabad airport where the raised office is, is also influenced by Bengali architecture.

But question: how did this hotel go green? Its not solar powered.

^^I have included PDF file links in post on ITC Sonar Bangla which say they have used solar energy for electrical heaters. As per my understanding usage of solar energy is not compulsory to obtain CDM, one can opt any other alternatives like wind, nuclear, etc to reduce carbon footprint.

[As the goal of CDM is to reduce CO2 (which is harmful to ozone layer), mainly generated by burning fossil fuels like petroleum and coal, I think they have allowed nuclear fuel. In nuclear case, they may have to prove that the energy is coming from a nuclear plant.]

The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad has been awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design New Construction (LEED NC) Silver Rating by US Green Building Council (USGBC). It is the first airport in Asia to be awarded the LEED certification, while Delta Terminal ‘A’ Redevelopment, East Boston, USA and Signature Logan Terminal, East Boston, USA are the other two airports in the world to achieve LEED New Construction Certified Rating.

The airport consumes 25% less energy than what a similar facility without the environment-friendly features would consume. According to the data provided by Central Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh, the airport’s average electricity consumption per month is 55,43,470 units.

The notable features of the new airport which makes it energy efficient are reduced overall conductance for the walls and roof, high performance glass with low shading coefficient and optimum visual light transmittance, overhangs and vertical fins to reduce solar gains, efficient chillers, efficient lighting using T5 lamps, amply day lit common spaces with photo sensor-controlled electric lighting, economiser and primary and secondary chilled water pumping for increased energy-efficiency.

The pumps used in air conditioning system in the airport are variable speed driver which takes care of energy consumption as it has a pick up sensor which based on the heat load and number passengers automatically controls the temperature of the airport.

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/1197/rgilzj1.jpg

Source: The Economic Times (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Greenfield_Hyderabad_airport_lands_green_tag/articleshow/3094805.cms), Business Line (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/09/16/stories/2008091650982100.htm)

Read also Hyderbad Airport thread #1447 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=19059524&postcount=1447), #2253 (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=19059524&postcount=2253)

BIAL, Bangalore has implemeted many green features. Chennai Airport's new terminals will be green. Mumbai, Delhi airports are also adapting green concepts.

chennai: There will be over 1,000 green buildings dotting the Indian skyline by 2010 saving energy and environment. Already 375 buildings are under construction. Indian industry will also be a key player in the $40-billion green building material business in the world. There will be over 50,000 accredited green professionals in the country to make India a leading player in green building business and technologies.

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Source: The Financial Express (http://http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Green-buildings-to-change-India-s-skyline-by-2010/395895/) on 9 Dec, 2008

....

Every new campus of Infosys has highest level of sustainability", Nilekani said, adding, the company has also been able to bring down energy consumption by 40 per cent.

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Nilekani called for making a serious effort to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.

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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/006200812101570.htm) on 10 Dec, 2008

Read also The Time of India (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bangalore/Put_up_building_plans_on_web_Nilekani/articleshow/3820478.cms) on 10 Dec 2008

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Explaining the spread of the green building movement in India, S Raghupathy, senior director & head, CII -Godrej GBC, said his company planned to facilitate at least 1 billion sft of registered green space by 2012, 1,000 registered green buildings and 5,000 accredited professionals by 2010, which would make India a world leader in green construction. This would help the country exploit the $ 40 billion market for green materials like high-performance glass, wall and roof insulation, flyash blocks and eco-friendly chemicals.

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Source: expressbuzz (http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Green+building+movement+gaining+ground+in+India&artid=6V8ckz9OXnE=&SectionID=e7uPP4%7CpSiw=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=EH8HilNJ2uYAot5nzqumeA==&SEO=) on 13 Dec 2008

http://www.hindu.com/pp/2008/12/06/stories/2008120650560100.htm


The ‘green revolution’ in the property sector, that gained momentum in the country a few years ago, is finally set to arrive in Thiruvananthapuram, with the first apartment project bearing the green label scheduled to be completed within the next 30 months.

The project has been launched and, according to the promoters, SFS Homes, it has received all the permissions and registration under the Green Homes Programme of Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).

....



Source: Sify (http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?id=14818127) on 14 Dec 2008

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4 hotels of Taj Group

In India, ICF International’s project funded by a 39,000-pound assistance from the British High Commission is initially focusing on luxury hotels in Chennai — four hotels of the Taj Group, including the Taj Coromandel, and one of the Sarovar Group, the Radha Regent and the Grand Ashok in Bangalore.

Once the benefits of the project are recorded, the measures would be implemented in educational institutions, hospitals and government buildings, says Sanjay Dube, Senior Programme Manager, ICF International.

....

More likely, the hotels could see a savings of 15-20 per cent. Considering that large hotels use over 5-6 lakh KWhr of electricity every month, a reduction of about 10 per cent represents significant savings. With a KWhr of power costing over Rs 6, 10 per cent means a saving of over Rs 3 lakh a month in electricity bill, he says.

....

Radha Regent has shifted from incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent lights that consume a lot less electricity, exterior lightings come on automatically when the sun goes down, kitchen fans and those in other common area run on timers, the hotels chillers have been replaced with modern energy efficient units and there is a heat recovery system that uses the waste heat to heat water. The condensate from the steam in the laundry is also used to heat water.

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30% savings in energy costs

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The proposed improvements in operation and maintenance of existing buildings along with retrofit measures and can save building owners up to 30 per cent in energy costs in modern high-rise buildings. The reported energy consumption in old commercial buildings was 4,300 million kWh in 2004-05 and a 20-30 per cent savings can make a big impact.



Source: Sify (http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?id=14818161) on 14 Dec 2008

1st Indian Real Estate Company to receive the award

Maytas Properties Limited, a Hyderabad based leading Property Development Company, has received Holcim Award for Sustainable Construction in Asia Pacific for its Green IT/ITeS SEZ at Maytas Hill County. Maytas Properties received the Bronze for its energy-efficient SEZ at Maytas Hill County SEZ, while China received the top prize for sustainable planning for a rural community, followed by Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for low-impact green field university campus. Total prize money of USD 270,000 was presented to ten projects that show future-oriented and tangible approaches to urban renewal and development, energy efficiency and affordable housing.



Source: Media Syndicate (http://www.mediasyndicate.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=11599) on 12 Dec 2008


Maytas Hill County IT/ITES SEZ, Hyderabad

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Spread across 74 acres alongside Hyderabad’s Information Technology corridor, Maytas Hill County IT/ITES SEZ is a green campus designed to meet LEED Gold standards. It’s where business and the environment coexist peacefully. And with another 300 acres of mixed-use residential and retail spaces adjoining the campus, what you have is a holistic solution to your real estate needs.

Maytas Properties is creating LEED Gold rated Green buildings for reduced operating costs and conservation of natural resources. All the design elements have been meticulously planned to ensure the occupants of the building have a great atmosphere to work with and have the state-of the-art attendant infrastructure to relax and rejuvenate.

....


Source: Maytas Properties (http://www.maytasproperties.com/SEZ/HC.html)

Bangalore: The head office for builder Biodiversity Conservation India Ltd (BCIL), one of the winners of this year’s Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) sustainability awards, looks a bit like the grown-up version of a pre-school. Unfinished wood planks serve as desks, and miniature toy models of futuristic residential developments are scattered between them. Plants are tucked into every crevice.

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For the cooling system in the Whitefield development, TZED (total zero energy development), for example, engineers looked at centralized systems more common in commercial buildings, and created something similar for individual flats. While single air conditioners have their own compressors, TZED created one giant compressor and installed a network of devices known as fan coil units to bring cool air into the rooms, using at least 45% less energy, according to Chauhan.

The water system at TZED, too, is entirely off the grid, meaning it doesn’t connect to any city water supply. Sewage water is recycled and used for landscaping. Rainwater is collected in a 400,000-litre tank, and filtered for every other use, including drinking.

Homes are designed to make best use of natural light and to keep air circulating through, minimizing the need for bulbs and air conditioning systems.

....



Source: livemint (http://www.livemint.com/2008/12/14215304/Blending-modern-tech-with-trad.html?h=B) on 14 Dec 2008

I am glad that Krishnamoorthy has started a separate thread for green buildings of India.

As a company which has been associated in design with many Green buildings, we appreciate that it is being noticed.

But with the recent global melt down, the premium that was available as the enhanced rent is not available any more. Green has taken a back seat since the basic survival has taken a beating.

But for those guys who are curious, I want to highlight a few points.

If you see our villages, most of the structures are green ones. The huts are the highest rated (above platimum?!?)

In the city buildings, we use such a huge amount of glass and chrome / steel and work backwards to get a green rating by design. If you really see the carbon balance, it is totally negative. Since we get brownie points and easier funding, we go for this type of green buildings.

When we design zero discharge sewage syatem, we end up with excess treated water. What can I do with that? The Govt does not allow that to be taken outside.

When we use solar and energy from sewage, the initial cost is comparatively high. If the project cost is high (but the maintainance cost is low), it becomes an impediment in marketing.

The Govt is so insensitive to these issues. For eg, I was amazed to know that the Chennai Nesappakkam CMWSSB (Metro Water) has tertiary treatment and the quality of the treated water is so good. They also produce Bio Gas (Methane capture) and generate power. The newly installed Sewage Treatment plants and the office buildings do not get electricity from EB grid but from their own generators.

But nobody encourages these Govt engineers who has a world class technology on hand. If all the sewage treatment plants are modernised, the dept can supply treated water and power to the nearby areas. Chennai may be out of its water and power problems.

With the latest Fluidised bed reactors and Biomass media which does not need regeneration for 15 years, we can have a small plant of 20'x20' size to cater to a small township of 3000 families.

I think that our lifestyle has to change first to follow Green practices so that the whole city is forced to follow them. The main mantra is to use the naturally available energy sources as much as possible. Then to avoid the wastage of the precious energy already produced and prudent use of the same.

Cheers for a Green Chennai!

^^ Thanks Kannan Infratech for your professional comments. I hope government will soon find out a solution to extra water generation problems due to zero discharge sewage system and also come up with incentives for green buildings.



Here is a list of Green Buildings in Chennai (may not be comprehensive):

Olympia Technology Park
ETL BPO Park
Vestas India Pvt Ltd
World Bank
Grundfos Pumps India Pvt Ltd
ABN Amro Central Enterprise
RMZ Millenia Business Park
L&T
Rane Institute of Employee Development
Hallmark Tech Park
TCS Technopark at Siruseri

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TATA Housing, one of the leading real estate companies in the country, today received the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification for Xylem, the company's IT Park in Bangalore.

Xylem is the first of its kind and the only green building in Bangalore to receive the LEED Gold Rating. LEED rating, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is a leading-edge system for certifying the greenest performing buildings in the world and a nationally accepted benchmark for building sustainability. The rating system is the internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings. On certification by LEED, buildings receive a Platinum, Gold, Silver or a simple certified rating. Xylem, has earned a LEED – Gold certification.

....

The carefully crafted 240,490 sq. ft. facility at Whitefield road in Bangalore has been designed to tackle the "sick building syndrome", with its major focus on occupants' health, ergonomic design and architecture. Xylem, as a green building, reduces the operational costs by almost 19% than compared to a conventional building. It minimizes the electric loads in air-conditioning and common area power and also conserves water supply thereby reducing maintenance costs for occupants.

....

The advanced standards at Xylem optimize comfort and utility thereby making it a one of the most environmentally friendly buildings of its size in the entire country. The building has a supply of 22 CFM of fresh air as against 15 CFM for added ventilation. The optimum in-house climate conditions and lighting conditions in the building are maintained to boost productivity.



Source: moneycontrol.com (http://news.moneycontrol.com/india/news/pressnews/tata-housing-s-xylem-awarded-leed-gold-certificate/19/31/371353) on 17 Dec 2008


Here is a list of Green Buildings in Bangalore:

GE India Technology Center
Motorola India Private Limited
Hajman Property Management Hotel
WIPRO Technologies two campuses
Infosys
IMTMA Campus
RMZ Corporation
Esplanade
Vikas Telecom
CII Institute of Quality Building
Nitesh Madison Square
Aquila Heights is pre-certified 'green building' under the guidance of IGBC
Bearys Global Research Triangle
Lakeside Habitat

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Griha, its green building rating system, will be launched in South India early next year. Until now, most constructors and architects have been following the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, based on the US architecture and developed by the US Green Building Council. Griha focuses on passive architectural strategies or designs that suit the Indian climate.

....

Griha will focus on Indian climatic conditions, also called bioclimatic architecture. "Bangalore has a moderate climate; we don't require air-conditioners here. There's good sunlight as well so we don't need to use lights during the day. The design would be such that energy consumption will be minimum. Similarly, Delhi, a composite zone of extreme summers and winters, needs a different design and use of different building materials," said Teri research associate Minni Mehrotra. Griha is different from other rating systems; it not only focuses on Indian climate but Indian lifestyle and economy as well.

Griha is a 100-point system with 34 criteria. Based on points obtained, the ministry grants stars. A five-star building is the greenest building. Registration for certification needs to be completed before beginning the building project.

....



Source: The Times of India (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bangalore/Buildings_can_get_green_ratings_/articleshow/3847907.cms) on 17 Dec 2008

^^ Thanks Kannan Infratech for your professional comments. I hope government will soon find out a solution to extra water generation problems due to zero discharge sewage system and also come up with incentives for green buildings.



Here is a list of Green Buildings in Chennai (may not be comprehensive):

Olympia Technology Park
ETL BPO Park
Vestas India Pvt Ltd
World Bank
Grundfos Pumps India Pvt Ltd
ABN Amro Central Enterprise
RMZ Millenia Business Park
L&T
Rane Institute of Employee Development



^^ add to that Hallmark Tech Park and TCS Technopark at Siruseri...

Chennai Tech park is also nearly complete..

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The contract valued at Rs. 75 Crore was awarded to Simplex by NDMC.

As part of the project the Talkatora Indoor Stadium, which will host the boxing events during the Common Wealth Games 2010, will be renovated in accordance with International Boxing Federation norms. The stadium will have a seating capacity of around 3000 people. The date of completion of the project is June 2009.

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Mr. Sudharshan Das Mundhra, Director, Simplex Projects Ltd, said “We are proud to be part of this initiative as Delhi prepares itself to host one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world. The Talkatora Stadium project is being executed in accordance with Common Wealth Games and international Green Building standards. Our endeavour would be to construct this world class stadium within the stipulated time frame.”

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Source: moneycontrol.com (http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/pressmarket/simplex-projects-awarded-rs-75cr-contract/372782) on 26 Dec 2008

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Picture Courtesy: The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/21/stories/2007022115270200.htm)

^^ add to that Hallmark Tech Park and TCS Technopark at Siruseri...

Chennai Tech park is also nearly complete..

Thats gud to hear tat Chennai Tech park signature A is gonna get over!
When are they planning to open it?!?!:booze:

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The only alternative to this are green habitats and lifestyles which have emerged during the past two decades. Green buildings are typically constructed using materials made from fly ash, inert portions of solid and hazardous wastes and from pulverized construction debris. Fake wood, wall panels and insulation boards from waste biomass, agricultural wastes as well as wasted woods and plastics recovered from garbage are available. Paints free from heavy metals and made from non-toxic organic dyes and pigments and using water as solvent rather than carcinogenic organic solvents and thinners are encouraged in green buildings.

The architecture of green buildings is such that they are capable of harvesting solar radiation for lighting, cooking and water heating. From their inception, green buildings need to minimise consumption of potable water by installing water saving devices.
Recently, the Maharashtra government appointed a committee to study the proposals of high rise buildings (more than 21 storeys or 70m height) and recommend the suitability of design features and approve the structures. In some high-rise proposals approved by the committee, several green provisions were made mandatory to minimize its environmental and ecological footprint.

For example, the domestic water supply to these high rise buildings will be 90 litres of potable water per person per day. Sewage water will be treated to high standards and reused it for the flushing, landscaping and gardening. Mumbai thus is the first city making sewage water treatment and reuse mandatory for all high-rise buildings. The committee has also tried to motivate developers in improving other environmental services like solid waste management, fire safety and energy conservation.

....

Yet, making tall urban buildings green will solve only a part of the urban crisis. The other big problem is the inadequacy of collection and treatment of sewage and garbage disposal. Presently, our garbage is being dumped into poorly engineered landfills or low-lying areas, waste water barely treated and disposed in an environmentally unsound manner (only 25 per cent sewage in India gets some kind of treatment). It is high time that we see the problem of urban waste management in an integrated manner with other infrastructure and service issues.



Source: Dr Shyam R. Asolekar, The Week (http://week.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/theWeekContent.do?sectionName=Current+Events&contentId=4950289&programId=1073754900&pageTypeId=1073754893&contentType=EDITORIAL)

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MNRE principal scientific officer Dilip Nigam on Monday announced at the Griha guidelines training programme, the incentives that will be declared from January for green building constructors and ULBs. Architects who qualify for ratings for buildings with less than 5,000 sqm will get Rs 2.5 lakh, while the ones measuring more than 5,000 sqm will get Rs 5 lakh. ULBs who promote green buildings by announcing rebates will get up to 50 lakh.

There will be an award system also for municipal corporations for overall performance in this sector. They will be awarded Rs 50 lakh, while other local bodies will get Rs 25 lakh. "This system is important because it is applicable to all climatic conditions in India. I know there are other rating systems, but those are western. The scheme is in the final stage and the papers will be ready by January,'' he said.

....



Source: The Times of India (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bangalore/Now_get_paid_for_going_green/articleshow/3876340.cms) on 22 Dec 2008

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KOLKATA | Vedic Hotels | 150m | App (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=29863268#post29863268)


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If Westin does move into New Town, it will have one of the most contemporary hotel properties in India. The twin towers, designed by Spanish architect firm Cervera & Pioz, will be Kolkata's first. The taller of the two will be 42-storeys and 142 metres high.

"We are committed to creating a world-class hotel. The architecture will be extremely contemporary. It will be a signature landmark," said Kanoria. The project cost is a whopping Rs 700 crore.

A blend of the colonial and the contemporary style of architectural design, the towers will incorporate the novel bionic concept and be completely eco-friendly Green building certified by US rating agency LEED. The facility will house the hotel, a shopping mall, entertainment facilities and commercial complex.

Work on the project is slated to commence in January 2009, nearly three years behind schedule. Various factors, both strategic and otherwise, led to the project delay. "Shristi has received the approval from the government last month for commencement of work. The contractor is mobilizing resources at the site and construction will begin next month," Kanoria said.

....



Source: The Times of India (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Kolkata_/World-class_hotel_in_heart_of_New_Town/articleshow/3848338.cms) on 17 Dec 2008

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HMT Township | Aquila Heights | 32fl X 3 | Proposed (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=620536)



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Aquila Heights — Bangalore’s tallest and most luxurious residential address. Located within the HMT Township at Jalahalli and en route to the new airport at Devanhalli, Aquila Heights is a perfect blend of everything modern and yet surrounded with the goodness of nature. It is a pre-certified green building under the guidance of IGBC.

....

Aquila Heights site consists of three towers — Atria (29 storied), Polaris (32 storied) and Vega (29 storied), the tallest residential towers in Bangalore. The project, designed by International architects, has a contemporary theme where steel and glass dominate the elevation of the buildings. The entire project has only 11 per cent ground coverage, leaving 89 per cent of area open. The property has dedicated traffic zones, wherein the vehicular traffic is restricted to a section of the development leaving the rest free for pedestrians.

....



Source: TATA (http://www.tata.com/company/releases/inside.aspx?artid=Qvi2Uyf4bz4=)

Hope that all the skyscrapers proposed in Bangalore - Trump Tower, KSRTC Tower and the towers proposed in Race Course & Karnataka Soap will be green.

Hyderabad: Highrise Projects u/c - Page 4 - SkyscraperCity (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=384480&page=4)

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The park will incorporate several green design strategies. The building will be energy efficient, significantly reducing energy costs. The external walls will be clad to reflect the sun and insulate the interior work areas. Natural light will shine into working areas without heating up the structure, which reduces the need for lighting during the daytime. Terrace gardens in the sky courts will help to cool the interior, and will be irrigated by the structure’s water recycling systems. The design also integrates rainwater harvesting and ground water recharge. These eco-friendly features will cut the structure’s energy use by over 35 percent.


Source: Inhabitat (http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/08/11/landmark-cyber-park-state-of-the-art-green-it-hub-in-india/)

WORLI | Palais Royale | 320m | Site Prep (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=624711)


With the project cost at $200 million, the 320-metre-high tower is designed by the well-known architect firm, Talathy & Panthaky, in association with foreign consultants such as Lehr Associates of New York and RWDI, Canada. The building will boast of 100% on-site sewage treatment, thus stopping 30 million gallons of waste per year from reaching the city’s overburdened sewerage system.

The building will also have 100% waste management. Most of the waste will be used to generate organic manure to enhance the green ecosystem within the building premises and the remaining waste will be recycled.

“The building will save 30 per cent to 40 per cent energy and 20 per cent to 30 per cent water. Green Buildings also effectively contribute towards reducing carbon emission. For every one million sq.ft of constructed green building footprint, the CO2 reduction is around 12,000 tonnes per annum,’’ S Raghupathy, senior director and head of IGBC, said.

Spread over 25 lakh sq ft at Shreeram Mills in Lower Parel, the luxury building will have 100 apartments with areas of 8,700 sq ft and 14,000 sq ft. With a floor plate of 5 lakh sq ft, the premises will have amenities like a cinema house, spa, cricket pitch, soccer field and three swimming pools.

Company officials said that each of the 12 villas (apartments of 14,000 sq ft) will have an in-house swimming pool.

“The LEED Platinum-rated green building will incorporate the latest engineering and design technologies,’’ Vikas Kasliwal, vice-chairman of SRUIL, said. “The building will be eligible for carbon credits, thus bringing down maintenance costs,” Kasliwal added.


Source: DNA (http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1157916)

Old but relevant article.


MUMBAI: There’s a new mantra among builders and they’re chanting it with the fervour of cheerleaders: green architecture. The flag bearer of green construction is the Indian Council of Green Building (ICGB). An organisation formed by the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre, the ICGB is calling eco-friendly architecture a movement.

At the recently held Green Building Congress 2008, speakers from various industries tried urgently to tap into the zeitgeist of environmental concern, arguing that green construction is the only way to build without polluting. All manner of purportedly energy-efficient devices from power-saving bulbs to eco-friendly carpets were advertised. However while green construction appeals to builders and many architects, critics think it’s little more than a fashion statement.

The ICGB has been actively promoting the concept of green architecture for three years and offers builders Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certificates. Developed by the US Green Building Council, LEED is a rating system that lays down a set of standards for sustainable architecture. The ICGB holds its own office in Hyderabad as an exemplar of green construction. It has courtyards that allow cross-ventilation thereby reducing the building’s dependence on air-conditioning and skylights that let in enough natural light, precluding the need for artificial light.

S Raghupathy, a senior director at ICGB says the building uses about 30 per cent less energy than an ordinary building of similar proportions. Completed in 2003, it is India’s first LEED-certified building. Five years later, 320 buildings that have been registered for LEED awards. Raghupathy predicts that by 2010, there will 1000 LEED-certified buildings in the country.

In Mumbai, builders have zealously embraced green construction. Hiranandani and K Raheja have pledged to construct sustainable buildings. The city’s first green residential apartment block is Palais Royale, a 320-metre tower that’s being constructed by Shree Ram Urban Infrastructure Limited at Worli. SRUIL’s Vikas Kasliwal says that the building will have its own waste and water management systems and will be constructed using concrete that contains of fly ash, a material regarded by many as eco-friendly.

He adds that Palais Royale is “the first step to getting carbon credits’’ that will generate revenue for the building society, subsidising its maintenance costs. The apartment block will also have about 50 storeys, flats with areas between 8700 and 14000 sq ft, a cinema hall and several swimming pools.

Palais Royale’s host of eco-friendly features would not impress those who believe that green architecture is a fashionable label that allows builders to justify features that consume vast amounts of energy. After all, can a building with swimming pools and imported materials whose transportation involves gallons of fuel really be considered green?

One such sceptic is architect P K Das, who says that Indian architects have historically designed structures keeping the environment in mind. “For example, verandahs or deep overhangs create deep shadows and cut down heavy heat load,’’ he points out. They went wrong when they began designing buildings modelled on western designs that consume large quantities of energy.

He cites the example of glass, a material that requires considerable energy to produce and one that has become ubiquitous in urban Indian architecture. “You don’t need glass all around buildings,’’ he says. “Europe needed sun to get in even in summer to cut down on cooling. We started putting glass to put in heat. Because the market makes this available, we’re quickly finding use for it.’’ Das doesn’t see much value in the LEED award as its standards are not relevant to Indian conditions.

“We need to evolve our own green standards,’’ he says. Das is also critical of the controversial practice of carbon trading, which many builders view as an attractive means to earn revenue. It’s like “taking compensation for a crime you’ve committed’’, he fumes.

For others, the trend is a step in the right direction. Architect Sheetal Rakheja was one of the speakers at the Green Congress. While she believes that builders could do more to cut down their ecological footprints, green architecture is the only way to stave a global environmental crisis. The office she designed for Patni computers in NOIDA has special insulation on the roof to prevent heat from entering, glass on the north face which receives less sunlight than other parts of the building and daylight sensors that allow lights to come on only once it gets dark and so on.

As a result, the building consumes an average of 0.65 watts per sq ft as opposed the 1 watt per sq ft it would have consumed without its energy-saving features. “If we don’t do it this way, I don’t know where we’re going to head,’’ she says.


Source: The Times of India (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Mumbai/Green_bldgs_Fuel_savers_or_fashion_statements/articleshow/3561423.cms) on 5 Oct 2008

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Traditional wind towers are used to lower the inside temperature by 10 C.

http://www.hindu.com/pp/2008/06/21/images/2008062150040202.jpg

Source: The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/pp/2008/06/21/stories/2008062150040200.htm)


To meet its objective of achieving GOLD certification, InterfaceFLOR implemented several strategies. The Company reduced potable water use by more than 30% through the installation of low flow water closets and low flow urinals. The automated - HVAC system combined with Building Management System helps reduce energy consumption. The Co2 sensors within the HVAC system enable the maintenance of the indoor environment air quality to the required levels. 26% of the total materials used on the project were from rapidly renewable sources. Materials with high recycled content were also used like glass, mdf boards, etc. The original ceiling has also been retained. Also, the use of natural daylight was maximised through design concepts, thus decreasing the need for artificial lighting.


Source: Deccan Herald (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/Jun202008/realty2008061974322.asp)

Slightly old but important news.



Bangalore, Dec. 14 If you thought IT services firms mouth clichés when they talk about being trusted partners, think again.

Mere services and even consulting has become passé, as companies have now opened their internal best practices to clients.

Wipro and Infosys are now sharing internal green computing practices with clients, helping them tread the green path amid rising concerns of global warming.

And this means additional revenues for the vendors as worsening economic conditions force clients to go slow on technology deployment.

“Our green IT thrust is both internal and client facing,” said Mr S. Gopalakrishnan, CEO and Managing Director of Infosys Technologies Ltd. “Internally, we are reducing the carbon footprint through various initiatives. As a service we are taking some of our own internal learnings and packaging them as consulting and implementation services.”

....



Source: Business Line (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/12/15/stories/2008121551340200.htm) on 15 Dec 2008

Patni Knowledge Centre is the second largest platinum-rated building in the world and the largest platinum-rated building outside the United States.

Patni Computer Systems has been awarded the LEED Platinum (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating for its Green IT-BPO Centre, christened Patni Knowledge Centre, in Delhi NCR region. Inaugurated recently, Patni Knowledge Centre is the second largest Platinum-rated building in the world and the largest Platinum-rated building in India.

This facility is designed and constructed with the help of DRI (Desiccant Rotors India) as per the guidelines of LEED India Green Building Rating System for New Construction. The centre is currently under certification process and is jointly audited by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) and US Green Building Council (USGBC), according to a statement issued here.

DRI is a founder member of Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) and Vietnam Green Building Council, apart from being members of US Green Building Council, South Africa Green Building Council and Australian Green Building Council.

With an aim to minimise adverse environmental impact, Patni’s Green Knowledge Centre is designed to use less energy, water and natural resources as well as creates less waste.

The features of the centre include climate responsive architecture, over 50 per cent green area, healthy indoor air quality with ecofresh heat recovery wheels for adding fresh air, offering outside view to 95 per cent of the occupantsand 100 per cent recycling of sewage.


Source: The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/pp/2009/01/10/stories/2009011050190300.htm) on 10th Jan 2009

The ‘green’ concept, which has made an entry into the apartment building sector with standardised rating norms, is now being increasingly adopted in tourism infrastructure projects such as hotels and resorts.

Though many of the hotels and resorts in Kerala were constructed incorporating eco-friendly features, their formal certification under the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) norms have yet to be done, it is pointed out. The opening of the State chapter of IGBC is expected to help the sector go ‘green’ all the way.

According to Mr N. Mahesh of architecture firm Iyer and Mahesh, the virtues of green hotels and resorts include better air quality and day lighting that contribute to the health and well-being of the occupants, enhanced safety and conservation of natural resources.


The green norms

The rating system developed by IGBC addresses issues such as handling of consumer waste, water efficiency, reduction in fossil fuel use in commuting, energy efficiency and conservation of forest resources such as wood.

The hotels and resorts should have secluded smoking lounges with negative pressure and air-conditioning system with provision for fresh air supply. And unlike office buildings, malls or restaurants, the ‘green’ hotels will have more ‘process energy’ that requires energy saving devices and controls.

The hotels should have ‘sensor controls’ so that the lights switch on and switch off depending on the movement of the guests. This will save a lot of energy. The use of low emission carpets, which should be subjected to daily maintenance, is also prescribed for the hotels. The detergents used should be environmental friendly.

The coat hangers can be made of saw dust, while guest stationery may be made of hand-made paper. The laundry bags should be made of throw-away bio-degradable fabric and the soaps free of phosphorous. The swimming pool is treated with salt instead of chlorine.

Some of the other features specified for green buildings, both apartments and hotels/resorts, include landscaping in open areas, minimum disturbance to the building site by retaining the natural topography, reflective coating over 50 per cent of the roof area, adequate parking space and designated battery charging points for new generation hybrid cars.

Mr Mahesh said that his company was employing ‘cradle to cradle’ adoptive technology, which envisages that 85-90 per cent of the materials used for furniture and fixtures in hotels and resorts are either reusable or bio-degradable. ‘Soft architecture’ is another concept that encompasses use of locally available materials.




Source: Business Line (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/iw/2009/01/18/stories/2009011850921500.htm) on 18th Jan 2009

Also read The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200901181352.htm) for launching of the Kerala chapter of the Indian Green Buildings Council (IGBC).

Kesar Solitaire (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=20593523&postcount=57) by Kesar group - 28 floors, Palm Beach Road. It'll be a green building and will be awarded the LEED Gold certification.

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/4227/kesarle7.jpg

Greenest Building of Delhi Part 1
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Greenest Building of Delhi Part 2
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Greenest Building of Delhi Part 3
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Nice video...Thanks...

REVA Electric Car Company (RECC), has announced its plans to set up a new assembly facility near Bangalore in Karnataka which will have the annual production capacity of 30,000 units. India's first electric car company's new 18,212sq.m new production facility is being built in accordance with green principles – the design is contemporary, energy requirements are low and the plant is being built to the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building rating system standard, an internationally accepted rating system and benchmark for evaluating and certifying sustainable sites

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Source: wheelsUnplugged (http://www.wheelsunplugged.com/ViewNews.aspx?newsid=2513)

Perkins Eastman recently unveiled two soaring green high-rises in Kohinoor CTL’s competition to design a sustainable mixed-use skyscraper for Mumbai, India.

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http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/kohinoor-diag01.jpg

Source: inhabitat (http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/02/05/kohinoor-skyscrapers-by-perkins-eastman/)

The advances made in material technology have opened new vistas for energy efficient designs in environment friendly buildings, feels V Radhakrishnan


Read the full article on Deccan Herald (http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Mar132009/realty20090312123615.asp)

http://www.srijanrealty.com/tech_park/elehub.jpg

Courtesy: srijan (http://www.srijanrealty.com/tech_park.html)

The “tallest monolithic IT park in Calcutta”, soaring 16 levels and coming up opposite Manikanchan, is being developed by the PS Group and Srijan Group. Being built at a cost of Rs 100 crore, the green structure hopes to earn over Rs 50 lakh worth of carbon credits (incentive for reduction of greenhouse gases) through energy savings annually, according to an Ernst & Young estimate.

....

With a planned indoor fresh air quality of 20 cfm (cubic ft per minute) per person, the tech park is the “largest LEED (Leadership in Environment Engineering & Design) gold-rated green building in the world”, providing direct workplace for around 5,000 professionals, say the developers.

....



Source: Telegraph (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1071128/asp/calcutta/story_8601763.asp)

Read also latest news Idea, Shyam Sistema acquire prime space at Kolkata tech park (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Infrastructure/Idea-Shyam-Sistema-acquire-prime-space-at-Kolkata-tech-park/articleshow/4281428.cms).

Tata Housing Development Company unveiled its 'Shubh Griha' project on Wednesday, a first of its kind pan-Indian brand to offer low-cost residential properties. Under the project, Tata would be launching its first property in the suburb of Boisar in Mumbai, followed by a pan-Indian presence across tier I and tier II cities. Moreover, the value homes will be priced between Rs 3.9 lakh and Rs 6.7 lakh.

The project will include properties in sizes like small one room kitchen, large one room kitchen and 1BHK. With a balanced mix of buildings and open spaces, these projects will be constructed under the guidance of Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).

....



Source: Business Standard (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/tata-housing-unveils-low-cost-housing-project/60684/on)

A New Delhi-based developer, 3C, has announced two green residential projects in Noida this year at a budget of Rs 2,600 crore. Siddha Group, a Kolkata-based realtor, is developing a green housing complex, Xanadu, in Kolkata. In Mumbai, Mahindra Lifespaces is developing a green project Mahindra Splendour in Bhandup.

....


Source: The Financial Express (http://www.expressestates.in/full_story.php?content_id=93774)

The CII-Godrej GBC (Green Business Council) has announced the launch of an exclusive directory on green building materials and service providers. The directory was launched in Hyderabad, where the CII-Godrej GBC is based, during the first steering committee meeting of the Green Building Congress 2009.

The directory contains the names and contact details of the major manufacturers, suppliers and service providers of green building materials.

Copies of the directory can be obtained from council. The details are available on the official Web site: www.greenbusinesscentre.com.


Source: Business Line (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/iw/2009/05/24/stories/2009052451011500.htm)

Godrej Garden City and Mahindra World City projects are setting out to prove that cities can be sustainable and environment friendly.


http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/iw/2009/05/24/images/2009052450991501.jpg


270-acre township

Mr Pirojsha Godrej, Executive Director, Godrej Properties, told Business Line that Godrej Garden City, the 270-acre township, is to be launched in the next three months. The project, awaiting statutory approvals, is being supported by the Gujarat Government which has given in-principle approval.



MWC Jaipur

The integrated business city is among the largest projects of its kind in North India, according to company officials. The project includes over 2,500 acres of SEZ space for a range of sectors including light engineering, IT and ITES, logistics and warehousing, apparel, and gems and jewellery and a 500 acre domestic tariff area.


Source: Business Line (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/iw/2009/05/24/stories/2009052450991500.htm)

Exhibition and conference facilities at BIEC are first of its kind in India which offers services and amenities of the highest quality at par with international standards. This complex, created with only one purpose - to make it a preferred destination for international business exhibitions, trade fairs, congresses, international conferences, seminars and training programmes in India.

This multipurpose 34 acres beautifully landscaped complex has 40,000 sqm of covered column-less air-conditioned exhibition space (three exhibition halls), a multi-facility conference centre including four conference halls, a helipad, an amphitheatre, VIP lounge, food court, a Machine Tool Training Centre, and large outdoor area.



The complex was recently been awarded the prestigious "LEED Certified" rating for Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) by the U. S. Green Building Council for its environmentally-friendly design. BIEC is a member of UFI- The global association of exhibition industry.


Source: Economic Times (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News-By-Industry/Bangalore-International-Exhibition-Centre/articleshow/4562421.cms)

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New government buildings will target a 4-star rating in green building standards, according to Mr Deepak Gupta, Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India.

A press release quoting Mr Gupta addressing a conference on urban sustainability and green buildings for the 21st century said, “There is a lack of awareness between consumers, architects and developers about the importance and benefits of green buildings. In this context conferences such as this one are very important to address these issues amongst the stakeholders. Also, another important aspect is rating systems used for measuring the ‘green rating’ of building and it is imperative that the standards followed in India are synergised with international standards. It’s our endeavour that all new government buildings should have a 4-star rating.”

According to the release, real-estate development uses about 40 per cent of the energy consumed globally and is one of the prime contributors to global warming due to the emission of Green House Gas (GHG). Because of the contribution of buildings to carbon emissions, the real-estate sector is in the forefront of the shift towards sustainability, with much of the focus on operational energy efficiency and sustainable development.


Sourced: Business Line (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/iw/2009/05/17/stories/2009051750571500.htm)

Eco-friendly projects

Samskruti’s Maurya 100-acre residential sustainable smart township near Electronics City begins development in July 2009.

The developers of this project are projecting this as a green community to enhance the welfare of present and future inhabitants by creating safe, convenient, equitable, healthy, efficient, meaningful and attractive spaces that seek to enhance social interaction by providing high encounter opportunity zones.

Venkat Chalasani, CEO, says, “among the main features of this project are 100 per cent water sustainability, 50-60 per cent energy sustainability, hybrid electricity with green power grid, waste reduction by 90 per cent, vegetable sustainability through community garden and green roofs, cooking gas supply through reticulated pipeline, gated community with solar powered fence, RFID based access control and carbon credit sale through Kyoto protocol.” If you thought that packed a punch, read on.

The total number of people that will be part of this community once fully occupied is pegged at a staggering 3500, including independent houses, senior citizen homes, apartments and affordable homes for the economically backward. Each house will also have a provision for an elevator as these are adaptable homes.

