Sr.No Title Page no.

1. ABSTRACT 2
2. SIX MYTHS ABOUT BUILDING GREEN 3
3. INTRODUCTION 8
4. ELEMENTS OF GREEN BUILDING DESIGN 11
5. ECONOMIC BENEFITS 17
6. RATING SYSTEMS FOR GREEN BUILDINGS 19
7. LITERATURE 22
8. DESIGN PROCESS 33
9. GREEN BUILDING MATERIALS THAT ARE 62

WAY BETTER THAN CONCRETE

10. CONCLUSION 69
11. REFERENCES 71

Index

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 Abstract
India is experiencing an incredible growth in the construction and real estate industry. Due
to this rise in the construction sector raised many issues related to the environment and
sustainability. As per economic policy forum, in its report mentioned that in India the
energy consumption in buildings is for heating, ventilation and air Conditioner accounts for
between 45% and 65% of total electricity consumption. Another study states that the
construction sector of India emits about 22% of the total annual emission of CO2 which is
very harmful for the environment. So to handle the adverse situation a new and important
concept is emerging in India that is Green Building. So this article gives you the
understanding about the green buildings, How the green building get rating from the rating
agencies, Importance of green buildings, and examples of some companies and
organization that are taking the advantage of green wave and is flourishing.

SIX MYTHS ABOUT BUILDING GREEN

by Joel Hirshberg

If you're considering building or remodeling a home or office and are faced with doubts
about whether to build green, perhaps this article will offer some inspiration. These myths
need to be put to rest.

Myth #1 Building green is more expensive

This is the biggest myth because "expensive" is a relative term. More expensive than what?

Expensive today loses meaning when life-cycle costs are considered. Many green building
designs, strategies, materials and practices can and do save everyone money because they
generally reduce energy costs, labor costs and medical costs now and in the future. How?

In general, Green building improves indoor air quality, health and the productivity of its
occupants. They last a longer time, require fewer resources to develop and are usually
more aesthetically pleasing. Resale values of green buildings are usually greater than those
that are conventionally built.

When we consider the cost benefits of green building on energy savings, worker
productivity, safer indoor air quality for tenants and homeowners, longevity of the
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building, small environmental footprint, etc., then the initial expenses don't seem so great.
Green products may cost more initially, but in the long run, they will often save or make
you money. Here are three examples:

More importantly, however, is the effect of good natural lighting on the quality of life of
the inhabitants. It is well known and documented that sufficient amounts of natural lighting
improves learning in students, increases productivity of workers and removes drowsiness
and fatigue of residents.

We can measure the energy savings but it's more difficult to measure the benefits to our
health and well being. In the short run, the costs may seem more if we only look at
payback figures. But when we look at the overall benefits, we may find that daylighting
techniques improve the life and value of the building many times.

There are many more examples. When life-cycle costs are factored in, as well as human
health concerns, building with green materials makes good financial sense.

Myth #2 Green products don't really help the environment

Most building products that are natural and non-toxic will be good for the indoor and
outdoor environment, even though they cannot be tolerated by some due to sensitivities.
There is no question anymore about the positive effect of using non-toxic materials to
reduce or eliminate indoor air pollution. Whether it will reduce outdoor air pollution, or
save the whales, or eliminate dangerous levels of CO2 remains to be seen. There are not
enough people using green building materials now to make much of a dent on the larger
scale, however this will change.

Just as organic farming made little difference at first in national health, it's now becoming a
recognized positive force in improving the health of the nation. The same will happen with
green building over time. Eventually people will realize that most of the chemicals are
simply not necessary and unhealthy. This will become more obvious when the alternative
becomes more popular and widely used in the building industry. When enough builders
start using green materials, there will be a noticeable atmospheric difference.

Myth #3 If it's zero VOC or VOC compliant it must be green

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A great deal of emphasis has been placed on the term VOC (volatile organic compound) to
the extent that many have begun to believe that all VOCs are 'bad' and should be
eliminated. This is an overstatement. The government is interested in regulating VOCs
because some, not all, react with chlorine in the atmosphere to form smog-creating
compounds. That is, they are interested in reducing outdoor air pollution. Not only has this
narrow focus tarred all with the same brush, but it shows no concern with regard to the
toxic effects of various chemicals to humans.

Myth #4 Green building is still new and not as efficient as traditional building

The design, methodologies, materials and building procedures of the green building
movement have been around for thousands of years, albeit in a slightly different form.
Modern technologies have made green building materials more readily available, useful
and reliable than ever before. The same can be said for architectural design methods and
construction techniques.

Many people feel fed up with cheap plastic synthetic boxes called houses that are
manufactured quickly with toxic materials, quickly degrade and are often unhealthy for the
inhabitants. The popularity of green building is not just a response to the energy crises or
the health crises, but rather a natural evolution of the building industry towards greater
efficiency, purity, and harmony with nature. In general, green buildings are far more
efficient and technologically advanced than most traditional buildings.

Myth #5 Green building may work in California but it won't work here, or it's just a
fad for hippies

California certainly is one of the pioneers in green building, but it certainly is not the only
place it is being used. Green building is very popular in Europe where it has been quite
successfully implemented. Once considered a fad of the 70's, green building is fast
becoming mainstream with the help of numerous organizations dedicated to the
environment and human health.

New certification standards through LEED and others are helping to define what green
building means and inspiring traditional architects, builders and designers to join the
bandwagon. The US government which is the largest builder in the US (40% of all
building) is also very instrumental in promoting green building through design, products

4
and strategies. However, high utility bills and lawsuits from tenants and homeowners who
complain of sick building syndrome may be two of the biggest prime movers forcing the
construction industry into compliance with green building standards.

Although green building is a market driven by consumers, it's coming of age through the
acceptance of architects, designers and builders; world-wide use; extensive media coverage
via the internet, TV, magazines, national and international trade shows; a greater diversity
of products that solve health and energy related problems; and a raging entrepreneurial
spirit to develop the most efficient and sustainable products on the planet.

In short, green building costs no more than conventional building, saves resources,
improves health, works in all climates, benefits everyone and the environment and will
necessarily become the primary means to sustainability in the future.

Myth #6 If it has a green label it must be green

Generally speaking, the purpose of labeling and certification is to help consumers make
informed decisions when purchasing products. Many people do not understand MSDS
(Material Safety Data Sheets) or complex chemical names. Nor do they have the time to
research all the chemicals listed in these documents. There are several organizations and
institutions attempting to standardize the way in which products are labeled so that it is
easy and reliable to understand a green product.