Detailed climate analysis

The company has been planning and researching on this project for over two years including having done detailed climate analysis on wind, shade and radiation to design comfortable living spaces that ensure the temperatures inside the house range between 23-28°C. A stack tower for each house will ensure that the air is recycled and circulated back. Elucidates Chalasani, “from our analysis we infer that we should not place windows (particularly glass) on the east and west; and that north side windows should be protected properly. Also rooftop and west walls will be insulated properly with thermal mass and we will make provision to allow the sun to enter during winter using south windows.

Our wind analysis shows that pre-dominant winds come from the east-west direction in Bangalore. We have designed bay windows in the south and north direction to allow wind for natural ventilation. Also the careful design of windows in the east-west limit heat gain and allow breeze inside. We have oriented all houses in the master plan to face either east or west to allow wind passage and limit heat again from longitudinal axis of houses.”

Other green projects

MAN Valley Vista, a high-end premium residential complex, MAN Infraprojects Ltd, is all set to change the skyline of Nerul, popularly known as the ‘Queen of Navi Mumbai’. The project has green features like STP (Sewage Treatment Plants) to curb waste and maintain an eco-friendly style, extensive podium level and well landscaped and designed podium garden with a mountain view.

Vakil Garden City

Vakil Garden City, a tribute to nature is set on the fast-developing Kanakapura Road. “The efficiency of the building is substantially enhanced, in more ways than one, by the use of green technology encompassing relevant design, material of construction, methodologies of execution and system of maintenance, and the combination of all these and more add to certain requirement of a ‘green’ definition,” says CEO, Vakil Housing, H R Girish.

Tata Housing’s Xylem in Bangalore has received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED - Gold) Rating. Says Brotin Banerjee, Managing Director, Tata Housing Development Company, “all our projects across the country are green buildings as certified by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).

The certification for this innovative green campus marks a milestone in our ongoing efforts to become a model of energy and resource efficiency.”

Mahindra Lifespaces’ green building is said to have new, ingenious materials cool the home naturally reducing the need for air conditioning and new-age building materials to ensure a healthier indoor living environment.

“We propose to use low SHGC (Solar Heat Gain Co-efficient) glasses for building fenestration. This kind of glass has high light transmission ratio with low shading coefficient and in turn induces more day light effect than normal glasses.

Due to low SHGC, the energy requirement for indoor air-conditioning substantially in comparison with normal fenestration will be reduced,” explains Anita Arjundas, President & CEO Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd.

Says R Karthik, Senior VP-Marketing, Lodha Group, “Lodha Luxuria in Thane, Lodha Bellissimo in Lower Parel, CASA Univis in Thane, CASA Bella in Dombivali have a Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) for recycling of waste water and sewage which is reused for landscaping, solar water heating for apartments and rainwater harvesting.” Designing a building to best suit a particular climate depends on the skill of the designer and does not necessarily increase the cost of construction. “In terms of using the least amount of resources during the construction, this would again depend on the skill of the designer, which would could actually reduce cost. In the long run, however, despite higher investments, there would definitely be a cost benefit with rising energy and water costs,” says Dr Ashwin Sabapathy, Senior Consultant, Enzen Global Solutions.

Vedic village

MARG Tapovan has been designed to incorporate the ancient Vedic wisdom to devise holistic health programmes. “The serene, idyllic vedic village features a Vedic patashala, goshala, salt and fresh water bodies, a fine arts centre for pottery, weaving, clay moulding, auditorium, herbarium, a Temple, an amphitheatre for yoga, meditation, pranayama, performance and classes, a therapy centre, a reception and administrative block, staff quarters and a specialty restaurant, Ayurvega,” says G R K Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director, MARG Ltd.


Source: Deccan Herald (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/4959/of-sustainable-homes.html)

While the normal home loan rate at SBI ranges between 8 per cent and 9.25 per cent, the rate is 0.10 per cent or 10 basis points lesser for those opting for a home in a green building.

"There is an increasing interest in green buildings and we, as an environment-friendly institution, encourage this and therefore the special rates for green buildings," said P Nandakumaran, head retail banking, State Bank of India.


Source: Trading Markets (http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2361511/)

GURGAON, INDIA: MTS India, the mobile telephony services brand of Sistema Shyam TeleServices Ltd.(SSTL) today announced that it has entered into an IT services agreement with IBM for building green data centers in India.


Source: CIOL (http://www.ciol.com/Technology/Storage/News-Reports/IBM-to-build-green-data-centre-for-MTS-India/5609120590/0/)

Green buildings initiative is helping conserve power and water, and boosting quality without compromising on comfort.


http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/iw/2009/06/07/images/2009060750741501.jpg http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/iw/2009/06/07/images/2009060750741502.jpg


Per capita consumption of water and power has come down, says Mr N. K. Ranganath, Managing Director, Grundfos Pumps India Pvt Ltd, referring to his office building.

Not surprising — Chennai is a city known for short supply of both commodities.

But no, Mr Ranganath is not complaining about the city’s handicap but is happily talking about the benefits of the `green building’ initiative taken by his company a few years ago.

In 2005, Grundfos Pumps’ building received Gold rating under the US Green Building Council’s LEED (leadership in energy and environment design) programme.

The certification is given for incorporating a range of environment-friendly features that enhance efficiency of use of water, power and creating ideal working conditions.

This has resulted in significant benefits to the company, apart from reducing the impact on the environment, says Mr Ranganath. Bringing down power and water consumption has not been at the compromise of comfort. Water is being used efficiently and wastewater is being recycled.

The company uses 40 per cent less water in the toilets compared to conventional buildings.

Efficient appliances and sensors use less power but improve air quality and create a healthy working environment, which enhances productivity, keeps workers healthy and brings down absenteeism, he says. Another major benefit that the green building has delivered is making Grundfos a familiar name, says Mr Ranganath.

Meeting the green building standards meant that at Rs 6.4 crore the project was 10 per cent more expensive as compared to a conventional building of its kind.

This was mainly to do with picking the ideal quality of air-conditioning, lighting, waste management systems and building materials — all to do with conserving resources.

But the one-time expenditure has delivered ample benefits — look at the numbers (see charts), which speak for themselves, say officials.


Source: R. Balaji, Business Line (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/iw/2009/06/07/stories/2009060750741500.htm)

Ahmedabad : Gujarat's corporates are going green. The number of green buildings in the state has shown a 400 per cent rise as corporates and multinationals are preferring such eco-friendly projects.

In 2008-09, there were about 12 new projects planned in Gujarat, said Samir Sinha, chairman, Indian Green Building Council's (IGBC) Gujarat chapter. "The trend of energy-efficient green buildings is picking up in the state. There were just three such projects registered with IGBC previous fiscal," he said.

Apart from one residential unit, 14 other projects are corporate houses, commercial complexes and manufacturing facilities being set up by companies. These include business houses of Adani group and Ganesh Housing, ABN Amro Bank building and manufacturing unit of SKF Technologies. Larson & Toubro Limited is also coming up with two green buildings at Hazira besides two buildings being constructed in Vadodara.

Jaxay Shah, president of Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association of India (CREDAI), Gujarat, said the state's biggest five star hotel will be housed in a green building. According to him, green buildings cost around 10 per cent more than regular constructions. "But in the long run, it becomes a viable option as it cuts down on power consumption," he said. In order to promote green buildings, IGBC, CREDAI, Indian Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE) have jointly organised a seminar on Saturday.


Source: TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Ahmedabad/Corporates-root-for-green-buildings-/articleshow/4708182.cms)

MIOT has laid the foundation stone for MIOT Hospitals International in Chennai, a hospital that will be built and run on international standards to cater to the growing demands for world-class health care facilities in India.

This will be a unique building. The 450-bed MIOT Hospitals International is the first of its kind in India being a green building.
The building will have energy efficient light fixtures that turn off automatically when there was no one in the room. Also, wastewater will be recycled and used for landscaping and other purposes. Also, solar panels will be used for hot water and all materials for the construction are being sourced from nearby locations.

The hospital is built to international standards that will automatically get international accreditation. A helipad is being built on top to receive emergencies. The hospital will treat both Indian and International patients who demand the highest standards in healthcare at a very low cost.

Patients from countries the world over make their way to MIOT seeking world class, cost-effective healthcare. To offer vital services to patients far away from their homes, friends and families, it has an International Patient Care centre.


Source: TreatmentAbroad (http://www.treatmentabroad.net/medical-tourism/news/?EntryId82=139932)

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/7867/drukschool2.jpg (http://img232.imageshack.us/i/drukschool2.jpg/)
copyright: buffalo (http://www.buffalo.edu/news/8155)


Barely 15 km southeast of Leh, the hilly headquarters of Ladakh district in Jammu and Kashmir, lies one of India’s most innovative “green” schools that operates on solar power and draws on natural elements to provide “sustainable education” to poor children.

The earthquake-resistant Druk White Lotus School, made of local sandstone, poplar and willow wood, steel, glass and solar panels, straddles a sandy stretch of cold desert in Shey village, flanked by barren mountains.

The school, a seat of education that blends the traditional Ladakhi culture, Buddhist philosophy and modern learning modules, is the winner of three World Architecture Awards - for the best “Asian Building”, the best “Green Building” and the best “Education Building”.

Last week, the school won the prestigious British Council for School Environment award for the most “Inspiring Design”.

The Druk White Lotus School caters to 506 students - 260 boys and 246 girls - from the villages of Ladakh where modern education is still a dream.

“We wanted to impart quality education to the poor but intelligent children of Ladakh, who are grounded in Buddhist philosophy and local culture. And we needed a school for it,” Gwalyang Drukpa, the 12th spiritual head of the Drukpa Buddhist sect, which owns and manages the school, told IANS.

The school comprises building blocks that trap sunlight through glass panels and solar discs.

The classrooms use natural light. The rays of the early sun filter in through a row of light vents facing the east, the noon sun pours in through a column of overhead light shafts and the evening sun bathes the rooms in a golden glow through glass panes facing the west. The light shafts are complemented by tall French windows that open out to the east.

The solar panels outside harness energy from the sun to keep the turbines running.

“We commissioned the solar generator in 2008 because Ladakh has nearly 300 days of clear sunshine,” said Philip Cornwell, first chair of the Drukpa Trust, London, who helped raise funds for the school through international charities.

The award winning features of the school, Cornwell said, were the ventilation improved pit latrines that did not need water “in a desert environment”, passive solar heating devices and “trombe” walls that trapped heat and released them slowly through narrow spaces between the facades, a gravity feed water system that pumped snow-melt water from a depth of 30 metres and anti-seismic wooden rods and steel support structures to withstand earthquakes.

“A double chamber system allows the toilet to function as composting pits to produce natural manure, while the trombe walls of the school residences are coated with a dark heat-absorbing material and double layers of glass to trap and store heat throughout the year into the classrooms and dormitories,” Cornwell explained.

The school also offers a carbon offset investment programme to visitors flying in to Ladakh to reduce their carbon footprints by investing in the school’s solar generator system.

The school was set up in the mid-1990s as a kindergarten education facility after some villagers requested the 12th Gwalyang Drukpa to build a “modern English medium school” for their children.

“We set up the Drukpa International Trust in London in 1992 and started raising funds with our Indian counterpart, Druk Pema Karpo Education Society. Two young architects, Jonathan Rose and Duncan Woodburn, implemented the design conceived by Gwalyang Drukpa,” Cornwell recalled. It was completed in 2001.

The school over the years has expanded to Class 7 and will have Class 8 by 2010.


Source: Madhusree Chatterjee, thaindian (http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/enviornment/a-green-school-amid-a-cold-desert-feature-with-images_100215428.html)

Of late, Ahmedabad makes foray into Green Building construction (http://gujaratmoney.com/2009/07/18/of-late-ahmedabad-makes-foray-into-green-building-construction/)

Shapath V, being developed by the Rs 600-crore Savvy Infrastructures Ltd on SG Highway in Ahmedabad will be the first green building of Gujarat. The building worth Rs 300 crore will be ready by December next year on 20,000 sq yards. The building will be a mix of ownership and lease and will also house the Intercontinental Crown Plaza hotel.

Green buildings use less energy, water and natural resources, create less waste and are healthier for occupants. Top soil removed while excavating for a foundation of Shapth V will be used in the terrace gardens of the building. This will insulate the building from direct heat cutting down cooling cost by a sharp 25-30 per cent. Materials being used include fly ash bricks and high performance glass that absorbs light but reflects heat. This glass has a unique property with which it selectively allows the light to come inside the building minus the heat. The heat gained by a building made of fly ash is less than other buildings, which reduces the use of air-conditioning in the room. The building will also have water harvesting tanks and an inbuilt sewage treatment plant.

The cost of constructing a green building is around 8 per cent higher than that of a non-green building, but the breakeven period is as low as 2-3 years through savings on energy costs, etc, but the average annual cost of ownership of a green house can be 30-40 per cent lower than a non-green one and it makes more sense economically due to its high marketability and rentals.

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/9389/294400984273ee44bb9bo.jpg

Crossposted from Ahmedabad Projects Thread

Godrejs Abad township makes it to Clintons CCI Programme (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Ahmedabad/Godrejs-Abad-township-makes-it-to-Clintons-CCI-programme/articleshow/4562199.cms)

AHMEDABAD: Godrej group's proposed 270-acre Ahmedabad township Godrej Garden City has made it to the 16 founding projects being taken up globally by Clinton Climate Initiative's Climate Positive Development Programme (CPDP) for clean and green urban development.

The 16 projects, which aim at providing one million people living and working opportunities in climate positive communities, include projects in Ahmedabad and Jaipur in India, Melbourne, Palhoca in Brazil, Toronto and Victoria in Canada, outside Panama City, Pretoria and Johannesburg in South Africa, Seoul, Stockholm, London, as well as San Francisco and Destiny (Florida) in the US.

CPDP, launched by former US president Bill Clinton on May 19, 2009 in Korea, will support development of large-scale urban projects that demonstrate cities can grow in ways that are climate positive'.

"Climate Positive real estate developments will strive to reduce amount of on-site CO2 emissions to below zero. Along with other founding projects, Godrej Garden City will demonstrate Climate Positive strategies, setting a compelling environmental and economic example for cities to follow," a communiqu? said.

To reduce net greenhouse gas emissions of their Climate Positive Development projects to below zero, property developers and local governments will work in partnership on specific areas of activity.

This includes implementing economically viable innovations in buildings, the generation of clean energy, waste management, water management, and transportation and outdoor lighting systems, the release added.

"Godrej Properties looks forward to working towards achieving the goal of a climate positive development in our upcoming Ahmedabad township," said Godrej Properties executive director Pirojsha Godrej.

Render from "CNBC - Green Cities of the Future" (http://www.cnbc.com/id/31325671/?slide=6)

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/4538/godrejgardencity.jpg

http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/3652/19072009003001a.jpg

India already has an action plan on climate change: Jairam
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Clinton: Indo-US partnership needed to deal climate change
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Is there any documents, on how to build a green home.

I have plans to have 3 trees in my home in 100 Sq Ft Area, is it possible, when i come back to India.

1) Neem
2) Eucalyptus
3) Bamboo

Bamboo observes CO2 5 times more than ordinary tree.

need not build green house home but just follow some rules
like
dont use vehicle for going nearby place
Use public transport whereever possible
Plant trees like neem etc(see that they are not close to building)
if u follow basic rules,it is more than enough

^^ Of course to be green there is no neccessity to get certified from IGBC or TERI. It is just an art of building a home which does not cause much environmental pollutions directly or indirectly. Pollutions may be air pollution, water pollution or land pollution. Indirect air pollution (and also water and land due to fly ash) occurs when excess electricity which is generated by fossil fuel is used.

A few simple recommedations are water harvesting to save water, using solar energy for heating water, using natural air conditioning methods instead of electricity, using natural light. More details are available in posts in the begining of the thread. Indeed, having enough space for trees is always good.

Is there any documents, on how to build a green home.

I have plans to have 3 trees in my home in 100 Sq Ft Area, is it possible, when i come back to India.

1) Neem
2) Eucalyptus
3) Bamboo

Bamboo observes CO2 5 times more than ordinary tree.

Robert, I think it is little things that help in the long run. Personally, I would concentrate on the consumption per capita. Electricity is one area where little things make a huge difference. Nowadays CFL lights replace incandescant bulbs quite nicely and they cut down power consumption drastically. If you can afford LED lights even better. Also light motion sensors can help in shutting down light when not needed.

Modern appliance tend to be efficient. If you have an ancient refrigerator replace it with a new one. Older appliances like mixer,grinders, iron boxes hog a lot of power. Fans are also hogs. Eventually swap them out. If you run computers try to shut them down when not in use.

Water usage is another area where people can make a difference. A solar water heater is good for supply of hot water. Hot water can be used for showers, dish washing, clothes washing etc. We need to pay attention to gray water, the water used in washing in kitchen area. Most of this water can be used for gardening purposes, washing and rinsing is all one does in a kitchen. In fact all the vegetable peels etc can be used for compost making. Plug any leaks in taps, pipes.

In the toilet area, I think we need to think about different solution. For example men/boys can use standing urinals which nowadays are so efficient they do not use water. In many companies these urinals are used. Personally I would install a waterless urinal for home use too. Some places go to extremes by re-using flushed water after sending them through rudimentary filters. This is dicey, nevertheless could be implemented.

Surrounding your home with trees is a good idea.

I saw an equipment in good apartment in Tokyo, which basically smashes and squezes all your kitchen waste within in the Sink used for washing, this can used for gardens.

if i get a picture of it. will show it you people.

Guys here goes the detail

http://www.hotfroguk.co.uk/Companies/The-Tap-Store/Kitchen-Waste-Disposal-Units-5163

Robert

1) If you are into gardening, i would suggest looking at some sites (do a search on composte). You won't even have to buy a slusher. ( I could elaborate on how to do composting but it would be too long a post).

2) OThers have posted valid points on Solar energy / saving on lighting etc. On lighting, if you are ready for a bit of expensive lighting system, do try to incorporate LED lighting. Yes, LED bulbs are expensive today (approx Rs.500 - 2000 for the highest qlty). Philps INdia has come with a lower range LED lighting for households priced between IRs. 300 - 500 range.

3) Lactite stone (called Chira) is effective for having a 'cool' house. It's porosity allows lactite stone walls to 'breathe' and those who have used this stone can attest to its "cool in summer, warm in winter" properties. THis stone can be found on the lower plains of Maharashtra /Goa / Karnataka.

4) IF using glass for windows, make sure you invest in some UV graded glass. Slightly expensive for an individual house but I can promise you - they keep away strong UV rays. Go for bronze tinted UV or Cobalt tinted UV. Both are effective in helping sunlight into the house but cutting down the heat.

5) DO NOT FALL into the trap of building a house with FLAT SLAB roof. If you are down south, stick to the age old practise of using BANGALORE TILES (the red clay roof tiles that are so prevalent in the states of Maharashtra / Karnataka / TN & Kerala). Go for metal ( steel) grid for placing roof tiles instead of building a sloping concrete roof and then placing the tiles. Ventilation in SLOPING ROOFED houses is MUCH better than flat slab or concrete sloping houses.

6) For door / window frames, there are new products coming up and one of them is UPVC solid block frames. These last for over 50+ years and can take up any amount of environmental punishments as opposed to wood. Also for doors at the entrance, there are PVC doors which are available in options of PVC+WOOD grain . I can give you more details on these if you need any info. PM me on this.

7) If building a roof tiled house, make sure you also incorporate skylights.

8) Water management is of utmost importance. It depends on how you / your family wants to save on water. One of the forumers correctly mentioned reuse of grey water. Do think of channeling that water to your garden.

9) Eucalyptus / Neem - there are conflicting reports on water absorbtion of either of these trees. You would want to do a proper study before you embark on planting these trees. As for Bamboo, there are 70 different varieties and again, you have to decide which one suits you best and how best you can maintain the growth of bamboo. It is a high maintenance 'grass' so be sure you buy the right one.

9) Sit with your architect and make him do a complete season-wise sunlight simulation for your house. Plan your windows / ventilators in such a way that you make max use of light in the house.

10) If you have lot of space for gardening, grow herbs, potatoes, tomatoes, carrots, coriander etc.

More pointers to tell but I dont want to impose my suggestions on your precious time. Feel free to contact me on PM

Cheers
p2p4

I saw an equipment in good apartment in Tokyo, which basically smashes and squezes all your kitchen waste within in the Sink used for washing, this can used for gardens.

if i get a picture of it. will show it you people.

Is there any IGBC or TERI certified School Buildings or any other Educational Buildings in India? Is there any Educational building look for such a certification?

PERFECTLY GREEN?

First, it was outsourcing. Now, it is greening. The world can look at India’s ‘green fingers’ with renewed respect after US secretary of state Hillary Clinton recently called the ITC Green Centre in Gurgaon “a monument to the future.” Clinton's comments came just weeks after a survey of 100 Indian companies found a marked increase in green consciousness.
The survey, by Johnson Controls, a consultant in energy efficiency management, found that 72% of Indian firms were green compared to just 39% in the US. So just how green is the Indian office? And what makes a building green? “Energy saving, water conservation and reusing waste,” says Zeenat Niazi, habitat programme director at Delhi NGO, Development Alternatives (DA). That's the theory, anyway. What of practice?
WHO SAVES ENERGY LIKE THERE'S NO TOMORROW?
Real estate company K Raheja Corp has designed its buildings to allow sunlight in and keep the heat out. This includes using glass of high ultraviolet value and having ACs with chillers, leading to high output, which in turn lowers costs.
Raheja vice-president Shabbir Kanchwala says these measures “have reduced our monthly energy bill by anything between 20 and 30%.” That’s a huge saving for a company that has built 50 lakh square feet of malls, hotels and homes.
Raheja is not the only one. Other Indian companies are now increasingly using lowe (low emission) coating, double-glazed windows in their offices. “These allow sunlight in, while keeping heat out and can reduce energy consumptions by 8-10%,” says Pradeep Kumar, senior fellow at the Delhi-based Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI).
WHO HAS A LOW WATER FOOTPRINT?
Cadbury India has constructed a check dam (this dams up a small river/nallah during monsoons) in its Bangalore factory to store rain water. “It has resulted in a 20% reduction in water consumption and even attracted migratory birds,” says the company’s associate VP, corporate affairs, Ransom D’- Souza. Use of low-flow toilet fixtures, which consume less water while maintaining pressure, tap sensors that automatically turn themselves off and waterless urinals are measures being implemented in ITC-Welcomgroup Hotels, says Alwyn Noronha, executive VP, Projects, ITC Ltd.
WHO KNOWS HOW TO DISPOSE OFF WASTE?
The Delhi secretariat has linked itself to a paper recycling plant. Making offices paper-free and using certain plants like Canna which take up nutrients from sewage, leaving the water clear, says Niazi, are further options. This is done in Pondicherry, she adds.
WHO BUILDS WITH RECYCLED MATERIAL?
DA’s headquarters in Delhi. The office was built with compressed earth blocks that used mud salvaged from the NGO's old office. It has used industrial waste, such as fly ash, for the outer walls and ferro-cement channels with stone slabs instead of concrete blocks. These are extremely low energy materials. “This reduced the cost of materials by almost 40%,” says DA’s Niazi.
WHO ELSE IS THINKING ABOUT GREEN PROCESSES?
Cement company ACC has disposed of waste (plastics, sewage, etc) and biomass in cement kilns to reduce CO2 emissions, introduced high efficiency burners and seals, used wind energy for cement manufacturing and solar energy for water heating. In 2008, it processed about 12,900 tonnes of industrial waste and 12,750 tonnes of biomass.“We are also exploring if energy can be generated through waste heat from the kiln circuit,” says K N Rao, head of the company's environment and energy conservation cell.
Kumar says green offices can save companies as much as 60% over time and halve water-use. He says Indian companies started thinking green four years ago when a draft Energy Conservation Building Code was published, specifying energy norms for commercial buildings. Today, a green building can be certified either by the globally recognised LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) or GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment), a voluntary rating appropriate for Indian conditions. India currently has 34 LEED-rated buildings and 26 awaiting a GRIHA rating.

A BLUEPRINT FOR OFFICES

A green office saves energy, re-uses water, disposes of waste and uses debris effectively

EXTERIORS

Use double glazed windows, which can reduce energy consumptions by 8-10% Insulate roofs – paint them white, make terrace gardens, use thermal barriers Benefits of retrofitting accrue in 6-10 years

LIGHTING

Replace T12 fluorescent lights with energy-efficient T5 ones Automate lighting controls, use occupancy sensors

FURNITURE

Have low partitions More open spaces Have skylights

OFFICE EQUIPMENT

Use computers with LCD monitors or laptops, which consume five times less electricity than desktop PCs

THERMAL COMFORT

Have a centralized AC system, automatically set to 26 degrees Clean AC condenser coils, which reduces energy bill by 20%

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/412/getimage1vpl.jpg

So I take it there is no IGBC-TERI or GRIHA rated school(under-18) building in India, Though I saw a St.Xaviers International School in Patiala Urban Estate, in the IGBC website, though there is no other information about the School elsewhere on the Internet.

KOCHI: With the Centre introducing several benefits for eco-friendly buildings, the Indian Green Building Council, Kerala Chapter, is planning to popularise the concept of green buildings in the city.

“We are planning to approach the Kochi Corporation through the local self-government department to work out modalities on giving benefits to those who construct ‘green’ buildings,’’ said architect B R Ajit, chairman, IGBC-Kerala. “We propose that those buildings which are ‘green’ should be given a fair cut in building tax,’’ he said. A green building uses less energy and water and has 25-30 percent of recyclable materials, creates less waste and is healthier for people compared to a standard building. He said that the green concepts have been defined by the IGBC and these are based on accepted energy and environmental principles and strike a balance between known established practices and emerging concepts.

“For example, there are materials in paint which exude fumes. You feel suffocated when you enter some houses. Now there are companies in India that make ‘green’ paints,’’ he explained.

A green home can have tremendous benefits, both tangible and intangible.

The immediate and most tangible benefit is in the reduction of water and operating energy costs right from day one during the entire life cycle of the building. The tangible benefits include energy savings up to 20-30 percent and water savings of 30-50 percent. The intangible benefits are enhanced air quality, excellent day lighting, health and well-being of occupants and conservation of scarce national resources.

Even existing residential buildings can be retro-fitted and re-designed in accordance with the IGBC Green Homes criteria.

The IGBC is planning to prepare an Energy Credit Card (ECR) with the Kerala Energy Management Centre (EMC). “Large industries and domestic units will be recognised for their contributions to energy conservation and sustainable energy use,’’ he said. The building industry will lead the exercise as the built-up environment accounts for a substantial portion of energy consumption and optimising which can lead to a healthier environment.

This will be done with the help of the Kerala State Electricity Board. The incentives will be based on the proportion of energy saved by a consumer. The energy audit will bring out a picture of energy saving measures in homes, hotels, hospitals, offices, supermarkets and malls.


Source: EB (http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Building+a+green+city&artid=ajaqqCUZJ34=&SectionID=9R67TMeNb/w=&MainSectionID=wIcBMLGbUJI=&SectionName=gUhH3Holuas=&SEO=)

The IT park proposed at Kollam will soon be notified as a special economic zone, Kerala IT department officials said here. The project
implementation board of Technopark has approved the master plan for development of the Kollam IT park, which is one of the smaller parks being developed as part of the IT department’s strategy to broad base the IT/ITES sectors in the state in a hub-and-spokes model.

The state government has allotted a 40-acre plot for the park at Kundara, and tendering for infrastructure development works for the project are under way.

State IT secretary Ajay Kumar said the conceptual design for a modern IT building, measuring 5 lakh sq ft of built-up space incorporating the green building concept had already been approved by the project implementation board.

Technopark CEO Mervin Alexander said the first phase of the park building with a built-up space of one lakh sq ft was expected to be ready for occupation by August 2010. Besides this, developed plots of varying sizes will be offered on lease basis to interested co-developers. When completed, the park is expected to provide direct employment to about 8,000 IT professionals.


Source: ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Infrastructure/Kollam-IT-park-to-be-notified-as-SEZ/articleshow/4785192.cms)

http://www.technopark.org/images/techno_kollam.jpg

Noida-based green building developer 3C Company Thursday announced the launch of a Rs.1,550-crore green residential project in the national capital region.

Called Lotus Boulevard, the project will be funded by realty private equity firm Red Fort Capital, which in return will acquire 50 percent stake in the project. Red Fort Capital has already invested Rs.150 crore ($30 million) in the project.

'The project will be developed in various phases. The first phase would be ready for occupancy in the next 21 months,' said Brijesh Bhanote, senior vice president of sales and marketing.

'The first phase will have around 900 residential units, costing up to Rs.50 lakh. The unit areas range from 987 square feet to 1,820 square feet,' Bhanote told reporters here, adding that the inaugural price would be Rs.2,825 per square feet.

The project, to be located at sector 100 of Noida, has over 80 percent of open space, and has a provision of insulated roofs and walls that substantially reduce heat ingress.

The 3C Company already has two green buildings to its credit - that of Wipro Technologies in Gurgaon and Patni Campus in Noida.


Source: sify (http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?a=jigtOdachjb&title=Noida_firm_to_invest_Rs_1_500_crore_on_green_building_project)

Source: ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Infrastructure/Kollam-IT-park-to-be-notified-as-SEZ/articleshow/4785192.cms)

http://www.technopark.org/images/techno_kollam.jpg

Awesome design.

There are claims that Delhi has a lot of green how true is this i mean how many tree etc?

Mumbai (PTI) : Environment-friendly and energy - efficient buildings are increasingly becoming popular and may grow over three times in the next five years, thereby offering new opportunities to the beleaguered construction industry, a government official said on Friday.

"Today, India has close to 30 million square ft of green buildings; an amazing achievement given the fact that we had only about 20,000 square ft in 2003 when the movement started here," Ajay Mathur, Director General for Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power, said in a release here.

"Market estimates take the figure to over 100 million square ft in the next five years, opening big opportunities for the industry," Mr. Mathur said.

A green building uses less energy, water and natural resources, creates less waste and is healthier for the people compared to a standard building, according to the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency is adopting various mechanisms for reducing power consumption substantially in a bid to combat climate change.

BEE, which introduced star rating for determining the energy efficiency of electronic home appliances, has started a similar rating system for commercial buildings.


Source: The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/008200908141851.htm)

KOCHI: The Indian Green Buildings Council (IGBC) Kochi chapter will institute Green Award to individuals who have taken up major initiatives and done work in implementing Green Building technology. The winners will be selected by a panel of experts.

In his presidential address at the Green Building Council Kochi Chapter meeting here recently, B.R. Ajith, chairman of the Chapter said the awards would be presented in five categories — government sector, education, tourism, media and industry. The awardees will receive a cash prize and a Green citation.

Another proposal put forward by the IGBC in association with the Energy Management centre, Thiruvananthapuram, is an Energy Credit Card System. Energy credit cards will be issued to all electricity consumers in the State and evaluation will be made on a half-yearly basis. Talks are progressing with the State Power Department to provide discount in tariff to consumers who bring 25 per cent or more reduction in energy consumption.

Mr. Ajith said households could easily reduce energy consumption by 25% by using more energy-efficient bulbs. For example, CFL lamps consumed only 1/5th of the power of ordinary bulb, whereas LED lights consumed only 1/5th of the energy of CFL lamps.

Mr. Ajith said Kerala’s power requirement was approximately 3,000 MW . The cost to generate one MW of power can vary from Rs. 6 to 8 crore depending on the type of the project.

If the State is able to reduce consumption, even by 25%, the government would gain over Rs. 5,000 crore. In the process, it will also become power-surplus. The State will also contribute to the environment by reducing substantially the carbon footprint.


Source: The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2009/08/14/stories/2009081457011900.htm)

KOCHI: The Indian Green Buildings Council (IGBC) Kochi chapter will institute Green Award to individuals who have taken up major initiatives and done work in implementing Green Building technology. The winners will be selected by a panel of experts.

In his presidential address at the Green Building Council Kochi Chapter meeting here recently, B.R. Ajith, chairman of the Chapter said the awards would be presented in five categories — government sector, education, tourism, media and industry. The awardees will receive a cash prize and a Green citation.

Another proposal put forward by the IGBC in association with the Energy Management centre, Thiruvananthapuram, is an Energy Credit Card System. Energy credit cards will be issued to all electricity consumers in the State and evaluation will be made on a half-yearly basis. Talks are progressing with the State Power Department to provide discount in tariff to consumers who bring 25 per cent or more reduction in energy consumption.

Mr. Ajith said households could easily reduce energy consumption by 25% by using more energy-efficient bulbs. For example, CFL lamps consumed only 1/5th of the power of ordinary bulb, whereas LED lights consumed only 1/5th of the energy of CFL lamps.

Mr. Ajith said Kerala’s power requirement was approximately 3,000 MW . The cost to generate one MW of power can vary from Rs. 6 to 8 crore depending on the type of the project.

If the State is able to reduce consumption, even by 25%, the government would gain over Rs. 5,000 crore. In the process, it will also become power-surplus. The State will also contribute to the environment by reducing substantially the carbon footprint.


Source: The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2009/08/14/stories/2009081457011900.htm)

The new 10,63,085 sqft ground plus five floors ONGC corporate office will be Green building compliant and feature a center dome with lenticular cable net system inclusive of glass canopies.


Source: ConstructionWeekOnline.in (http://www.constructionweekonline.in/article-5363-cccl_to_build_ongc_corporate_office/)

^^ I thought ONGC was Ohh Nalayak Gadheda Company..lol joke for gujarati's

^^^ Rendering for this building

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/1543/47882612.jpg

Anyone attending the Indian Green Building Council International Conference in Hyd from Sept 10-12? Especially from Kerala? Do let me know!

BMx0YpSqYM0

Courtesy: Allianz (http://knowledge.allianz.com/en/globalissues/energy_co2/energy_efficiency/green_business_centre/article676.html)

http://im.rediff.com/money/2009/sep/02infy1.jpg

The challenge -- a gauntlet thrown by Infosys co-founder (and now UIDAI chief) Nandan Nilekani -- to help Infosys achieve the rare distinction of becoming a carbon neutral company by the year 2012.

Becoming a carbon neutral company is not an easy task -- it involves investing in projects that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and projects that nullify the effect of the carbon emissions generated due to the nature of a company's business.

What contributes to a carbon footprint? Almost every activity that is part of a typical company's normal business operations. This includes air travel, vehicle usage, air conditioning and even using a desktop or laptop computer.


Source: rediff (http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2009/sep/03/slide-show-1-tech-how-infosys-plans-to-go-green.htm)

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Announcing the tie-up between Sathyam Cinemas and Express Infrastructure, Kim Culley, Chief Operations Officer, Express Infrastructure, said, “Express Avenue will be the pride of Chennai and will house an array of luxury and premium brands, besides providing space for quality and leisurely shopping which can only be matched by international standards.” He also said, “Sathyam Cinemas is a great brand that fits perfectly in our scheme of things and we are really delighted to have the award winning theatre group at a landmark place called Express Avenue.’’ R R Aroon Kumar, Chief Financial Officer, Express Avenue, said, “The project costing Rs 750 crore will be completed by the end of this year. There will be eight screens by Sathyam Cinemas at the Express Avenue which will be the destination point for every movie lover in the city.” “Located in the heart of Chennai, Express Avenue will incorporate the concept of green building, besides adopting energy efficient measures to provide an eco friendly atmosphere in the city. The place will also be a great destination for mall lovers across the spectrum. There are facilities to allow 1,500 cars in the underground car park to be created in the avenue,” he added.


Read full news on EB (http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Sathyam+Cinemas+opening+in+new+Express+mall&artid=vUwxUsTm2a0=&SectionID=XT7e3Zkr/lw=&MainSectionID=XT7e3Zkr/lw=&SectionName=HFdYSiSIflu29kcfsoAfeg==&SEO=) & skyscrapercity (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=34543318&postcount=84).

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/95/20090844.jpg (http://img215.imageshack.us/i/20090844.jpg/)

It is an organically planned and designed green building to allow sunlight in patient areas. This architecture reduces environmental foot print and conserves energy. Waste and rain water are recycled and used for various activities such as horticulture, air conditioning and so on. Kothari Associates, well known to construct healthcare facilities, were hired.

Well, looking at the hospital, one may wonder, how much money was invested? "The cost of construction per bed is around Rs 45 lakh. We have optimised costs by using appropriate technology and materials. The emphasis has been to make a functional facility rather than a decorative one," says Sodhi.


Source: EXPRESS Healthcare (http://www.expresshealthcaremgmt.com/200908/strategy02.shtml)

International celebrities are not the only ones thinking green. Closer home, India's real estate developers are aggressively planning green developments. While the commercial sector was already witness to such buildings in the past, it is the residential segment which is steadily catching up.

Developers such as Alpha G:Corp, The 3C Company, Vatika Group and Raheja Developers are coming up with projects that are eco-friendly and help in conserving resources to the optimum degree.

Green buildings consume much less energy, less water, have areas designed for abundant sunlight and cross ventilation, all of which lead to lower monthly bills and better health, according to Dr Prem C Jain, chairman of the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). The council was established in 2001 with the aim of ushering in a green building movement in India. Its services mainly include developing new green building rating programmes, certification services and green building training programmes.

There is a higher lifestyle quotient attached to green buildings because of the comfort that efficient, non-polluting waste disposal and natural ventilation offer, feels Raminder Grover, CEO-Homebay Residential of global real estate consultancy Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj (JLLM).

"The buyer gets assurance on construction excellence since green buildings have to meet strict guidelines on this front. This translates into longer lifespan of the building, lower repair and maintenance costs and therefore increased investment value. Thus apartments in green buildings have a greater resale value since they attract a more aware class of buyers who are willing to pay for properties that meet international standards in residential spaces."

Developers seem to be taking the cue. Rajeev Talwar, group executive director of DLF, says water recycling and water harvesting are an intrinsic part of their projects.

Also conforming to green real estate in its residential projects is Delhi-based realty firm Alpha G:Corp which has three upcoming integrated township projects — Alpha International City (AIC) in Karnal, Kurukshetra and Fatehabad.

The developer, in fact, had a special festive scheme a few months back which saw the sale of 170 plots in the three AIC townships in three weeks! A sign, perhaps, of the growing buyer interest in green real estate.

Environmental practices have been undertaken in these townships which offer a healthy living environment together with uninterrupted water supply, huge expanse of greenery, power supply, water harvesting and environment-friendly garbage disposal system.