While the intent of labeling is worthwhile, it is difficult to create a standard way of labeling
that will satisfy everyone. As soon as one product receives a label, suddenly a division gets
created between those that are green and those that are not green. This can be very
uncomfortable for companies whose products may not comply with the new standards. So
some have attempted to widen the definitions of green so they fit in. Or, they may attempt
to buy their way into the standard so they are accepted and thereby don't lose market share.

Still other corporations with toxic products have changed their ingredients slightly in order
to comply with government standards or other green standards and suddenly appear on the
market with green labels. This 'green washing' has tended to erode the validity of green
standards because if toxic products can receive a green label, then the label is rendered
meaningless.

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On the other hand, many legitimately pure and healthy products do not contain certification
or green labeling at all, nor do they need them. That's because labels cost money and are
not required by law. AFM, for example, has been making non-toxic finishes for more than
30 years, long before the term 'green' was even popular. Information about the contents are
readily available and clearly indicate the purity of the products. Adding a green label
would not make their product more green, it would make it more expensive, which would
be counterproductive.

Another problem with green labeling is that there is little or no differentiation between
products. For example, two similar products on the shelf, each with a green label, yet one
is made of natural materials and one is full of chemicals. To the consumer, they look
identical because they both have the green label, yet one may be far less expensive than the
other due to the way it is manufactured. In addition, and most importantly, one may also be
unhealthy; yet because it contains "unknown hazards" or "proprietary ingredients" or
ingredients that comprise "less than 1% of the total volume" of the product these
ingredients do not need to be disclosed!

Therefore, just because a product has a green label, does not mean it's green. Conversely, a
product without a green label does not mean it is not green. Hopefully this situation will
sort itself out in the coming years as the need for clear definitions of a product's 'greenness'
is critical to producers and consumers alike.

Green Building Supply is dedicated to providing clear and accurate information about all
our products based on detailed knowledge and experience so you can make informed
choices. We welcome your experience and knowledge in this regard so that everyone may
benefit.

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 IN
TRODUCTION

THE GREEN CONCEPT

Green is not just a color today! With rising energy costs, tightening budgets, increasing
populations and diminishing resources, it is becoming increasingly important that business
and individuals conserve or ―go green

Green – or sustainable- building practices help to create healthier and more resource –
efficient models of:

 Construction

 Renovation

 Operation

 Maintenance

 Demolition

Green symbolizes environment friendly practices in all facets of human endeavor

WHAT IS A GREEN BUILDING?

A green building depletes the natural resources to the minimum during its construction and
operation.
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  Main aim is to

 minimize the demand on non renewable resources

 maximize the utilization efficiency of these resources, when in

USE

 maximize the reuse, recycle and utilization of renewable resources.

 Optimizes the use of on-site resources sinks by bio-climatic architectural practices.

 Uses efficient equipments to meet its lighting, air condition and other

NEEDS

 Use efficient waste and water management practices

 Provides comfortable and hygienic indoor working conditions.

 In sum, the following aspects of building design are looked into an integrated way
in a green building:

SITE PLANNING

 Building envelope design

 Building system design (HVAC, heating , ventilation and air conditioning, lighting,
electrical and water heating)

 Integration of renewable energy resources 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.)

 Indoor environmental quality

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WHY MAKE A GREEN BUILDING ?

All over the world we are finally beginning to recognize the threat that building
construction is posing to the civilization. Buildings have major environmental impacts over
their life cycle. There are various problems arising in the present scenario:

PROBLEM 1- BUILDINGS CONSUME:

 40% of all energy

 71% of all electricity

 50% of all gas demand

 12% of all fresh water

 88% of all potable water

 40% of all wood, steel and other raw materials

1 acre gets developed every 12 seconds!!!

PROBLEM 2- BUILDING POLLUTE:

 Building contribute 40-50% of green house gas (GHG) emissions

 Building creates 65% of all solid waste, 90-95% of construction and demolition
waste could be recycled

A pie chart showing the percentage of construction waste obtained from various
activities.

9
Indoor pollution often 2-100 times worse than outdoors

PROBLEM 3- IMPACT OF ASIA ON GLOBAL WARMING In next 25 to 30 years

 Energy consumption of developing Asian countries will more than double

 CO2 emissions will increase more than three fold

 Electricity generation in Asian countries is expected to make the greatest

contribution to CO2 emissions APERC,2006

SOLUTION IS A GREEN SUSTAINABLE BUILDING

 Energy efficiency is the most effective way to address climate change

 Energy efficiency is the cheapest source of additional energy supply and the most
cost effective way to reduce GHG

 An efficient sustainable building will :

 reduce energy usage and life cycle cost

 create a better environment for occupants

 reduce use of water and consumption of natural resources

 reduce generation of pollution and CO2 emission.

Elements of Green Building Design

Following are the components of a Green Building to make it sustainable:

1. Materials for Green Building

Materials for a green building are obtained from natural, renewable sources that have been
managed and harvested in a sustainable way; or they are obtained locally to reduce the
embedded energy costs of transportation; or salvaged from reclaimed materials at nearby
sites. Materials are assessed using green specifications that look at their Life Cycle
Analysis (LCA) in terms of their embodied energy, durability, recycled content, waste
minimization, and their ability to be reused or recycled.
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2 Energy Systems in Green Buildings

Passive solar design will dramatically reduce the heating and cooling costs of a building, as
will high levels of insulation and energy-efficient windows. Natural daylight design
reduces a building’s electricity needs, and improves people’s health and productivity.
Green buildings also incorporate energy-efficient lighting, low energy appliances, and
renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines and solar panels.

Energy Systems in Green Building

Passive Solar Design

Passive solar design uses sunshine to heat, cool and light homes and other buildings
without mechanical or electrical devices. It is usually part of the design of the building
itself, using certain materials and placement of windows or skylights.

Passive Solar Design of Green Building

a) Rules Of Passive Solar Systems

The building should be elongated on an east-west axis. The building’s south face should
receive sunlight between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. (sun time) during the
heating season. Interior spaces requiring the most light and heating and cooling should be
along the south face of the building. Less used spaces should be located on the north.

11
 Energy Systems in Green Building

Passive Solar Design

Passive solar design uses sunshine to heat, cool and light homes and other buildings
without mechanical or electrical devices. It is usually part of the design of the building
itself, using certain materials and placement of windows or skylights.