While the basic sale price of plots in AIC, Kurukshetra is Rs 6,200 per sq yd, it stands at Rs 5,750 per sq yard in AIC Fatehabad. Says S K Sayal, director and CEO of Alpha G:Corp, "Today's modern buildings are no doubt a marvel in terms of architecture and technology, but have also led to an adverse impact on the environment. Green buildings, on the other hand, can contribute towards a cleaner environment by reducing the amount of energy used to light, heat, cool and operate buildings."

But what deters more individuals from opting for a green home? Is it the higher initial costs? Harinder Dhillon, GM, marketing for Raheja Developers disagrees, saying that buyers today are a conscious lot.

"Buyers today prefer buildings with less energy consumption. Since they are paying less in terms of maintenance, they don't mind paying the extra initial cost. However, the awareness for green homes needs to be increased among the masses."

Their upcoming Raisina Residency project with Tata Housing at Sector 59 in Gurgaon and Atharva project in Sector 109 in Gurgaon have both got a
gold rating from the ministry of environment. The current selling price at Raisina Residency is Rs 5,250 per sq ft. The construction and designing of these homes is done in a manner which ensures tremendous energy savings for the occupants.

Typically the cost of construction is at least 15-20% higher in a green building. The price, by rough estimates, is also 15% higher than any other development. But the advantages are more too.

"Although, the initial costs accrued are higher, these can be recovered easily in two to three years. A green home saves almost 40-50% of operating costs and provides a healthier living. Moreover, we bear the extra costs and pass on the benefits to the end user," says Vidur Bharadwaj, director, The 3C Company, a real estate firm which is solely into green developments.

They recently-announced Lotus Boulevard, touted as the largest green residential project in the country. They claim that the first phase of the project was sold out within a week of its launch. Located in Noida's Sector 100, the project is spread over 40 acres and offers 2-3BHK units. The areas range from 987 sq ft to 1,820 sq ft at a price of around Rs 2,925 per sq ft. These apartments offer the provision of insulated roofs and walls that substantially reduce heat ingress (up to 60%), thereby resulting in substantially lower air-conditioning loads.

There are some who first started using the concept of green in commercial buildings and have now moved on to their residential developments as well. At its Westin Resort in Gurgaon, Vatika Group installed a variable frequency drive (VFD) system which automatically adjusts motor speed of the cooling systems according to the ambient temperature.

This results in a major energy saving. The group is now looking at similar green technologies in their Vatika City residential projects. Says Gaurav Bhalla, MD, Hospitality Projects, Vatika Group, "We first started investing heavily in our resort and Vatika City. We have invested in a membrane bio reactor (MBR) technology that is part of our water recycling strategy. In fact, we are recycling more water than what we need at the Vatika city in Gurgaon, which is at 50% occupancy. We are trying to give back the additional litres to the government for horticulture purposes."

With people increasingly realising the importance of an environment conscious living and willing to shell out more for long-term benefits, green residences may just be the way of life in the times to come.


Source: ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News-by-Industry/Steady-rise-in-demand-for-green-houses/articleshow/4977261.cms)

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/293/76497964.jpg (http://img181.imageshack.us/i/76497964.jpg/)

Source: IGBC (http://www.igbc.in/site/igbc/builddetail.jsp?builtno=161198)

IGBC Green Building Directory (http://www.igbc.in:9080/site/igbc/igbcdirec.jsp) on 'Green Building Materials and Service Providers'.

There are claims that Delhi has a lot of green how true is this i mean how many tree etc?

its very much true. The Lutyen's Delhi which covers a vast part of New Delhi areas is one of the greentest cities in India. Please visit New Delhi Cityscape for more information:)

Awesome design.

Why your name below has only links to projects of these cities....any specific reason...???. Looks too mean....I think Chennai and other cities also have ample project. :bash:

BANGALORE | Projects - DELHI | Projects - KOLKATA | Projects - HYDERABAD | Projects - MUMBAI | Projects

HYDERABAD: Staying healthy and wealthy with improved productivity levels can’t get easier than this. “Just grow three varieties of plants in your home or office and you’ve achieved all the three goals,” said Kamal Meattle, the CEO of Paharpur Business Centre at Delhi, in his presentation on Friday, the second day of the three-day Green Building Congress-2009 underway at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) here.

Areca Palm (chrysalidocarpus lutescens) in the living room, Mother-in-law’s Tongue (sansivieria trifasciata) in the bedroom and Money Plant (apepremnum aureaum) in any other area would ensure increase in blood oxygen levels, prevent problems like eye irritation and headaches, improve productivity by over 20 per cent and reduce power bills by about 15 per cent. This was not only confirmed by a study but also proven in their 15-year experience using the plants in their business centre, Meattle said.

His was among the many enlightening, informative and life-enriching presentations spread over three sessions of the day. Experts spoke on various aspects of green buildings like futuristic buildings, green equipment, sustainable communities, energy and water efficiency, indoor air quality.

While Glan Blake Thomas, MD of Advanced Ergonomics, advocated underfloor ventilation against the traditional roof method to enhance thermal comfort and improve office environment, RK Mehta, chairman of Composite Centre International, an NGO, made out a strong case for shifting from harwood timber to bamboo timber which was not only a sustainable resource but matched the premium varieties like Burma teak and rosewood in quality and strength. It had a high use life of 40-50 years and was suitable for a variety of applications like flooring, interiors and furniture.

Meanwhile, the array of green building products and technologies on display at theexhibition drew quite a crowd with people from the industry as well as engineering and architecture students trying to tune themselves into the latest on the green front.

At the valedictory, Indian Green Building Council chairman Prem C Jain unveiled ‘Green Vision for India@75’ envisaging 1 lakh green buildings by 2023 to coincide with 75 years of India’s independence. A conference on green homes would be held on Saturday.


Source: EB (http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Plant+these+and,+voila,+life%E2%80%99s+better&artid=ls%7CTIkba9UE=&SectionID=xAV59odivTs=&MainSectionID=xAV59odivTs=&SEO=&SectionName=BUzPVSKuYv7MFxnS0yZ7ng==)

25 buildings in Andhra Pradesh to be upgraded this calendar year

All the central government buildings across the county will be made energy conservation building code (ECBC)-compliant, according to Ajay Mathur, director-general of Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a government body that specifies standards of energy efficiency.

“The government wants to practice it (ECBC compliance) before it preaches. This is a decision, which is currently under processing. A notification to this effect will be issued shortly and all the new central government buildings and the existing ones would have to follow the code from the next couple of weeks,” he said.

Mathur was speaking to Business Standard on the sidelines of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)’s three-day Green Building Congress 2009, which kicked off in Hyderabad on Thursday.

“All the existing government buildings will be brought under the code through a performance contract model and we believe that this model can be used in both private and public sectors,” he said.

Under a performance contract, an energy services company (ESCO), which wins the order through a bidding process, needs to invest in installing energy efficient equipment, including lighting, water and ventilation. The ESCO will be paid from the savings throughout the contract period.

As a pilot, Mathur said, the BEE implemented energy efficiency improvement activities following an energy audit at Rashtrapati Bhavan in 2007. Tata Honeywell Limited had been selected as the ESCO for the five-year contract and the implementation had resulted in 20 per cent and 23 per cent energy savings in the first and second years respectively.

“This model proved to be successful and the BEE had implemented this in seven other government buildings, including Shram Shakti Bhavan and Transport Bhavan in New Delhi. Now, we plan to bring close to 300 government buildings, including 25 in Andhra Pradesh, for upgradation this calendar year,” Mathur said.

Stating that the energy labelling of buildings, introduced in March 2009, received 63 applications from the office segment so far, of which 54 had received energy labels, Mathur said, “the government's goal is to allow all the existing buildings to have at least 1-star rating and enable new buildings to aspire for 4-star ratings.”


Source: BS (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/central-govt-buildings-to-go-green-soon/369686/)

Panaji, Sep 7 (IANS) A US government energy department official has called for more green buildings to promote conservation of energy in India. “The need of the hour is to have more and more green buildings and joint energy conservation initiatives in the urban hubs of these countries,” said senior US energy department advisor Mark Ginsberg here Monday.

“We will train the officials for the purpose,” Ginsberg told reporters on the sidelines of an international conference on energy conservation organised by the Delhi-based All India Institute of Local Self Government.

“Initially, we could adopt a voluntary approach towards paired cities and educate officials on the importance of sustainable urban development,” he said.

“We have Delhi paired with Chicago, Mumbai with Los Angeles, Surat with Philadelphia, Baroda with Edison.”

The US, he said, had “invested heavily” on energy conservation and renewable energy projects.

“We have invested heavily to the tune of $60 billion towards renewable energy in order to transform the economy,” Ginsberg said.


Source: Thaindian News (http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/business/more-green-buildings-needed-for-saving-energy-us-official_100244108.html)

If per capita energy consumption is not the criteria then each city in a pair should have equal population.

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/8547/247park.jpg

Courtesy: HCC (http://www.hccrealestate.com/about_project.html)


Mumbai, Sep 11 : The HCC Real Estate Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of HCC, today received the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certification for its green building project, 247Park, a state-of-the-art business destination in the metrolis.

The certification is established by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and verified by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). The certification, which adopts the most stringent criteria and rigorous evaluation methods, is the world's foremost recognition of environment-friendly constructions. By using less energy and water, LEED certified green buildings save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

With a built-up area of 1.8 million square feet, the 65-metre high complex of 247 Park, located at suburban Vikhroli (West), also houses a helipad on its roof top and possesses the largest combined floor space of one lakh sq ft among the city's stand-alone high-end office complexes. It recently received the ''occupation certificate'' from the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM). This largest stand-alone commercial complex in India is equipped to fully recycle all waste materials. The systems installed will ensure that it will consume 24 per cent less energy in comparison to conventional designs.

''We are pleased to receive the LEED Gold Certification. We have pioneered several new standards for environmental conservation in construction in India. Lavasa, free India’s first and largest hill city near Pune being, developed by us has also set exemplary standards for efficiency in energy and other resources. The standards implemented at 247Park are exemplary for all the brisk business developments being built in the country,'' HCC Real Estate Limited President Rajgopal Nogja said.

The complex boasts of high standards of efficient energy usage, intelligent lighting, water management, indoor environment and materials, resource usage and innovative design. The exteriors of the building use double glazed fenestration oriented glass with inert gas filling to eliminate sound pollution, minimise heat gain and maximise daylight incursion to reduce energy consumption.

It also uses top-of-the-line Membrane Bio Reactor (MBR) technology for sewage treatment. It is also equipped with storm-water management system and rainwater-harvesting facilities.

It tailor-made to the needs of discerning customers and will be equipped with a gymnasium, business centre and conference facilities, separate drop-off points for office and retail vehicular and pedestrian traffic, banks and ATMs, high-end restaurants and a 24/7 food court with exclusive terraces for private parties.

The complex has intrusion-free separate access with ultra modern vehicle-scanning facilities to ensure security. It has three levels of covered car-park space that can accommodate over 1,200 cars at a time. The entire complex has been equipped with state-of-the-art fire detection, alarm and fire fighting systems.


Source: newKerala (http://www.newkerala.com/nkfullnews-1-110071.html)

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New Delhi, September 18, 2009: The 3C Company, pioneers of green development in Delhi-NCR, today announced the launch of 'Lotus Boulevard Espacia', a part of India's largest green residential estate, in NOIDA. Spread over 10-acres, 'Espacia' will showcase 3-BHK and 4-BHK apartments ranging between 1950 sq.ft to 2550 sq.ft.

The launch of Lotus Boulevard Espacia is a follow on of the enviable market response to 30-acre 'Lotus Boulevard', wherein end-users flooded to adopt the novel concept of "green housing" and sustainable architecture. "The overwhelming response of the customers towards green development is a proof of growing consciousness towards saving our environment. This has encouraged us to create more such islands of environment friendly developments which aim to create favourable living options for the customers. Espacia is recognition of this demand and one such offering in response to cater to the growing expectations of our customers," says Mr Surpreet Suri, Director, The 3C Company.


Source: Equity Bulls (http://www.equitybulls.com/admin/news2006/news_det.asp?id=60601)

US-based modular carpet (carpet tiles) maker Interface Inc, which markets its products under the InterfaceFlor and Bentley Prince Street brands, is formalising plans to set up a manufacturing facility in India at an investment of $30 million (approximately Rs 147 crore) by 2011.


Interface is committed to becoming a fully-sustainable company, leaving zero carbon footprint by 2020, Parnell said, adding “the company’s manufacturing units operate on 100 per cent green electricity, of which 89 is renewable. Recycled bio-based materials make up for 24 per cent of the raw materials used and these initiatives have produced results netting the company $405 million in cumulative avoided waste costs.”


Source: BS (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/interface-mulls-30-million-carpet-tiles-plant-in-india/369972/)

HYDERABAD: The realty community that had gone into a trance over three days of eco mantra chanting at the Green Building Congress was jolted into real thinking on the concluding day today when a participant asked aloud whether what they were doing was really green or merely a ``greenwash’’.

Giving his presentation on ``It’s all about attitudes’’, architect Shirish Beri traced the genesis of global warming and environmental degradation to the changing attitude of humans towards the nature.

``From staying close to nature and being part of it, man assumed the pose of a conqueror. When his inner space becomes commercial, it reflects in the outer space,’’ Beri explained.

Through case studies, he advocated working closer to the nature using traditional and locally- available material while going for evolved green materials and techniques only when they really become necessary.

The cynosure of all eyes, however, was tiny Avani, the schoolgoing kid who unveiled for the gathering India’s first platinumrated green home of her father, Arjun Valluri, built here recently.

Step-by-step she detailed the eco-friendly features of the structure, such as its energy and water efficiency, leaving the audience in awe.

Taking over from her, Krish Murali Eswar gave a presentation on the first platinum-rated multi-dwelling residence built by his company, BCIL, in Bangalore.

And, during the course of describing Tata’s foray into the low-cost segment, Vachan Singh, assistant vice-president of Tata Housing, announced that all construction by the company, irrespective of segment, would comprise green-rated buildings.

There were other interesting presentations on ancient and contemporary design, rainwater harvesting and landscaping.

Addressing the Congress earlier, Metropolitan Commissioner S Jawahar Reddy said the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) was fully committed to the cause of the Green Homes movement, and would follow green building guidelines for all future residential and commercial complexes coming up in the city. Incentives were being planned to encourage builders and architects to follow such norms, he said.

S Raghupathy, senior director & head, CII-Godrej GBC, announced that the Indian Green Business Council (IGBC) would come up with green rating guidelines for SEZs by the month-end and for cities by the year-end.

Source: EB (http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Money+motives,+green+causes+don%E2%80%99t+go+together&artid=XBmuAVNyKdQ=&SectionID=xAV59odivTs=&MainSectionID=xAV59odivTs=&SEO=Hyderabad+Metropolitan+Development+Authority&SectionName=BUzPVSKuYv7MFxnS0yZ7ng==)

Without doubt, inherently, India is the most "recycling" society. Yes, today this may be poverty-driven; but think of the number of crafts that have developed from this basic attitude of not wasting and of being frugal. The beautiful kantha embroidery is just one such, where old and softened clothes are layered into soft coverings for a baby. It is really Western modernity that has brought the throw-away culture to us, with modern-day packaging and one-shot products huge culprits. But what has this to do with architects?


Because of cold climates and very grey skies for much of the year, many buildings in the West started using huge amounts of glass. This heated the insides and brought in lots of light. Most of India is hot or hotter. But we still copy our "betters" unblinkingly, so lots of architects here too started using huge amounts of glass, thereby needing even huger amounts of electricity for the extensive air-conditioning systems. The LEEDS criteria suggest that if a building façade is less than 50 per cent glass, it qualifies as a green building! But shouldn't we be trying to build without glass and not use the extra energy in the first place? Shouldn't we be using passive cooling that is so successful that it circumvents the very need for air conditioning? (And now, to further greenwash us, there is even eco-friendly glass, that assuages the slight guilt that architects might suffer from, and to qualify for accreditation as a LEEDS architect or building.)

Another example: Using local building material gets you points as a green builder. But what is the definition of local? 50 km? 100? 200? No, for this the definition of local is 500 miles! That means that if you were building in Nagpur, Delhi and Hyderabad are both considered local and therefore get you green points. But I suppose for architects who normally import Carerra marble from Italy, this would be a change for the better.

Building bhungas in Kutch that withstand earthquakes is green. Using traditional lime plaster that keeps homes cool is green. Using bamboo frameworks for buildings and for low-cost windmills, if you are in bamboo country, is green. Using rammed earth or sun-dried mud blocks instead of kiln-baked bricks is green (and safe -- mud buildings in Yemen have stood 1,000 years with minimal damage. And look at our concrete buildings from the 1960's and 70's.)


Read full article on DNA (http://www.dnaindia.com/india/comment_greenwashing-in-the-time-of-climate-change_1293288).

Tata Housing Development Company, the realty arm of the Tata Group of companies, is set to launch a new scheme, titled New Haven, in the affordable housing segment. This follows the company's successful launch in May of low-cost apartments in Mumbai under the brand Subh Griha.

The new project will be launched at Boisar in Mumbai.

It will offer 1,300 apartments, including two-and-three-bedroom apartments.

These would be available in the price range of Rs 12.73 lakh to Rs 26.22 lakh and size range of 670 sq ft to 1,380 sq ft, a company's statement said on Thursday.

New Haven will set up a pan-India presence across Tier-I and Tier-II cities. Like all other properties of Tata Housing, New Haven will also be constructed under the guidance of Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).


Source: INDIA TODAY (http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/63514/Business/Tata+Housing+to+unveil+new+low-cost+housing.html)

BANGALORE: `Clean city green city'. It won't be merely plans and planting saplings. Now, it's joining hands to go beyond on a Preserve Green -
Promote Green agenda and most importantly, maintaining it. For starters, the BBMP plans to form a core committee involving all stakeholders of the city.

After a meeting jointly organized with the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) on Thursday, BBMP commissioner Bharat Lal Meena told reporters that the need was now to act and also look into success stories. "Everybody has a broad agenda. Now, it's time to implement and work on specific targets. If the green building concept has to succeed, all must participate'' he said.

Alongside civic agencies and local residents, the core committee will include developers, builders, architects, experts, hospitality and health care, MNCs, financial institutions and NGOs.

There are also plans to rope in school and college students in every area and work on feasible alternatives to development hazards like road widening.

Suggestions at the meeting also included the need to develop more forest cover in Bangalore east and north, earmark at least 30% of the area in every developed land for green cover and implement rain water harvesting in all buildings and parks.


Source: TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/bangalore/New-thrust-for-green-city/articleshow/5078940.cms)

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Courtesy: ITC (http://www.itcportal.com/itc-annual-reports-2009/page-09.htm)


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Inside, there's the wind-cooled atrium lobby, with its vertical hanging gardens leading to the central courtyard garden, in the midst of which stands the multi-pillared Lotus Pavillon, with its sloping roofs covered with a lawn of fresh green grass. The hotel tries to blend nature in each of its aspects.

"The hotel is a tribute to Bangalore the Garden City and the green cover it once used to host. We're trying in our own special way to recreate a slice of Bangalore's greenery in the hotel," Nakul Anand, chief executive, ITC Hotels Division, told IANS

"An eco-responsible ethos is an inherent part of our system and in creating ITC Royal Gardenia, the challenge was to see how luxury and responsibility could be in harmony. Bangalore has always been India's ultimate garden city and in our small way we hope to be able to give back to the city what time took away."

In recent years, Bangalore has lost around 50,000 trees to various "development" projects, according to a report by the Environment Support Group (ESG), an NGO and part of Hasiru Usiru (Greenery is Life), which is a conglomeration of various city-based community organisations and has been in the forefront of protests against the "illogical destruction" of Bangalore's greenery.

The Royal Gardenia gives back the greenery with its vertical hanging gardens, said to be the first hotel in India to use the concept. The vertical gardens are in the hotel's main lobby and at The Cubbon Pavilion, its multi-cuisine coffee shop. The gardens rise right to the ceiling.

"The vertical gardens are created to bring the mood of tropical forests to the interiors of the hotel. The vertical gardens have used a soil-free gravity-defying method to grow plants. The plants are supported by a vertical wall and divided into two layers," said Shona Adhikari, consultant of ITC Limited Hotels Division.

The plants are watered through a state-of-the-art drip irrigation system placed at the top. The hotel management has ensured that the lighting system is energy efficient.

The four strips of vertical gardens at the lobby have 1,500 plants each. The one in the coffee shop reaches the second floor and has around 25,000 plants. The plants belong to the Philodendron family and have all been grown locally.

The 300-room hotel spread over 11 floors has been designed by architect Rajinder Kumar, while the interiors have been created by Britain-based designer Francesca Basu.


Source: Mangalorean (http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=147103)

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Evaluation is necessary to ascertain how green a building is. Apart from verifying claims, such systems ensure that best practices are followed and the gains made are quantified. GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment), the green rating system developed by The Energy Resources Institute (TERI), is promoted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) as the National rating system.

Not only has GRIHA evaluated and incorporated most of the green building criteria originally developed by LEED, a green building rating system that was developed in the US and adopted by the Indian Green Building Council in 2001, it has also added further requirements to make the system more suitable to the Indian building context. In addition, MNRE has made it mandatory for buildings to obtain a GRIHA rating to avail subsidies and other financial assistance allocated for green development. The Ministry also provides incentives to local bodies that offer rebate in property tax for GRIHA rated buildings.

Key features

Some of the key additional features that GRIHA requires are:

Basic building codes and standards: LEED originated in the US, where basic construction norms and regulations such as construction worker safety, health & sanitation, minimum visual and thermal comfort are strictly complied with and without which construction approvals are not granted. LEED’s criteria assumes adherence to these basic codes and norms which may not be mandatory in India.

On the other hand, GRIHA requires compliance with certain basic codes and norms prescribed by Indian standards such as the National Building Code (NBC), Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), by selectively enforcing a few of these even though they may not be required by local development authorities for construction approvals. This approach ensures that these basic standards are also achieved along with environmental performance. A few of these basic standards in GRIHA include:

- Minimum level of sanitation/safety facilities for construction workers.

- Minimum natural day lighting requirements as per the NBC

- Minimum artificial lighting requirements as per the ECBC

- Urban context consideration

Focus on non-airconditioned buildings: Traditionally, buildings in India have been designed with climate sensitivity in mind, trying to achieve thermal comfort for occupants without the use of mechanical interventions. GRIHA’s criteria provide more credit to climate responsive architecture and design to minimise energy use compared to LEED criteria.

Mandatory minimum requirement for solar energy: Backed up by MNRE subsidies, GRIHA requires, as a mandatory criterion, 1 per cent of the total energy needs for the development to be sourced from solar power. Quality of ground water in India is not guaranteed as in other countries such as the U.S. GRIHA mandates the treatment of ground water for drinking and irrigation to the norms as prescribed by ISI.

Noise pollution: LEED does not evaluate acoustical comfort. GRIHA requires adherence to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and NBC guidelines for acceptable outdoor and indoor noise levels. All of the above make GRIHA very comprehensive. Incentives and subsidies by the MNRE: Buildings that achieve a minimum of 3-star GRIHA rating will be eligible for reimbursement of registration fees and cash incentives to their architects and consultants. Financial support for solar PV installations is also being offered. In addition , the MNRE is also offering Rs.50 lakhs to municipal corporations and Rs.25 lakhs to other urban local bodies that announce rebate in property tax for GRIHA rated buildings and make it mandatory for new government and public sector buildings to be rated under GRIHA.

Over the years, LEED has achieved global recognition as the rating system of choice for eco-friendly development. On the other hand, the availability of MNRE incentives and its greater relevance to the Indian context makes GRIHA an attractive option to government, quasi-government and private corporations with a predominantly Indian customer base. We spoke to Gaurav Shorey, GRIHA Secretariat, about the future of GRIHA . The next steps would be specific ratings for existing buildings and for low-income and rural housing developments that would be formulated in collaboration with organisations such as the HUDCO. The possibility of relaxation of FAR regulations for building developments with a GRIHA rating is also being weighed.


Source: The Hindu (http://beta.thehindu.com/life-and-style/homes-and-gardens/article31941.ece?homepage=true)

JAIPUR: Rajasthan government is planning to make it mandatory for buildings spread over 500 square metres to have rainwater harvesting facilities, solar panels and green cover with plants and trees for promoting the green building concept.

According to sources, the government is also planning to rope in energy consultants to convert even the existing government buildings into energy efficient ones.

“We are going to implement new building bylaws to encourage energy efficient buildings. Buildings spread over 5000 sq metres will have to set up severage treatment plant to save water. These bylaws wiil be applicable to all the municipalities of the state,” the official said.

As per the bylaws, Group Hosuing Schemes (GHS) will be allowed on land not less than 750 sq metres. “In Jaipur, the width of the road should be at least 18 m for group hosuing schemes. Also, developers will have to reserve 10% of the total residential units for economically weaker section,” the official said.


Source: ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/infrastructure/Rajasthan-to-promote-green-buildings/articleshow/5138973.cms)

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is forming a high-level group comprising 70-80 industry experts and environment experts to develop a green rating system. Under this, companies will be eligible for rating after being ‘green certified’ by the Central Pollution Control Board and State Pollution Control Board.

The companies will also have to secure a minimum of 400 points out of 1,000 to be able to participate in the rating system.

The committee will be chaired by a senior industrialist.

“Our decision to launch this index was taken last week and is based on our experience with rating of green buildings, in which currently 428 buildings have been rated. While rating green buildings, we only rank their exterior but while rating companies, we will take into account their manufacturing processes,” S Raghupathy, senior director and head, CII Godrej GBC (Green Building Centre), told Business Standard.

The CII ratings follow similar exercises by the likes of the Greenpeace ‘Guide to Greener Electronics’, which rates leading manufacturers on their global policies and practice on eliminating harmful chemicals. JD Power & Associates has an Automotive Environmental Index — a top-30 ranking of environment-friendly vehicles. Closer home, the Green Rating Project (GRP) from the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) attempts to rate industrial units within a specific sector on the basis of their environment friendliness. The project aims at encouraging companies to adopt better environment management policies.

CII, on its part, will cover all sectors of the economy like paper, sugar, chemical, cement, metal industry, power plants, automobiles and engineering, textiles, fertilisers and refineries, the services sector and the transportation sector, and rank them on an index comprising five levels and 1,000 points.

Initially, 20-30 companies will take part in the index on a voluntary basis for a pilot study. The index, to be launched by mid-2010, will rank the companies’ manufacturing processes on the basis of 10 criteria — natural resources consumption, energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emission, water consumption and rain water harvesting, carbon emissions, toxicity, green supply chain, product stewardship, lifecycle analysis and green procurement.

If a company, for instance, has been saving 3-5 per cent energy for the last five years, it will be on the first level but to be a green leader, its energy efficiency should be one of the highest in the world in its respective sector.

Similarly, the company should be water neutral and its water procurement should enable it to qualify to be a green leader. Firms must also have cut their carbon and greenhouse gas emissions by 2-3 per cent per year, besides not having used any toxic material in the manufacturing process, raw material or the finished product.

“Importantly, the company’s supply chain should be green and it should also dispose of any non-biodegradable component in the final good. Companies should also indulge in lifecycle analysis of their ecological footprint by analysing the sub-component and sub-processes involved. Lower consumption of natural resources is another factor,” said the CII official.

“There will be a green verification annually and a re-rating every two years. The higher the rating, the lower will be the company’s liability on environment. Though planning is still in its initial stages, level three of the rating system will be called ‘green achievers’ and green leaders will be those on the highest level with exemplary performance in all the 10 criteria,” he said.

Asked if this new rating system falls in line with the coming climate change talks in Copenhagen in December, Raghupathy said: “The Copenhagen conference will decide what countries should be doing to mitigate their emissions but the rating system will tell the companies what they should be doing to become greener.”


Source: BS (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/cii-to-launch-green-rating-system-for-companies/375265/)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, INDIA: The Government of India has formally notified Technopark Phase 3 and Technopark Kollam as Special Economic Zones (SEZ). This decision was taken at a meeting of the Board of Approvals, Ministry of Commerce, and Government of India, held at New Delhi.

According to Kerala IT Department, Technopark has been getting a lot of international attention for IT and ITeS investment. With these approvals for setting up a Special Economic Zone in Phase 3 and Kollam, Technopark will become a much-sought after destination for IT and ITeS investment.

The Technopark Phase 3 will be developed over 92 acres of land. Technopark has already commenced construction of a signature building with one million sq ft built-up area which will be one of the largest IT buildings in the country.

Technopark will be allotting land in Phase 3 to IT and ITeS companies and infrastructure development companies. The support facilities like 110 KV sub-station, water supply system are ready. Work on sewage treatment plant, canal embankment, approach road, internal roads and bridge works are in progress.

Meanwhile, Technopark Kollam will be developed in a 40-acre SEZ as a most modern and global standard IT park in Kundara on the banks of the scenic Ashtamudi lake, which was announced earlier this year.

This project, when completed, will have 2 million sq ft of built-up space and will provide employment to around 15,000 IT and ITeS professionals.

"Conceptual design for a modern IT building, measuring half a million sq ft of built-up space incorporating the green building concept has already been approved for Technopark Kollam by the Board," said IT Secretary Ajay Kumar, who is also the Chairman of the Technopark Board. The proposed IT building at Kollam has a futuristic design marking a clear distinction from the conventional construction.

Mervin Alexander, CEO, Technopark, said the first phase of Technopark Kollam building was expected to be ready for occupation by early 2011. The first company is expected to commence operations from Kollam Technopark by early 2011. The remaining land will be allotted to IT and ITeS companies and IT infrastructure developers as developed plots as per the master plan.

Source: CIOL (http://www.ciol.com/News/News-Reports/Technopark-Phase-3-Kollam-IT-park-get-SEZ-status/201109127932/0/)

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CII and the Indian Green Building Council are on an eco-friendly drive in Kerala

The green building concept, spearheaded by CII and the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), seems to be gaining acceptance in Kerala following the efforts taken up by the Kochi Chapter of IGBC to create awareness among the people on the need for green buildings.

The IGBC, under the guidance of CII, is awarding LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) ratings to newly constructed buildings based on environmental categories such as sustainable sites, water and energy efficiency, materials and resources, innovations and design process.

LEED Rating

According to Mr B. R. Ajith, Chairman, IGBC, Kochi Chapter, the CDAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) building at the Techno Park Campus in Thiruvananthapuram is the first green building in the government sector in the State to get LEED rating. For villas and apartments, a new LEED rating system, Green Homes, has been introduced. For townships and IT parks, a new LEEDNeighbourhood Development will be introduced soon. Mr Ajith pointed out that the upcoming IT parks at Ambalappuzha and Cherthala will be the first to come under the Neighbourhood Development rating.

Kerala architecture

The ancient architecture of Kerala is a prime example of the green building concept, as most old buildings in the State have a nadumuttam (courtyard) in the centre of building surrounded by verandhas on all four sides. This arrangement will give maximum light, ventilation and cooling to the inhabitants.

The basic idea of a green building is to make it as self-sustainable as possible, by reducing its dependence on non-renewable energy.

By this process, there will be sizeable reduction in the carbon emission resulting in slowing down of environmental degradation, which is responsible for phenomena such as global warming and climate change. The main objective of the IGBC is to give inspirations to the people to construct green buildings with eco-friendly and locally available materials with minimum disturbance to the environment.

The IGBC has also instituted Green Awards to individuals who have taken up major initiatives and done work in implementing green building technology.

Another proposal put forward by the IGBC, in association with the Energy Management Centre, Thiruvanathapuram, is for an Energy Credit Card System. Energy credit cards will be issued to all power consumers in the State and evaluation will be made on a half-yearly basis. Talks are progressing with the State’s Power Department to provide tariff discounts to consumers who bring 25 per cent or more reduction in energy consumption.

Mr Ajith says households could reduce energy consumption by 25 per cent with energy-efficient CFL lamps, which consume only a fifth of the power of an ordinary bulb; and LED lights consume even less power.

Kerala’s power requirement is around 3,000 MW. If the State is able to reduce consumption even by 25 per cent it will become power-surplus, Mr Ajith added.


Source: The Hindu Business Line (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/iw/2009/11/22/stories/2009112250661500.htm)

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After that, up to the 22nd floor, there will be only one apartment every floor. These apartments, with an area of 4,356 sq ft, will have a 360 degree panoramic view. Since the building is coming up very close to the beach, every apartment in the building will have a breathtaking view of the sea towards the west side,” Mr Indusekhar said.

Each apartment will have world-class amenities, such as sanitary fixtures by Villeroy and Boch, bath fittings by Grohe and electrical fittings by Schneider, France. A high-speed capsule lift by the Swiss company Schindler, biometric access, Italian modular kitchens, a helipad, a sky squash, a spa with Jacuzzi, a children’s park, waterfalls and a swimming pool with underwater music are some of the other luxury features.

“The children’s park, the jacuzzi zone and the swimming pool will be provided on the fifth floor of the building. The swimming pool will have an ozone self-cleaning system because of which at any given time, the water in the swimming pool will be pure, even fit enough for drinking,” Mr. Indusekhar said.

While mood-lighting systems will be installed in every room of an apartment, the personalised lift call buttons will open the elevator right into the foyer of the apartment. A green building targeting platinum rating, the project will emphasise maximum use of natural energy and minimum wastage.


Source: The Hindu (http://beta.thehindu.com/life-and-style/homes-and-gardens/article49408.ece?homepage=true)

New Delhi: Tihar jail will soon go green. The jail will be turned into a model energy saving building - equipped with solar setup for hot water and cooking, and the waste will be processed for biogas, an official said Thursday.

Deepak Gupta, secretary in the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, said: "Tihar Jail will be developed as a model establishment for saving energy."

Speaking at the 4th Sustainability Summit: Asia 2009 'Winning Strategies for a Sustainable World' organized here, Gupta said the ministry is willing to work with various sectors of industry for providing renewable energy to remote villages.

"Practices of energy conservation and energy efficiency are a moral imperative for businesses," he said.


Source: msn (http://green.in.msn.com/greenliving/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3453118)

AHMEDABAD: Godrej Properties Limited (GPL), a real-estate arm of conglomerate Godrej Group, will launch India's largest and first green township project in January. The eco-friendly project is coming up near Nirma University on Sarkhej-Gandhinagar road.

Adi Godrej, chairman Godrej Group, said that GPL has inked MOU with Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) programme for the Ahmedabad township project to be developed in a joint venture with local partner Siddhi Group on about 225 acres of land.

Godrej was in town for the company's forthcoming IPO. Interestingly, Godrej Garden City' (GGC) is one of the 16 real-estate projects in the world selected by CCI, for climate positive development. Godrej group is also founder member of Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). The company will avail green building ratings for GGC from leading agencies.

The project will completed in a phase manner over next ten years, ending with 20,000 dwellings in the price ranging from Rs 20 to 35 lakh during the initial phases. However, the company also plans to build smaller flats worth Rs 10 lakh in the later stages, he said. The work for the first phase is expected to finish in the next two years with 500 dwelling units, mostly two and three BHK.

Apart from the use of solar power, water recycling and harvesting, GPL would use fly-ash bricks and develop many gardens, including a 10-acres park, said Milind Korde GPL, managing director. Amenities like sports complex, club house, schools, hospitals and high street shopping areas are also planned, he added.

Hyderabad based MP Rao, a green building expert and member of IGBC steering committee, said that as of now there is not a single green-integrated township in the country. In fact, IGBC is working on a draft for Green Neighbourhood Rating System to give ratings to upcoming townships, said Rao.


Source: TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Godrej-to-build-Indias-first-green-township-in-city/articleshow/5306093.cms)

WOW...lots of information. Thanks Krishnamoorthy K, this type of thread is extremely relevant considering the recent issue of Glabal warming and its effect on climate. Hats off 2 u to keep this thread alive almost single handedly. keep it up....:applause:

Incase any one had missed out ....
look at the below link, Technopolis India's first fully certified Green building

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=436029&page=53

CHENNAI: At present, less than one per cent of Chennai’s buildings are green. While a few large corporate offices as well as the upcoming assembly complex have been built on environmentfriendly lines, the trend is yet to catch on mainly because of a perception that constructing green buildings is very expensive.

However, with the Energy Conservation Building Code set to become mandatory in the near future, the city may see an increase in the construction of green buildings soon.

Madhu Kumar Boppana, manager at Vestas India, a renewable energy company, said that while green buildings did cost 15 to 20 per cent more than normal buildings, the benefits they provided make them attractive in the long run.

“We use 100 per cent natural lighting in the day enabling us to cut down on power costs,’’ he said. The building’s sewage water is recycled and used to water lawns. Most of the power requirement is supported through wind energy, clean and sustainable source.

An official with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency said the additional cost in setting up a green building could easily be recovered in five years. “We are training several consultants and architects and this will help eradicate the cost misconception,’’ he said.


Source: EB (http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Green+bug+yet+to+bite+Chennai+buildings&artid=BdXDwg3ehmc=&SectionID=lifojHIWDUU=&MainSectionID=lifojHIWDUU=&SEO=Energy+Conservation+Building+Code&SectionName=rSY%7C6QYp3kQ=)

^^^^ Thanks Stranger!

The Maharashtra government proposes to amend the Development Control Rules for the introduction of green building regulations initially in Mumbai and later in Tier-two cities of the state.

Under these regulations, it will be mandatory for new buildings to use green technologies for recycling dry waste and drainage water, vermiculture for treatment of wet waste, solar energy and above all rainwater harvesting.

The government proposes to provide incentives in the form of rationalisation in property tax and electricity tariff, and reduction in state taxes like VAT and Octroi on green technologies.

The government's move comes at a time when Mumbai is reeling under acute water shortage and is expected to face power deficit soon.

Similar initiatives have been taken by Delhi, West Bengal, Karnataka, Kerala and Rajasthan.

However, said sources in the realty sector, Maharashtra will be the first to put these incentives in a regulatory framework.


Source: rediff (http://business.rediff.com/report/2010/jan/04/maharashtra-prods-builders-to-go-green.htm)

New Delhi, Jan 4 (ANI): Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah said here today that it would be made mandatory for all buildings of state-run offices to pass the energy requirement levels.