Passive Solar Design of Green Building

a) Rules Of Passive Solar Systems

The building should be elongated on an east-west axis. The building’s south face should
receive sunlight between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. (sun time) during the
heating season. Interior spaces requiring the most light and heating and cooling should be
along the south face of the building. Less used spaces should be located on the north.

b) The Advantages Of Passive Solar Design

High energy performance: lower energy bills all year round. Investment: independent from
future rises in fuel costs, continues to save money long after initial cost recovery. Value:
high owner satisfaction, high resale value. Attractive living environment: large windows
and views, sunny interiors, open floor plans. Low Maintenance: durable, reduced operation
and repair. Unwavering comfort: quiet (no operating noise), warmer in winter, cooler in
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summer (even during a power failure). Environmentally friendly : clean, renewable energy
doesn’t contribute to global warming, acid rain or air pollution.

Passive Solar Heating

The goal of all passive solar heating systems is to capture the sun’s heat within the
building’s elements and release that heat during periods when the sun is not shining. At the
same time that the building’s elements (or materials) is absorbing heat for later use, solar
heat is available for keeping the space comfortable (not overheated).

a) Two primary elements of passive solar heating are required:

South facing glass

Thermal mass to absorb, store, and distribute heat.

b) There are three approaches to passive systems

Direct Gain: Sunlight shines into and warms the living space. Indirect Gain: Sunlight
warms thermal storage, which then warms the living space. Isolated Gain: Sunlight warms
another room (sunroom) and convection brings the warmed air into the living space.

Water Management in Green Building

Minimizing water use is achieved by installing grey water and rainwater catchment
systems that recycle water for irrigation or toilet flushing; water-efficient appliances, such
as low flow showerheads, self-closing or spray taps; low-flush toilets, or waterless
composting toilets. Installing point of use hot water systems and lagging pipes saves on
water heating.

Rainwater Harvesting in Green Building

Rainwater harvesting is the principle of collecting and using precipitation from a

catchments surface. An old technology is gaining popularity in a new way. Rain water
harvesting is enjoying a renaissance of sorts in the world, but it traces its history to biblical
13
times. Extensive rainwater harvesting apparatus existed 4000 years ago in the Palestine and
Greece. In ancient Rome, residences were built with individual cisterns and paved
courtyards to capture rain water to augment water from city’s aqueducts. Rainwater
Harvesting in Green Building

Rainwater harvesting is essential

Surface water is inadequate to meet our demand and we have to depend on groundwater.
Due to rapid urbanization, infiltration of rainwater into the subsoil has decreased
drastically and recharging of groundwater has diminished.

As you read this guide, seriously consider conserving water by harvesting and managing
this natural resource by artificially recharging the system.

Rainwater Harvesting Techniques for Green Buildings

There are two main techniques of rainwater harvestings.

1. Storage of rainwater on surface for future use.

2. Recharge to groundwater

a) Storage of rainwater on surface for future use.

The storage of rainwater on surface is a traditional techniques and structures used were
underground tanks, ponds, check dams, weirs etc.

b) Recharge to groundwater

Recharge to groundwater is a new concept of rainwater harvesting and the structures

generally used are Pits ,Trenches, Dug wells, Hand pumps, etc.

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 Rainwater Harvesting System in Green Building

Health Components of Green Building

Using non-toxic materials and products will improve indoor air quality, and reduce the rate
of asthma, allergy and sick building syndrome. These materials are emission-free, have low
or no VOC content, and are moisture resistant to deter moulds, spores and other microbes.
Indoor air quality is also addressed through ventilation systems and materials that control
humidity and allow a building to breathe.

Health Component of Green Building

In addition to addressing the above areas, a green building should provide cost savings to
the builder and occupants, and meet the broader needs of the community, by using local
labour, providing affordable housing, and ensuring the building is sited appropriately for
community needs.clip_image003.

15
BENEFITS OF GREEN BUILDINGS

Buildings have an enormous impact on the environment, human health, and the economy.
The successful adoption of green building strategies can maximize both the economic and
environmental performance of buildings.

A. Environmental Benefits:

 Enhance and protect biodiversity and ecosystems.

 Improve air and water quality.

 Reduce waste streams.

 Conserve and restore natural resources.

C. Social Benefits:

 Enhance occupant comfort and health.

 Heighten aesthetic qualities.

 Minimize strain on local infrastructure

Improve overall quality of life.

ECONOMIC BENEFITS

REALITY :

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Considerable research and analysis has been carried out with regards to the cost impacts of
a green building. The cost could be slightly higher than conventional building. But then,
this need to be seen in a different paradigm. The question is how do we compare the cost?
There needs to be a baseline cost for all comparisons to be alike. The incremental cost is
always relative and depends on the extent of eco-friendly features already considered
during design. The incremental cost would appear small if the baseline design is already at
a certain level of good eco-design; It would appear huge if the base design has not
considered green principals.

The second and rather critical paradigm is to look at the incremental cost in relation to the
life cycle cost. This kind of an approach could be revealing. Who knows, a building would
last for a 50 years or 60 years or 100 years! Over its life cycle, the operating cost would
work out to 80-85 % while the incremental cost which is one-time cost is only about 8-
10%

Year % increase in
Building Built in area Payback
Constructed cost

CII-Godrej
GBC, 2003 20,000 18% 7
Hyderabad

ITC Green
Center , 2004 1,70,000 15% 6
Gurgaon

Wipro, Gurgaon 2005 1,75,000 8% 5

Technopolis,
2006 72,000 6% 3
Kolkata

Payback periods of Green buildings

There is a decreasing trend in the incremental cost over the years. This trend would
continue and we all look forward to the day when the cost of green building will be lower
than a conventional building. Green buildings are well poised to grow in the years to come
which would provide tremendous opportunities to all the stake holders. The investment
opportunities in green buildings is estimated to be about 2000 crores by the year 2008.

17
India is witnessing tremendous growth in infrastructure and construction development. The
construction industry in India is one of the largest economic activities and is growing at an
average rate of 9.5% as compared to the global average of 5%. As the sector is growing
rapidly, preserving the environment poses lot of challenge and at the same time presents
opportunities. The construction sector therefore needs to play its role and contribute
towards environmental responsibility.

The green building movement in India is a step in this direction-to minimize the negative
impact of construction activity on the environment. The Green Building movement in India
spearheaded b CII has gained tremendous impetus over the last six years. From a modest
beginning of 20,000sq.ft of green building foot print in the year 2003, India is today
witnessing atleast 20 million sq.ft of green building foot print with about 80 green
buildings being constructed. The rapidity of the green building movement can be seen by
the spiraling growth of clearly measurable green building criteria as indicated in the
following table.