Speaking at a conference organised by Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment, Environmentalist Rajendra Kumar Pachauri, underlined the need for making necessary changes in the building sector to strike a balance between development and environment preservation.

“We now really have to act as missionaries and make sure that the entire building sector reaches a level of efficiency that not only serves the purpose of this country but stands out as a shining example for rest of the world,” said Pachauri.

Farooq Abdullah, who also attended the conference, said that this would make an impact upon the State governments to raise their standards.

“It is mandatory for almost all government building that are going to come up, they will have to come 4-5 star rating that has to be done. We are now impressing on state governments also to get onto the same and we will assist them in that,” Abdullah added. (ANI)


Source: Thaindian (http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/india-to-promote-environment-friendly-buildings_100298770.html)


All new government buildings to be eco-friendly: Farooq Abdullah (http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/enviornment/all-new-government-buildings-to-be-eco-friendly-farooq-abdullah_100298701.html)

At the National Conference for GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment), Dr RK Pachauri, director general of The Energy & Resources Institute (TERI), said that GRIHA is more suited to Indian conditions than any other overseas ratings. This was the first GRIHA National Conference organized by Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) and TERI to mark the launch of the GRIHA and also to provide a platform for mutual discussions and interaction amongst the various stakeholders.

It is true that rating systems can play a very effective role in understanding performance of the buildings and thus furthering the green building movement. While the movement has taken strong roots in India, one must understand that the rating system used by many buildings in India is the Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) system promoted by the ‘US Green Building Council’ (USGBC), Washington.


Source: ConstructionWeekonline (http://www.constructionweekonline.in/article-5891-homecoming_will_griha_take_the_lead/)

Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation is going green, not with envy but with eco-friendly buildings. In what is being touted as the first-of-its-kind initiative in the state and probably in the country, the AMC is planning to build four green buildings.

Mark Ginsberg, senior executive adviser to the office of secretary of state for renewable energy, USDoE from the US is working on the project to make these public utility buildings green."We are working on some projects in Ahmedabad to make the buildings certified green," said Ginsberg.


Read complete news on DNA (http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_amc-to-nurture-four-new-green-buildings_1340583).

http://i47.************/2vuxbvs.jpg

As the green building market heats up in India, a joint venture of New Delhi’s Studio u+a and Toronto-based NORR Architects is targeting LEED Gold on an office tower in the city of Gurgaon.

The tower is one of two projects designed to date by the joint venture, which last month celebrated its first anniversary. The other is a five-star hotel and mixed-use development in Bangalore.


Read more on Journal of Commerce (http://www.journalofcommerce.com/article/id37073).

http://i48.************/2qd7pqr.jpg

Asia's first and the world's second LEED Platinum rated hospital under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, Kohinoor Hospital, a multi-specialty hospital, located at Kohinoor City, Mumbai was inaugurated recently by Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ashok Chavan. Kohinoor City is Kohinoor's ambitious project, which will be a complete township with residential and commercial buildings, an educational complex, mall, hotel, state-of-art auditorium and hospital.


Read more on Express Healthcare (http://www.expresshealthcaremgmt.com/201001/market16.shtml).

PATNA: The foundation for the new complex of Bihar legislature and secretariat was laid by chief minister Nitish Kumar on Republic Day on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said the complex, to be built by the Hyderabad-based IBRCL construction company at a cost of Rs 140 crore, would be inaugurated on January 26, 2012.

The two buildings of the complex would be spread over an area of 5.57 lakh square feet located between the old secretariat and the state legislature buildings.

Nitish said the present structures of the two buildings would remain untouched and added that the new structure would be elegent and beautiful which would be built on the concept of green building.

The new complex to house both the Bihar Legislative Assembly and Bihar Legislative Council will have a Central Hall like Parliament where a media centre will come up. An auditorium, canteen and library will be an added attraction. The offices for ministers and chairpersons of various House committees to be set up there will be decorated with modern facilities.

"Complete the entire construction work by January 26, 2012," Nitish told the building construction department (BCD) and the construction agency. He asked them to start work immediately on a war footing. The building will be quake resistant.


Source: TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/CM-lays-foundation-of-legislature-sectt-complex/articleshow/5506898.cms)

New Bihar Assembly building
http://i46.************/9lk592.jpg
Courtesy: Bihar Times (http://bihartimes.com/Newsbihar/2010/Jan/Newsbihar27Jan3.html)

Designarch eHomes Noida
http://www.designarch.in/noida_project/images/project_img1.jpg
» Economical with superior construction and delivery.
» Electronically Operated.
» Elegant lifestyle.
» Eco-Friendly.
» Earthquake & Fire Safety.
» Entertainment & Commercial Hub.

Designarch eHomes Vaishali
http://www.designarch.in/vaishali_project/images/vaishali_project_banner.jpg

Electronic Savvy Homes:
Switch on the air conditioning on the way to your home. Intelligently supervised parking and automatic security barriers with wireless car identification ensure smooth entry and exit. Remotely control your apartment's lighting. Stay connected, your apartment has its own inbuilt communication server and Hi-speed wireless Internet is available in all areas of the complex. You can even get messages on your mobile phone and remain updated about your apartment's status, wherever you are on the planet. E-letter boxes will intimate you instantly about new mail through the intelligent network. You shall be safe in your e-home, there is a digital networked security force working 24x7 specially for you with Digital card locks, Biometric safety systems like fingerprint, photo and video recording of all visitors as well as e-surveillance and weather proof motion recording. Lamps turn on automatically when you walk in to the apartment. Forget about those bulky vacuum cleaning machines, Penthouses at eHomes are equipped with piped vacuum cleaning , so no need to carry heavy machines. Your e-home, with comprehensive home automation, can make life much simpler.

Source: DESIGNARCH (http://www.designarch.in/vaishali_project/project_vaishali.html)

E-homes: Helpful in addressing power woes (http://www.financialexpress.com/news/E-homes--Helpful-in-addressing-power-woes/566562/)

The promoters of GreenSpaces, an IT-specific Special Economic Zone (SEZ) coming up in Faridabad, near New Delhi, are understood to be looking at raising $182 million (about Rs 842 crore) in construction capital funding for the project.

Paharpur Business Centre & Software Technology Incubator Park (PBC-STIP), the promoters of the SEZ, planned to come up on 8 acres of land, are looking at financing the project by raising $115 million (about Rs 532 crore) of the total funding by way of senior debt and $57 million (about Rs 264 crore) via equity dilution, sources said.

GreenSpaces, a project envisaged as the largest green building in India with carbon credit offsetting plans in place, is currently known to be scouting for a US-based anchor investor to bring in about $30 million into the project.

Senior officials at PBC-STIP were not available for comment on the development.

The 23-storey IT SEZ will have a floor area of 1.75 million sq ft and will provide world-class telecom infrastructure with a fiber optic backbone, besides other plug-and-play facilities. The promoters expect it to economically reduce energy consumption by buildings by up to 75 per cent over conventional structures.

Work on the IT SEZ is scheduled to start in 2010 and the park is set to be operational by the middle of 2012. The GreenSpaces project has been certified as a ‘Super Platinum Green Building’ by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) group for its low carbon footprint and energy efficiency.

A 48,000 sq ft duty-free shopping complex and a 6,000 sq ft hotel are also planned in the SEZ. The PBC-STIP management has roped in tech partners like General Electric, Carrier, Otis, IBM and ITT as collaborators in the project, according to information available on its official website.

GreenSpaces also has an advisory board comprising faculty and industry leaders from the IITs, MIT, Stanford University, Tufts University, NASA, and the US Green Building Council. Other advisors include the US government’s Department of Energy, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) Laboratories, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy laboratory and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.


Source: BS (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/green-it-sez-set-to-raise-over-rs-800-cr/385362/)

In two years, Indira Paryavaran Bhawan, which comes under the Ministry of Environment and Forests and being constructed over a 9,000-sq mt plot at Aliganj in Delhi, will be showcased as the government’s drive to set up green buildings.

It will have all the features of a green building: Enough sunlight, instead of artificial fluorescent lights; natural cooling, instead of air-conditioners; solar power, instead of artificial power generation, and much more. Though late in the day, government offices are fast trying to catch up with the private sector in eco-friendly construction. The ministry aims for Paryavaran Bhawan to be credited with the prestigious platinum rating under Leed-India (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a green building rating system of the Indian Green Building Council).

Meanwhile, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy in collaboration with The Energy Research Institute (Teri), has set up Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (Griha), a rating agency which will approve a building as green under certain parameters.

Griha has evaluated 28 projects till now and rated one — Centre for Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Kanpur. Some ongoing projects under Griha are Akshay Urja Bhawan of Haryana Renewable Energy Development Agency, Earth System & Environment Science Engineering Building, IIT-Kanpur, Commonwealth Games Village, Delhi, and the Office of the Public Works Department, Nashik.

Mili Majumdar, associate director, Teri, says: “There are many states and cities like Delhi, Gujarat, Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore, which have showed initiative to turn their offices green. In Delhi, we were to help in constructing 100 green buildings, but the agencies have till now identified 20.” The Delhi Secretariat, Vikas Minar and Soochna Bhavan are some of the buildings in the national capital which are being turned green.

The design philosophy for Paryavaran Bhavan will include incorporating conventional and unconventional features. Some of these are conservation of natural areas and trees to reduce adverse environmental impact, large landscaped areas with plants and water bodies, a rain water harvesting system and reduction in heat island effect by plantation of trees, and use of high albedo materials, which reflect most of the solar energy. Other features will be building appropriate heating, ventilation and air conditioning, lighting, electrical, and water heating systems; integration of renewable energy sources to generate energy on site, water and waste management, selection of ecologically sustainable materials (with high recycled content, rapidly renewable resources with low emission potential, etc) and develop indoor environment quality (maintain indoor thermal and visual comfort and air quality).

Says Prem C Jain, chairman, India Green Building Council, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII): “We are working with governments of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Haryana to make them aware of the benefits of green buildings. The cost of constructing a green building is only 2-5 per cent more than a normal building. But, that awareness seems lacking.” He added that the trend has started to pick up.

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), an energy regulatory body of the Government of India, is also doing its bit to conserve energy. The Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) under BEE, which was formulated in May 2007, is now mandatory for government buildings to comply in the Delhi region.

However, there is no mechanism to monitor if buildings are abiding by the ECBC code. “We are working on a software, which will check for ECBC compliance of government buildings in Delhi. We will soon launch its beta version,” says Shabnam Bassi, project engineer, BEE.

BEE is working with Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Pune, Kerala and others to ensure energy conservation awareness.


Source: BS (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/govt-stepsdrive-to-make-office-buildings-green/386065/)

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Now-Chennai-homes-go-green/articleshow/5644503.cms

CHENNAI: It's not just the corporates that are going green with their environment-friendly buildingseven middle class homes are. At least five such houses and eight apartment complexes are coming up in the city. While one such independent house in Madipakkam is ready for occupation, green residential complexes are cropping up in Thiruvanmiyur, Sriperumbudur, Navalur and Irungattukottai.

"If houses go green, they can save at least 30% of their electricity consumption and 50% on water. The cost of construction of a green house would cost 5% to 20 % more than a regular building depending on the facilities the customer wants, but there is a long-term benefit as you save up to 60% on power and water," says Deepa Sathiaram, who heads En3 green building consultants.

So what are the features that differentiate a normal house from a green' construction? A green building suitable for the city should have external shading, double wall (considering the heat penetration pattern of Chennai, only the west and south-west walls need to be constructed in this manner), and reflective tiles on the terrace to reduce heat and thereby save on air-conditioning. It should also have big windows so that sunlight is enough to light up the house during day. A green house puts rainwater to use in bathrooms and landscaping.

"The placement of reflective tiles on the terrace reduces heat penetration by 90%. This reduces the need for air-conditioner during summer. Depending on the budget of the customer, different water conservation methods can also be implemented," said Sathiaram, who is a consultant for the new secretariat building.

UV Krishna Mohan Rao, owner of the Madipakkam house had an obvious reason to go greean. "I have been into energy auditing for the past 30 years, so I thought I should practice what I preach. Every part of my house is energy efficient and is illuminated 100% with LED lights when daylight is not available," he said. What about saving water? "We use only rainwater and don't have a municipal water connection. Recycling and optimum reuse ensure that we have enough water," Rao said.

Finding acceptance for the concept, builders have started promoting green residential apartments. City-based Appaswamy Real Estates has started work on a 2.5 lakh sq ft green residential building Springs' near Thiruvanmiyur. Ravi Appaswamy, MD of the group, said, "To let in maximum sunlight into the houses, every room will be provided with windows measuring a minimum of 13% of the carpet area. Against the mandatory requirement of sourcing 70% of raw materials from within 500 km radius to get a green building tag, our project will source almost 75% of raw materials from the said area. The paints we use will have very low volatile organic compounds. Energy efficient electrical equipment and lifts and flow-control fixtures in toilets will reduce power consumption by 30% cent and avoid wastage of water."

While many buildings, owing to the use of huge quantity of glass, end up running huge power bills, Springs' will not face that problem because the glass used for the building will have low thermal conductivity. Yet another highlight of the building will be the use of power saving remote compressor system for air-conditioning which will regulate the flow of cool air into rooms based on the human presence in them, said Appaswamy.

Vasavi Housing Infrastructure, another city-based builder, has launched a 54-apartment residential green project at Kelambakkam, off Old Mahabalipuram Road, six months ago.

Sathiaram said that around 60 to 70 green multi-residential complexes are coming up in the country, of which eight are in Chennai.

"Such big complexes will have sewage treatment facilities as water consumption of residential buildings is huge. There will also be a lot of open space. They will also have disabled-friendly facilities like ramps and Braille in lifts," he said.

Chennai is also seeing the trend of buildings being renovated on green lines.'

http://www.ndtv.com/news/india/worlds-first-green-assembly-in-tamil-nadu-17671.php

Tamil Nadu can now boast of the world's first Green legislative Assembly, which has also won a gold certification for its leadership in energy and environmental design. :cheers:

The design of the Rs 450-crore dream project of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's allows maximum use of sunlight and a new technology that stops wastage of electricity.

"Lots of sunlight, so no electric lights need to be used during the day. The sensors in every room automatically turn off lights and air-conditioning when no body is using it," said Principal Secretary S Ramasundaram.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurated the Assembly-cum-Secretariat complex on Saturday. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi were also present on the occasion.

The project was a race against time in a bid to present the state budget in the new complex next week.

So when the 200-feet high dome wasn't ready, authorities chose to erect a fake dome, in filmy style, by roping in the country's best-known art director Thotatharini at a cost of Rs 2 crore.

"It's a 200-feet high dome and our architects told us that they've not studied structures of this kind. So they suggested a trial dome to study the wind speed and corrosion aspects. We didn't want to take risk as the Assembly starts on the 19th," said Ramasundaram.

This new seat of power is a dream come true for Chief Minister Karunanidhi. He'd be hoping that this feat would help him to capture power yet again for the sixth time in the Assembly polls next year.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh inaugurated the Assembly-cum-Secretariat complex in on Saturday. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi were also present on the occasion.

The Chandigarh Administration has given its nod to the first-of-its-kind green building to be constructed by the Chandigarh Housing Board in the city. The 3.26-acre area for the building along the Madhya Marg in Sector 9 has already been allotted to the CHB. The UT Architecture department will govern the construction work and all UT offices located in various sectors of the city will be transferred to the seven-storeyed building on its completion.

“Green and intelligent buildings are fast becoming the norm, as developers and buyers see concrete value and a future in such buildings. These are not only environment-friendly but also conserve natural resources and create an ambience that contributes to improved efficiency, human health, comfort and security in the long run,” said CHB chairman Mohanjeet Singh.

The proposed building will have a covered area of approximately 1.53 lakh square feet. Such buildings are rated on five parameters — sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, material selection and indoor environment quality. Based on these parameters, the buildings are rated as certified-silver, gold and platinum. The most popular rating system was the US LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Designs). It has been adapted for India by the Indian Green Buildings Council.

IE (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/First-of-its-kind-green-building-on-anvil/590259)

"Our study confirms many exciting trends occurring in this rapidly expanding marketplace that firms providing technologies, products and services to the construction industry can capitalize on," said Harvey M. Bernstein, F.ASCE, LEED AP, vice president, global thought leadership and business development, McGraw-Hill Construction. "For example, sustainable design and construction, an important global trend, is increasingly taking hold in urban Indian projects as well, creating significant new opportunities for companies that have expertise in green building."

As the world struggles with depleting natural resources, sustainability in construction practices is an important area of focus in India. Even firms that do not apply for green certification often incorporate sustainability building practices, such as rainwater harvesting, into their projects.

Read full news on CNN (http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/NY72056.htm)

CRISIL, on Tuesday moved to its new headquarters, CRISIL House at Powai in Mumbai.

CRISIL House is a state-of-the-art green building, designed to optimise consumption of scarce water and energy resources, a press release issued here said. The building’s features are expected to reduce CRISIL’s energy consumption by 40 per cent and water consumption by 30 per cent, the release said.

“Our green building initiative is aimed at protecting the environment by helping conserve energy and natural resources,” CRISIL’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Roopa Kudva, said.

The Hindu (http://beta.thehindu.com/business/Economy/article248074.ece)

New Delhi, Mar 17 (PTI) The country's first eco-friendly Thyagraja Stadium and one of the most important competition venues for Commonwealth Games in October is ready for inauguration on 2nd April.

This was stated by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit here at a function where Public Works Department and Indraprasth Gas Limited (IGL) signed a pact for supply of 30,000 square cubic meter (scm) natural gas per day to gas turbines to the venue.

"This is the only stadium for the games which has been constructed right from the scratch to host netball. It has been constructed as per green building concept," she said.

As per agreement, IGL will supply 30,000 scm of natural gas per day for 3.

PTI (http://www.ptinews.com/news/569725_India-s-first-eco-friendly-stadium-is-ready)

Reflective of its environmental consciousness, The Park Hyderabad is the first property in India to introduce all non-smoking guest rooms, plus the property is a certified LEED GOLD green building (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). The internationally recognized LEED certification measures how well a building or community performs across metrics such as energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.


Read full news on ELITE (http://www.elitetraveler.com/news_detail.html?nid=2529&n=park-hotels-expands-portfolio-india-with-new-properties-kerala-hyderabad).

Mumbai: Ashok Leyland has inaugurated it's largest manufacturing facility, the new plant in Pantnagar. This is the company's seventh unit and Rs 1,500 crore has already been invested. The plant has a capacity of about 75,000 units per annum on a three-shift basis.

The 200,000 sq.ms of built up area houses one of the most integrated manufacturing facilities in Indian commercial vehicle industry. The facilities have been so designed as to accommodate further expansion in terms of capacity and future models. The company will manufacture the new 'U' trucks, which was showcased these at the Auto Expo in January, at the new plant.


'Green' initiatives

A large capacity water body has been created for water harvesting, with water treatment and recycling ensuring zero discharge. Over 75 acres, representing around 40% of the total area, is designed green cover area and over 10,000 trees have already been planted.

The shop floors receive the maximum natural light and ventilation while the insulated high roof reduces the inside temperature by up to 8oC in the summer months.

MACHINIST (http://machinist.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2609&Itemid=2)

http://www.expresshealthcare.in/201003/20100342.jpg

The hospital always had an eye for innovation. Be it implementing the green building concept in the hospital or reducing the surgical time in joint replacement. The hospital building is environment-friendly with green features like fire brick construction to reduce energy loss, dual reflective vacuum spaced glasses, rain water harvesting for reduced RO water requirement and use of cooled compressed air for air-conditioning.

Express Healthcare (http://www.expresshealthcare.in/201003/strategy01.shtml)

Technopark ties up with group of banks for funding (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/real-estate/news-/Technopark-ties-up-with-group-of-banks-for-funding/articleshow/5671788.cms)

At a time when Assam and North-East hardly figure as a promising investment destination for IT companies, Kolkata-based Infinity Infotech Parks Limited (IIPL), a company providing infrastructure solutions to IT companies, has ventured into the region with an ambitious Rs 600-crore world-class IT park project in Guwahati and, moreover, has said would try and rope in investments for the park.

Besides, the company will construct two "elite" residential projects in the city at a cost of Rs 200 crore. "If you can provide the IT companies a world class infrastructure, they would surely come and invest here," said Ravindra Chamaria, chairman and managing director of IIPL.

All the formalities and land acquisition have almost been completed and by this year, the work on the project will begin. Work on one of the residential projects has started and work on another will begin soon.

Pulak Chamaria, executive director of IIPL, told Business Standard that the company was in "touch" with its clients to impress upon them to invest in the park.

Some of IIPL’s clients include HCL Technologies, Mphasis, KPMG, Bharti Airtel, Nortel Networks and so on.

He added that though law and order and security was "surely a concern" that would not act as a deterrent for its clients to come and invest in the park.

He said: "If you create anything iconic, everyone will follow you. We are here to create a benchmark."

Ravindra Chamaria said that they were studying other North-Eastern towns and cities which have potential for growth of IT sector, especially Shillong and Agartala, and would like to venture into those places in future.

He said that the two residential projects would be based on "Green Homes" concept, which would be for the first time in eastern India, and would conform to the Indian Green Building Council norms.

Infinity has been the pioneer in creating infrastructural solutions for the IT and ITes sector in India and abroad. The twin tower ‘Infinity Think Tank’, ‘Infinity Benchmark’ and ‘Godrej Waterside’, in collaboration with Godrej Properties, are few landmark infrastructures constructed by Infinity in Kolkata.

sify (http://sify.com/finance/rs-600-cr-infinity-project-set-to-change-guwahati-it-outlook-news--news-kcwbEodeehe.html)

State-run ONGC today re-dedicated India¿s first oil museum here to its late chairman Subir Raha who took the company to a new height.

"It is a privilege for us to rechristen this museum after Subir Raha for his commendable achievements in the ONGC," chairman and managing director of ONGC R S Sharma said.

Sharma also laid the foundation stone of Uttarakhand¿s first energy-efficient green building at a separate function in the presence of the oil major's board of directors and employees. The building is named as 'Subir Raha Bhavan'.

The five-storey platinum rated building would be built with a cost of Rs 112 crore and would be completed by 2013.

Later, speaking on the occasion Sharma paid tributes to Raha and described him as a visionary who brought a turnaround change in the culture of the company.

Sharma added that through this building, we have reinforced our commitment to continue our headquarters at Dehra Dun.

This is the first green building initiative in Dehra Dun.

BS (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/ongc-dedicates-museum-green-building-to-late-chairman-raha/87664/on)

Buildings, accounting for 30-40 per cent of global energy use, are known to be energy guzzlers. In India, buildings account for 30% of total energy consumption. With growing concerns about the increasing energy water and material use in the building sector, green building movement started in early 90s in US and Europe. However in India, it gained momentum in India a few years back only.

A green building is an outcome of a design which focuses on increasing the efficiency of resource use – energy, water and materials – while reducing building impacts on human health and the environment through better sitting, design, construction, operation, maintenance and removal. In India, a few rating systems exist currently which assesses the building design and operation on different categories like energy consumption, water consumption, material use, air quality etc. Depending on the measures taken, points are awarded under each category. Points obtained under each category are further added to arrive at the total points, which decide the final green building rating.

However there are some issues in the current rating systems as they do not account for entire life cycle of the building and different green measures taken to obtain the rating. For example, by installing photovoltaic system on the building, points can be earned under the energy category. Intention of this measure is to increase the on-site renewable energy supply to reduce the use of fossil fuel for electricity generation. Since the photovoltaic cells converts sunlight into electricity directly, it does not require fossil fuels to generate electricity. However this approach does not account for the energy consumption during manufacturing and disposal of photovoltaic cells, which, as per several studies, can be 20-40% of the electricity generated in its entire lifetime. Situation becomes even worse if batteries are integrated with the PV system as because of losses in batteries, net electricity generation from the system decreases further. Similarly emission during manufacturing and disposal of photovoltaic cells and batteries would reduce the positive environment impact of the system during its operation.

Another example is the use of recycled materials in the building. It is possible to reduce the impacts resulting from extraction and processing of new virgin materials by using recycled materials. However this approach does not include emissions generated due to their transportation. It might be possible that recycled materials might have higher environmental impacts than the virgin material on life cycle basis in some cases.

It suggests the need for re-looking at the current rating systems and incorporating life cycle approach in analyzing the green rating of the building. Such approach would strengthen the existing rating system and would finally result in sustainable buildings on life cycle basis as well.

The author who leads their Energy Management Strategies at Milestone Ecofirst.

IIFL (http://www.indiainfoline.com/Research/Articles/Need-for-re-look-at-Green-Building-Rating-Systems/9184637)

According to a survey, energy efficiency is a priority in construction projects, which is why building solutions are going green, notes Bindu Gopal Rao.

The recent Carlton Towers fire in Bangalore could have been largely contained had a new construction technology been deployed. New ideas in building technologies are changing construction dynamics. These encompass a wide spectrum of activities spanning from green initiatives to new guidelines in safety standards to conservation of power. As the environment we live in changes, so do building solutions.

Changing times

Construction technology in India over the past few decades was extremely conservative in approach. However, with the opening up of the markets and the subsequent realty boom, a great need was felt to implement technologies that could speed up and accelerate construction. “These technologies include efficient and light weight aluminium shuttering systems like ‘Mivan’ to technologies developed using pre-cast construction.

In addition to speed, eco-crisis has become an issue of serious concern, a significant part of which is caused by construction. To address these issues, “green building technologies” have gained immense importance wherein there’s a lot of focus at every level, commencing with simple systems including resource optimisation, bio-walls and roofs, water management with zero-discharge systems, energy supplementation through alternative resources and waste management,” explains Indrajit Kembhavi, Principal Architect, Kembhavi Architecture Foundation.

For instance, Johnson Controls Building Efficiency business makes buildings more comfortable, productive, safe and energy-efficient. Their products and services include HVAC&R equipment and control systems, industrial refrigeration, fire and security systems, and services for commercial, industrial and residential buildings. In fact, products and services in this space are constantly seeing innovation like never before, compelling builders to rethink their building solutions.

Aurigo’s BRIX 2009, the company’s fifth generation product is a comprehensive capital programme and project management system (CPMS) that completely automates the entire lifecycle of a large capital construction project; starting from estimation, planning, project monitoring, site inspection, asset maintenance and even asset disposal. Further, it integrates seamlessly with standard ERP platforms to create industry ready ERP solutions for the infrastructure and construction verticals.

“This helps companies streamline their processes, control costs and reduce delays. The bottom line is that in the infrastructure domain, the spend on implementing IT tools provides immediate ROI. For example, even a mere one per cent cost reduction in a small Rs 100 crore road project cost is sufficient to recover the investment made in technology,” says Balaj Sreenivasan, founder & CEO, Aurigo Software Technologies.

Drywall technology

Fabtech’s Saral Plaswall is a unique lost-in-place system or permanent concrete form which replaces costly steel, aluminium, plywood for work, brick laying, plastering, cement rendering and producing complete load bearing wall.

Likewise, Saint-Gobain Gyproc gypsum plaster boards are based on a drywall technology. Gypsum is a light-weight material which is formed as the result of evaporating sea water in massive prehistoric basins and has excellent insulation properties (both thermal and acoustic) and can offer very good passive fire protection, moisture resistance, impact resistance and vapour control when used in combination with the right systems.

Studies have shown that acoustically designed spaces can increase the overall productivity in terms of better concentration level of people working in offices, allow clearer communication in schools thus increasing the effectiveness of teaching, facilitate a disturbance free environment in hospitals thus ensuring faster patient recovery in hospitals etc.

“Keeping this trend in mind, Saint-Gobain Gyproc is launching its global acoustic solution, Ecophon in the Indian market. Ecophon’s mission is to contribute to a good working environment for the eye, the ear and the mind. This is done by supplying sound absorbing ceiling and wall absorber systems with well devised functions, attractive design and excellent sound absorption,” says Venkat Subramanian, MD – Saint-Gobain Gyproc India Limited.

Trends

According to the Energy Efficiency Indicator (EEI) Survey, conducted by Johnson Controls for Corporate India in 2009, more than 92 per cent of the respondents say that energy efficiency is a priority in new construction as well as in renovation projects. The EEI findings highlight the fact that business leaders are becoming increasingly aware of the need for energy efficiency and the potential impact this can have on reducing operating costs.

Evolving trends in building solutions include speedy construction techniques to turn around more built-up space in a shorter time frame, involving pre-cast, pre-fabricated, aluminum shuttering technology and the like. Reliance on machinery and modern equipment to maximise quality and reduce error is also being seen.

Most importantly evolution of green design practices to improve efficiency and performance of buildings has taken precedence.

“There is a growing demand for renewable energy - solar, biomass, geothermal, wind, photovoltaic. Reason is not just the rising energy prices but also the growing awareness of the economic and environmental impact. The result is a cleaner source of energy, reduced emissions, less cost volatility, greater energy independence, all while you operate with cost reduction,” says Pramoda Karkal, Vice President & Managing Director, India, Johnson Controls. With the upsurge in infrastructure investment, infrastructure companies are realising the role technology can play in increasing profitability.

“The one big advantage for the Indian infrastructure companies is that as first time technology adopters, they are not burdened with legacy IT investments. They can leapfrog into the latest feature rich, easy to use, standard solution available at a cost that is a fraction of what it was a decade ago,” opines Sreenivasan.

“People are moving towards modular systems. We at Fabtech started this trend way back in 2002, when we launched our modular Pre-Fabricated, Pre-engineered sandwiched partitions in India (replacing brick and mortar internals for the pharma industry),” says Asif A Khan Director Fabtech Technologies Pvt Ltd.

The green equation

An obvious and much needed aspect is that of conserving the environment. Says Krish Murali Eswar (COO BCIL), “we have been attempting to bring back the spirit of living into our living rooms. Our floors are made with natural materials that consume less energy to manufacture or process; our walls are coated with chemical-free paints; our ceilings are fitted with energy efficient lighting that consume much less energy while giving you better visual comfort; the fenestration - the windows and doors - open out to natural-light and bring in fresh-air; the terrace gardens ensure that the air is cool always.”

BCIL’s air conditioning system is either a chemical-free air handling system or an ammonia-based system that does not hurt the planet. Their newer buildings come with dual plumbing system where the water that drains from the wash basin goes to a treatment plant.

The treated water fills the flush tanks in the closet. The flushed water then is treated in a central plant and the treated water is used for campus irrigation and other external washing purposes. “Glass can save as much as 35 to 40 per cent energy by allowing entry of natural light, preventing harmful rays and controlling room-temperature.

As a result, the need for high performance glass in green buildings has increased tremendously,” adds Mukul Somany, JMD, Hindusthan National Glass Group.

The ideal solution for any building is to ensure that the activities involved in buildings are sustainable. Few such activities include site maintenance during construction, water efficient design, energy efficient design and monitoring, materials used in construction, solid waste management and proper maintenance of indoor air quality during construction and post occupancy of the building. These solutions can be implemented a marginally incremental cost of 3-5 per cent.

In fact, practical studies indicate that implementation of such solutions can result in minimum energy saving of 14 per cent and water savings of 20-30 per cent, while occupant productivity can be enhanced by as much as 16 per cent.

Says Sriram and Lt Col (Retd) A K Beri MRICS, Managing Director- Property & Asset Management, JLLM, “as sustainable buildings demand intelligent building controls, it is essential to ensure that all technologies and systems that operate these structures work effectively and efficiently.

Therefore, it is critical for the facilities management team to ensure that in addition to cursory maintenance, extensive and regular checks are run which helps reduce capital repairs, unscheduled shutdowns, and extends equipment life which in turn extends the life of the facility.”

“Studies have shown that putting an Intelligent Building Management System in a facility has an impact of reducing operating costs by nearly 10-20 per cent over what could have been – without compromising on quality,” says Milind Godbole, Regional General Manager, Honeywell Building Solutions (India).

These systems are extremely effective as there a greater efficiency at both production and operational levels, while at the same time reducing costs through optimization of resources, water and energy conservation, and also apart from savings, enhances lifecycles while reducing cost of maintenance. And as Lily Tomlin once remarked, “the road to success is always under construction!

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/58668/greens-colour-construction.html)

delete

Read the full article on Deccan Herald (http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Mar132009/realty20090312123615.asp)

Thanks. This article in the Deccan Herald was written by yours truly. I hope we all contribute to the efforts in saving the environment but yet not be taken in by the hype.

Ahmedabad: With the problem of climate change aggravating with each passing day, the need to introduce and imbibe sustainability in our lifestyles is becoming even more important.

Realising this, the concept of Green Buildings, which are energy efficient and thus environment friendly, is fast catching the fancy.

Of late, Ahmedabad is also making its foray into construction of Green Buildings. The Shapath V building coming up on SG highway is aspiring to be Gold certified under LEEd ratings.

Godrej, which is coming up with a Godrej Green City project near Nirma University, will also feature use of solar power, water recycling & harvesting and flyash bricks. "Green Building is a concept which reduces consumption of power (electricity) without sacrificing its comforts. The idea is to have a building green in both aesthetics and environment impact. The concept is new to Ahmedabad, but we expect more and more builders to opt for Green Buildings in the future," Anmol Jaggi, director of Gensol Consultants, a leading consultancy firm, said.

He explained that a Green Building brings together a vast array of energy efficient and environment friendly construction practices to reduce and ultimately eliminate impact of buildings on environment and human health.

"Green Building emphasises on taking advantage of energy efficient practices like centralised HVAC system, using renewable resources, building integrated photo-voltaics, installing double and triple glazed windows, rain water harvesting, water recycling, among others," he said.

According to experts, of the total greenhouse gas emissions, around 35% is because of electricity. Out of total electricity consumed in commercial and residential premises, 50 % to 60% of the power consumed is by air-conditioning, and the rest by lighting and other appliances.

DNA (http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_how-green-is-my-building_1374147)

There is a buzz about green buildings. But the question is: what does one mean by building green? And how does one design policies to make the green homes of our dreams?

Green is not about first building structures using lots of material and energy, and then fixing them so that they become a little more efficient. Building green is about optimizing on the local ecology, using local material as far as possible and, most importantly, building to cut the power, water and material requirements.

Take the glitzy airport building Delhi will soon get. Developers say it will come with a green tag. This is because the airport is investing in energy-efficient lighting, sewage disposal and rainwater harvesting. All these are important initiatives but the question remains: could the airport have been designed differently so that it used much less energy in the first place? For instance, the challenge before green airports today is to make them compact to reduce the time it takes from entering the building to entering the aircraft. This ‘frugal’ planning will make everything more efficient—take less building materials to build and less energy to cool and heat. But planners first think of building the biggest structures and then try sugarcoating them. I say this without even discussing the need for airports to give way to other modes of much more efficient transport like railways.

If one begins to think green in a locally appropriate way, one will realize that traditional architecture was green in many ways. Every part of India had its unique stamp of buildings. This is because creative and architectural diversity was built on biological diversity. So buildings in hot regions would ensure corridors directed the wind so that it naturally cooled the interiors. In wetter regions architects would build using the natural breeze and light. All in all, traditional architects knew how to optimize the use of elements.

Today, Indians have forgotten how to build for their environment. Instead, modern buildings are examples of monocultures—lifted from the building books of cold countries where glass facades are good to look at and appropriate for their climate. The same building in India is a nightmare; the glass traps the heat. The building cannot be naturally cooled because windows cannot be opened. It needs central air-conditioning and heating. In this situation, turning the building green means using very expensive glass to insulate better. Builders avoid this. So the only band-aid green measures left are to include a few token items like efficient lights and water-saving devices in the toilets.

Architects say God is in the details. In this case, the details are about both simplicity and diversity. In large parts of India, where the sun is both the source of light and heat, traditional architecture made use of a small but critical detail: the window shade. Modern facades are built without these shades because they don’t fit the image of the western building. Just raise your head and look at the glitzy building out there, you won’t find this simple but effective detail.

Clearly, the buildings of the green future have to be different. This will require setting the right policy so that practice can follow. The fact is even today we have no mandatory green standards for builders to follow. The National Building Code does not include energy, water or material efficiency standard. The only standard that exists is for energy—the Energy Conservation Building Code—and it is voluntary. The first and urgent step is to incorporate this voluntary energy code into the mandatory National Building Code. The second step is to ensure its implementation so that builders measure and reduce the energy usage of their construction.

But most importantly, the code must be developed so that it sets the mandatory benchmark for builders to follow—tough standards for energy usage for each square metre of built-up area. This will then allow architects and builders to do things differently. They can build for efficiency and cut costs rather than build for inefficiency and then spend money on making the building more efficient. This will bring back the knowledge and practice of building to maximize passive energy, natural light and wind, while keeping away the heat.

Simultaneously, the code needs to be expanded to include water and waste standards—to reduce water usage in toilets—and to ensure that institutions and large residential complexes recycle and reuse sewage. Similarly, these complexes must be provided space to compost kitchen waste. But priority should be segregating solid waste. Separate what can be composted or recycled and minimize what cannot be reused (like plastic).

This is only the beginning. Green buildings alone won’t make a city green. If green homes cannot be connected with public transport then the lives of the people living in them and the environment would still be brown and dirty.

DownToEarth (http://www.downtoearth.org.in/editor.asp?foldername=20100415&filename=Editor&sec_id=2&sid=1)

I don't think one can incorporate a uniform energy code into the existing NBC.The write up does not actually say anything apart from incorporation of existing codes into the NBC and making it compulsory.

What actually needs to be done is a detailed study of various regions(parameters) in the country say like the climatic conditions/local material availability,terrain/topography study etc etc.Once a detailed study is done they must divide the country into zones and then prepare guidelines for every region which are ought to be followed as stated by the author.

Simultaneously, the code needs to be expanded to include water and waste standards—to reduce water usage in toilets—and to ensure that institutions and large residential complexes recycle and reuse sewage. Similarly, these complexes must be provided space to compost kitchen waste. But priority should be segregating solid waste. Separate what can be composted or recycled and minimize what cannot be reused (like plastic).

Codes cannot be developed by adding on some independent studies,it has to be an inclusive (case study)one.

The write up does not say how a code can help in reducing water usage in toilets. :?

the code must be developed so that it sets the mandatory benchmark for builders to follow—tough standards for energy usage for each square metre of built-up area.

Makes no sense, to me.In tropical countries Cooling systems become a must and codes cannot decide the level of thermal load.

code can help in reducing water usage in toilets.

Actually, there are quite a lot of innovations and actual usage of system that conserve water. They happen to be in private companies and public areas. Most of the systems nowadays have auto-sensors for flushing. Urinals for men are ceramic disk based requiring no-water at all. At Stanford Univ they use recycled water to flush toilets. Flush systems also have a half-flush vs a full flush. Toilet makers are coming up with less water flush systems.

Reliance Energy is making a water system for producing 2400 litres per day using solar power. Moisture from the air is condensed, which is very ideal for hot humid areas. Maybe every household can install a unit on their rooftops. The Govt can actually subsidize this since the cost of supply metro water from meager water resources is very huge.

energy usage for each square metre of built-up area.

I think for India this is a no-brainer. India has plenty of sunlight and the cost for solar is decreasing ($1/watt). Hot water for homes can be sunlight powered. A/C is another area where the hotter it becomes the cooler the system can run due to sunlight power.

All electric powered appliances can be redesigned again to be energy efficient. Thankfully, in the case of India, old appliances are not that many, the new ones already are energy efficient. Lighting is where things are ancient. A complete ban on high wattage incandescent bulbs is necessary.

These guidelines need to be enforced for govt buildings, private large buildings and progressively for individual new homes constructed. We have to make a start somewhere otherwise people continue the old ways and never change.

Reliance Energy is making a water system for producing 2400 litres per day using solar power. Moisture from the air is condensed, which is very ideal for hot humid areas. Maybe every household can install a unit on their rooftops. The Govt can actually subsidize this since the cost of supply metro water from meager water resources is very huge.


I dint get your last statement on what basis you say its huge???

A complete ban on high wattage incandescent bulbs is necessary.

+1
These guidelines need to be enforced for govt buildings, private large buildings and progressively for individual new homes constructed. We have to make a start somewhere otherwise people continue the old ways and never change.

+1

I dint get your last statement on what basis you say its huge???

Currently, City Metros spend a huge amount of money shipping water from remote resources into cities. Bengaluru has Cauvery water so the costs could be different. Whereas cities like Chennai spend vast sums of money trucking water from various remote sources into the city supply system. The city requires roughly 1Billion liters per day. If the residents can augment the supply by individual units then the water supply quantum reduces drastically. The Govt can then transfer the money spent on trucking/fuel charges as a subsidy coupon for individuals to buy their own water producing units. It is cheaper in the long run.

Central schemes are fraught with problems since the resources are getting smaller by the day. Fresh water is becoming a problem everywhere, with erratic rains and global warming the scenario for an ever growing population is rather dire. Only hope is water from the ocean. Cost effective means are necessary. NIOT/BARC have technology for extracting fresh water from the sea. They need a renewable resource like solar energy to couple their extraction methods. A federated approach for individual supply is the answer to sustainable living.

Currently, City Metros spend a huge amount of money shipping water from remote resources into cities. Bengaluru has Cauvery water so the costs could be different. Whereas cities like Chennai spend vast sums of money trucking water from various remote sources into the city supply system. The city requires roughly 1Billion liters per day. If the residents can augment the supply by individual units then the water supply quantum reduces drastically. The Govt can then transfer the money spent on trucking/fuel charges as a subsidy coupon for individuals to buy their own water producing units. It is cheaper in the long run.


Barrykul,please enlighten us on how the device works?? As you previously mentioned it taps the moisture in the air to produce some amount of water,doesn't that mean there are a lot of constraints tagged with the device?? Is it an all weather device or it has a system which can adapt to fluctuating humid levels.

I always feel that the pipe conduits serve the population of a city better and with more efficiency.
Yes in addition to the existing pipe conduits they can augment more water by installing such devices on top of the buildings.


Central schemes are fraught with problems since the resources are getting smaller by the day. Fresh water is becoming a problem everywhere, with erratic rains and global warming the scenario for an ever growing population is rather dire. Only hope is water from the ocean. Cost effective means are necessary. NIOT/BARC have technology for extracting fresh water from the sea. They need a renewable resource like solar energy to couple their extraction methods. A federated approach for individual supply is the answer to sustainable living.

+1

Barrykul,please enlighten us on how the device works?? As you previously mentioned it taps the moisture in the air to produce some amount of water,doesn't that mean there are a lot of constraints tagged with the device?? Is it an all weather device or it has a system which can adapt to fluctuating humid levels.

I always feel that the pipe conduits serve the population of a city better and with more efficiency.
Yes in addition to the existing pipe conduits they can augment more water by installing such devices on top of the buildings.


There are products on the market, e.g. see http://www.relsolar.com/products_water_purifier.html

http://www.relsolar.com/images/product_water_purifier.jpg

These are solar powered clean water generators. Every household should have one on their rooftops. Govt can work on a plan to have bigger units for district/taluk level water needs. The good thing is they can operate unattended accumulating water during solar power of sunshine. Maybe good idea to connect them to the water tank atop most homes in India.

Another system by BARC

SOLAR DESALINATION SYSTEM DEVELOPED BY BARC

MUMBAI, April 8 (NNN-PTI): A desalination system based on solar energy has been developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre here.

Solar energy-based small and community level Reverse Osmosis (RO) unit has been developed for producing safe drinking water, Saly T Panicker of the Desalination Division of BARC said.

In the RO unit, the feed water is passed through the membrane with the help of a DC (Direct Current) pump connected to the Photovoltaics (PV) panels without any batteries.


Besides rain water harvesting, households can try to reuse grey water. This is water used in kitchens to wash vegetables and utensils. Grey water can be used to water the garden areas of the house.

Source: The Hindu (http://beta.thehindu.com/life-and-style/homes-and-gardens/article49408.ece?homepage=true)

Where is this project comming?

The total area given to environment-friendly construction in the country is set to go up drastically.

India will overtake the US in becoming the nation with the largest registered green building footprint in the world by 2015, according to the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).

Apart from the sense of pride one feels over India's achievement, the country's prospective property buyers can also look out for individual benefits in buying a ‘green home' as more and more banks are looking at subsidising home loan rates for green units.

According to IGBC, the certifying agency for green buildings in India and a wing of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), the total area under green construction in the country would increase from 406 million sq.ft now to 5-6 billion sq.ft in five years. The contribution of residential and commercial segments in this area would be in the ratio of 4:1, IGBC's Chairman, Mr Prem C Jain, pointed out.

This is in sharp contrast with the present situation in which commercial buildings constitute the bulk (about 80 per cent) of India's total green construction.

Key features

A green building incorporates several green features, such as effective use of existing landscapes, use of recycled and environment friendly building materials, non-toxic materials, efficient use of water, use of energy efficient and eco-friendly equipment, using renewable energy and better indoor air quality for human comfort.

The major benefits of buying a green homes, according to IGBC, are that they are energy saving to the extent of 30-40 per cent, water saving (35-40 per cent), the operation and maintenance cost of the building are much less (25–30 per cent).

“The target for 2015 will be achieved through the development of green homes, particularly in the mass housing segment.” Mr Jain said. A number of developers active in the mass housing segment, such as Shapoorji Pallonji, the Raheja Group and Tata Housing, are increasingly looking at adopting green construction techniques in most of their upcoming projects, he said. Most of these developers also happen to be IGBC members.

“Green mass housing projects do not involve big investments but promote use of simple techniques such as water recycling,” Mr Jain said.

The tag of ‘green building' also serves as a unique selling point for residential units. “While a lot of completed residential units lie unoccupied, there is hardly any vacancy in those with a green-tag. We are therefore advising developers to absorb an estimated 2 per cent increase in cost for adopting green techniques and supplying the units to the buyers at the unaltered rate” he said.

The cost of green materials has also dropped significantly over the last few years, he pointed out. Between 2003 and 2010, the cost of waterless urinals has dropped from Rs 15,000 to Rs 6,000 per unit, CO2 sensors from Rs 50,000 to Rs 30,000, certified wood from Rs 2,500 to Rs 1,600 per cubic ft, high performance glass from from Rs 500 to Rs 350 per sq.ft and high albedo materials from Rs 90 to Rs 60 per sq.ft.

Incentives from banks

Banks are also providing incentives for buying green residential units. The State Bank of India offers 50 basis points subsidy on home loan interest rates to buyers of ‘green homes'. The council was currently in talks with two banks, HDFC and ICICI, and with LIC Housing Finance for similar discounts, Mr Jain said. In order to promote green construction, the Centre could also offer sops on property tax, insurance, etc, for energy efficient units, he added.

IGBC's other programmes on the anvil include turning some of the existing units into green buildings, promoting green cities, green schools and more green SEZs, he said.

According to IGBC data, about 2 lakh sq.ft of green residential area was certified in the country in 2009. These included T-ZED Homes (1,75,350 sq.ft), a multi dwelling project in Bangalore and two individual houses in Hyderabad and Chennai — Avani Residence (19,687 sq. ft) and Viswa Siyamalam (2,755 sq.ft). As on date, 635 buildings (both commercial and residential) have registered for green certification, of which about 100 have already been green certified. The turnaround rate for registered buildings to be certified was almost 100 per cent and the process took anywhere between one and three years, Mr Jain said.

Apart from IGBC, Teri Griha, a Government rating agency, also certifies green buildings in the country. The number of buildings registered with the agency is about 10 per cent of those under IGBC mentioned earlier.

India currently occupies the second position in the world, after the US, in terms of total registered green building area.

Business Line (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/iw/2010/07/04/stories/2010070451281300.htm)

Well, if you are interested in green and energy efficient buildings, you should take a look at http://www.facebook.com/TheEmersonCup This is perfect for all you energy-efficient and green people!

Emerson Cup 2010 is open to all industry members from air-conditioning and refrigeration. From architects to students, anyone can nominate projects or ideas! In fact, if you even live in a green building, you can nominate it for the cup!

Wow!!

All of you guys SHOULD SHOULD SHOULD participate in the Emerson Cup 2010. A friend sent an application for his building design to Emerson Cup 2010 – an award competition that provides all green builders the chance to showcase their projects on a world class platform.
Apparently, projects and nominations are scrutinized by judges like Karan Grover, ace engineer Fernando S. Guevara (from the Philippines) and many more big names in the air-conditioning and refrigeration industry from India and South East Asia.
I am so going to send in my application too. Anyone interested to know more take a look at - www.facebook.com/TheEmersonCup .
Hurry, I read somewhere that the applications close by 20th August!

great. will be there on 21st

New Delhi: In tune with its climate change initiative, Delhi Government has begun the process of converting 15 existing government buildings into 'green buildings' by making them energy efficient.

State Environment Secretary Dharmendra said government will soon issue request for proposal (RPF) for the project, aimed at cutting down energy consumption in these buildings.

The Delhi secretariat, which houses offices of chief minister and other ministers, will also be converted into a green building under the project.

"The project is part of our climate change initiative. Although we have identified 15 buildings for the first phase, later more buildings will be covered under the project," he told PTI.

As part of its energy conservation measures, Delhi Government has already decided to implement the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) for government buildings in the national capital.

The ECBC provides guidelines and norms for the energy efficient design and construction of buildings. It also provides guidelines for reducing energy requirement, environmentally benign design and construction techniques.

Dharmendra said the climate change agenda, prepared by the government, has suggested several measures to cut down energy consumption and the project to convert the buildings into 'green buildings' was part of that initiative.

One of the targets defined under Enhanced Energy Efficiency Mission is to retrofit 100 existing buildings with area above 10,000 sqft to make them energy efficient.

The environment department has already made solar water heater system mandatory in industries, hotels, hospitals, nursing homes, hotels, canteens and residential buildings having an area of 500 sq meter.

The government has been giving grant of Rs 6,000 for purchase of solar water heater to individuals to promote alternative source of energy. Dharmendra said the main aim of green building concept is to minimise demand for non-renewable sources and maximise its utilisation.

The Delhi Cabinet has already decided to implement the ECBC in all upcoming buildings with an aim to bring down average energy use by 25 to 40%.

Officials said mandatory enforcement of the ECBC, which specifies various parameters including colour of roof, material used for construction, is expected to yield huge energy savings in new buildings.

DNA (http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_delhi-govt-buildings-to-go-green_1412254)

New Delhi: India Inc on Thursday renewed its call for Green Business with a new vigour and constructive approach at Green Business Summit 2010 held in Delhi. The Summit was organised by Curtains Up and powered by www.economictimes.com in order to bring in impetus for low carbon business.

Speaking on the occasion, Nitin Tanwar, CEO, Climate Connect, said that scope of renewable energy in India is huge, but carbon credit market needs proper IT attention and tools for its huge data base. He argued that proper IT tools needed to monitor carbon footprint of the business. He further pointed out that despite great criticality of the green business, the demand of green product was greatly impacted due to recession.

Shekhar Shirwalker of Suzlon Energy was of the view that India is the world’s fifth largest market for the wind energy with huge potential to grow in this sector. He also underlined the importance of other renewable energy, like solar and geothermal energy, which have great impact on low carbon economy.

Another expert, Rohan M Parikh of Infosys, highlighted the need of bringing in greater effort for becoming carbon neutral, water neutral, waste neutral, preserving and promotinmg biodiversity and spreading awareness of sustainability. He said that companies must go for green architecture which is also cost effective and sustainable.

“A new housing policy would be crucial in order to construct more and more green buildings,” said Niranjan Khatri of ITC Welcomegroup.

Stating that awareness for green architecture is not enough in the industry as action part is still missing, Vijay Sethi of Hero Honda said that Hero Honda was one of the first companies to bring in IT policy for low carbon business.

Pranshu Singhal of Nokia emphasised the need to address the increasing problem of electronic waste as it is becoming bigger day by day. He lauded the green initiative of Nokia to recycle old handsets at its stores.

Speakers at the summit also emphasised that initiating green business is not sufficient unless it is incorporated into entire value chain of the business, indicating that smaller businesses are hard pressed to select low-carbon equipment when this comes at marginally higher price, as short-term needs are more urgent than long-term investment.

The summit also underscored the fact that it is not just environmental woes as companies confront many complex social and governance challenges that present both risks and opportunities to performance and reputation, and they are viewing business operations through a new lens - sustainability.

Some experts called for government tax breaks to accelerate green investments. A few of them, however, argued that initiating green business would act in favour of business itself.

ET (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-company/corporate-trends/India-Inc-renews-call-for-Green-Business/articleshow/6172638.cms)

PTI

Bangalore, Aug 9 (PTI): Karnataka Minister for Large and Medium Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani today called for creating a base of qualified professionals who can take the lead in coming up with green buildings which would be the way forward as far as urban infrastructure is concerned. "We must create a base of qualified professionals who can take the lead in coming up with green buildings and are able to combine the intellect used in heritage buildings with modern day resources to create something which is energy efficient", he said addressing a conference on "Green Buildings- The way Forward" here. Karnataka today has over 20 million square feet of green buildings. With a manifold increase expected in energy demand, there is an urgent need to create green buildings to help reduce energy consumption, use less water and optimise energy efficiency, Nirani said. Green buildings will not only provide environment benefits, enhance the ecosystem, improve quality of air and water, but also help reduce operational costs, increase asset value and improve employee satifsfaction through health benefits,he said Swati Piramal, President of ASSOCHAM which organised the conference, said the conference assumed significance in the light of India facing a formidable challenge in infrastructure development without disturbing the ecological balance. Constructing green buildings is the only viable alternative to balance growth and development and would play a significant role in sustainable development in the construction sector.This is the time when all-inclusive efforts from the public as well as private sector can promote green technology, she said. Ravi Sanareddy, Chairman, Southern Regional Council, ASSOCHAM described buildings as "major pollutants to affect urban air quality" and said the challenge was to create green buildings at "affordable cost". Sanareddy, also promoter of Sricity, an SEZ about 55 km from Chennai said Sricity has 12.5 per cent green cover. J Crasta, Chairman Karnataka State Council ASSOCHAM announcing the launch of its Southern Chapter, emphasised the need for green buildings which would minimise demand on non renewable sources and maximise recycling of available sources. On Carlton Towers fire which claimed nine lives here,he said buildings flouting norms,including necessary prerequisite of safety rules should not be allowed. Illegal constructions and encroachments must be dealt with an iron hand. He also urged realty sector to be committed towards the green concept and be quality conscious.

BS (http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/need-to-create-base-of-professionals-for-green-buildings/217597.html)

India’s green building footprint is slowly gaining ground. From 20,000 sq ft in 2004, India’s LEED certified green building footprint has increased to 23 million sq ft in 2009. This upward trend is expected to continue as 45 million sq ft of additional green building space is projected to be completed by 2012, said a Jones Lang LaSalle study.

India currently has two major rating systems: LEED India, run by the Indian Green Building Council; and Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA), a system developed by TERI and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. The GRIHA rating system is slowly strengthening its impact alongside LEED India.

Currently there are only two GRIHA rated completed projects and about 40 registered projects, said the study.

Some of the corporates like Wipro, Microsoft, Cognizant, ABN AMRO, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and other international and domestic corporate occupiers have either developed, or are developing, energy efficient office spaces or large-scale campuses.

For instance, LEED certification norms are being implemented to manage Wipro’s building infrastructure as part of Wipro’s EcoEye charter (their ecological sustainability program). Microsoft has decided to adopt green building techniques to renovate or construct new buildings in India.

Other occupiers such as Infosys, CA (Computer Associates) and Oracle are also planning to develop green office spaces to leverage the financial and environmental benefits that they provide.

It is not just the information technology sector but firms from other sectors such as manufacturing, education, hospital and hotels are also demanding green spaces.

BS (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/indias-green-building-footprint-increases-jones-lasalle/103724/on)

Green landmarks
DHNS

http://www.deccanherald.com/images/editor_images1/2010/12/09/building.jpg

The Green Building Council has 800 registered sustainable building projects. Well-known among them are CII-Godrej GBC, Hyderabad, Tamil Nadu Assembly Building, ITC Green Centre, Gurgaon, Wipro, Kochi and ITC Royal Gardenia, Bangalore.

Hall of Fame The Wipro Kochi office.Energy-efficient green buildings are all the rage across the country. The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) which is part of CII- Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre, is actively involved in promoting the concept of green buildings in the country.

Stakeholders of the construction industry comprising corporate, government and nodal agencies, architects, product manufacturers and institutions are all part of the IGBC.
The council operates on a consensus based approach and member-driven.

The vision of the council is to usher in the green building revolution in India to ensure that the country becomes one of the world leaders in green buildings by 2015.

What’s a green building?

A green building is one which uses less water, optimises energy efficiency, conserves natural resources, generates less waste and provides healthier spaces for occupants, as compared to a conventional building.

In terms of the number of green buildings in the country, Maharashtra ranks as the leading state with over 221 projects creating a footprint of over 154 mn sq ft.
Mumbai is the leading city with over 143 projects creating a footprint of over 102 mn sq ft.

Till date, the IGBC has 800 registered green building projects amounting to over 500 million sq. ft of green building footprint, of which 125 buildings are certified and fully functional.

Some of the landmark green buildings in Bangalore include:

* ITC Hotel, The Royal Gardenia, Bangalore
* T-ZED Homes, Bangalore
* IMTMA, Bangalore

Today, Bangalore has over 65 green building projects amounting to a footprint of over 33 mn sq.ft The most well-known green buildings in the country include:

* CII-Godrej GBC, Hyderabad
* Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Building, Chennai
* ITC Green Centre, Gurgaon
* Wipro, Kochi
* ITC Royal Gardenia, Bangalore

Ratings

The two key ratings for green buildings are LEED-India (The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System and GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment)

LEED-India is a nationally and internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
This rating recognises performance in the following five key areas:

* Sustainable site development
* Water savings
* Energy efficiency
* Materials selection and
* Indoor environmental quality

GRIHA was introduced by TERI and later used by the government too, to rate green buildings. Among the key certified projects developed by GRIHA include the Centre for Environmental Sciences and Engineering Building, IIT Kanpur; and Suzlon One Earth, Pune.

Source: Deccan Herald
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/119554/bmrcl-confident-meeting-dec-deadline.html

* The 18,500-square foot building has a 200-seat auditorium and two dormitories

BANGALORE: The Bharatiya Janata Party is set to move into a state-of-the-art office building, which will be inaugurated on April 28 by its national leader L.K. Advani.

The 18,500-sq. ft. building, which has come up on a 100 X 100 plot in Malleswaram here, is said to be the biggest political party office in the State.

The four-storey building, named after the party's late leader Jagannath Rao Joshi (Jagannath Bhavan), has an auditorium with a seating capacity of 200, according to BJP State media co-convenor A.L. Shivakumar.

Besides providing designated office rooms for top office-bearers of the party, the building also has a residential floor that has six guest rooms and two dormitories for party workers and leaders. Each of the dormitories can accommodate 25 to 30 persons and one has been reserved for women workers, Mr. Shivakumar said.

The building, which is installed with rainwater harvesting mechanism and solar energy devices, has obtained green building certification, he said.

According to him, the building was constructed at a cost of about Rs. 2.5 crore.

The Hindu (”http://www.hindu.com/2011/04/23/stories/2011042353660400.htm”)

Delta India Electronics Pvt Ltd. has announced its Rudrapur plant has achieved LEED certification as "Gold-rated" green building and received the honor from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). LEED certification is an international standards system for green building design based on the U.S. Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) system. The Rudrapur plant was built in 2008 to support Delta's commitment to the environment.

Yancey Hai, Vice Chairman and CEO, Delta Electronics, Inc., said, "With our corporate mission: "To provide innovative, clean and energy-efficient solutions for a better tomorrow," Delta continues to develop eco-friendly, energy-efficient manufacturing and products and we are committed to constructing all future Delta facilities as green buildings. The LEED certification of the Rudrapur plant not only serves as significant recognition for our green practices, but also demonstrates Delta's dedication to a green and sustainable Earth environment."

Delta India says the Rudrapur factory consumes 35% less energy compared to a conventional building of the same size and is designed using energy efficient architecture, natural sky-lighting and ventilation, rain water harvesting and water re-cycling, as well as using eco-friendly building materials that provide a clean, healthy and safe workplace for employees.For harmony with nature and the local community, every detail of the factory is in sync with the green building spirit. For instance, approximately 60% of the total area of the factory has been kept open and green.

Dalip Sharma, Managing Director of Delta India Electronics, said, "The LEED certified green factory in Rudrapur incorporates Delta's renewable energy technologies and solutions. The certification recognizes all of our efforts in reducing the environmental impact of our business operations, daily processes, products, buildings and R&D. We are committed to energy savings and environmental protection that helps diminish the serious threat of global warming. In addition, it also confirms our efforts to go beyond mere compliance with ecological guidelines."

Delta India says it has three manufacturing units located in Rudrapur, Gurgaon, Pondicherry and two R&D centers in Gurgaon and Bangalore. Among them, the new corporate office in Gurgaon has also applied for platinum rating in accordance with the guidelines of the U.S. LEED and IGBC standards. Over the past few years, Delta has become a renowned name in telecom power solutions, uninterruptible power systems (UPSs), display solutions, industrial automation, and components, and has many top-tier clients for its various product lines in the Indian market.

EE Herald (http://www.eeherald.com/section/news/nws201107133.html)

PUNE: The Indian Railways' centralised training institute IRICEN ( Indian Railways Institute of Civil Engineering) is developing a first-of-its-kind building which will be environment friendly, energy efficient and will implement the concept of heat management. The five-storied building in the city will comply with green building norms and will strive for 'platinum' rating which is an internationally recognised green building certification system developed by the .

Being built in Koregaon Park on a plot of 7,000 sq mt, the building will have a museum, seminar and lecture halls, well-stocked library, auditorium, laboratory and a computer centre. Around 40% of the construction has been done, while IRICEN is hoping to complete the remaining 60% work by December 2012.

IRICEN director C P Tayal said, "The project is unique, with a focus on efficient use of energy, water and other resources. The building will use natural light and ventilation, while also implementing power conservation concepts. The structural design is diagonal to ensure maximum use of natural light. The use of reflective paint and double wall glass panels will ensure less heat absorption."

TOI (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-04/the-good-earth/29735742_1_iricen-green-building-lecture)

Bhuvaneshwar: Airport work speeds up - Capital set for take-off in style (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1110624/jsp/orissa/story_14152627.jsp)

The ministry of new and renewable energy has endorsed GRIHA, compliance with which is mandatory for buildings of the Central government and public sector undertakings

Thinking Green | Mili Majumdar

India is facing increasing energy challenge as a result of increasing urbanization and growing urban-rural divide. Energy security and access are two critical issues that define the policy landscape in power sector, while environmental sustainability agenda remains crucial in the urban development process.

Over the past decade, India has been trying to address these challenges through a national action plan on climate change and associated initiatives such as energy conservation, environmental impact assessments and the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.

http://www.livemint.com/images/A4A8539A-438E-4758-8B92-06B6C18E8BB9ArtVPF.gif
Environmental concerns:(from left) A file photo of the Unilever House at Chakala, Andheri, Mumbai (Kedar Bhat/Mint); Fortis Hospital at Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi. Both the buildings have applied for energy efficiency rating schemes (Pradeep Gaur/Mint).

It is almost globally acknowledged that large buildings and real estate construction projects are key contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and has a large environmental and energy footprint. A typical office building may consume between 180kWh to 200kWh per sq. m per annum in India, compared with a green building that may consume about 30-40% less energy. As much as 168,000 tonnes of CO2 emission could be avoided a year per million sq. m of properly rated projects.

It is in lieu of this that environmental clearance for large construction projects is mandatory and a related set of compliance measures such as the energy conservation building code, which specifies energy performance requirements for all commercial buildings, is expected to become law soon.

Often state-level committees do not have enough expertise to evaluate building and construction projects on environmental parameters. Usually, there are long delays in granting clearances, which are not acceptable to builders and developers. Absence of benchmarks, guidelines and common minimum criteria for evaluation is a major drawback of the system. Green ratings of buildings, on the other hand, provide a measurable framework in which all projects can be evaluated on all critical environmental parameters and given relative grading.

Green rating for integrated habitat assessment (GRIHA) is an evaluation tool to help design, build, operate and maintain a resource-efficient built environment. It emphasizes end-use energy optimization (within specified comfort levels) and integration of renewable energy; thereby providing a framework, which looks at long-term policy options, both on the supply and demand sides, consistent with aspirations of economic growth.

The ministry of new and renewable energy has endorsed GRIHA, compliance with which is mandatory for buildings of the Central government and public sector undertakings. The Central public works department has also adopted and integrated GRIHA into their standard operating procedure.

To further provide an impetus to the green buildings movement, the ministry has launched a host of financial incentives on registration fees, awards and incentives. The environment ministry recently said that green buildings would be given priority in the environmental impact assessment process. This is a welcome step that would not only reduce the time taken for such clearance, but also add value by quantifying environmental benefits that are measurable and can be monitored.

However, more needs to be done by the government. Implementation should be strong; capacity building across all stakeholder group should be enhanced; curriculum at college and schools should be inclusive of environmental education in much greater detail; schools of architecture should introduce course on green buildings; suitable incentives for green products should be given; residential building energy codes should be developed; next Five-year Plan should give impetus to greener constructions; new upcoming cities should follow green norms; municipal bye-laws should be revised; research and development budget on green buildings techniques and technologies should be provided and encouraged; laboratories and testing facilities for green products should be set up; and energy efficiency retrofit of public buildings should take off in a big way.

It is also now time to move into rating buildings in the residential space, which can eventually function as a design-cum-rating tool. This would help architects to not only get their building rated but also would also guide them on green design. There are rating systems designed specifically for projects with built-up area of less than 2,500 sq. m. The rating comprises of 14 criteria and the interface comprises of simplified calculators. These calculators can be filled using information from construction drawings and estimates. The calculators reveal the overall points and the rating that a particular project can achieve.

Mili Majumdar is director, sustainable habitat division, at The Energy and Resources Institute.

Respond to this column at feedback@livemint.com

livemint (http://www.livemint.com/2011/06/22232542/Government-needs-to-bolster-gr.html)

NEW DELHI: Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited will soon construct only energy efficient buildings that will have a minimum of a three-star rating. The government agency has tied up with TERI to develop designs and build capacity in the sector of energy efficiency. In the near future, three buildings in the NCR, including two in Noida, will be constructed on this principle.

Sources said HUDCO would incorporate energy efficient codes into all its future construction work, though these were just preliminary plans. "Initially the focus will be on only new buildings. TERI has expertise in energy efficient buildings having developed GRIHA, India's national rating system for green buildings, while HUDCO has great experience in construction work. Through this MoU the two organizations have agreed to jointly promote the cause of green building design. The main areas of cooperation will be promotional activities, incentive package, capacity building and joint research," said sources.

TOI (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-14/delhi/30153836_1_energy-efficient-buildings-green-building-hudco)

R. RAMABHADRAN PILLAI

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00820/29TVPPGODREJ_GREEN__820386f.jpg
Think green: A view of the CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre in Hyderabad, the first Indian building to bag the LEED Platinum rating. India will do well to have more such buildings in the context of climate change. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf

Green buildings lend a better environment inside the built-up space, leading to better productivity and energy efficiency. It will be a challenge to enhance the number of such buildings in India.

Inadequate planning is to blame for many problems faced in urban areas. For instance, inefficient use of land leads to congestion and pollution. Again, when cities expand unscientifically, energy is wasted and productivity lost.

Building sustainable living spaces will help minimise the ills of urbanisation. The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), an organisation trying to popularise the concept of green buildings, built to international standards and capable of saving energy and increasing efficiency, is taking the initiative to expand the programme. The council has chapters across the States, including Kerala.

A planned integrated approach is required when building new spaces, says S. Raghupathy, one of the prominent votaries of the concept and head of the CII Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre, Hyderabad, a green building with platinum rating, the highest in an international rating system.

In five years, India will see the growth of 70 cities, each with a five-lakh population. It is an enormous opportunity, Mr. Raghupathy says.

The next decade is one for building sustainable structures. B.R. Ajit, architect, who heads the Kochi chapter of the council, feels that opportunities are many in utilising green technologies for the sustained development of cities.

An IGBC analysis says the building sector accounts for at least a third of the energy-related carbon-dioxide emissions worldwide. Increased use of materials, water, and energy contributes to an increased output of greenhouse gases. Nearly 60 per cent of the global electricity consumption happens in residential and commercial buildings, though the consumption pattern depends on geography and climatic conditions. The analysis made as part of a green building conference recently said green buildings could save about 20-30 per cent of energy and 30-40 per cent of water. People occupying them will have a better environment, leading to improved productivity.

The building sector has been witnessing many activities worldwide. While most developed countries have a burgeoning green building industry, the developing countries are taking their first steps in this direction, Mr. Raghupathy says.

The construction sector accounts for huge economic activities. An estimate says the sector contributed about 8.1 per cent to India's Gross Domestic Product in 2010-11, up from about 5.1 per cent during 1999-2002. The country is expected to have about 1,00,000 million square feet of built space by 2030 as against 20,000 million square feet in 2005. India has all the capabilities for emerging as a frontrunner in the green building segment, IGBC representatives say.

Efforts made during the past decade have provided a place for India on the international map of green buildings. The country has over 1,290 green building projects coming up with a footprint of over 908 million square feet. The projects include IT parks, offices, banks, airports, convention centres, institutions, hospitals, hotels, factories, shopping malls, and those in special economic zones.

The global footprint of green buildings is expected to increase from about 10 billion square feet in 2010 to 53 billion square feet in 2020. It means that in 10 years, the number of green buildings in the world will be about five times the current figure. Of these, about 30 per cent are expected to be in India and China.

Busting a myth

The notion that green buildings are costlier is a myth, say proponents of the green building movement. The additional cost incurred for the construction of buildings having green features has been steadily on the decline. For instance, when the CII Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre, Hyderabad, with an area of 20,000 square feet, was built in 2003, the increase in cost over a conventional building was 18 per cent and the payback period was estimated to be seven years.

But the recently constructed platinum-rated green buildings have incurred an incremental cost of less than 5-8 per cent over the cost of similar conventional buildings. The payback period is only two years. The affordability factor arises mainly from the steady increase in demand for green buildings, which has indirectly reflected in a decline in the cost of products, services, and materials.

The country has done well in the green building arena in the past decade, but more needs to be done, Mr. Raghupathy says.

The share of green buildings is less than 3 per cent of buildings coming up. The challenge is to enhance the rate to 10-12 per cent in five years, he says.

The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/homes-and-gardens/article2576766.ece)

BHUBANESWAR: The Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project (ICZMP) of Odisha is set to embrace low carbon strategies through its project components in the State.

The ICZMP has set off on a series of plans for reduction of carbon footprints while putting in place infrastructure across the State. It has already initiated talks with partners for US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) certification for green buildings and de-salination through a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) developed low-on-energy technology.

The Rs 227-crore World Bank-funded project, which entails inter-sectoral activities, is also planning implementation of hybridised renewable energy generation as well as water recycling in the structures.

The project is currently in consultation with a host of institutions which either have developed the technologies or share the know-how. It is for the first time that any of the ICZM Projects in India has backed LEED certification of green buildings at eco-sensitive areas, something unfamiliar to architects, builders and planning engineers in the State too.

According to A.Senthil Vel, National Project Director of ICZMP, the LEED certifications would have great environmental impact in the eco-sensitive area and it can be something the National Project Management Unit of ICZMP can adopt nationally.

As part of the plan, the Orissa Pollution Control Board laboratory coming up at Paradip and the existing laboratory of Chilika Development Authority would be considered for LEEDS certification. Similarly, the ICZMP is also planning the de-salination pilot project at Kanas block of Puri where the low energy technology will be put to test for free.

The green structures at eco-sensitive sites and other locations would not only conserve huge amount of resources but also minimise human footprints, Project Director of ICZMP, Odisha, Ajit Kumar Pattnaik said.

The ICZMP held consultations with a team of experts from International Science and Technology Consortium of the USA, MIT of the USA, Fentress Architects of the USA, RJC Consulting Engineers of Canada, Luminous Renewable Energy Solutions and Luminous Water Technologies of the USA which also visited the sites proposed for the monitoring laboratory at Paradip, eco-tourism sites and existing building of Tourism and Forest departments. The team will give a report on sustainable design, implementation and management of the existing and development of new green building structures shortly.

IBNLive (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/coastal-zone-management-project-going-green/213284-60-117.html)

R. Balaji

* The housing projects will be in line with green building initiatives.

International Finance Corporation is looking at supporting affordable housing in the Rs 5-7 lakh range for the lower-middle and less-affluent segments.

Is not a house with a ceiling fan more ‘green' than one with a power-guzzling air conditioner, asks Mr Prashant Kapoor, Senior Industry Specialist, International Finance Corporation (IFC), Washington.

IFC, which has embarked on a major initiative in the housing finance sector in India for the first time, for the investment arm of WB, is looking at supporting mass housing and ‘truly affordable housing'. Dovetailed with this initiative will be efforts to keep the housing projects it supports in line with appropriate green building initiatives — environment-friendly, energy, water and other resources-efficient structures — that minimise the environmental impact of built-up space.

It plans to work with multiple agencies, including the authorities, and with private sector players — though conditions apply. IFC will involve at various levels, including regulatory, skill upgrading and financing, as a part of this plan.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

In a telephone interaction mediated by IFC officials in India, Mr Kapoor, who has specialised in the affordable housing segment, outlined some of IFC's plans to support the affordable housing projects targeting the lower-middle and less-affluent segments — possibly housing in the Rs 5-7 lakh range — where there is virtually no supply, with the market focussed on the upper-middle and affluent segments.

IFC is keen on supporting the private sector house builder, who is capable of delivering value housing, rather than the run-of-the-mill developer who speculates on the value of land, he cautions.

It will bring in the expertise it has built up internationally, particularly in economies in Latin America and South East Asia, where they have solved the problem of affordable housing, despite high GDP growth rates that are driving up costs.

They have approached this by being ‘industrial in processing' in real estate development. Speed is the key as ‘cost increases with time'. They peg the gross and net margins in advance, keep the project cycles short, use prefabricated construction, and deliver the products in less than a year.

The investment arm of WB is working with the National Housing Bank on a report for addressing affordable and environment-friendly housing.

REGULATORY INITIATIVE

IFC will also address the regulatory side by working with the authorities concerned on the mandatory minimum standards of efficiency. It has built up experience in Indonesia and other countries, and is keen on bringing similar initiatives in India and China.

As compared with the existing area of built-up space, the new supply will be much bigger. “India is yet to be built” and this is the right time to intervene, to ensure that the incoming supply is of the right kind, he says.

IFC, which has built up expertise in mass housing and green buildings, hopes to work at the ground level, apart from Central Government institutions such as the Bureau of Energy Efficiency.

While IFC will work with agencies such as the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, its focus will be more on working at the ground level with State-level agencies. It is keen for ‘traction at the ground level'. State governments such as Rajasthan, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu are moving in the right direction, and can benefit from support in developing knowledge in human resources among the authorities.

FINANCING

It is looking at a line of financing that lays emphasis on green housing. IFC is talking to some developers in major cities to explore opportunities for direct financing of projects.

During the last two years, it has a taken a ‘systematic approach' to this, and has been monitoring developments in the markets here. It hopes to pursue this line, and is in talks with leading developers and banks, including refinance institutions and private banks and developers, according to Mr Prashant Kapoor.

IFC is looking at basic standards — along the lines of the rainwater harvesting initiative, solar water heaters for homes.

Typically, in Colombia for instance, where the average income is approximately $200, more than 20 per cent of the income goes to energy. If basic measures can help save energy costs, at least 50 per cent, it would significantly add value to the residents. There is a significant impact; it actually makes bank mortgages safer.

Financial instruments such as the ‘green mortgages' are needed to support green buildings.

MORTGAGE GUARANTEE

It is partnering with the National Housing Bank to set up a mortgage guarantee company, IMGC India.

According to information available on the IFC website, this will be a Public-Private Partnership between NHB, IFC, Asian Development Bank and an international mortgage insurance holding company, Genworth Financial International Holdings, a part of the US-based Genworth Financial, a financial services company.

IMGC will provide credit risk coverage to residential mortgage lenders, to protect them in case of borrower default. IFC will invest Rs 80 crore during the next five years, to take up to 19 per cent equity stake in the company, to be headquartered in NCR, Delhi.