No. Criteria 2001 Till date

1 CEOs & senior people involved 50 2000

No. of professionals trained on

2 10 2500
Leed rating

3 No. of registered Green Buildings 1 80

4 Built in area (sq. ft.) 0 25000000

Green building products and

5 5 50
equipments

Increasing green movement

RATING SYSTEMS FOR GREEN BUILDINGS

1.7.1 LEED-US

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The United States Green Business Council (UGBC) has developed The Leadership in
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, which is the
internationally accepted benchmark for design, construction and operation of high
performance green buildings. LEED gives Building owners and operators the tools they
need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their building‘s performance. LEED
promotes a whole building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in 5 key
areas of human and environmental health

1. Sustainable site development

2. Water savings

3. Energy Efficiency

4. Material selection

5. Indoor Environmental Quality

Points

Prerequisites Mandatory

Sustainable site 13 points

Water efficiency 6 points

Energy and Atmosphere 17 points

Material and Resources 13 points

Indoor Environmental Quality 15 points

Innovation and design process 5 points

69 points
Total

RATING POINTS
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 LEED-Certified 26-32

LEED-Silver 33-38

LEED-Gold 39-51

LEED-Platinum 52-69

LEED prerequisites and rating points.

TERI GRIHA

The Energy and Resources Institute –Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment
Internationally, voluntary building rating systems have been instrumental in raising
awareness and popularizing green design. However, most of the internationally devised
rating systems been tailored to suit the building industry of the country where they were
developed. TERI, being deeply committed to every aspect of sustainable development,
took upon itself the responsibility of acting as a driving force to popularize green building
by developing a tool for measuring and rating buildings environmental performance in
context of India‘s varied climate and building practices. This tool, by the quantitative and
qualitative assessment criteria, would be able to ‗rate‘ a building on the degree of its
greenness. The rating would be applied to new and existing building stock of varied
functions-commercial, residential and institutional

Introducing TERI

A dynamic and flexible organization with a global vision and a local focus, TERI (The
Energy and Resources Institute ) was established in 1974. While in the initial period, the
focus was mainly on documentation and information dissemination, research activities in
the fields of energy, environment, and sustainable development was initiated towards the
end of 1982. All these activities were rooted in TERI‘s firm conviction that efficient
utilization of energy, sustainable use of natural resources, large - scale adoption of
renewable energy technologies, and reduction of all forms of waste would move the
process of development towards the goal of sustainability.

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A unique developing-country institution, TERI is deeply committed to every aspect of
sustainable development. From providing environment-friendly solutions to rural energy
problems to helping shape the development of the Indian oil and gas sector; from tackling
global climate change issues across many continents working in partnership with local
communities to help conserve forests ; from advancing solutions to the growing urban
transport and air pollution problems to promoting energy efficiency in the Indian industry,
the emphasis has always been on finding innovative solutions to make the world a better
place to live in. Although TERI‘s vision is global, its roots are firmly entrenched in the
Indian soil. All activities in TERI move from formulating local- and national-level
strategies shaping global solutions to critical energy and environment-related issues. To
this end TERI has established regional centres in Bangalore, Goa, Guwahati, and Kolkata
(recently Mumbai also), and has a presence in Japan and Malaysia. It has set up affiliate
institutes: TERI–NA (Tata Energy and Resources Institute, North America) Washington,
DC, USA, and TERI–Europe, London, UK. As an extension of its work on environment
management, TERI has designed TERI– GRIHA (TERI-Green Rating for Integrated
Habitat Assessment).

LITERATURE

CASE STUDY –1, CESE BUILDING (IIT KANPUR)

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The concept aims at developing plan form of a building to integrate the three basic
elements of climate i.e. light, air and water into the built environment. These three
elements of nature, upon their integration into the built form, have their functional as well
as aesthetical impact. Their functional role is much crucial in present situation as a modern
building is not only amongst the worst polluter of climate but also the largest consumer of
energy.

Intuitive approach - Intuitions are the thoughts and preferences that come to mind
quickly, in response to a particular prevailing condition, without much reflection upon the
mathematical data or analytical calculations. When designing a building, a designer does
not starts with all the analytical data that is available, but the designer follows some
intuitions to develop a form, best suited to the local climatic conditions, required spatial
organization, functional suitability, development of form and aesthetical appeal.

Chhattisgarh is a landlocked state at the heart of India, having ―hot dry and composite‖
climatic conditions. The challenges in designing for hot dry and composite climate are: —
heat is welcome in winters but avoidable in summer; wind is welcome during humid
months but avoidable during winters and hot summers. The major factors that affect a
climate responsive design could be identified as –

1. Shape 2. Orientation

3. Heat 4. Air

5. Water 6. Light

Following is an example showing the application of above stated factors with intuitional
thumb-rules in developing a form for climate responsive administrative building. ratio). It
is based on the concept that different geometric shapes with same volume have different
surface areas. This ratio is particularly important in the cases where climatic intervention is
crucial factor in designing. The final building form evolves from this conceptual base-
form. A building form with low surface area to volume ratio gains lesser.

22
heat during summers and daytime and similarly loses lesser heat during winters and night.
Low s/v ratio is considered optimal for hot dry and composite climates as it reduces the
heat gain and heat loss, which in turn reduces the cooling and heating load of building
(Givoni, 1994). The s/v ratio indicates thermal performance of basic shapes rather than
complex ones. The most compact orthogonal building would be a cube (Fig.-6.1). But for
day lighting and ventilation, large areas exposed to external surfaces are considered good
(Behsh, 2001). Hence cube is elongated to increase its surface area and form a cuboid,
which is a rectangle in plan (Fig.-6.2). The compromise made with the thermal
performance of the external envelop can be compensated by using insulating material in

Figure 6.1- comparing the surface area

external fabric. The efficiency achieved through proper day lighting and ventilation by
increased surface area is an additional advantage. The thermal performance could be
adjusted by proper orientation of building block.

Orientation – After deciding the base form, the next step is to orient the block. In northern
hemisphere, north facade of the building does not receive any direct solar radiation,
whereas southern façade receives direct radiation in winter but very little in summer. Also
day light received from north is considered best as light from north is diffused light which
lacks glare. Hence longer façade should be oriented towards north.

Objectives for further modification of each block are-

1) To minimize solar radiation.

2) To bring air into building and allow it to pass through the fabric, preferably after
humidification.

3) To place a water body in windward side, so that it serves functionally and helps in
convective cooling of the building.

23
 4) To bring in maximum north light into work areas.