Although IFC hasn't invested in mortgage guarantee companies so far, IFC's experience in the housing finance sector and in general financial institution building has helped in specific areas of project design, governance structures and financial evaluation. IFC may also support IMGC through a programme of counter-guarantees that would enable IMGC to expand its ability to support the mortgage guarantee sector in a financially effective manner.

It will have a development impact in enabling home ownership for middle-income households and first-time buyers, and will enhance the financial market for housing finance and standardise lending practices.

Feedback to blproperty@thehindu.co.in

Business Line (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/features/investment-world/article2723782.ece?ref=wl_companies)

There should be a per capita energy consumption threshold for certifying a building as a Green Building.

‘Green is the new black’ appears to be the new-age mantra. It advocates the use of renewable sources like wind, awater, solar heat and other renewable sources as against fossil fuels like coal and crude oil. With this, going green is catching up fast.

The mantra can be put to use by building green buildings. There are 62 odd green buildings in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) and many of them have applied for the practice.

The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), one of the only two organisations that certify buildings on green quotient defines it as “one which uses less water, optimises energy efficiency, conserves natural resources, generates less waste and provides healthier spaces for occupants, as compared to a conventional building.”

The Millennium City has 15 such buildings with five of them having the highest ‘platinum’ certification of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, given by the IGBC.

The remaining are Gold and Silver certified. The prominent green buildings in Gurgaon —ITC, Wipro technologies and HSBC House have platinum certification — while Nokia India, Unitech Tower and Dabur India having Gold certification.

The Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) of The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI), the second of the two organisations, that gives green certification has certified seven buildings in Gurgaon.

SP Infotech city is a GRIHA three-star rated building in Gurgaon, while Delhi Metro Rail Corporation also has applied for the same for its upcoming HUDA City Metro station complex in the city.

“Our construction involved a wide range of resource saving strategies as we wanted to do our bit for environment-friendly development,” said Jane Schukoske, IRRAD CEO.

Hindustan Times (http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Haryana/Going-green-City-new-hub-of-eco-friendly-buildings/Article1-778843.aspx)

BHUBANESWAR: The Tata Housing has forayed into the real estate scene in the City by signing its first PPP venture in association with the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) here on Tuesday.

� The housing project will be spread across 12 acres with development potential of 1.5 million sqft and a projected revenue of ` 700 crore. With this, Tata Housing has announced its entry into the tier II cities of India.

� After the PPP was signed, Brotin Banerjee, MD and CEO, Tata Housing said, the company, as part of its long-term strategy, is looking at expanding its presence in the fast growing Tier II cities. “Bhubaneswar being ranked the fifth fastest growing Indian city in terms of real estate, the plan to launch the first of its kind premium living venture is befitting of Tata’s longer term commitment to the city,” he said.

� The deal was inked following a competitive bidding process and signed in the presence of BDA vice-chairman Deoranjan Kumar Singh. The project will be designed by renowned international architects and constructed under the guidance of Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) like all other Tata Housing property.

The City has seen a considerable rise in demand giving rise to acute shortage of high-end residential homes.

IBNLive (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tata-forays-into-city-real-estate/211830-60-117.html)

ICZMP in Odisha backs leed certification of green building structures at eco-sensitive sites (http://orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=30874)

BANGALORE: “All new government buildings in the State will now have three or four star GRIHA (Green Ratings for Integrated Habitat Assessment) ratings, India’s national rating system for green buildings,” announced S V Ranganath, chief� secretary, Karnataka.

Speaking during the inauguration of ‘Green Building Regional Conference and Exhibition 2011, Inovations in Green Buildings-the GRIHA approach’ here on Friday, he expressed his concern over the sprawling urbanisation and constructions which has been a great challenge to the environment. He said that according to McKinsey report, by 2035 five major states in India, of which one being Karnataka, is expected to be urbanised by more than 50 per cent.

Dr A Ramachandran, chairman, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) said, “Urbanisation is inevitable but has to be managed. The government has to make� implementation of GRIHA compulsory to minimise building’s resource consumption, waste generation and maintain the overall ecological impact.”

“Government has to address urbanisation and environmental aspects under� the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) in the upcoming 12th Five Year Plan.

In addition, there should be a connection in the development among cities. For instance in Karnataka, Bangalore is highly developed, so similar development connection should be there in other cities like Mysore” he added. Meanwhile R K Pachauri, director general, TERI, said “Generally people have a myth that green buildings are a luxury and� expensive, but it saves cost and is energy efficient.”

IBNLive (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/griha-rating-for-new-government-buildings/205980-60-118.html)

Manipal, Dec 24, DHNS:

Manipal University is ranked 2nd in India and 78th in the UI Green Metric Ranking of World Universities for 2011.

Only three Indian Universities figured in the list of top 178 universities. IIT Madras has received 44th rank, followed by Manipal University at 78th and IIT Bombay at 107.

This information was communicated to the University by Prof Riri Fitri Sari Chairperson of UI Green Metric Ranking of World University. The ranks are given based on the eco-consciousness of the Universities and its translation into reality by undertaking efforts towards sustainable development.

The ranking is given based on three factors namely, environment, economics and equity.

The ranking not only helps to raise awareness about these issues, but also proves to be a catalyst to put in place ‘green’ campus management policies around the world.

It is expected that by drawing the attention of university leaders and stake holders, more attention will be given to combating global climate change, energy and water conservation, waste recycling, and green transportation.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/214146/manipal-university-2nd-green-ideas.html)

RADHIKA KHOSLA

* Transitioning to low-carbon buildings will spur a market for new services and technologies.
* Current norms for ‘green' buildings should be made mandatory, rather than voluntary.

In 2008, for the first time ever, the urban global population outnumbered that of the rural. This visible pattern has escalated during the last couple of decades; projections suggest that by the end of the twenty-first century, 80 per cent of the global population will live in cities (which occupy 0.05 per cent of the Earth's surface).

Rapid urbanisation is creating vast opportunities through an unprecedented demand for the construction of buildings, which already account for more than 30 per cent of India's total electricity consumption. In line with expanding development, the country's buildings sector is expected to increase five-fold from 2005 to 2050. India is at a unique crossroads, where two-thirds of the commercial and high-rise residential structures that will exist in 2030 are yet to be built. Implementing energy efficiency in buildings that are being constructed in the next ten years thus presents a singular opportunity to lock in energy and cost savings for the next several decades.

The imperative for efficient construction is much more crucial than individual savings, from which owners and end-users benefit. India's total energy requirement is projected to grow at 6.5 per cent per year between 2010-11 and 2016-17, to support the country's projected 9 per cent growth rate. The meeting of this demand, however, is fraught with the challenges of peak demand shortages, dependence on energy imports and vulnerability to the volatility in international energy prices. Furthermore, India is en route to becoming the second largest emitter of greenhouse gases globally. Each of these challenges can be met simply and effectively by addressing the energy-guzzling nature of the booming buildings sector, and by making energy efficiency a central plank in the country's long-term growth planning.

POLICY ENVIRONMENT

The current policy environment is beginning to promote energy efficiency and the execution of national and state-level programmes will be the key determinants of its success. India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (2008) points to building efficiency measures as essential to carbon emission reduction.

As a starting point, it is important that there are clear frameworks that can be reference points for quality. To facilitate this, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) launched the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) in 2007. The ECBC establishes minimum requirements for energy-efficient design and construction for buildings, with a connected load of 100 kW/120 kVA or more, and provides guidelines for building design, including the envelope, lighting, heating, air-conditioning, and electrical systems. In addition to the code, the presence of independent rating standards is important. Currently, this is managed by two private building rating systems: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA), both of which incorporate ECBC requirements.

CHALLENGES TO EFFICIENCY

In spite of these initial policy instruments, barriers exist to wide-scale efficiency adoption. The key challenges can be grouped into three main categories: inadequate information and awareness, economic, and structural constraints. The ECBC is currently voluntary, which has resulted in its slow uptake and a reliance on the market to steer progress. In the absence of mandatory policies, the decision to invest in efficiency is driven by developers, building owners, and end-users, all of whom don't have access to reliable information on the advantages that efficiency offers to them. Additionally, the absence of skilled expertise on how to employ the measures impedes implementation, even when there is a will to invest.Efficiency technologies also have a higher upfront cost, which deters investors seeking to make nearer-term economic returns. As there is no rigorous source of information on the return on investment for the higher upfront cost, real estate developers are reluctant to include an additional budget for efficiency. This want of information on the business case has so far inhibited financial institutions from offering attractive products (e.g., loans with reduced interest rates for efficiency) that can incentivise investment by reducing the burden of the higher first-cost. An additional constraint is that while building owners undertake the expenditure, the benefits of lower energy bills are accrued by the tenants who pay the utility bills.

RECOMMENDATIONS

In order to overcome barriers and transform the buildings market, action is required by a variety of public and private decision-makers. Making the ECBC mandatory will ensure that all applicable new buildings constructed meet a minimum level of efficiency in their energy use. While the code remains voluntary at the national level, some states — Rajasthan, Orissa, Delhi, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and West Bengal — have announced plans for a mandatory code by 2012, recognising this low-hanging opportunity. However, the success of these efforts will lie in the code compliance achieved.

To enable this, state governments can create compliance-conducive environments, by focusing on local adaption of the ECBC to their particular climactic conditions; incorporate the code into the region's building bye-laws; develop mechanisms for third-party verification; and train municipal officers, architects and engineers on code technicalities. Having structures in place for monitoring and enforcement are key to the successful uptake of efficient construction by the community.

Analogously, the private sector can play an important role in leading the market. Real estate developers, as drivers of the demand for building development, have significant influence on the adoption of efficiency practices by end-users. As the ultimate financial decisions regarding investment in efficient construction lies with this group, they have vast potential to showcase the opportunities that arise from the favourable business case that these buildings attract — through cost savings, short payback times, and increased premiums and occupancy rates. Piloting “green leases” that align the costs and benefits of efficiency investments between landlords and tenants can help overcome some of the financial barriers. Financial institutions can include services for energy efficiency in their portfolio of products and gain from the significant untapped opportunity of expanding the efficient buildings market.

Transitioning to a low-carbon buildings sector will spur a market for new services and technologies, requiring a skilled workforce that the new wave of construction will demand. As ECBC compliance gets more stringent, there will be an increased need for professionally accredited third-party verifiers who can measure and verify the savings that are taking place. India's commercial energy consumption is projected to double by 2035. With the correct combination of policies, incentives, and structural support, an efficient built-environment will enable India to successfully meet its economic and environmental development goals, while achieving its national commitments to address climate change.

This article is by special arrangement with the Centre for the Advanced Study of India, University of Pennsylvania.

(The author is a Welch Fellow at the Natural Resources Defense Council, New York.)

The Hindu Business Line (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/opinion/article2808671.ece?homepage=true)

T. Nandakumar

* Dye-sensitised cells lend on-the-go flexibility

A backpack that powers your mobile phone, MP3 player or laptop on the go, tinted windows that continuously generate electricity from sunlight, solar modules that can be patched on to shamianas and awnings, and building facades that produce power from the sun — all these would have seemed far-fetched ideas until a few years ago.

But recent advances in thin film technology have resulted in revolutionary concepts and products. Today, it is possible to have roofing materials, wall panels, foldable sheets, backpacks, and windows featuring lightweight, flexible solar cells.

Research laboratories across the world are vying to develop cheaper, more efficient solar modules for different applications. The dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs) represent one of the promising frontier areas of research.

Based on a photo-electro-chemical system, the DSSCs are basically titanium dioxide semiconductor nanocrystals coated with organic dye and sandwiched between glass panels or embedded in plastic along with an electrolyte. Substantially cheaper than conventional silicon solar panels, they can be printed on flexible surfaces and work more efficiently in ambient light conditions.

“The increasing global demand for energy and the rising level of greenhouse gas emissions have driven the need to find clean, renewable sources of power. DSSCs have emerged as a promising alternative,” says K. Kalyanasundaram, senior scientist at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne, Switzerland, one of the laboratories working at the cutting edge of technology in solar cells.

Talking to The Hindu on a recent visit to the city to participate in a national symposium organised by the Chemical Research Society of India (CRSI), he explained how chemical research across the globe had led to the development of new dye-sensitised cells with the capacity to generate more electricity. The DSSCs absorbed sunlight through the coloured molecules in the dyes and converted it into electricity, a process akin to plant photosynthesis.

“DSSCs have the potential to redefine the concept of green buildings. They could lead to the development of tinted windows or claddings for buildings that continuously produce electricity from the sun. With that kind of advance, we would have entire buildings generating power, rather than just the rooftops. It is possible to adjust the transparency of DSSCs integrated into a window or roof. You can even have multicolour options for better visual appeal,” he said, holding up a flexible, paper-thin DSSC module embedded in plastic.

“Unlike silicon solar panels that are heavy and opaque, DSSC modules do not need heavy fabrication for use as roof or facade. They are flexible yet robust. Being translucent, they permit sunlight to enter the building.”

Dr. Kalyanasundaram said the DSSCs were increasingly relevant at a time when countries were offering heavy subsidies for solar equipment to power buildings. “They make more sense in a country like India with good exposure to sunlight almost round the year. The development of better dyes and electrolytes could see them gaining more market acceptance,” he said.

In 2010, a company based in Hong Kong launched the first DSSC-based consumer product, backpacks fitted with solar panels for on-the-go recharging of portable devices.

The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/article2866019.ece)

Isha Homes' latest project Isha Mia Villas has been awarded Platinum pre-certification from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). This is a novel initiative in Tamil Nadu for a project to be pre-certified with a platinum rating by the IGBC for the green homes concept, according to a press release from the company. The 10-acre project at Pudupakkam, off the Old Mahabalipuram Road to the South of Chennai, with 106 independent villas will be set up at a total cost of 150 crore rupees. Each villa will be priced at a minimum of Rs 1 crore. Some of the eco-friendly facilities include solar panels in every villa to power a home during the day, and capacity to last up to four hours without sunlight; a windmill in the campus, as an additional renewable source of energy; adequate water supply with rainwater harvesting, along with a hydro-pneumatic water distribution system and a sewage treatment plant. Solid Waste from every home will be converted into manure. Isha Homes will offer its residents modern amenities and facilities like ATM and a departmental store within its campus for the convenience of its residents. CCTVs and solar fencing will add to the security.

Business Line (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/features/investment-world/article2840218.ece?ref=wl_companies)

Acron Developers launch luxury villas in Goa (http://www.constructionweekonline.in/article-7694-acron_developers_launch_luxury_villas_in_goa/)
Infosys Limited Mysore building secures LEED Platinum certification (http://www.worldinteriordesignnetwork.com/news/infosys_limited_mysore_building_secures_leed_platinum_certification_120206/)

Express news service : Kolkata, Tue Jan 17 2012, 05:22 hrs

The Energy and Resources Institute head by R K Pachauri and CREDAI Bengal on Monday urged the city realtors to acquire the new GRIHA ratings recently floated by TERI in association with the central Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. The Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) rates the energy efficiency of a construction. “The rating is based on solid scientific principles, architectural techniques and methods that judge how much, say a building, is conducive to saving environment,” said Pachauri at an event attended by realtors and other stakeholders of the industry. The rating system is based on 34 criteria across which 100 points are divided and the highest rating given is five-star. “Such projects will automatically get fast track clearance,” said Pachauri.

IE (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/realtors-urged-to-get-green-ratings/900593/)

Hyderabad has turned out to be the perfect place to begin my first trip to India. This four-hundred-year-old city is rich in cultural history, but its sleek, gleaming IT sector points the way to India’s future.

Hyderabad was one of the first cities in the world to develop a special economic zone, and the scale of growth is extraordinary. High-tech corporate campuses and office parks dot the horizon, especially in the area known as Hi-Tech City. Yet many modern office buildings were constructed without energy efficiency in mind, and millions of dollars and thousands of kilowatts of electricity are wasted each year as a result.

Luckily, city and business leaders want to change that, and for the past two years, NRDC’s India Initiative and our partners at the Administrative Staff College of India have been helping to make Hyderabad’s growth as green and efficient as possible.

On my first morning here, we went to the Godrej Green Business Centre built by the Confederation of Indian Industries. Opening in 2004, it was the first LEED-certified platinum green building outside the United States. I had the honor of planting a tree in the building’s garden, and I got the chance to hear from some of the leaders in Hyderabad’s efficiency efforts.

Like much of India, Hyderabad presents an exciting opportunity. Two-thirds of the commercial and high-rise residential structures that will exist in 2030 have not been built yet. Experts agree it is cheaper and easier to build efficiency into new construction than it to pay for retrofits later.

Indeed, NRDC’s David Goldstein says that you can design buildings that reduce energy use by 50 percent at no additional cost if you incorporate efficient features from the beginning.

Hyderabad is trying to encourage this kind of green building by weaving efficiency standards into building codes. NRDC and our partners are working with city officials, technical experts, real estate groups, and banks to fully implement those codes.

Later in the day, I had the opportunity to talk with the Ajit Ranjankar, the dean of the Indian School of Business. The ISB is ranked among the top 20 business schools in the world, and it was fascinating to hear Dean Rangnekar’s refreshing take on the economic and social value of environmental protection. He believes strongly that Indian businesses have to embrace sustainability and clean technology and demonstrate how these models can be profitable as well as beneficial.

At a dinner that evening hosted by the Administrative Staff College of India, I met several leaders who are already providing those models. ASCI is a policy think tank, research institute, and training facility for professional managers from the public and private sectors in India. Under the leadership of Director Chary, ASCI’s Centre for Energy, Environment, Urban Governance, and Infrastructure Development is working with NRDC to help Hyderabad grow smart from the smart.

Switch Board (http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/fbeinecke/notes_from_hyderabad_making_in.html)

http://www.thedailystar.net/latest_photo/2012/01/31/2012-01-31__green-temple.jpg
Green temple: India's Tirupati Temple has adopted a range of green technologies - and the shrine is now trading carbon credits. Photo: BBC Online

Surrounded by seven hills, high above lush green forests is the temple town of Tirumala.

The crown jewel is the dazzling gold-plated temple of Lord Venkateshwara.

Located in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, this is not just one of Hinduism's holiest shrines, but also one of the richest.

It has an annual income of $340m - mostly from donations.

Between 50-100,000 people visit this temple every day. This puts enormous pressure on water, electricity and other energy resources.

Now the temple is using its religious influence and economic might to change the way energy is used here.

Sustainable sources

Developing reserve forests around the temple to act as carbon sinks, the management has transformed the environment.

They are promoting the use of sustainable technologies and hope to influence public opinion.

LV Subramanyam is the executive officer of the temple trust.

"While we currently use a mix of conventional and non-conventional energy sources, our aim is make the place more reliant on sustainable sources of energy," he says

"Most of our devotees are progressive. In a religious place like Tirumala, we can set the example by going green. Probably the impact will be much more than normal government advertisements or publicity."

Inside the temple complex, a large multi-storey building is dedicated to just one thing - cooking free meals for pilgrims.

Several cooks work in tandem stirring large pots of rice, curry and vegetables. Nearly 50,000 kilos of rice along with lentils are cooked here every day.

Open all day, this community kitchen is the biggest green project for the temple.

Located on the roof of this building are rows of solar dishes that automatically move with the angle of the sun, capturing the strong sunlight.

Then the energy is used to convert water into high pressure steam, which cooks the food in the kitchen below.

Generating over 4,000kgs of steam a day at 180º C, this makes the cooking faster and cheaper. As a result, an average of 500 litres of diesel fuel is saved each day.

Credit score

By switching to green technologies, the temple cuts its carbon emissions and earns a carbon offset, or credit, which they can sell.

Carbon credits

The Kyoto Protocol's clean development mechanism, an international tool created to fight global warming, gives developed countries incentives to invest in clean technologies and projects in developing countries.

In return, the companies from the developed countries get carbon credits for meeting their emission reduction targets, while the projects in the developing country get the capital and technology

Badal Shaw is the managing director of Gadhia Solar Energy Systems, which has set up the solar cookers. He estimates that this has resulted in a reduction of more than 1,350kgs of green house gases in the atmosphere.

"This was the first project to get a gold standard certification - it's a registered project and it is issuing carbon credits," he says.

"From a monetary value, carbon being a tradable commodity - the prices keeps going up and down ... we sold the carbon credits of this and various other projects to the German government."

Blowing on the wind

But it's not just the sun that the temple is tapping into. On top of a hill, the site is ideal for harnessing wind energy.

Companies like Suzlon and Enercon have donated turbines which generate a combined total of 7.5 megawatts of power.

A Tirupati-based company called Green Energy Solutions now wants to develop multiple wind farms to supply the entire temple's energy.

Madhu Babu, the founder of the group, says they want to tap into the pool of devotees worldwide, asking them to make a donation of green power to the temple.

The temple is unique because devotees are known to make generous donations of both cash and resources. While some have given diamonds in the past, others have given sheets of gold or bundles of cash.

"We have found that a lot of non-resident Indians are interested in donating sustainable technology instead," says Babu.

"We want to facilitate such donations and translate them into wind farms, so that the entire temple town can be run on green energy."

Big appetite

India is growing rapidly and is hungry for energy, supplied largely by fossil fuels.

Global consultancy McKinsey predicts that the country's carbon emissions will double in the next decade.

This is why it is more important than ever for India to look at alternative sources of energy, says CB Jagadeeswara Reddy, the local government officer in charge of promoting non-conventional energy development.

The temple city has been identified as a future 'low-carbon footprint city' by European Aid and Development, which works under the European Commission.

But a lot of these technologies cost money and Reddy says it's important to involve the private sector.

"It's important that we make technology accessible for people," he says.

"When pilgrims use the water and learn that sustainable sources of energy are being tapped into make the water, food, power available to them, it inspires them.

They too will want to learn more about the technology behind it."

Clean-tech India?

As India is taking steps to limit its emissions, it's also one of the largest producers of carbon credits in the world.

According to a 2010 study by HSBC Research, India's share of the $2.2 trillion market for low carbon goods and services in 2020 could be as much as $135bn.

The report further predicts that India's clean technology market could create 10.5m green jobs, and is likely to grow faster than any other country.

Dr Prodipto Ghosh from The Energy Research Institute says there are already over 2000 companies in the country involved in research and innovation for the low carbon goods and services market.

He says that companies have a financial incentive to use clean development mechanisms, as they monetise projects which otherwise would cost the company a lot more.

Dr Prodipto Ghosh says carbon credits give companies an incentive to go green while going green may not make economic sense for everyone, the carbon offsets or credits offer a lucrative incentive to do so. Businesses can exchange, buy or sell carbon credits in international markets at the prevailing market price.

This also is important in relation to the country's energy security.

India now spends 45% of export earnings on energy imports, and this is expected to increase even further.

While the temple assesses the savings that each of these investments can make, the pilgrims enjoy meals cooked using green sources of energy.

To fuel India's growth, there is an increasing demand for alternative sources. Whilst the temple might be one small step, the hope is that this could be a model that is replicated across the country.

The Daily Star (http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/latest_news.php?nid=35499)

We know that Hyderabad Airport terminal is a green building. Does anybody know any green railway station or any green bus stop terminal in India? Wold Class Railway Stations & Bus Terminals should be green, isn't it?

We know that Hyderabad Airport terminal is a green building. Does anybody know any green railway station or any green bus stop terminal in India? Wold Class Railway Stations & Bus Terminals should be green, isn't it?

Since when did we had a world class railway station in india

GHMC planning to reduce city level impact fee to eco-friendly buildings

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is planning to reduce city level impact fee to eco-friendly buildings based on the green rating, Commissioner M.T. Krishna Babu said on Wednesday.

“There is a 10 p.c. concession on property tax for using solar water heating equipment and an additional concession of 10 p.c. for providing water harvesting infrastructure. Along with these reducing impact fee will encourage builders to adopt eco-friendly techniques,” he pointed out.

At a day-long workshop ‘Use of Green Energy in Urban Infrastructure' organised by Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry in collaboration with SEW Infrastructure, Mr. Babu said the demand for energy would rise in near future and there was a need to adopt greener initiatives to mitigate this.

Bicycle corridor

Better public transportation system and encouraging use of cycles in the city would also help check the increasing pollution levels, he said. GHMC had plans to create a 22-km long dedicated corridor for bicycles in Cyberabad to provide eco-friendly transportation. In the long run, each metro rail station and select MMTS stations will have bicycle stations where people can rent bicycles.

“A 100-km bicycle corridor will be created in the city in next couple of years,” he said. By automating street lights operations 30-50 p.c. energy could be saved and a pilot programme would soon be started in select areas soon, Mr. Babu said.

“The city can be made eco-friendly with a combination of initiatives like CNG-based public transportation, encouraging cycling, construction of eco-friendly commercial and office buildings and extensive utilisation of solar energy,” he said.

The Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/article3353696.ece)

By: Rajat Malhotra, Director, Engineering & Operations Solutions (West Asia), Jones Lang LaSalle India

The real estate sector has emerged as one India's largest drivers of economic growth. As a sector, it provides large scale employment and contributes significantly to the GDP.

For decades, environmentalists have been warning that frenetic human economic activity associated with the breakneck speed of economic growth is placing a huge strain on the earth and its natural resources. Of course, we keep pushing those limits back with new technologies.

Yet, eco-systems are undeniably in decline. Since the real estate sector is emphatically driving this growth, it is also directly impacting the environment. Sustainable development is all about minimizing this impact and ensuring we keep the planet green and alive.

Sustainability is often misunderstood as curtailing use and stifling developmental activity. Nothing can be farther from the truth. The number of certified green buildings in India has witnessed a four-fold growth in the last four years.

This is testimony to the growing popularity of the concept. If one goes by the published statistics on the IGBC (Indian Green Building Council ) website, there are currently 223 registered green buildings in the country. As an absolute number, the growth has been more than four folds in the last four years.

But is that enough? The commercial real estate stock in the top seven cities alone is approximated at 310 million sqft. Further , the forecast is that commercial real estate development will grow at an annual rate of 8-10 %. With this backdrop, the number of projects committed to green design and construction are minuscule.

So how does one transform going green from a campaign of a select few to a mass movement? One obvious factor is awareness. The second most important factor is aligning corporate sustainability goals with real estate selection.

Green spaces not only allow for 14 to 16 per cent increase in productivity but also reduce the operational cost of the building, consume less energy, water and other resources , leading to office which more environmentally responsible and has a lower carbon footprint.

Thanks to the efforts of the Institute for Green Business Certification (IGBC), awareness in the corporate world has increased and green space has increased from 20,000 sq ft to about 730 million sq ft since the inception of IGBC.

Though trend is commendable , there is a long way to go. Awareness among end users is still limited and demand for green buildings needs to rise a lot more. For greater all-round awareness, certain myths need to be dispelled:

Myth1:

Green buildings cost more. The incorporation of basic green features, if done at the preliminary phase, will not impact the overall initial project costs in a major way. Typically, the increase in cost will be between 5-15 %. Some project developers claim no increase in the initial project cost because of diligent planning.

The benefits of green buildings can be realised fully if the following points are understood in depth: The returns must be calculated on Total Cost of Ownership (Initial cost + Recurring O&M costs) rather than basing only on the initial costs.

Typically, more than 90% of the total cost of ownership of a building is attributable to its operating and maintenance cost. Energy accounts for 50% of the operating and maintenance cost. Green buildings help reduce energy spends significantly.

This itself ensures that the initial investment is recovered within a typical period of five years. Some of the green building benefits (like improved indoor environment quality , improved productivity) are intangible, which affects the return on investment. These should be accounted for while formulating the cost and benefit analysis.

Myth 2:

A certification is the only way out. Certification is a way to validate and rate the features one has incorporated in a project , by an independent body. The certification is a voluntary process, and the project proponents may go ahead only by incorporating the green features without having to certify them.

Myth 3:

The market demand for green spaces will wane: With the onset of growing awareness about sustainability and the rapidly increasing effects of climate change, the market demand is set to only to grow. It is only a matter of time before regulatory stipulations come into play.

The Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) has already mandated new construction of government buildings. If the ECBC is made mandatory for certain classes of buildings, it will become compulsory for each building to meet the baseline at least for conserving energy through optimal building design set by the Government of India.

Myth 4:

Green buildings are for other countries, not ours. India is the second-most populous country in the world and if experts are to be believed, it is en route to pip China from 1st rank by 2025. This only points towards an ever increasing pressure on our already scarce natural resources.

The growth forecast in the real estate segment is anywhere between 8 to 10 % annually. India lies in the tropical zone with enough sun and precipitation (4,000 trillion litres) throughout the year, and it is imperative that we harvest both.

Therefore from both the opportunity and requirement perspectives this is 'going green' in our real estate developments is as important for us as it is for any other nation. Corporates who have sustainability goals need to extend their efforts to real estate selection.

For example, a corporate entity which is based on principles of sustainability, would only go for green space to account for reduction of their overall carbon footprint looking for an office space. Such extension of sustainability goals would lead to a further increase of green spaces.

Today, we have a star rating system in India for buildings based much on the same principle concept of energy star rating systems for consumer products. The catch, however, is that today everything is voluntary. If one chooses to develop green real estate, the options are aplenty, but it depends totally on the choice of the developer.

To say up front that regulatory stipulates will help would be stating too much too soon. Incentivized performance is the key. For example , structured avenues delineated in the new Companies Bill would aid voluntarism , so to speak. Incentives would surely act as a catalyst for the development and absorption of new green buildings, but some regulatory norms would be of great help to convert the already existing energy guzzlers.

Moreover, norms for existing building would also help the new green spaces of the future to maintain their own standards throughout their life-cycle.

Clearly, the buildings of the future will hold the key to restoration of the ecological balance that is so precariously perched on a knife edge today. We need to act now to prevent a downward spiral to complete ecological destruction.

ET (http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-05-05/news/31586503_1_green-building-igbc-real-estate)

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/photo/12821558.cms

Actress Gul Panag will throw open the doors of her eco weekend home, one of the first two in India to await a TERI GRIHA certification, to anyone keen on building one of their own.

Actress Gul Panag and pilot husband Rishi Attari have turned teachers, and they prefer tutoring by example; sometimes taking the help of 3D animation. The couple has built a weekend home in Mulshi, three and a half hours away from Mumbai. It's one of the first of two independent green homes in India to register with GRIHA, a scheme launched in collaboration with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy under New Delhi-based TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute), to encourage, facilitate and evaluate the construction of ecofriendly homes across the country.

By June, Panag plans to host guests virtually at her Green Home, through her website. "Our home will be open to anyone curious to figure how a certified green home is designed, and what makes it environmentally conscious. If the virtual 3-D tour of our nest stokes your appetite to check out the real one, drive down for a cup of tea, and I'll be happy to offer you a guided tour," says Panag.

Experts say it's a leg up for the green home movement that the efforts are gradually weaning away from the symbolic rain-water-harvesting-and-solar- panelinstallation design to a professionally laid out vision, capped by a system of evaluation, rating and certification. Panag's home is awaiting a rating from GRIHA. The first green home to register with GRIHA is New Delhi-based media professional Prasanto Roy's. The champa tree that stood outside his family home in CR Park had held special memories; his sister was named after it. When the sprawling mansion was being torn down last year to make way for the new building, Roy's Green One project ensured that not just the beloved champa, but every tree on the premises was saved, or professionally transplanted; a key pre-requisite of the TERI GRIHA programme.

Another tenet is the use of material from the old construction. "Since ours was an old house, all possible material had to be re-used and documented. Every single brick has been reclaimed, sorted and stacked for re-use, and is being used for non-critical, non-load bearing construction. Same for steel bars," says Roy. Mallika Desai Thakker, the LEED-certified architect of Panag's home, says the house will be off the grid, not dependent on sarkari energy, and will generate its own power through solar panels. Double glazed windows, and an allround ventilation mechanism will eliminate the need for airconditioners. Rainwater harvesting will provide it a supply of close to 1 lakh litres of water a year.

Some benefits of going green are reduced energy consumption, better light and indoor air quality. Roy says, "Construction costs are typically 5 to10 per cent higher than for a regular building, but in the long run it's more economical. Builders need to play up the certification of green buildings like they would Italian marble or jacuzzis."

3 Simple ways to go green

Use Autoclaved Aerated Concrete instead of bricks. Its improved thermal efficiency reduces heating and cooling load in homes. It's light, reduces cost and energy in transportation.

Use double wall glass in windows so as to reduce direct heat gain and glare while maximising the sunlight entering your rooms.

Paint your exteriors and room walls with ecofriendly non-toxic paints that don't use petrochemicals involved in the creation of traditional paints that can pollute the atmosphere through toxic fumes when discarded irresponsibly.

A green building is environmentally responsible and resourceefficient through its lifecycle: from design, construction, operation to maintenance, renovation, and demolition.

You can bring in 'green elements' into any building design, but the formal term 'green building' is used typically for one that has been certified through a rating system such as LEED or GRIHA. Ratings are based on points on a 1-100 scale across major categories such as energy, water efficiency, materials.

US-based LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the dominant global rating system, also popular in India. TERI's GRIHA is the Indian equivalent of LEED. It uses a star rating (five stars equivalent to LEED's platinum rating).

Rating cost is typically 5-6 lakh, but TERI introduced the SVAGRIHA system (under GRIHA) that reduces cost to 1 lakh approx.

TOI (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-22/home-garden/31382320_1_green-tea-actress-gul-panag-rishi-attari)

‘ग्रीन होम’ बनाएँगी गुल पनाग (http://hindi.webdunia.com/%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AE-%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B2/%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%B9%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%AE-%E0%A4%AC%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%8F%E0%A4%81%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%80-%E0%A4%97%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B2-%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%97-1091117064_1.htm)

General Cable India plant inaugurated in Himachal (http://hillpost.in/2012/04/27/general-cable-india-plant-inaugurated-in-himachal/44440/latest-news/hp_bureau)
Infosys Hyderabad building gets green tag (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/info-tech/article3332685.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home)
Save money, go green (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/save-money-go-green/256413-62-132.html)

Many, if not all, are seeking to redesign their lifestyles and get into the green mode. India is also part of this transformation

Ashok K. Verma

While it took a few thousand years for man to pass from Paleolithic to Neolithic tools, it has taken less than a century to shift from conventional weaponry to nuclear devices. Development has been so rapid that nature has not had time to adapt to these changes, and to human requirement and greed.

Our growing consumer economy and industrialization have led to the creation of huge megalopolises and human activities are causing an irreversible damage to the global environment due to extensive emission of greenhouse gases. Rising concern about the environment in response to global warming is driving thinkers to seek some sustainable solutions and are forcing people to reconsider and amend their ways of living to become more eco-friendly.

Many, if not all, are seeking to redesign their lifestyles and get into the green mode. India is also part of this transformation.

The green building concept broadly integrates many interests and aspects of sustainability, emphasizing reduction of environmental impacts through a holistic approach to land and building uses and construction strategies. Unlike a conventional structure, green buildings incorporate several sustainable features such as efficient use of water, energy efficiency, eco-friendly environment, use of renewable energy, use of recycled/recyclable materials, effective use of landscape, effective control and building management systems, and improved indoor quality for health and comfort.

Green buildings create value for occupants, increase property values and may be eligible for incentive programmes. Substantial savings are realized on a per square foot basis when energy consumption is reduced. Green buildings offer easier maintenance and lower operating costs, which translate to a higher market valuation.

The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) was formed in 2001 by the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Godrej Green Business Centre, and is continuously striving towards the wide adoption of green building concepts in the Indian industry. In the last 10 years, more than 687 projects have been registered or certified under IGBC’s green building guidelines developed in India. About 450 million sq. ft of built-up area is coming up as green buildings. This includes hotels, hospitals, and commercial, institutional and factory buildings.

Let us look at the hospitality sector. Hotel construction in India ranked second in Asia in 2011, with around 500 projects and approximately 90,000 rooms. Nearly 60% of the country’s high-end hotels are located in Bangalore, Pune, Mumbai, Chennai and New Delhi.

Key companies include the InterContinental Hotels Group, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Hyatt, Hilton, Accor, Tata, Oberoi and ITC group with 300 branded hotels to be launched by 2015.

It’s interesting that much of the pressure to go green is coming from environmentally sensitive guests who are growing in number and favour eco-friendly hotels to energy guzzlers. The hospitality industry is acknowledging the long-term benefits to be reaped in terms of reduced maintenance and energy saving, especially when energy costs are escalating. With technology constantly improving and becoming cost-effective, initiatives that seemed too expensive just a short while earlier are now within reach of most hotels going for green certification.

In India, the ITC Gardenia, a luxury hotel in Bangalore, was awarded the US Green Building Council LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) platinum rating, making it the first hotel in India to achieve the highest rating for green buildings.

Understanding the green advantage, ITC now has a platinum rating for all its luxury hotels—the ITC Windsor in Bangalore, the ITC Mughal in Agra, the ITC Sonar in Kolkata, the ITC Kakatiya in Hyderabad, the ITC Grand Central and the ITC Maratha in Mumbai, and the ITC Maurya in New Delhi. The Leela Palace Hotel in New Delhi has also been certified platinum.

The Pune Marriott Hotel and Convention Centre has been awarded gold certification as has the Heritage Madurai Hotel and Resort, while the Fortune Select at Lavasa has a silver rating. Many hotels are registered for LEED certification such as Piccadilly Hotels for its forthcoming Hyatt Regency properties at Gurgaon and Ludhiana for a gold rating.

A few of the salient green features incorporated in these buildings are zero water discharge, 25-40% energy savings over conventional buildings, 40% reduction in potable water use, use of treated greywater for flushing, air conditioning and landscaping, use of fly ash in bricks and concrete, high efficiency equipment, and eco-friendly housekeeping practices.

The three R’s have an important role to play in the construction of a green building—recycling (of old material), reduction (of wastage) and re-use (of material).

With the number of green buildings expected to multiply, the energy requirements of Indian cities may change, transforming traditional urban culture. We hope for the best.

Ashok K. Verma has been managing hospitality projects and engineering for the last three decades. He is associated with the development of green hotels and is currently working on two such projects.

livemint (http://www.livemint.com/2012/05/24214239/Hotels-in-India-going-green.html)

RANCHI: Like Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and other big cities, Ranchi will also get green buildings now.

Central Institute of Psychiatry Kanke, National Law University (constructed last year), Indian Institute of Management Ranchi, which is under construction, and Central University of Jharkhand, are among the first buildings to have subscribed to the idea. This concept will lead to less energy consumption and will provide more comfort to the occupants.