Heat – Solar radiations from west and south-west direction is most uncomfortable and
troublesome as the radiation intensity from these directions is maximum when the day is
most heated. To minimize these radiations, north western block is removed and south-
western block is inclined with shorter façade facing south west (Fig.-6). As a result, only
small surface receives direct radiation and remaining faces receives lesser radiation. This
further reduces the heat gain into the building. Smaller face that receives direct radiation
can be insulated using hollow blocks or cavity walls with additional screen walls. Besides,
these spaces can be used for non conditioned uses as toilets, stairs, stores etc. that act as
buffer between habitable areas and uninhabitable areas.

Air – Air movement is a crucial factor for human comfort. To bring the air into the
structure, the most important thing is to know the prevailing wind direction for the local
area, which, in case of Raipur, is from south-west (Fig.-6.7). To use this wind, providing an
opening in the southern facade is not enough. Along with the south western block, that
deflects the air towards the building, a protrusion of south-eastern block is required to trap
this air. This creates a funnel with wide mouth inviting huge volume of air and narrow rear
end — pressurizing the air captured, thereby creating a high pressure zone. The courtyard,
being under low pressure, attracts the pressurized air, which ventilates the premises by
Venturi effect. To allow cross ventilation, a gap between northern and eastern block is left
(Fig.-6.8).

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VENTURI EFFECT – Venturi effect occurs when two building blocks are placed at an
angle to each other creating a funnel with narrow opening. Wind channeling through the
opening are accelerated to high speed.

Water- Aesthetically, water anywhere around the building or all around the building looks
visually pleasing. But from functional point of view in hot-dry and composite climate, its
placement becomes crucial. In case of Raipur, the wind coming from south-west is mostly
hot and dry and south west portion is also most heated part of the building. Therefore,
south-west corner is correct location for placing any water body (Fig-6.9). This water
keeps evaporating, cools and humidifies the in-flowing hot dry wind, before it enters

the confinements of the structure. South western block could be stilted to stretch water
body into the courtyard and also allow air to pass through from under the stilted block
(Fig-6.10).

25
Light – Most favorable natural light for better working condition in interiors is diffused
north light (Lechner, 2009). Providing longer north facade and courtyard at centre allows
ample daylight from both, exterior façade as well as interior courtyard facing facades. For
maximum north light, northern and eastern blocks are provided with openings on north
face. These blocks can be the most occupied work area as these are least heated blocks
with maximum north exposure. Northern facade is further modified form being straight to
‗U‘ shaped, resulting in increased available window area (fig.-6.11).

Modifying Northern and Eastern blocks, to harness north light

Additionally shape of northern blocks on each floor is kept different which allows creating
voids in façade, allowing for cross ventilation and penetration of north light into internal
corridors (fig.-6.12).

‗U‘ shaped northern blocks, different shapes on each floor

26
Eastern blocks are modified as north-south oriented linear blocks, placed behind each other
at different levels, southern block being highest. This provides longer northern facades to
all blocks for light and placing them on levels ensures ample light even to the lowest floor
of southernmost block (fig.-13).

Eastern blocks, height increasing backwards

Miscellaneous – Some additional measures, like concept of mutual shadowing is applied

on south western blocks. It can be done by sub dividing south western block into smaller
blocks and orienting them in such a way so as shadow of one falls on the other. This further
helps in reducing the surface area exposed to direct solar radiation. Open courtyard at
centre can be partially sheltered by bamboo trellis that allows filtered light to pass through.

CASE STUDY 2

SUZLON ONE EARTH , PUNE

CASE STUDY- SUZLON ONE EARTH, PUNE

One Earth is Suzlon’s corporate headquarters office in Pune, India. The building,
showcases itself as a building project with minimal impact on the environment. The
complex consists of an office block and a corporate learning centre. The buildings are
27
positioned on a site area of 45 392 sq.m. The total built-up area is 70 865 sq.m. The
building is certified green under GRIHA rating system. There are various salient features
which enable it to become an iconic green building.

Architectural aspects:

The architectural aspects of design are well taken care of in the building. Passive design
strategies help in ensuring that visual and thermal comfort is maintained within the
building with minimum interventions of technologies. The orientation of the blocks is such
that the majority of the building’s facades face north, south, north-west and south-east.
This enables adequate day lighting and glare control. Glazing on the first and second floors
has been shaded from direct solar radiation using louvers. These also act as important
design elements of the building and give it a visual identity. Architectural design of the
office block is such that various extrusions on various floors shade portions of the building.
Therefore, the building is partly self-shaded. In order to create an interesting office
atmosphere, break-out spaces have been created in the form of small terraces which have
been interspersed all over the office block. In order to minimize disturbance on site and to
ensure easy maintenance, various utility corridors have been provided coupled with the
roads and pathways on site. This ensures minimum site disruption post- occupancy.

Energy conservation:

High efficiency mechanical systems in the building ensure that the energy consumption of
the building is significantly reduced. All desks are equipped with LED lights for task
lighting which are governed by motion sensors. So they turn on only when people are
seated on their seats. This reduces lighting load to 0.8 W/sq.ft. Extremely high efficiency
HVAC systems have been chosen. The HVAC system has various components like pre-
cooling of fresh air heat recovery/ exchanger mechanisms to minimize energy consumption
in HVAC. Overall, the complex has managed to reduce its energy consumption by 47%
below the GRIHA criterion..

Renewable energy:

After the reduction of energy performance index of the building , renewable energy
systems in the form of solar PV and windmills were installed to generate approximately

28
250 000 units of electricity through renewable sources annually. The project has an
installed 13.44 kWp of solar PV and 18 windmills with power capacity of 4.75 kW each.

Water conservation:

Drastic steps have been taken in order to reduce its water consumption. Use of low flow
fixtures throughout the complex ensures that the building requires 65% less water than
conventional buildings for sanitary purposes. By planting only native trees and shrubs and
using high efficiency sprinkler and drip irrigation systems, the complex has reduced its
landscape water requirement by about 50%. Over 55% of the water in the building is
recycled and reused within the complex.

Low energy materials:

The intent of making a green building is also reflected in various materials used in the
structural systems and in interiors. Use of Post Tension slabs help in reducing concrete
requirement in slabs and beams by 37%. Use of PT structural system has helped reduce the
requirement of structural steel by almost 50%. Use of Siporex blocks gives the walls of the
buildings good insulation while simultaneously using waste material like fly-ash. Majority
of the materials used for interior application have high recycled content and are low-energy
materials.

Observations:

Overall, the One Earth complex has adopted very high standards for energy and water
management. The One Earth complex has taken strong steps to minimize its environmental
impact at various levels while simultaneously projecting a very contemporary feel to the
buildings and spaces, thereby proving the point that green buildings can be as aesthetically
pleasing as any conventional building and yet are able to have minimal negative impact on
environment.

Introduction -Suzlon

Campus for world’s largest integrated wind

turbine manufacturers.

a. Office Complex
29
b. Corporate learning center

Plot area – 45,392 sqm

Built up area- 70,865 sqm

Design To Construction Timeline

Stakeholders of the project

 Client – Suzlon Energy Ltd.

 Principal Architect – Christopher Charles Benninger Architects

 Developers – Vascon Engineer

 Landscape Architects – Ravi and Varsha Gavandi

 Interior Architects – Tao Architecture and Space Matrix

 Electrical consultants – Power Engineers

 HVAC consultants – Refrysinth

 Plumbing Consultant – Rahul Dhadphale

 Lighting consultants – Ministry of Lights

 Communication and Experience – Elephant design

 Green Building Design and Certification – Environmental Design

Solution

DESIGN PROCESS

Project Performance Targets – Energy

• Carbon Neutral (through on site + off site energy)

30
  Zero Net Energy for Lighting (through On-Site generation)

 PV systems integrated in design

 Micro Wind (to be evaluated)

 Biomass (Kitchen waste + STP output + landscape Waste)

• Positive Life Cycle cost of all investments Energy Systems (Except renewable
to have a payback < 5 years

Building Performance Targets

Envelope Performance

 Minimal Heat Gain (40% better than ASHRAE 90.1 2007 and ECBC envelope
standards)

 100% shaded Glazing during summer (April-October)

 Natural Ventilation Potential in transition spaces

 Daylighting (>90% Daylit spaces)

31
 Optimum Orientation and Massing

Shading Strategies

INSULATED/GREEN ROOF
Efficient Lighting Design

32
Dimmable ballasts in conjunction with daylight sensors are used throughout the Open
Office space. General Lighting at 350 Lux. The Artificial Lights - dimmed up & dimmed
down from 0% to 100% depending on the adequacy of available daylight to meet the
350lux equirement.

The Task Lights have an Intelligent Built-in Occupancy sensor in conjunction with
ontinuous dimmer. Lighting of individual offices is controlled by combined daylight and
occupancy sensors.90 % of the Luminaries in the Office space are with dimmable ballasts
& are eithe connected to Occulux sensors, daylight sensors or Occuswitch sensors.

The installed lighting of office spaces has been designed at 0.8 W/sq. ft., 0.75W/Sq.ft. for
cores, 0.23W/ sq. ft. for basement parking. Overall L.P.D. by whole building area method
is 0.8 W/ sq. ft.

ENERGY EFFICIENT HVAC SYSTEM

SYSTEM FLEXIBILTY OF VARIABLE REFRIGERANT VOLUME SYSTEM-

The indoor unit's cooling operation can be controlled to maintain desired temperature in
any location in the premises according to end user's needs and preferences.

PRE-COOLING AND HEAT RECOVERY AT T.F.A.s-

A sensible heat exchanger is used as pre-cooler to sink the temperature of incoming air
(say 38.4°C DBT approx.) to approx.27.66°C.

DIRECT-INDIRECT EVAPORATIVE COOLING

33
1) Sensible cooling of approx 130% of fresh air in an efficient heat exchanger, using pre-
cooled water

2) Further cooling of air, and simultaneous cooling of water in indirect evaporative cooling
section of the unit. Air required for cooling tower part this section is drawn from the outlet
of the same section. (This is the excess 30% quantity which has been cooled in the first and
the second sections). This air is termed commonly a"scavenge air“.

3) Direct evaporative cooling of 100% air in the final section.

Reduce landscape water requirement

 Selection of species

 All permanent planting is of native Species

 Minimization of high maintenance lawn area

 Placements of trees along with shrubs

 Planting of srubs and ground cover on all exposed soil surfaces

 Use of mulching is done to aid plant growth, and retain soil fertility and moisture

 Seasonal maintenance plan

 Integrated Pest Control plan

 Innovative ways to control wastage of water

 Use of water from non-potable sources

Other energy efficient measures

 Carpooling

 E-charging points

 Environmental education

 Integrated pest management

34
  Offsite green power

 Zero waste management policy

 Construction on renewable energy

Net impact

Performance Metric Impact/Savings

Energy use ~ 47 %

GHG impact ~ 50%

Water use ~ 60%

Material use ~ 40% offset by recycled and renewable

Cost (incremental) ~ 10%

Pay back period ~ 2 years

CASE STUDY 3

CASE STUDY OF VARIOUS ECO BUILDINGS

INTRODUCTION

Various buildings in India are being rated by LEEDS (India) & GRIHA rating system. Few
buildings are being studied for in-depth analysis of various energy efficient features &
sustainable building design points.

CASE STUDY, CENTRAL UNIVERSITY OF RAJASTHAN (CURAJ),

KISHANGARH, AJMER, RAJASTHAN

35
 Figure 1: View of The Central University, Rajasthan

The Central University of Rajasthan established in 2009 and is located at Bander Sindri
near Kishangarh on Jaipur -Ajmer Road . It’s campus is developed on green concepts
particularly focused on water conservation, use of alternative sources of energy, solid
waste management, vermin composting, green belt development, sustainable architectural
designs of building etc. It has emerged as a model campus

36
giving a message that in a water scarce area the problem of water crisis can be handled &
mitigating the impacts of regional as well as global environmental challenges to a greater
extent.

Innovation and Design Process

Central University of Rajasthan (CURAJ) has promoted ecological sustainability &
recognized environmental responsibility as a way of life. Efforts to improve environmental
sustainability comprise the establishment of the water-shed management, green buildings,
sewage treatment plant, rain water harvesting, functional composting system (vermin
composting), green belt development, installation of solar panels and solar water heaters
etc. These campus sustainability efforts help to maintain the health of the public and
surrounding ecosystems.
 Figure 2: Layout Plan of Central University of Rajasthan

Sustainable Sites
The buildings in CURAJ are designed in such a manner where energy
conservation techniques & sustainable building techniques are implemented. Green
buildings are necessary since there is 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 water,
and manage waste efficiently. This was accomplished with the coordination of
different organizations & sustainable techniques. Complying ECBC with cavity
walls of 2” thickness having extruded polystyrene insulation + roof slab with 3”
polyurethane insulation to reduce heat gain - windows protected from direct solar
exposure with the help of horizontal shading devices & precast vertical ‘Jalis’’ a
vernacular design feature of this region.
 Figure 3: Courtyards at Central University of Rajasthan