Consultant of the Association for Development and Research of Sustainable Habitats (ADaRSH) R S Prasad said, "It is extraordinary that Ranchi has shown interest in developing green and eco-friendly habitats. Green and sustainable buildings are required for healthy living in Jharkhand."

Founded jointly by The Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi and the Union ministry of new and renewable energy, ADaRSH promotes green building concepts in India through Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA).

"There are over 200 GRIHA registered buildings in India currently," said Prasad. GRIHA is India's national ratings system for green buildings.

Central University of Jharkhand (CUJ) has applied for four-star GRIHA ratings. With it the university campus will use minimum energy to power itself; use efficient equipment to meet its lighting, air-conditioning, and other needs, maximize use of renewable sources of energy; use efficient waste and water management practices; and provide comfortable and hygienic indoor working conditions.

CUJ vice-chancellor D K Khating suggests centres of learning must be green. "Eco-friendly environment and green campus will make our students more mentally agile. The polluted environment has a bearing on students' concentration and overall learning," said Khating.

Recently, faculty members from GRIHA, Union ministry of new and renewable energy, Central Public Works Department and TERI held a consultation with representatives of various universities here.

The stakeholders presented Bihar Police Academy (BPA), being built by the Bihar Police Building Construction Corporation in Rajgir as model. BPA is the first building in Jharkhand and Bihar that has got registered with GRIHA for five star rating.

A GRIHA official said in the years to come several buildings in Jharkhand will be eco-friendly. In 2009, the committee of secretaries of the Centre had made it mandatory for all central government buildings to follow GRIHA norms and have at least three star ratings. The same is also applied for all public sector undertakings in the country.

"The Central government buildings and PSUs are showing an interest in the process. After they are GRIHA rated, all such buildings will be using less energy but will continue to provide equal comfort," said the official.

TOI (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-21/ranchi/31800150_1_green-rating-green-buildings-eco-friendly-buildings)

We know that Hyderabad Airport terminal is a green building. Does anybody know any green railway station or any green bus stop terminal in India? Wold Class Railway Stations & Bus Terminals should be green, isn't it?

Since when did we had a world class railway station in india

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to install rainwater harvesting structures (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-02/jaipur/31983241_1_recharge-water-table-rainwater-harvesting)
HMR's eco-friendly stations floor official (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/article3531457.ece)

Metro stations are slowly incorporating green concepts. Soon we may have green railway stations.

SUSHMITA CHOUDHURY AGARWAL, ET Bureau Jun 4, 2012, 08.19AM IST

The phrase 'green hotel' is searched 2,900 times on Google in India-the 12-month average of user queries-and 60,500 times across the globe. We could be optimistic and say that it reflects the rise in the number of environmentalists, but perhaps the reason is not entirely altruistic.

Taking the eco-friendly route improves a hotel's bottom line and most smart operators pass on the savings to guests by way of lower room rates. After all, if a hotel can save over Rs 33 lakh simply by switching to PL lamps or CFL, as in the case of The Orchid in Mumbai, going green all the way is sure to save much more. In recent times, the hotel industry has jumped on to the eco-friendly bandwagon, with every upcoming resort aspiring to the haloed green tag, and the existing ones trying to integrate sustainable practices without rebuilding from scratch. That's why initiatives such as installing chlorofluorocarbon-free air conditioners, rainwater harvesting, tapping solar and wind power to become energy-efficient, linen reuse programmes, and recycling waste are becoming as common as toiletries by the basin.

These efforts translate into considerably lower energy and water consumption, which means a smaller carbon footprint as well as lower operational costs. For instance, using locally sourced or indigenous building material not only shaves off transportation costs but is also a more efficient way to tackle the elements. Says Krishan Singh, business head, domestic holidays, Yatra.com: "A ballpark estimate of the kind of savings a hotel can notch up in a year with its eco-sensitive initiatives would be around 20-25%." So it's practically a crime to not pass on some of this to end-users.

To be sure, any interested hotelier needs to be aware that building a green resort is more expensive in the initial stages. According to experts, setting up a truly green hotel costs roughly 15-30% more as project cost. Installing renewable energy sources, insulated facades, waste management systems and the like are additional expenses. But this initial investment can be recovered within two-three years, after which you can bet on savings in the day-to-day operational cost. Gone are the days when green hotels commanded premium prices for being a novelty. "Today, module rates are not driven by initiatives and cannot be put on the guest's shoulder," says Manish Dayya, general manager, Raintree.

Here are some of our favourite green hotels across the country where you can do your bit to save the planet without breaking the bank.

The Raintree, Anna Salai, Chennai

Room rate: Rs 8,343

Savings: You save between Rs 1,150 and Rs 3,200 compared with stays at similar starred hotels in the city, such as The Park Chennai (Rs 9,493), Vivanta by Taj (Rs 9,714) and Radisson Blu (Rs 11,571).

Green USP: The hotel group is 100% energy self-sufficient. It produces energy through its own windmills, generating exactly as much energy as it requires. By reducing the flow rate of bathroom showerheads and washbasin taps from the standard 12-15 litre per minute to 8-9 litre a minute has cut its water consumption by half.

Nameri Eco Camp, Nameri, Assam

Room rate: Rs 1,500

Savings: The Nameri national park is Kaziranga's wallflower cousin, perhaps because it does not house tigers and is more of an ornithologist's paradise. This means the tariff at the only place worth staying in the area is 40-80% cheaper than the eco-friendly dwellings in Kaziranga.

Green USP: The ethnic cottages and thatched tents blend into the verdant surroundings and make for an ideal setting for 300 odd bird species that inhabit the sanctuary. What's cooking? Freshly caught fish from the river alongside, what else?

Alila Diwa, Goa

Room rate: Rs 7,783

Savings: The other five star hotels in south Goa cost over Rs 9,000 a night, so a stay here is at least 16% cheaper.

Green USP: All the material used in building the hotel was sourced locally. For instance, an abundance of the region's eco-friendly brick red laterite stone can be seen throughout the hotel. From the design stage, due consideration was given to leaving the existing forest intact and conserving the surrounding paddy fields. This makes the property a bird watcher's paradise.

The Orchid, Mumbai

Room rate: Rs 9,647

Savings: According to Hotels.com, the average hotel room rate in Mumbai in 2011 was Rs 6,539. In five star hotels, this can go up to Rs 14,500 a night and the average price in this category is Rs 10,000 (Expedia.co.in). This makes The Orchid's rates, which includes breakfast, airport transfers and Wi-Fi, 13% cheaper than the category average.

Green USP: It is a zero garbage hotel, among the first in the country to achieve this goal. The hotel has an ongoing vermiculture project on site that not only eliminates the garbage but also takes care of the gardens in and around the hotel.

Floatel, Kolkata

Room rate: Rs 4,648

Savings: This unique floating hotel, located just minutes from the bustling Park Street, is by far the cheapest four-star property in the city. What's more, its tariff actually matches the average hotel rate in the area.

Green USP: By applying its 3-R motto-reduce, reuse and recycle-to its waste management programme, the hotel manages to recycle 15 kg of solid waste daily.

The Fern Gir Forest Resort, Gujarat

Room rate: Rs 6,300

Savings: Wouldn't you say that a luxury resort that costs just Rs 1,000 more than the average room rates in the Sasan Gir area is a complete steal?

Green USP: Organic, home-grown food, rustic furniture that's mostly made from reclaimed wood, and the energy and water conservation drives have earned this property an Ecotel certification.

The Green Magic Resort, Wayanad, Kerala

Room rate: Rs 8,500

Savings: The three other equally well-known resorts allowing guests to literally branch out-Treehouse Hideaway in Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh, The Machan in Maharashtra, and Jaipur's The Treehouse Resort-cost upwards of Rs 14,000 a night per couple.

Green USP: All the high-flying rooms, about 80-90 ft above the ground, have been built using biodegradable material used by the native tribal population and consist of one bedroom with attached bathroom. We especially like the ingenious water counterweight cane lift that is the only way to access one of the treehouses.

Shaam-e-Sarhad Village Resort, Kutch, Gujarat

Room rate: Rs 3,200

Savings: It's hard to put a value since it's the only initiative of its kind in the area. However, the fact that the rate includes accommodation for two in an eco tent with an attached bathroom, all meals and a live folk music performance, makes it a pretty good deal. If you are willing to shell out Rs 1,000 extra, you can choose to stay in one of the bunghas, the roomier traditional mud huts in the area.

Green USP: While most true green resorts think indigenous, right from architecture to decor, how many extend the concept when it comes to staffing and reaping profits? That's where this resort, which is owned and operated by the local villagers, stands out. Thinking local is the surest way to ensure that a resort goes easy on the planet.

ET (http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-06-04/news/32007690_1_hotel-group-lower-room-rates-renewable-energy-sources)

An R&D centre gives back more power than it takes; a residential complex and a hospital have cut power and water consumption by 40-60 per cent. Green buildings are gaining momentum and could account for 20 per cent of all construction by 2030.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/photo/14315068.cms

If you want a taste of the green building movement in India, there are plenty of interesting places to visit in cities. ZedEarth, a residential enclave being developed about 20 km from the heart of Bangalore, is as good a place as any if your interest is in green homes. This 20-acre enclave is being developed for around 130 villas that do not rely on the external world for basic needs, barring 15 per cent of its power requirements. It does not use deep bore wells but would have sufficient fresh water. No sewage or water or waste is let out of the enclave, except things like old electronic equipment or some recyclable items.

Zed Earth is not sold at a premium. It does not use sophisticated technology either. It uses instead a sophisticated mindset to analyse the finer points of living and save resources. Most of its electricity needs are met by solar panels, and unused electricity is given to the grid. All the water is recycled, bio waste composted, and clinical waste used in 'scientific landfills' inside the enclave. Recycling agencies take care of the rest of the waste. The villas themselves are marvels of low-footprint design, bringing nature inside as much as possible. It restricts water and energy use by nearly 60 per cent of non-green homes.

ZedEarth is built by Biodiversity Conservation India Ltd (BCIL), which had built India's first platinum-rated green home in the city. Set up in 1995, BCIL has remained small and has focused on developing deeplyresearched and intensely-specific homes for different locations. "We consider ourselves pioneers rather than leaders," says its founder-chairman Chandrashekar Hariharan. This is because BCIL's efforts are increasingly being muffled by the din of larger and more ambitious projects now sprouting around the country. According to the India Green Building Council (IGBC), 450 million square feet of green homes have come up in India now. This is apart from the green homes certified by Griha, the agency managed by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).

http://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com/photo/14315086.cms

The Indian green building movement is now so deep and vast that it promises to change the course of its construction industry. The country has 1.2 billion square feet of green buildings being built or ready, and pre-certified by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), of which IGBC is the representative in India. It has another 105 million square feet of Griha-certified buildings ready or being built. India's total built-up space is 25 billion square feet, and it is expected to increase to 80 billion by 2030. The share of green buildings in this construction boom could be as high as 20 per cent. New cities, such as those coming up along the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), would have a substantially higher green building component. Says Prem Jain, chairman of IGBC: "Since 60 per cent of the buildings that would exist in 2030 are yet to be built, we have a big opportunity to develop environment-friendly cities in the country." IGBC estimates that green building products provide a $100-billion opportunity by 2015.

http://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com/photo/14309921.cms

The country's green buildings span a large variety. They include corporate campuses, residential complexes, R&D units, commercial complexes, universities, hospitals, factories, schools, hotels and so on. The truly environment-conscious aim for nothing less than a platinum rating, and sometimes exceed even all LEED requirements. The government, aided by the National Building Code and energy efficiency laws, has been pushing all builders to confirm to minimum standards in cities and towns. Some municipalities (Pimpri in Maharashtra is an example), seeing the reduced need for services in green buildings, now offer incentives in the form of lower taxes. New campuses of the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) are being developed as zero waste campuses. The green building movement has penetrated even slums, as is evident from the slum rehabilitation at Lonar in Maharashtra. Says Priyanka Kochhar, programme manager of Griha: "We develop ratings for green buildings right from slums to large multistoried complexes."

Noida near Delhi is one of the nodes of the green building movement. The builder 3C was an early mover. 3C built what was the country's largest green apartment complex. Called Lotus Boulevard, this was planned as a 500-unit complex, but all of it was immediately sold out and the enclave ended with 3000 units. The success of this project and some incentives by the Uttar Pradesh government have led to a rush of green building development in Noida. None of them is probably more impressive than the Bayer ECB Centre of Excellence. It claims to have bagged highest number of points in its LEED certification process, making it the greenest LEED certified building in the world.

The building is the R&D centre of Bayer Material Science. It is inside a larger campus of Bayer, with buildings that are attached to it electrically. The R&D centre, which has solar panels, draws power from the other building at night but gives it back during the day. Last year it gave back more than it took, thus making it a net-positive energy building, but Bayer claims it to be only a net-zero energy building. "We have ensured that we get segment-wise energy consumption data from each part of the building," says Ram Sai Yelaminchili, head of the centre. "That helps us monitor and control energy consumption efficiently."

http://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com/photo/14315122.cms

The R&D centre becomes a net zero energy building not by generating a lot of electricity but by incorporating features that are now becoming common in many platinum-rated green buildings in the country. It uses natural light during the day, and through good design - that uses a mixture of wall and glass - and orientation ensure that light gets through without heat. High quality foams insulate the building, making sure that heat is not let in during summer and not let out during winter. "It does not need very high technology to make a building energy efficient," says Jain. But high technology helps sometimes, and ingenuity helps even more than technology.

http://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com/photo/14309854.cms

Take the Beary Golden Research Triangle (BGRT) in Bangalore, a name inspired by both the triangular nature of the land and the Research Triangle in North Carolina. This building, when ready for occupation in four months, would be let out mostly to R&D units of companies. Two major multinational companies have taken up space for global R&D centres. BGRT has been pre-certified as a platinum-rated building - the final certification is usually given after the construction is complete and occupants have moved in - and it has design features that will become common in many large buildings across the country.

Visitors would note from a distance the unusual alignment of the building. It slopes on one side, thus keeping out direct sunlight till late afternoon. The glazing lets light through but not heat. The air-conditioning is extremely efficient; the outgoing air partly cools the incoming air without mixing, and water cools it further and minimizes the energy consumption. It is designed to use air from outside for cooling when outside temperature is below a certain level, a feature that is very useful in the salubrious climate of Bangalore. Says Syed Mohammed Beary, chairman of the Beary Group: "This is the first time a private developer has built a platinum-certified commercial R&D space."

Such features are part of many buildings certified by LEED or Griha. Technology comes in handy too, especially in large corporate offices. You could have the most energy-efficient lighting in the world, but leaving the lights on all the time defeats the original purpose. In the year 2008, a study commissioned by the US non-profit New Buildings Institute showed that some green buildings do not save energy as much as planned. Many green buildings now avoid this problem by becoming smart. "Smart technologies are necessary to minimise energy consumption," says Sandeep Dave, principal of Booz & Company, who studies smart buildings in the country.

Many green buildings now use Intelligent Building Management Systems (IBMS) to optimise energy consumption. "IBMS is not just about controlling the entry and exit of people," says Srimanikandan Ramamoorthy, assistant vice-president of administration at Cognizant, who is overseeing the development of a large green campus in Chennai. In three other gold-rated campuses in the country, Cognizant has reduced per capita carbon dioxide emissions by 35 per cent and energy use by 34 per cent. "Many buildings are over-optimised," says Honeywell Automation India managing director Anant Maheswari. "IBMS can save 20-30 per cent of energy used." Honeywell and other IBMS companies have been involved in a large number of green buildings in the country.

http://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com/photo/14309837.cms

While smart technologies are useful, smart strategy works even well after certification. That is how Kohinoor Hospital in Mumbai, Asia's only LEED-certified and platinum-rated hospital, slashed its electricity bills by a third, its water taxes by a fourth and substantially increased patient footfall after certification. "When we save on water and electricity costs, these benefits get passed on to patients who pay less for their treatment," says Rajeev Boudhankar, vice president of Kohinoor Hospital. Because of the nature of their business, which requires round-the-clock operation, hospitals find it hard to get LEED certifications.

"You are open day and night, running facilities that are highly energy-consuming," says Sandeep Shikre of SSA Architects and IGBC member. This puts tremendous pressure on your power resources." The IGBC also awarded points to the hospital for some of its human resource initiatives, like encouraging employees to car-pool to work and limiting the total parking area to only 10 per cent of the plan.

Such extensions of the green concept are not uncommon in other green buildings. Wipro, which has the largest number of LEED-certified office campuses in the world, has now started looking 20 years ahead and merge its building futures with the master plan of the area. Its aim is to build an ecological plan that fits with the master plan. "We are linking sustainability across the supply chain," says Hari Hegde, Wipro's global head of operations. It is now studying the impact on the surroundings of a Bangalore campus that is being built. Companies now want to see how their campuses influence the life around them. Being green is acquiring a new meaning, which will drive the growth of sustainable cities.

ET (http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-06-21/news/32352419_1_green-buildings-green-homes-igbc)

Yusuf Turab

It is important to address sustainable architecture because the practice is almost non-existent in Indian cities. Also, there seems to be some ambiguity on what exactly constitutes sustainable architecture.

If sustainability is to be given a shape, it will be a circle. Any aspect of living that can keep moving in a circle without interfering with objects outside this circle can be termed as sustainable. In his enormously successful book Design with Nature, published in 1969, Ian McHarg argues that:

“If one accepts the simple proposition that Nature is the arena of life and that a modicum of knowledge of her process is indispensable for survival and rather more for existence, health and delight, it is amazing that how many apparently difficult problems present a ready solution.”

The key to architectural sustainability is to work with, rather than against Nature; to be sensitive so that we do not damage the natural systems. Architectural sustainability mirrors the view that it is necessary to position human activities as a non-damaging part of the ongoing ecological landscape, with a belief that ‘nature knows best’.

Any green building architect should identify places with intrinsic suitability for agriculture, forestry, recreation and urbanisation. Designing with nature at a building level is about recognising sun paths, breezes, shade trees and rock formations that can be used to create something that people can inhabit comfortably, while recognizing that natural features such as trees, animal tracks, habitats and natural drainage systems must be protected. For example, if one is to choose a device with high shading coefficient in the summer and a low shading coefficient in the winter, a vine may be used in place of a mechanical system. The vine shades the building when it is needed, and the building provides a home for the vine. Thus, both are sustainable.

By adding rainwater collection, reed beds for sewage and perhaps wind or solar power for electrical energy, the building can be independent of imported service and exported waste, keeping its environmental footprint within the footprint of the site. The final archetypal visual image is one of an isolated, self-sufficient building dominated by its surrounding landscape.

It goes without saying that the version of architecture that I described above is seldom practiced in India, or anywhere else in the world for that matter.

The latest market-driven surge in green building has had some success at bridging the gap between current building practices and true sustainability. India is now the second largest market for green buildings. The trend is completely market-driven and has been achieved with very little government support.

While this sounds fantastic, there is an urgent need in India to extend the technological understanding of sustainable architecture and to incorporate socio-cultural aspects in its production.

One challenge to India’s acceptance of sustainable architecture is the gap between technology and economic status. On one end, sophisticated technology-based solutions have been developed to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, but they require a high initial investment that only a few can afford.

On the other end, affordable, low-cost technologies, such as mud architecture, are already available; however, these do not fit in with the aspirations of the urban population. Affordable technology-based solutions are thus seen as the only means of addressing environmental degradation.

In India, environmental agendas and green buildings are often based on the precedents of developed countries. The 2004 draft for the National Environmental Policy of India received heavy criticism for this reason.

The issue of energy efficiency is more relevant for developed countries. When energy efficiency is used as the main criterion for green buildings in India, several critical issues tend to be ignored.

Studies indicate that at the current rate of population growth and consumption of water per capita, there will be a shortage of drinking water in Indian urban centres within the next decade.

That being said, the western model of sustainability works very well and has measurable benefits. However, economically speaking, I am not entirely convinced it is the best solution for India.

It is essential that relationship between social, economic and environmental sustainability should become a critical consideration for the design of India’s built environment.

Deepika Mathur of the University of Melbourne has rightly pointed out that: “By limiting itself to sustainability that is dependent on technology for solutions, sustainable architecture in India fails to incorporate the critical dimension of social and cultural sustainability without which it may not work in the Indian context. To be environmentally sustainable, architecture would need to also register the social, political, economical and cultural context of India and offer solutions that are sensitive to its particularities.”

TH (http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/homes-and-gardens/article3558934.ece)

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01121/23PPLAWN_1121650g.jpg
NATURAL IDEAS Large landscaped areas is one thing to keep in mind.

With 17 IGBC certified homes, the city is seeing a lot of green activity, says Prince Frederick

At present, 99 housing projects in the country are certified or pre-certified green. And Chennai has 17 of these, putting it at No.2, second only to Mumbai with 20. Considering that the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) launched IGBC Green Homes, a rating system for the residential sector, only around three years ago, this is quite an impressive number.

While the statistics are a reason to cheer, Anupama Mohanram of Green Evolution Architectural Consultancy thinks builders should look beyond green ratings as a marketing tool and really focus on offering hugely eco-friendly products. In other words, they should be passionate about the cause. “Builders may introduce CFL lights in the common areas, but what about indoor lighting? Builders should talk to owners, explaining the advantages of CFL lighting, and discuss how it lowers electricity costs,” says Mohanram. She cites the example of a luxury project in the city that went one step ahead and even installed energy-efficient air-conditioners.

For its pre-certified project Aqualily, which offers villas and apartments, Mahindra Lifespaces is printing a ‘green manual’ for its buyers. After the units are handed over, the manuals are meant to help residents stay green by contributing to the initiatives already in place and by developing creative ways to get greener still.

A desire for greater floor space invariably tempts builders to cut down on obvious green features, such as having large landscaped areas. “We recommend that at least 16 per cent of the land area is landscaped. We also recommend grass pavers because they aid water percolation,” says Mohanram. Not all builders will go the whole way, and the challenge before green architects is to get more of them to do so.

If builders appear to be waking up to the benefits of going green, a lot of it also due to the greater saleability of their products. Of now, 16 of the 17 green projects in Chennai are pre-certified, and a lot more are advertising green initiatives. Another sign of hope? Builders who are not gunning for IGBC green ratings are anyway introducing green elements for other reasons, for instance, benefits to residents, to the environment and, in some cases, cost-effective construction. Mehul Doshi, director, Doshi Housing, explains that his company initiated green moves without eyeing IGBC ratings. “We will officially go for green certification only for our new projects. In some of our older ones, we went significantly green because going green is good.”

Doshi is aware that green initiatives are appreciated by buyers only if they translate into tangible benefits. Residents warm up to the prospect of CFL bulbs, which lower electricity bills; or using uPVC, a cheap substitute for wooden window frames. Other ideas include heat reflection paints, solar heaters and dual flushing systems in the bathroom to save water. Buyers adopt these ideas more readily than fly ash bricks or drought-free plant species, which involve greater cost or labour.

Green rating systems work as a driving force. Builders take the trouble to achieve higher ratings to improve saleability.

More important, the systems seem to give builders the will to sacrifice space. For example, it is reliably learnt that the FSI of the Aqualily project stands at 0.8 to 0.9 even though it could have gone up to 1.5.

Walking through Aqualily, K. Prem Kumar, DGM-Projects, Mahindra Lifespaces, displays some of the lesser known aspects of green construction.

For instance, the collection of construction waste like steel, PVC pipes, and cement bags for recycling; or the treatment of storm water with grease chambers and sending it to Kovalai lake nearby.

The project is also trying to ensure that there is more than 10 acres of open space in the community. If builders and architects continue to work together for free, healthy spaces, Chennai for one could easily lead the country in green constructions.

TH (http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/homes-and-gardens/article3558592.ece)

Gurgaon may have emerged as the hub of business houses, IT parks and real estate projects but the rapid, un-integrated growth has also created tremendous pressure on the city's environment. That the city is grappling with basic necessities like power and water today is initial fallout of the concrete 'burjs' dotting its skyline.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/photo/14147836.cms

Mercicully, say environmentalists, all is not lost. "The answer lies in self-sustainable, green buildings," says Ramesh Kapahi of the Institute of Rural Research And Development (IRRAD). The institute building in Gurgaon's sector 44 meets 100 per cent of basic electricity needs - computer, lighting, fans and mechanical ventilation.

An initiative of SM Sehgal Foundation, IRRAD got the platinum certification Award in 2010 by US Green building Council. "We spent 15 per cent extra on the construction (on account of Solar photo voltaic panels) but this was an investment in future," adds Kapahi.

This is the first institutional building in Gurgaon that is designed to minimize the ecological foot print and carbon dioxide emissions due to the type of material used. For instance, wood is used instead of aluminium for doors and windows and the use of burnt brick is minimized. "No imported stones are used. This gives about 30 per cent reduction on CO2 emissions compared to the kind of building that are generally prevalent today," says Kapahi.

Commercial builders have also stood up and taken note. A number of developers in Gurgaon are going for 'green structures' that are designed for local climate, are energy-water efficient, and have low ecological footprint. "Green buildings are a natural choice in Gurgaon as it aims to minimize environmental impact," says Stevens Grant, co-country head, Hines India. The group is coming up with its 'green' building project called The Skyview Corporate Park.

First phase of the 21-acre, Rs 800-crore Skyview Corporate Park will be ready for occupancy by end-2012. The green aspects of this park include high-efficiency glass, recycled waste water for landscaping and toilets, high-ceiling dimension for maximum daylight for tenants and sensor-controlled equipment to maximize energy efficiency.

Green projects developers pooh pooh the claims of its high costs, which they feel gets mitigated in the long run and proves less costlier than conventional buildings. "Today, because of dwindling natural resources, higher energy costs and an increased social conscience, more builders and clients are using sustainable design for its functionality and savings," says Grant. With structures accounting for a large per centage of the total energy use, electric consumption and total waste output in India, it's not hard to understand why building green has become so consequential. Architects are willing to pay the higher design costs because they see the energy savings they will have in the future.

Nokia India's office in SP Infocity is another shining example which was awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification in October 2010. "The construction cost (of the structure) was around 10 per cent more with a payback period of four years but while green projects are cost-intensive, if executed well the rate of interest can be achieved in 3 to 5 years," says Poonam Kaul, director corporate communications, Nokia India.

"Nokia's payback for all LEED projects has been less than 5 years. Nokia has achieved LEED GOLD rating for commercial interiors and this was a first for Nokia in India," Kaul added.

According to Nokia India officials, benefits realised from the green establishment include 30 per cent energy savings, 35 per cent water savings and improved health (not quantifiable) of its occupants over a sustained period. "The recorded energy consumption at the Nokia office in Gurgaon is 143.96 KWH/SqMtr per year," Kaul said. In 2011, Nokia used 40 per cent of renewable electricity.

A growing number of workers, inhabitants and developers now realise that the concept of green building has vast impact on environment, human health and the economy of an urban centre. While the basic environment benefits of a surrounding would include reduction in energy use, carbon dioxide emissions, water use and solid waste, the economic benefits are reduced operating costs, and better occupant productivity.

"Additionally, the city also witness social benefits of a green building which include enhanced occupant comfort and health, better aesthetic qualities, minimised strain on local infra-structure and improvement in overall quality of life for all stakeholders," says Kaul.

Green or LEED-Rated projects do not require any special permissions. However, the process of obtaining LEED certification is a stringent one. The certification is given by the India Green Building Council (IGBC) that is governed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC).

ET (http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-06-15/news/32254603_1_green-buildings-gurgaon-realty-conventional-buildings)

If hospitals in India ever need a compelling reason to go green, they would find several in the example of Kohinoor Hospital in Mumbai. Asia's only LEED-certified, Platinum-rated green hospital (which is also the only other in the world to get this highest rating, after a children's hospital in Texas, US) is a story of smart strategy and considerable savings.

Ever since the 175-bed institution opened its doors to patients in December 2009 - a few days before it received its platinum certification - it has managed to slash its electricity bill, water taxes and also managed to attract more patients, administrators say. This, apart from the goodwill it has generated by offering many of its multi-disciplinary services at a fraction of what other hospitals charge. "When we save on water and electricity costs, these benefits get passed on to the patient who, consequently, pays less for his treatment," says Dr Rajeev Boudhankar, vice president of Kohinoor Hospital.

"The hospital is the Kohinoor group's corporate social responsibility initiative." It's not easy to set up a green hospital. Mainly because of the inherent contradictions between the nature of the business itself and the criteria a hospital must meet to be certified environment-friendly. According Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), a 'green building' must consume 40% less energy and water than a regular building, among other things. This becomes a challenge in a 24x7 operation like a hospital. "You are open, day or night, and running medical equipment and facilities that are highly energy-consuming," says Sandeep Shikre of SSA Architects and IGBC member.

"There is a lot of critical care involved, and you need to maintain a particular type of temperature and [clean] air quality. All of this puts tremendous pressure on your power resources." So Boudhankar and his green team, led by general manager (MEP) Sudesh Bhelekar, turned to technology (and, in some cases, just plain common sense) to find a solution. In 2008, when the Rs 100-crore hospital was planned, rainwater harvesting, a rooftop garden and a sewage treatment plant were already a part of the blueprint. The Kohinoor team invested an additional Rs 8 crore - on fittings, strategy and best practices - to make sure they got the platinum rating. When it comes to medical equipment, there can be no compromise. All the machines, scanners and cabinet freezers in the blood bank at Kohinoor run on regular, grid power.

The green team has tried to offset this drain on electricity with smart lighting throughout the building and solar power for things like hot water in the rooms. For instance, there are no geysers in the bathrooms; a central heater, hooked up to about 45 photovoltaic panels on the roof (which generate approximately 51 KW of power) channels hot water into taps when required. Hospitals also need good lighting, whether in the operation theatre, the doctors' chambers or simply in the corridors and waiting areas.

The Kohinoor team has provided 'sensible' lighting throughout the building so that even if many of the areas are lit up practically all through the day and night, there is less load on electricity. Only LED and CFL bulbs are used, and the four operation theatres are additionally kitted out with non-heat-emitting LED lights, especially manufactured by Siemens. An atrium and skylights illuminate almost four floors of this six-storey building, while patient rooms and doctors' chambers have large widows and light fixtures in specific places, like over the bed or the examination table. All the lights are manually operated, and the corridors have alternate circuiting, which enables the lights to be turned off when there is minimum patient traffic. The public restrooms have motion sensors so that the lights come on only when in use, and lighting throughout the building can be adjusted to need.

"The air quality inside a hospital is very important since it is directly linked to a patient's well being and recovery," says Bhelekar. "People who work in centrally air-conditioned buildings often fall sick because air-conditioners, which are supposed to cool and purify the air as well, often don't do the latter." At Kohinoor, a central chiller removes both excess humidity and CO2, and keeps fresh air circulating. As an added precaution, the hospital has also installed CO2 sensors in the more crowded places, like the reception, waiting areas and conference rooms. When the carbon dioxide levels go up, especially in the more crowded areas, the sensors trigger a purifier which flushes out the CO2 and pumps in fresh air. "In most hospitals, the air-conditioning alone accounts for 60% of the total costs of the building," adds Boudhankar.

ET (http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-06-21/news/32352552_1_green-hospital-hot-water-platinum-certification)

SURAT: The Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) will announce a new policy to promote the concept of green buildings in the city.

The policy will be announced on the occasion of World Environment Day on June 5.

According to SMC officials, builders promoting green buildings, which maximize the use of natural resources, will get some waivers in certain fees and deposits. They will also get more floor space index (FSI) along with subsidies on plants for the green spaces planning in the new schemes.

Surat, which is the fourth fastest growing city in the world, has at least 10 such innovative projects of environment-friendly buildings lined up. The design of these buildings includes creation of water bodies and green canopy along with roof-top solar energy panels along with water recycling facilities.

"The number of green buildings planned in the city is enough. We need every new project coming up over 4,000 sq metres of plot are to be a green building project to thwart the impact climate change," said a high ranking official from SMC.

"We are going to take steps to encourage more and more green buildings in the city. We would come up with some thing special that encourages developers to go for green buildings," said Manoj Das, municipal commissioner.

At present, Surat has more than 10 lakh dwellings including nearly 5,000 multi-storied structures that are above five floors.

Experts have always rued the lack of enough green space in the city at a time when climate change impact has started becoming visible.

"The creation of concrete jungle in the city without enough green space is worrisome," said Professor Mahesh Desai of SVNIT.

"With river flowing through the city, we have the best location to create a green mass within and around the city to stem the effects of climate change," he said.

The present building laws of the state do not encourage green building concepts. "Our building by-laws have nothing that encourage builder and architects to come up with green building plans. Some do it themselves for designing purpose," said Sanjay Joshi, a city-based architect.

"Builders must take the initiative to develop water bodies, solar panels and green space in their projects," said Joshi.

Velji Shota, president of Surat Builders Association(SBA) said, " We will openly welcome any steps taken by authorities to promote green buildings."

Model eco-friendly house

Surat: Recently, the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai conferred Best Innovation award to Ahmedabad-based Vishwakarma Engineering College's students for their model of eco-friendly house.

The students' team led by Advait Gaur prepared a model house which not only saves energy but saves 40 per cent water as it has a provision of reuse of water. The model is based on optimum use of natural atmosphere and so has bedrooms in north as the sun rays are obstructed while reaching in that direction and so the room remains cooler than others. Drawing rooms, gallery and moving space is in the south . A step power is placed near the house and fitted with PVC glass which circulates cool and hot air in proper proportions, which minimizes the use of fans and air-conditioners.

TOI (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-04/surat/32030294_1_green-buildings-green-space-climate-change)

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/photo/14241180.cms

The Basilica of Bom Jesus, one of Goa's most revered churches, will soon have an eco-friendly roof, thanks to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) which wanted visitors to the over 400-year-old building to have a "healthy" experience.

The massive asbestos roof on the imposing laterite stone building will be replaced by an eco-friendly galvanized sheet.

The decision was taken on the recommendations of the ASI to ensure that tourists were not exposed to the risk of cancer due to exposure to asbestos, Savio Barretto of the Basilica of Bom Jesus said.

"Last year, the ASI had done the roof work and replaced a lot of older sheets with new asbestos sheets. But in a recent meeting, officials informed us that people were protesting against the move and demanding that modern galvanized sheets be put up on the Basilica roof. We agreed," Barretto said.

"We were informed that asbestos is not eco-friendly and according to studies it could cause diseases like cancer," he said.

Built in 1604 and located a short distance from the capital Panaji, the Basilica of Bom Jesus attracts thousands of tourists and devotees every year.

Until recently, the roof of the church was covered by clay Mangalore tiles.

A few decades ago, heavy maintenance costs forced the authorities to switch from tiles and rafters to asbestos to cover the 300 sq mt wide roof of the church.

The Basilica contains mortal remains of the Spanish saint St. Francis Xavier who brought Christianity to the region. The Navarra-born saint is now the patron saint of Goa.

The Basilica is also recognised as a UNESCO (United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organisation) world heritage site.

"We agreed to the idea of galvanized sheets because all such heritage buildings in the world have discarded asbestos as a building material. I believe that the modern material would be of great help as it is eco-friendly too," Barretto said.

TOI (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-18/travel/32298166_1_eco-friendly-asbestos-roof)

By Rashme Sehgal

Although India is facing a construction boom, only three per cent of its buildings can be certified as green.

Experts expressed concern as to why the building sector remains unregulated especially since it is a major energy guzzler. “Buildings are responsible for 40 per cent of energy use, 30 per cent of raw material use and 20 per cent of land use in cities. They were also the cause of 40 per cent of carbon emissions, 30 per cent of solid waste generation and 20 per cent of water effluents,” said Anumita Roy Choudhury, executive director of Centre for Science and Environment.

But with India facing an acute housing shortage and with the government planning to construct 25 million housing units and another 200 townships in an around the larger metros, 73 per cent additional energy will be required to bridge this gap. Energy consultant Alok Deshmukh said that the challenge was to bring down energy consumption from the present 250 kilowatt (KW) per hour/ per square metre(SQM) in buildings to 60 KW/ SQM. Dr Ajay Mathur, director general of Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), expressed confidence that power requirements could be brought down by improving insulation, lighting, ventilation as also the architectural design. Environment Impact rules (EIA) presently cover only high-impact buildings which are more than 20,000 square metres in size. Builders, however, dodge this requirement by showing smaller pieces of land in their EIA. Another modus operandi being used by builders is to start construction without getting environmental clearances.

In 2008, the Haryana state pollution control board served notices to 147 building. The 2010 McKinsey report had confirmed that power consumption can be reduced by 25 per cent by 2030.

DC (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/nation/north/only-3-indian-buildings-%E2%80%98green%E2%80%99-025)

By Johnlee Abraham

In a push to the plans of creating ‘Green Energy Stations’, the South Western Railway has selected 30 stations, including the infamous Penukonda where 25 people were killed in a rail collision in May, to install solar power lights. These stations will rely solely on these solar powered lights for their lighting purpose. The railway ministry, in this year’s railway budget, had announced plans to bring in several “green initiatives” in the Railways.

“The selected stations are in remote places and face frequent and long power cuts. In the next six months, these stations will completely depend on solar power for their lighting needs,” said a senior official from the Railway division. Some of the stations that will be included in the project are: Devanahalli, Chikballapur, Peryanagathunai, Kelamangalam, Srirangapatna, Dodballapur, Yelahanka, Byatrayanahalli, Malur and Kengeri. The project will start from July-end and will be completed by December. The initial investment for the entire project is around Rs 10 crore. As part of the initiative, the railway division will use only solar-based emergency lighting systems at level-crossing gates.

“This will be on trial. If it proves successful, it will be implemented in other areas,” the officer said. Bengaluru-Jolarpet, Bengaluru-Dharmavaram and Bengaluru-Tumkur sections have been selected for the pilot project.

The budget has proposed to set up 72 mw-capacity windmill plants in the state, besides Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. There is a proposal to introduce mobile emission test cars to measure pollution levels of diesel locomotives. This will help research efforts in introducing environment-friendly practices, the officer said.

DC (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/bengaluru/sw-rly-plans-green-stations-200)


We know that Hyderabad Airport terminal is a green building. Does anybody know any green railway station or any green bus stop terminal in India? Wold Class Railway Stations & Bus Terminals should be green, isn't it?

Since when did we had a world class railway station in india

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to install rainwater harvesting structures (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-06-02/jaipur/31983241_1_recharge-water-table-rainwater-harvesting)
HMR's eco-friendly stations floor official (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/article3531457.ece)

Metro stations are slowly incorporating green concepts. Soon we may have green railway stations.

KOCHI: For all the wry self-deprecating humour actor-director Sreenivasan is known for, the sly and down-to-earth Vijayan of laugh riot Nadodikattu is not someone obsessed with himself. Like the social satires he penned and acted in, the actor is keen on the larger picture, and as a socially aware and responsible citizen, he has now to his credit the first individual green home in the state.

Work on the nearly Rs 2 crore green home, the first individual house in the state to be certified by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), a leading agency promoting the green building culture in the country, at Kandanad, near Tripunithura, a city suburb, was completed by the actor recently.

The four-bedroom residence secured platinum rating, the highest awarded by the council, by scoring 64 points. The highest rating is given to houses that score between 60 and 80 and in recognition to global leadership in the green movement, according to IGBC.

"Sreenivasan's home is the first individual home in the state to be given a green certification after we started green rating for residential buildings three years ago. It was awarded platinum certification by rating the construction materials used, energy and water efficiency of the building," said B R Ajith, chairman, Kochi chapter of the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). Ajith said that one can set up a green home by spending three percent additional to the total project cost.

"But one may need to shell out seven percent extra for getting a platinum certification," he said.

Different levels of green certification are awarded on the basis of total points earned. Homes are required to meet certain criteria including site selection and planning, water and energy efficiency, materials, indoor environmental quality and innovation and design process for receiving the rating. The certification is a critical process for council in facilitating construction of energy and water efficient, healthy, comfortable and environment-friendly residential buildings.

"I came to know about green homes during one of my visits to Dubai four or five years ago. I wanted to incorporate new ideas, including the green concept, when I decided to build a new home as it can reduce water and energy consumption to a great extent," said Sreenivasan. He was also inspired by many eco-friendly features of green homes.

"Lights and fans in my home use solar energy and energy efficiency is one of the mandatory requirements to get the certification," said Sreenivasan.

In order to get the green certification, the actor had to preserve a portion of the total land area for vegetation and lawns, said Anooja, the engineer who supervised the project.

While the lawn has Mexican grass which does not require much water, high reflective roof, low flow water fixtures, rainwater harvesting and use of materials with recycled content are the other green measures incorporated in design.

TOI (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-02/kochi/32507401_1_green-rating-platinum-certification-energy-efficiency)

Mahindra REVA Electric Vehicle Company plant awarded Green Factory platinum rating (http://www.rushlane.com/mahindra-reva-electric-vehicle-company-plant-awarded-green-factory-platium-rating-1238232.html)
Green Roofs: Ideal for Green Building in India? (http://www.green-buildings.com/content/782471-green-roofs-ideal-green-building-india)

Aswathy Rajani Jul 6, 2012, 10.49PM IST

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The city will soon get its first green building. The building, which will come up on the Kerala Water Authority premises, will house the Central Control Unit of KWA.

The building has been designed by architect G Shankar of the Habitat Technology group. "The building will have all the facets of a green construction that will foster efficient use of energy and water," said Shankar.

The 10-storeyed-building, in addition to a central control unit will also house the managing director's block, the boardroom and the administration block. "There is also a plan to allot space to occupy the Jalanidhi office, the sister organisation of KWA," said KWA managing director Ashok Kumar.

The Rs 33 crore project will be located in the plot lying parallel to the Manaveeyam-Vellayambalam road. The total built up area will be 10,000 square metres. The building materials used in a green building would be mostly recyclable and renewable. Half of the curtain walls of the building would be made of mud blocks.

The building will employ solar energy to reduce power consumption. Other than this, water harvesting and conservation methods too will be used to construct the structure. "It would have an energy efficient cooling system rather than air conditioners that eat a lot of power," said Kumar. The rainwater will be used for flushing, washing, gardening purposes.

Other facilities in the building include e-toilets, cafeteria, recreational spaces and a gymnasium. The green area doesn't confine to the gardens, the balcony space in all the floors would have plants too. Apart from the plan also has an extensive parking area.

KWA will invite tenders for construction of the building in two weeks and the project would be completed in about 12 to 15 months, said Kumar.

TOI (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-06/thiruvananthapuram/32565362_1_green-building-building-materials-solar-energy)

Vijesh Kamath, Bangalore, Aug 16, 2012, DHNS :

* Code seeks to make them eco-friendly

New buildings being planned in Karnataka may become more energy efficient and environmentally friendly than the ones currently standing.

The State’s version of the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), which specifies the energy performance requirements for buildings, is in the last stages of finalisation and will be initially implemented in all new government buildings.

ECBC was launched by the Ministry of Power in 2007 to promote energy efficiency in the building sector. ECBC-Karnataka is being framed to suit the regional and climatic conditions of the State.

The code has requirements for architects and engineers to apply energy-conservation principles and techniques in their designs for new buildings (green buildings) as well as for alterations to existing buildings.

Nodal agency

A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary S V Ranganath in Bangalore on August 7 obtained feedback on the draft code from various departments, including energy, public works, office of the chief electrical inspector, principal chief architect and other stakeholders, according to officials in the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL). KREDL is the nodal agency for promoting energy conservation in the State. The final version of the ECBC will now be placed before the State Cabinet for clearance.

Initially, new government buildings will have to suit the specifications under the code which includes lighting, ventilation, building envelope, electrical systems, heating and air conditioning, piping and duct work.

For instance, the schedule under lighting will specify the number and wattage of lamps for a particular building, automatic lighting shutoff requirements if any, lamp efficacy of exterior lamps, etc. The schedule under energy include maximum allowable distribution transformer losses, installation of energy-efficient motors among others, the officials said.

Analyses conducted through energy simulation indicate that ECBC-compliant buildings use 40 per cent to 60 per cent less energy when compared with normal buildings.

Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje said ECBC is a step towards the State government’s endeavour to conserve energy.

Monetary benefits

“We have already taken measures to conserve energy by promoting the use of Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CLF), installation of energy-efficient pumpsets and developing solar villages.

It will not only help in saving power but will also have monetary benefits,” she said.

During the first stage of ECBC implementation, the State government plans to rope in the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to conduct training programmes for government engineers and architects on energy-conservation principles.

DHNS (http://www.deccanherald.com/content/272186/state-targets-buildings-brighter-future.html)

Neha Lalchandani, TNN Sep 3, 2012, 01.32AM IST

NEW DELHI: The focus of energy efficiency has usually been large buildings, whether residential or commercial. Now, there is a project that will help smaller buildings reduce their carbon footprint. An offshoot of GRIHA — the green rating for integrated habitat assessment — SVAGRIHA has been conceptualized especially for buildings that are less than 2,500 sq m.

The project was launched earlier this year by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and new and renewable energy ministry. According to Mili Majumdar, director of TERI's sustainable habitat division, the cumulative contribution of energy guzzling small buildings to climate change is quite large which is why the need was felt to draw up a focused programme for this kind of architecture. "Unlike GRIHA where a building is evaluated on 34 criteria, SVAGRIHA will evaluate buildings on 14 parameters. Once a building has been planned, the SVAGRIHA team will step in to advice on energy efficiency measures that can be adopted. People can also put up information about their buildings online and will get a list of steps that they can adopt suiting their needs," she said.

In India, about 30% of the energy consumption is attributed to the buildings sector, out of which residential and commercial buildings contribute 24% and 6% respectively, says TERI. While GRIHA with its complex system of analysis was created for large establishments, there was a need to simplify the process for smaller buildings and also bring builders of tier 2 and 3 towns under the green rating umbrella. The cost of registration and evaluation for the projects will be between Rs 60,000 and Rs 1,00,000.

The process for getting a SVAGRIHA rating includes registering with ADaRSH (Association for Development and Research of Sustainable Habitats), submission of calculations that determine possible energy efficient methods, drawings and other documents as required. The calculations, available on SVAGRIHA website, will use data like area under construction and quantity of material used. It will also provide recommendations to improve the environmental performance of the building.

The submissions will be reviewed under SVAGRIHA parameters and a site visit will be carried out post construction to determine how and what measures have been put in place. Finally, a GRIHA certified evaluator will assess the building and award the rating.

TOI (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-03/delhi/33562554_1_mili-majumdar-buildings-habitat-assessment)

ITC becomes world’s largest LEED Platinum rated hotel (new constructions) with ITC Grand Chola (http://www.expresshospitality.com/latest-updates/491-itc-becomes-world-s-largest-leed-platinum-rated-hotel-new-constructions-with-itc-grand-chola)
Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike goes green (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-06/bangalore/33648620_1_windmills-street-lights-hybrid)
Swiss govt to help make Indian buildings more energy efficient (http://zeenews.india.com/business/realestate/property-frills/swiss-govt-to-help-make-indian-buildings-more-energy-efficient_57964.html)

India is witnessing a tremendous growth in infrastructural development. The construction industry reflects one of the largest economic activities of the country. As the sector is growing rapidly, preserving the environment poses many challenges and at the same time presents wonderful opportunities for various stakeholders.

The demand for energy, water and materials for construction has been growing enormously over the years and the need has arisen to address the minimization of natural resources for the building construction and their associated impact on environment. Building sector accounts for 30-40 percent of global Green House Gas emissions.

The construction sector therefore needs to play a responsible role towards preservation of the fragile environment. In this regard, green buildings can play a catalytic role in addressing environmental issues and concerns.

The major benefits of green buildings include energy savings to the tune of 40-50 percent and water savings of about 20-30 percent, intangible benefits which includes: enhanced ventilation, better views and day lighting that significantly improve the productivity of the occupants, green corporate image and it also demonstrates the company's commitment to environmental protection

Green Buildings movement in India, with the support of all stakeholders is being spearheaded forward by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). The council is represented by stakeholders across the board of the Indian construction industry comprising of the government, corporate, nodal agencies, architects, designers, institutions, builders & developers, product manufacturers, suppliers, facility managers among other sector players.

IGBC, with support from all stakeholders works with the government of Maharashtra in developing 'environment guidelines' for Area Development Projects in the state. With a modest beginning of 20,000 sq ft in the year 2003, green built-up area in the country, today (as on July 2012), 1,707 green buildings projects with a built- up area of over 1.20 billion sq. ft are registered with the IGBC, out of which 267 green building projects are certified and fully functional in India. These include offices, factories, hospitals, hotels, it parks, airports, banks, residential spaces, SEZ's, townships among others.

Mumbai itself has about 250 buildings registered with IGBC, which are at various stages of construction. Mumbai ranks second in the country with 36 rated operational green buildings.

One of the biggest reasons why green buildings are now widely accepted by the cross-section of the society is the fact that green buildings make good business sense and are financially very attractive. The construction costs of a green building would be 5-8 percent higher for a Platinum building than a conventional building, the incremental cost gets paid back within 3-4 years with substantial reduction in operational costs.

For instance, the declining initial incremental cost over years of Kalpataru Square in Andheri East locality of Mumbai, which was Platinum-certified in 2008, measuring 3, 27, 000 sq ft has been 2 percent. Few of the green buildings which have been in operation for 5 years have been monitored for operational savings.

Kohinoor Hospital in Kurla with a built up area of 21,137 sq ft has seen a reduction of 40 percent. By 2012, IGBC expects the number of green building projects registered in India to reach 2,000. This in turn will catalyze more business opportunities. It is estimated that the market potential in India for green building products and technologies would be about US$120 Billion by 2015.

ET (http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-08-18/news/33261619_1_green-buildings-igbc-green-corporate-image)

NMIZ policy also includes green clauses.

Mumbai University to build it big: A Rs200 crore international centre (http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_mumbai-university-to-build-it-big-a-rs200-crore-international-centre_1734832)
Eco-friends and sports schools in Gujarat (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-06/ahmedabad/33649189_1_primary-schools-narendra-modi-gunotsav)
Puma's first ever 'green' store to open in Bangalore (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/marketing/article3808119.ece)
Mantri Pinnacle – South India's tallest building gets ready (http://truthdive.com/2012/08/17/mantri-pinnacle-south-indias-tallest-building-gets-ready.html)

TNN Dec 11, 2012, 03.46AM IST

VISAKHAPATNAM: Though the green building concept is fast catching up in India, but it has failed to take off in the Port City, which is touted to be the second largest investment destination in the state, with apprehensions over cost and concerns over lack of immediate returns.

Industry sources said that though a slew of construction projects are coming up across Vizag, no green building has been planned either by the private or government sector.

According to experts, misconceptions regarding the cost of constructing green buildings has been the biggest deterrent to companies taking up the eco-friendly solution.

"Compared to non-green buildings, the cost of construction for green structures increases by about 10 to 12 per cent. In addition, the buildings need to have skilled staff to maintain the standards set by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) once the construction is complete," said consulting engineer K Leela Prasad

However, he pointed out that while the concept of green buildings would not be economically sustainable for residential apartments, it would result in long-term savings for privately-owned commercial complexes, hotels and hospitals setting of the initial higher costs.

However, realtor Rama Kotaiah said the concept was becoming popular and that in the next two to three years the chances of a green building coming up in Vizag were very bright. "As of now several complexes have already included 50 to 60 per cent of aspects related to green buildings," he said.

According to the handbook on green practices published by Indian Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE), Vizag Chapter, every one million square feet of commercial green buildings can save about 15 million kWh per year and reduce carbon emissions by about 1200 tonnes per year.

According to IGBC, a green building is one which uses less water, optimises energy efficiency, conserves natural resources, generates less waste and provides healthier spaces for occupants as compared to a conventional building.

Experts said that two-thirds of power consumption can be reduced by using LED lamps and energy efficient transformers. Green buildings promote the construction of sewage treatment plants due to which waste water will be recycled and can be used for purposes such as gardening. Water discharge should be zero and needs to incorporate rainwater harvesting. Even glasses of windows to reduce radiation and selection of paints to increase illumination play a crucial part in promoting the green concept. During construction, maximum effort is taken to use recycled materials such as fly ash ready-mix concrete, aerated concrete blocks and majority bamboo products for flooring. However, several hotels in the city are taking 'small steps' to ensure that they are not left behind in terms of energy conservation. Sources said that a private hotel located on Beach Road is changing its lighting set-up to incorporate LED bulbs, which are energy efficient. Majority of the three star hotels in the city have switched to solar panels to meet their hot water requirements, resulting in huge savings.

TOI (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-12-11/visakhapatnam/35750405_1_green-buildings-optimises-energy-efficiency-healthier-spaces)

India's tallest commercial tower comes up at Dadar, Mumbai: A Gold LEED building (http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/press-release/indias-tallest-commercial-tower-comesat-dadar-mumbai_793764.html)
Mohali airport: A green building (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/mohali-airport-with-sand-gravel-back-work-picks-up-pace/1046300/)
Cloud-Based Solutions Offers New Ways for Buildings to Boost Energy Efficiency (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cloud-based-solutions-offers-new-ways-for-buildings-to-boost-energy-efficiency-184010261.html)

Press Trust of India / New Delhi January 03, 2013, 20:15

Amid concerns over the plight of homeless people in harsh winter, Delhi government today said it has made functional 150 night shelters for the city's pavement dwellers.

Urban Development Minister Arvinder Singh Lovely said currently the city has 84 temporary shelters and 66 permanent shelters for the homeless people which can accomodate around 13,600 pavement dwellers.

The Minister said eight teams, comprising experts and senior officials, have been constituted to inspect the functioning of night shelters and they have been told to file their reports within three days.

As per estimate, Delhi has around 60,000 homeless people.

The decision to set up the teams was taken at a meeting Lovely held with senior officials of Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) which manages the night shelters.

He said the government has also decided to construct 26 "model night shelters" with green building technology across the city at a cost of Rs 6 crore.

"At least two night shelters will be built in every revenue district so that more homeless people can be accommodated."

Lovely said government has provided blankets, jute mattress, water supply and first aid boxes in the night shelters.

BS (http://www.business-standard.com/generalnews/news/150-night-shelters-functional-lovely/104202/)

TNN Dec 6, 2012, 03.28AM IST

AHMEDABAD: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has taken a decision to convert many of its existing new buildings into green buildings, with several power saving features and employing renewable energy. Though initially the plan was to have a hybrid - wind and solar - power plant atop the sports complex and the AMC central office building, but the AMC decided to draw another list of buildings that can employ the power and water saving measures. The AMC is now employing three consultants for Rs 1 crore project to draw a plan for the conversion of buildings into green buildings. The proposal was passed in the standing committee recently.

"We want to propagate the idea of green buildings in the city and wanted to show how eco-friendly technologies can be employed to existing buildings and save costs. But before we started on the campaign we decided to begin from home," says a senior AMC official.

TOI (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-12-06/ahmedabad/35646606_1_green-buildings-ahmedabad-municipal-corporation-green-mission)

120-acre NeoTown has integrated rain-water harvesting system, sewage treatment plant, solid waste management, solar water heating and an in-house nursery

Bangalore will be pioneering the country’s first township according to the globally accepted norms of a green building. A green building is a structure that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout its life-cycle.

Spread over 120 acres, this environment-friendly project named NeoTown is being executed by Patel Realty and will find its home at Electronics City, South Bangalore.

NeoTown has met the criteria laid down by the Indian Green Building Council. IGBC guidelines include preservation of existing trees and water bodies, energy efficiency in infrastructural equipment, reduction of construction waste, recycled content and innovation in design and technology. IGBC is a national-level body that certifies green buildings and green townships. Townships seeking IGBC’s green rating can be predominantly commercial, industrial or retail and should necessarily earmark 25 per cent of their total built-up area for residential use.

Started in 2001, IGBC has put its approval seal on 295 buildings in India -- covering 1.26 billion sq ft of green space. “As a thumb rule, green buildings tend to cost 10-12 per cent more than regular buildings. We have decided not to pass this extra cost to the buyers,” claims Pravin Malkani, managing director, Patel Realty.

So far, 2,000 residential apartments have been completed at NeoTown and 85 per cent of these have been sold.

When the project is completed by 2015 or 2017, there will be another 2,000-2,500 houses in the township. “Since we are retaining the extra cost, there is no question of payback for the buyers. In fact, they will save lots of money on water, power and fertiliser,” Malkani said.

Some of NeoTown’s features include an integrated rain-water harvesting system, sewage treatment plant, solid waste management, solar water heating, in-house nursery, and long-term tree planning.

Over one lakh trees have been planted and will be nourished by fertilisers made from human waste generated at the township. The township will depend on Bescom for its power needs and will be largely self-sufficient for its water requirement and sewerage treatment.

“Nearly 90 per cent of water needs will be met from our own sources,” Malkani said.

However, Zed Homes, a Bangalore-based builder, said houses developed by them would depend on Bescom for only 30 per cent of their power needs. Zed said it tries to minimise external dependency for all its infrastructure needs, including water and sewerage treatment.

Malkani said that building a township which is self-sufficient in power needs would be next to impossible.

Despite the massive size of NeoTown, not a single bucket of soil was moved out of the building site, claims Patel Realty.

Using bio-enzymes imported from South Africa, soil collected from the project has been converted into hard bricks that have been used for building walls and roads. These bricks, in turn, allow rainwater to be harvested more effectively.

Each of the 950-1,100 sq ft houses are retailed in the price band of Rs 45-60 lakh.

bangalore mirror (http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/10/2012121220121212005556483a2667a0a/India%E2%80%99s-first-green-township-coming-up-at-Electronics-City.html)

Neotown by Patel Realty is First Green Township in India: IGBC (http://www.businesswireindia.com/PressRelease.asp?b2mid=33746)

Construction is going green and builders and contractors are increasingly conscious of employing "green" technologies even during the construction stage, writes Ajit Habbu, Regional Manager - Energy & Environment Technology, TUV SUD South Asia.

Energy efficiency in buildings was a concept unheard of a decade ago; however, some of the recent developments in energy efficiency initiatives have made buildings one of the key focus areas after industries. Green Buildings by IGBC, initiatives like GRIHA, Star ratings for buildings by Bureau of Energy Efficiency, ECBC (Energy Conservation Building codes), state-level ECB directives etc. are all the schemes, ratings and certifications brought into effect in India by government bodies.

Buildings are accountable for up to 35-40 per cent of energy use in most countries and the demand for energy is towering as construction booms, especially in countries such as India and China. This means that buildings can make a major contribution to tackle climate change and energy use. The studies show that energy usage of buildings throughout their lifecycle is highest during the operational stage which is approximately 70-80 per cent. The decisions made in the conception and design stages of new buildings as well as in renovation stages of existing buildings influence about 70-80 per cent of the total lifecycle energy consumption. The impact of user behaviour and real-time control is in the range of 20 per cent.

The IGBC Green Building rating system focuses on five major areas for all new buildings and constructions: Sustainable Site Development, Water Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, Building Materials and Wastages, Indoor Environment Quality and Innovation in Designs. It can be noted that out of the above six areas, the first four focuses on activities required to be completed during designing and construction stage of the building.

Sustainable Site Development: The site selection and planning extends guidelines such as control of soil erosion during construction and thereby reducing negative impacts to the site. It also talks above ensuring some basic amenities to be located or provided near the site within a radius on 1 km. Maintaining natural topography and landscape of the site up to at least 15-25 per cent to reduce the long-term environment impacts. It also extends insights on reducing the heat island effect through the rooftops to further reduce the heating load of the building which in turn reduces energy consumption. Making a provision of parking for visitors and provision of electric charging facilities for vehicles to promote use of electric vehicles and thereby reduce the pollution.

Water Efficiency: The water efficiency guidelines talk about rainwater harvesting up to minimum 50 per cent thereby reducing the water demand from the local municipalities. Use of water efficient fixtures which saves water up to 30 per cent as compared to general fixtures; use of maximum drought tolerant spices and minimum of turf for landscapes which consumes less water; installation of proper irrigation management system with control valves, moisture sensor controller etc.; and grey water treatment and reuse appropriately for landscape and flushing etc. will further reduce fresh water consumption. It is estimated that by implementing all the above guidelines there is a savings potential of water up to 40 per cent.

Energy Efficiency: Energy efficiency guidelines expect to reduce 30 per cent of the total building energy consumption. One of the mandatory requirements is to completely avoid CFC refrigerant which is an ozone depleting gas. Other major areas which can be focused upon are selection of proper window glass, lighting power densities, use of energy modelling software for estimations of building energy load and thus proper designing and selection of energy efficient equipment such as air-conditioning, lighting, water pumps, elevators, heating systems etc. Use of renewable energy sources such as solar water heaters, solar rooftop panels for power generation etc. can also be applied with proper cost-benefit analysis.

Building Materials and Wastages: Selection of proper building materials and reduction in wastages is one of the key aspects of green construction. Some of the key areas to focus under this heading are segregation of wastes at site itself to prevent such waste being sent to landfills. Typical construction debris could be broken bricks, steel bars, broken tiles, glass, wood waste, paint cans, cement bags, packing materials etc. These can be sent to the local manufacturing units where they can be used as raw materials for reuse. Use of materials with maximum recycle contents such as fly ash blocks, tiles, steel, glass, cement, false ceiling, aluminium and composite wood. Procurement of materials within a range of 500 km radius to avoid the transportation and thus huge energy associated with it.

Today, builders also prefer to construct green buildings due to the benefits attached from green constructions:

Improved Product Quality: Building green can increase durability, reducing warranty and callback costs. Providing an owner's manual, which is a practice supported by National Green Building Standard, can help reduce time spent on questions before and after the sale of property.

Lower Costs: While there is often a cost when switching from traditional building practices and supplies to more environmentally- friendly ones, many green building practices result in using fewer materials and generating less waste, so costs can be minimised and offset. When green practices are incorporated as standard building practice, builders can take advantage of volume discount savings, and reduced labour costs as the learning curve to implement and install different items is diffused. Each home that is built green adds to the knowledge base of building science and home performance for the benefit of the entire industry.

Market Differentiation and Competitive Advantage: Market research indicates that consumers perceive green homes to be a better value.

A recent McGraw-Hill study indicated that green property owners are more satisfied and believe that green properties are high quality, easier to maintain, more efficient, and offer health benefits. Studies also report that homebuyers are willing to pay for these benefits when purchasing their properties. Being able to offer this kind of value and benefit to consumers can set you apart from other builders.

Builders who are able to promote features such as lower utility costs, easier maintenance, and better indoor air quality are seeing increased sales and profitability and easier-to-close sales.

elp (http://www.elp.com/news/2012/12/31/energy-efficiency-in-construction.html)

In their age-old tradition of leading by example, the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs (http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/govt-approves-20-new-iits-in-public-private-partnership-model/1/236333.html) ) are now set to launch an aggressive drive to go green.

Although the 13 elite tech schools have individually been pursuing the green cause through research initiatives and awareness programmes, on January 7 the IIT (http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/shortage-of-teaching-staff-lack-of-programmes-stun-new-iits-growth-india-today/1/237140.html) council - the highest decision-making body - is expected to direct all IITs (http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/iit-online-counseling-removed/1/234968.html) to compulsorily carry out a green audit of the institutes, establish a "green office" dedicated to undertaking and monitoring green initiatives and encourage the use of green technology in construction of buildings within the campus.

In addition to this, the tech schools will also be asked to consider the inclusion of topics on or related to green technology in their academic curriculum.

...

IT (http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/iits-look-west-to-launch-aggressive-drive-to-go-green/1/240147.html)

Prasad Kulkarni, TNN Jan 15, 2013, 03.35AM IST

PUNE: The draft development plan (DP) approved by the civic general body recently, has proposed floor space index benefits to properties which promote use of wind and solar energy in their schemes.

"Amendments should be made to make constructions more eco-friendly and solar and wind energy equipment should be installed to reduce use of electricity," the amendment given in the general body by Congress leader Aba Bagul and board chairman Sudhir Janjot said. It further stated that tax FSI benefits should be extended to those who use such equipment. Discounts in paid FSI was also proposed.

"Two additional FSI or a 50% discount should be given in the paid FSI to those properties which have solar and wind energy equipment installed. The property owners should use equipment approved by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)," the proposal said.

The general body of the Pune Municipal Corporation approved the draft development plan for old city areas in the last week after marathon discussions lasting around 12 hours and speeches by 53 corporators.

At the end of the debate, elected members across party lines submitted 53 supplementaries demanding changes in the DP. Most of the corporators demanded changes in the reservations in their wards. Of these, 23 supplementaries were approved and 20 rejected, while 10 corporators took back their supplementaries.

In October 2012, the city improvement committee of the PMC had approved the DP for a period of 20 years (2007-2027). The earlier DP for the old city areas was drafted in 1982 and was passed in 1987. It expired in 1997, but was extended for 10 years since only 20% of the works had been completed. In 2007, the civic body sought another extension from the state government, which set a deadline of December 2010 for a new DP. But it was only in December 2011 that the civic administration completed and submitted the draft copy of the new DP to the city improvement committee.

The civic body adopted the eco-housing policy in 2008 to promote the environmental, economic, health and safety benefits of green buildings. The policy plans to educate developers, architects as well as buyers to change the city's scenario and create awareness about environment-friendly homes. The civic body gives discounts in property tax to those implementing these eco-friendly norms in their properties.

TOI (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-15/pune/36352217_1_draft-development-plan-civic-body-city-improvement-committee)

The first ‘green building’ of the Indian Railways developed by Indian Railways Institute of Civil Engineering (IRICEN) was inaugurated in the city on Friday by A P Mishra, member engineering, Railway Board. The Railways hopes the building will earn internationally recognised green building certification, ‘platinum’ rating.

Newly recruited engineers of the Indian Railways are trained at IRICEN. Apart from the civil engineers who get in-house training in track and bridge, many railway engineers from developing countries as well as other government departments and private organisations are trained in the institute.

“Railways is the prime mode of transport in the country. It’s important for rail engineers to be well-equipped with technical knowledge to deal with problems that may confront them . The new building has state-of-the-art facilities that will enable the institute to undertake modern training modules for candidates,” said Mishra.

“Today is a historic day as we are inaugurating the first ‘green building’ in Indian Railways. IRICEN should be congratulated for successfully utilising unused wooden rail sleepers in construction of the building,” said Subodh Jain, GM, Central Railway. C P Tayal, director,IRICEN, P K Saxena, principal chief engineer, M K Gupta, chief administrative officer, Vishal Agarwal, divisional railway manager, and other officials were also present.

TIE (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/first--green-building--of-indian-railways-inaugurated/1061589/)

Innovative Green Architecture From Across The Globe (http://www.greenerideal.com/building/1227-innovative-green-architecture/)

by Contributing Authors • December 27, 2012

Suzlon One Earth in Pune, India

http://www.greenerideal.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/slideshow_building_roof2-300x161.jpg

As the Indian based corporate headquarters of Suzlon Energy Ltd, one of the biggest players in the wind power sector, you wouldn’t be wrong in thinking that their HQ must boast some seriously green credentials.

As opposed to housing themselves within a traditional sky-scraping building, Suzlon Energy have opted for a campus approach which consists of multiple buildings surrounded by a large garden, streams and a scenic waterfall. Their aim, they say, is to create a working environment that is unique and inspiring whilst being sustainable.

In line with their environmentally friendly ethos, their premises are a fine example of green architecture. The property is proud to recycle all water and it utilises many roof gardens and additional insulation to ensure passive cooling.

It is no surprise to hear that the property also makes extensive use of alternative energy sources, using solar panels in conjunction with windmills to generate power.

LEED platinum rated, One Earth is a well-known example of successful green building within India and has become a worthy benchmark for green architecture going forward.

Most 'green' buildings may not be green (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-13/mumbai/36310608_1_green-buildings-green-certification-green-code)

Sandeep Ashar, TNN Jan 13, 2013, 01.36AM IST

MUMBAI: If you are planning to buy property, then don't get easily swayed by a project's green tag. Chances are that it may not be "green" in the true sense of the word. While many high-end projects are generously using the "green building" tag to boost sales, only a handful has availed of the government incentive for eco-friendly buildings.

Last year, the state introduced a scheme where buildings with green certification were given priority for environmental clearance, which often takes over a-year-and-a-half. However, the response to the scheme has only been lukewarm. Said secretary of environment department Valsa Nair Singh, "Only five in 300 buildings are availing of the incentive at the moment."The poor response is surprising considering that the "go green" concept is in fashion. Even Singh said she had anticipated a better response.

The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) defines a green building as one which uses less water, optimizes energy efficiency, conserves natural resources, generates less waste and provides healthier spaces for occupants, as compared to a conventional building.

The requirement of an official green certification could be one of the reasons for the poor response, said a senior state official, adding that the process of certification is tedious and can cost up to a few lakhs of rupees. "Construction material and technologies for green certification raise the cost of a project by at least 10%," he added.

Sunil Mantri of Mantri Realty admitted that getting the certification was a challenge. Pointing out that lack of awareness about the government sop could be the reason for the poor response, he said, "I did not know about the incentive even though I have three ongoing green-certified projects in Mumbai," he said. "Even green projects have to go through the normal channel."

Niranjan Hiranandani of the Hiranandani Group also said that he was unaware of the incentive. Welcoming the move, he echoed Mantri's views and said the state must spread awareness about it.

Mantri meanwhile claimed that the state needs to do much more to encourage green buildings. While admitting that the "green" tag attracts buyers, Mantri demanded concessions in scrutiny fee for proposals and higher FSI for such buildings. He said that while the state has been considering sops for green buildings for a while now, it is yet to announce these.

Last year, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan announced that the government would soon announce a "green code" to encourage eco-friendly buildings. He had said it would have mandatory as well as optional aspects such as creation garden and green spaces on roofs, rainwater harvesting, soil preservation, water efficient fixtures, etc. Singh informed that the proposal in this regard was in advanced stages.

It was proposed that citizens who buy flats in buildings following the "code" would get tax concessions. Developers of such projects, too, stand to gain concessions in fee. Singh said the proposal was in advanced stages.

Singh said that the green code would first be applied to government and semi-government buildings. The government is yet to take any stand on the increased FSI demand. Mantri also demanded that green building be exempt from environmental clearance, a demand which state officials and activists have opposed.

Project for energy efficient govt buildings awaits nod (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-01-14/bhopal/36330730_1_energy-conservation-bhopal-municipal-corporation-sadar-manzil)

TNN Jan 14, 2013, 02.09AM IST

BHOPAL: The city's old buildings may become a pioneering model of cultural revitalization and energy conservation. A project funded by UK government's department for international development (DFID) has been accepted by the department of urban administration in principle. However, it awaits green signal from the cabinet.

"The project aims at providing green solutions and promoting energy efficiency in government buildings. Old structures like the Sadar Manzil, office of Bhopal municipal corporation (BMC) are best suited to be developed into energy efficient models," said urban development consultant Rajarshi Sahai.

"It could also achieve the twin objectives of heritage conservation when interlinked with a self-sustaining management plan for these corporations," he added.

Experts say optimization of resources could begin with the adaptive reuse of 200-year-old precinct in front of the Sadar Manzil. The building structure has long been marked for restoration.

"Increased consciousness in government could help preserve a large number of state-owned buildings. The project could be an excellent example for more old buildings for their proper maintenance," Sahai said.

The DFID-funded project, which also looks at efficiency in sewage pumping, lighting, water supply is likely to begin by January end.

Green certification for large building complexes (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Green-certification-for-large-building-complexes/articleshow/18534670.cms)

Jayashree Nandi, TNN | Feb 16, 2013, 11.00 PM IST

NEW DELHI: Now large housing complexes in India can also avail the Indian green architecture certification-GRIHA for being environment friendly. So far, GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assesment) was meant for smaller buildings but now very large establishments (greater than or equal to 50 hectares) can also be developed as per the GRIHA Large Developments (LD) guidelines, launched recently.

Developed by Association for Development and Research for Sustainable Habitats (ADaRSH), in association with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), GRIHA LD will cover large townships. This includes housing complex by builders, housing complexes by urban development organizations, and housing board and public sector undertaking townships. It will also cover educational and institutional campuses, medical colleges and hospital complexes, Special economic zones (SEZ) and hotels or resorts.

Projects which will reduce the negative impacts on the surroundings to the minimum and will attempt to be self-sufficient in aspects in energy and water will be considered for the rating. The assessment will also focus on safe and walkable neighbourhoods, use of eco-friendly materials for construction, waste water and solid waste management and site selection and planning among others.

According to Mili Majumdar, Director of Sustainable Habitat, TERI "GRIHA LD will go beyond buildings and focus on urbanscape and habitats. I am convinced that it will be useful to allow urban growth with the available resources in a manner that can be called sustainable."


TERI launched a new rating system for green large area developments (http://indiaeducationdiary.in/Shownews.asp%3Fnewsid%3D19925)

Green buildings a growing trend in Bangalore (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Green-buildings-a-growing-trend-in-Bangalore/articleshow/18567801.cms)

BANGALORE: Karnataka is home to 41 green buildings, the fourth largest figure for any state in the country. Of them, 39 are in Bangalore.

Green buildings are fast catching the imagination of the people. Though the penetration level is just around 5%, the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) is happy the residential sector is coming up with such buildings. Going by industry prediction, the residential sector -- both independent houses and residential apartments -- are set to outnumber commercial buildings by 2030 in India.

Maharashtra tops the national figure with the highest number of green buildings, followed by the National Capital Region. Tamil Nadu holds third position.

According to figures with IGBC, there are 1,909 registered buildings in the country, of which 187 are in Karnataka.

What is a green building?

A green building is one which uses less water, optimizes energy efficiency, conserves natural resources, generates less waste and provides healthier spaces for occupants, as compared to a conventional building. A building is assessed based on its predicted performance over its entire lifecycle - inception through operation. The stages identified for evaluation are:

Pre-construction: Intra- and inter-site issues like proximity to public transport, type of soil, kind of land, location, flora and fauna before construction activity starts, natural landscape and features

Planning and construction: Issues of resource conservation and reduction in resource demand, resource utilization efficiency and recovery, reuse, and provisions for occupant health and well-being. Prime resources considered are land, water, energy, air and green cover

Operation and maintenance: Of building systems and processes, monitoring and recording of energy consumption, occupants' health and well-being and issues that affect the global and local environment

How they are rated

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED India) Green Building Rating System is a nationally and internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.

Part of the Confederation of Indian Industries, IGBC Green Homes is the first rating programme developed exclusively for the residential sector. It is designed to rate new residential buildings -- individual homes, high-rise apartments, gated communities, row houses -- and existing residential buildings.

Builders have to register themselves for the green rating, once construction is complete. The project team then evaluates all the possible points under the rating system using a checklist.

GRIHA rating

Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (Griha) is the other LEED India based system for evaluating green buildings. Launched by The Energy and Resources Institute, it is suitable for all kinds of buildings in different climatic zones of the country. Griha has 300 projects registered with them in the country, of which 14 are in Karnataka.

Self-sufficiency is key

Sustainable buildings take into account the building's entire lifecycle - there may be slightly higher initial costs, but green designs, upgrades and operations create savings that almost always pay for the added costs, reduce the use of other resources and enhance productivity. Green buildings are gaining momentum and could account for 20% of all constructions by 2030. They are healthier places to live and work, reduce energy and water use, and generate better profits.

Sudarshan Ananth | Vice-President and Business Head, Trane India

Recycled water must be used for flushing and landscaping, and rainwater harvesting needs to be incorporated. Minimal dependence on corporation water makes buildings self-sufficient.

S Srinivas | Principal Councillor, IGBC

Times View

Green buildings will go a long way in cooling our environment

Green buildings are a happy sign of the times, with a growing awareness on carbon emissions. It doesn't take much to make a building green: utilize locally available material, make the best use of sunlight and natural air currents, harvest rainwater and recycle corporation water, and manage waste efficiently. The initial infrastructure cost may be a bit steep, but this is offset by low electricity and water bills. If such green features were to be made mandatory for all new constructions, and incorporated into the sanctioned plans, it would go a long way in cooling our environment and keeping a water famine at bay.

http://i.imgur.com/8nWBBVE.jpg

Saint-Gobain Glass India's green building locator (http://greenbuildinglocator.in.saint-gobain-glass.com/) lists all major green buildings in India, along with the LEED/GRIHA ratings.
Click on a project name on the page to know more.

Link: http://greenbuildinglocator.in.saint-gobain-glass.com/

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