Essential area of window glass is fitted with high performance glazing. Local
stone is used for external cladding. In the master plan, much emphasizes is given on
courtyards / enclosed spaces , cutouts in student’s hostels, passive systems like.
earth air tunnel, geothermal heat exchange and two stage evaporative cooling. The
existing Building Thermal Performance was recorded on 30.05.2013 and was found
to be:

Water Efficiency
Rain Water Harvesting: The rain water harvesting is carried out by collecting
and storing rain water from roof tops and land surface. The principal
components consist of the catchment area, conveyance system and collection
device. The quantity of rainfall in Rajasthan being minimal, rainwater pipes
for roof drainage are installed in the range of 75mm to 100 mm diameter.
 Figure 4: Rain Water Harvesting at Central University, Rajasthan

Series of ponds have been constructed under the integrated rain water
harvesting scheme. The total area covered is 217 ha. The total catchment is divided
into 7 parts having area of 11 ha, 15 ha, 8.5 ha, 2.5 ha, 18 ha, 56 ha, 42 ha and 64 ha.
Water gets collected into ponds. There are eight buildings which are equipped with
water harvesting and sewer re-charge system, provide water into 30 bores raising the
groundwater table to support the green cover. Two artificial water bodies on either side of the
campus have 20 crore litres of water. Rare birds like egret, black nirds, ibis, heron and
lapwing are now regular visiters to these ponds. These surrounding ponds are helping in
maintaining the favorable microclimate of the university.

Energy and Atmosphere

Solar Power: Availability of sunshine for a larger part of the day makes it convenient to use
solar energy to meet most of its own & in a first-of-its-kind initiative, meets 60% of its
energy needs through solar energy. The university has successfully channelized solar energy
to meet its daily requirement. The university campus has four buildings with a monthly
requirement of 600 kilowatt electricity (for November 2013), of which 420 KW is generated
by solar panels. The energy is used to heat around 80,000 liters’ of water and light up 62
electric poles in the campus. In addition to being eco friendly, the method is also proving to
be cost effective for the university. It is now also planning to install four solar units of 30 KW
each and one of 1 megawatt in the next year to run 100% on a renewable source of energy.

The university lies in the tropical region and receives enough sunlight to meet 100% energy
requirements for eight months barring months of monsoon and winter. Fulfilling its
commitment of promoting ‘sustainable development’, the university has installed 62 electric
poles of 400 watt each across the university driven by solar panels. These poles automatically
become active after sunset and switch off automatically during sunrise. Throughout the day
the cells recharge themselves to a level that they could run for 16 hours. Fans, tube lights,
computers and other equipments below 9 KW can be operated by solar energy. The
production of solar energy in future will attain self reliance in terms of power requirement.

In addition to being a renewable source of energy and eco friendly, the method is also proving
to be cost effective for the university. University is now planning to install four solar units of
30 KW each and one of 1 MW in order to run 100% on a renewable source of energy.

41
CASE STUDY 4- CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND
ENGINEERING BUILDING (CESE) AT IIT, KANPUR

Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering Building at IIT, Kanpur has been taken as
an example to study how the building attempted various GRIHA criteria to make it into a
green building.

Sustainable site planning

In order to minimize impact of site development on the environment and surroundings,

several best practice guidelines were adopted like demarcation of site for construction,
installation dust screen around the disturbed area to prevent air pollution and spillage to
undisturbed site area. Top soil was excavated, stored and preserved outside the disturbed
construction site. Erosion control systems were adopted and several trees on site were
protected. To increase the pervious-ness of site and to reduce heat island effect caused due to
hard paving around the building, total paving around the building was restricted to 17%, and
more than 50% of the paving is either pervious or shaded by trees.

Water conservation

In this building, reduction in landscape water demand by more than 50% was achieved by use
of minimum grass/lawn area, maximum green area under native vegetation and native trees.
Low flow plumbing fixtures are used in the building resulting in reduced water consumption
from GRIHA’s benchmark in this building by 62%. Waste water is treated and reused for
irrigation. Rain water harvesting has been done.

Conservation and efficient utilization of resources: energy

Maximum points /weight age in GRIHA is given for energy conservation. The criteria and
commitment for energy conservation could be divided into three parts.

a. Energy: end use

b. Energy: embodied and construction

c. Energy: Renewable energy utilization

Energy: end use

42
Annual energy consumption of the building has been reduced through following measures:

1. Architectural design optimized as per the climate of Kanpur, sun path analysis,
predominant wind direction, and existing vegetation.

2. Optimized building envelope to comply to the Energy Conservation Building.

Code, to reduce cooling load in the air conditioned spaces and to achieve thermal
comfort in the non air conditioned areas.

3. Efficient window design by selecting efficient glazing, external shading to

reduce solar heat gain but at the same time achieving glare free natural daylight
inside all the laboratory spaces of the building.

4. Roof shaded by bamboo trellis and green cover to reduce external solar heat
gains from the roof.

5. Common circulation areas are natural day lit and naturally ventilated through
integration of skylights and ventilators.

6. Water cooled chiller selected that complies with the efficiency as per ECBC.

7. Variable Frequency Drive installed in the Air Handling Units (AHUs).

8. Low energy strategies such as replacement of water cooler by water body to cool
the condenser water loop, integration of thermal energy storage and earth air
tunnels enabled reduction in chiller capacity.

9. Energy efficient lighting design that complies to ECBC.

10. Integration of daylight with artificial lighting.

11. Optimized architectural design and integration of energy efficient fixtures

resulted in the reduction of annual energy consumption by 41% from GRIHA’s
benchmark.

43
Energy: embodied and construction

GRIHA encourages replacement of high energy intensive materials with low energy intensive
materials, to utilize regionally available materials, materials which use low energy in their
manufacturing process. Following few were the measures incorporated:

1. Portland pozzolona cement (PPC) with fly-ash content is used in plaster and
masonry mortar.

2. Wood for doors is procured from commercially managed forests. Modular

furniture made from particle board is used for interiors.

Following measures incorporated to integrate renewable sources of energy with the building:

1. Renewable energy from photovoltaic panels provide annual energy requirements

equivalent to 30% of internal lighting connected load.

2. Hot water demand is met by solar hot water system.

GREEN BUILDING MATERIALS

Using green construction materials has benefits outside of the obvious environmental
benefits. It can be beneficial for health, productivity, and sometimes even the pocketbook.
Consider materials based on their source.

Grown and Renewable Material

Building materials that are natural, and can be cultivated are one of the most popular in green
buildings, since they can be renewable, and in many cases need little or no processing. These
materials can all be recycled after use.

Wood

Wood the traditional building material is still popular. It is considered one of the most
sustainable. It requires little processing making it low energy-embodied. The Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using wood certified by recognized accrediting
agencies to that the harvest practices and source sites do not damage precious forest

44
ecosystems. These certificates also require that the wood is not treated by "toxic binders,
coatings, preservatives, and pesticides."

Worldwide there are 50 certifying agencies and 15,000 companies using certified wood from
700 million acres of forests a scientific article notes. In the USA, the Forest Stewardship
Council (FSC), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), and Green Globes are some of the main
certification agencies. The American Wood Council provides detailed information on
regulations applicable in different states for wood products. Wood has the widest range of
uses.

 Structural and loading bearing components like beams for roofs, wall trusses, panels

 Non-structural elements like window trim, doors, cabinetry, flooring, wall facades,
and furniture

Wood is readily available at lumberyards across the country, so call to see what certified
varieties your local ones carry.

Wooden house frame

Bamboo

Bamboo takes five to seven years to mature as opposed to the 50-100 years of other trees like
maple and oak used for hardwood flooring. This makes it an environmentally sound. Some
bamboo is even harder than red oak. It can withstand some wetting and though is prone to
scratches, can be refurnished easily to remove traces of wear and tear and look new
again. Homed it recommends checking for Forest Stewardship Council certification to be
sure the material is harvested sustainable and treatment will later not produce emissions.

45
Its various colors make it a good and cheap flooring choice and is used in making cabinets
and furniture.

Bamboo flooring

Cork

Cork is harvested from the bark of the tree, so the tree itself is not cut down. The bark takes
about seven years to regrow, so it's definitely an environmentally friendly choice. Cork is also
naturally hypoallergenic and anti-microbial. Its price is also competitive, notes Floor Critics,
who consider it being overall an attractive choice. It is widely available on the market. It can
be used for flooring as it has good acoustic and thermal insulation and for shock absorption,
points out The University of Michigan (UM, pg. 40).

Palm

Palm panels and boards are made from coconut or sugar palm stems after the tree is past its
fruit bearing years. Trees as old as 100 years can be used and the raw materials come from
Asia. Palm is ideal for paneling, veneer, and flooring according to Home Building. It is
available in the U.S. through Durapalm. Use of this eco-friendly material can be helpful in
getting LEED certification, as it is non-toxic, and causes no air pollution. LEED (Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design) certification is for building projects that meet the
standards set forth from the U.S. Green Building Council.

46
 Palm panel bench by Dura Palm

Thatch

Thatch roofs made of hay stacks from water reed, wheat reeds, long straw and ridges are old
natural roofing material, with life expectancy of 10-45 years according to Thatch Advice
Centre. Though not common, it is still used in UK.

Thatched roof

Manufactured Products From Natural Materials

Products can be manufactured using natural raw materials either alone or in combination with
others. Their properties, quality, and aesthetical appeal is equal or more than that of
conventional chemical or concrete products, so that it is not just the green-conscious users
who are opting for them.

Sorghum

Sorghum is a tall millet, whose lower woody stalks are wastes from crops or molasses
production that were earlier burnt leading to air pollution. This waste is being used to make

47
boards and panels called Kirei that is polished with natural resins to keep it scratch proof
ecologically reports Los Angeles Times. It's used for flooring, paneling, and cabinetry
notes TreeHugger. Being an annual that requires months from germination to harvest, it is
one of the fastest renewable building material; and it is non-polluting because it emits no
VOCs and has no formaldehyde. It should be possible to grow this material organically to get
a completely chemical-free product. Its popularity is growing and is sold through many
outlets like Green Building Supply and Kirei.

Kirei

Cotton Insulation

Cotton insulation is made from recycled cotton materials like scraps of denim leftover during
the production of jeans, according to HomeAdvisor. It is usually treated with boric acid to
make it fireproof and pest resistant. It is can be used for insulating buildings of various types.
In terms of performance, it is as good as conventional fiberglass. In fact, it actually has a
couple advantages over fiberglass, as it does not:

 Contain formaldehyde like traditional fiberglass insulation

 Cause skin irritation or respiratory problems.

Since it utilizes recycled material that would have gone into landfill, this material is eligible
for LEEDs certification, notes ProReferral. It is available through Ultra Touch Cotton
Insulation. It is bio-degradable and can the material can be recycled.

Paper

48
Paper is a fragile material but has many applications in building projects. It is made from
cellulose pulp, which is waste wood and is recyclable. Some of its uses are:

 Internal and external walls in Japan were made with paper. Since Japan is a region
prone to earthquakes, use of this light material caused no or less causalities when
disaster struck. There are many types of building elements made. For example, Shoji
is made of paper with a wooden frame form a sliding panel. These are still popular as
indoor walls in modern Japan, notes Japan Talk.

 Wallpapers are making a come back. Use wallpaper in lieu of paint. It is necessary to
buy certified wallpapers that do not emit VOCs, which happen from conventional
wallpaper according to Poplar.

Paper Shoji wall

Biocomposites

An ever-increasing number of fibers are being used to make biocomposites. Many are
available as prefabricated particle boards. These are usually made of more than one material
to provide complementary properties, and bound by resins according to a Stanford University
study. These are renewable, biodegradable, recyclable and more varieties and mixtures are
constantly being researched. Material is sourced from crop residues making use of waste.
However given the rise in demand, many high yielding annual and perennial crops are being
grown specifically to make bio-composites. The plant material used to make these
biocomposites come from:

 Bast fibers derived from flax, hemp, jute, kenaf, miscanthus, cane, crop straw,
bamboo, cordgrass, and more according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of
the United Nations (FAO)

 Leaf fibers from sisal, banana, and palm

49
  Seed fibers such as cotton, coir and kapok, according to FAO

Given the different types all ready on the market, the range of uses is wide. Biocomposites
are increasingly replacing petroleum and synthetic fiber-based composites. 3-D printing of
buildings or elements using bio-composites were tested in the Netherlands in 2016.
According to a scientific review (pg. 23, 24, 25, 26), biocomposites are used as:

 Structural elements as beams, panels for load-bearing roof and wall trusses, and
paneling

 Non-structural building components like roof tiles or sheets, wall and ceiling
insulation, wall and floor coverings, doors, windows, and cabinetry

Natural Linoleum

Natural linoleum is manufactured from natural material that can be grown and are renewable
like linseed oil, cork and wood flour mixed with resin binders and pigments. It needs low
quantities of energy, and can be disposed safely without any problems, reports UM (pg. 40).
It is used for flooring.

Carpets

Carpets made from natural materials, either from plant sources like cotton or sisal and animal
origin like wool, are completely green according to Cadrillo Community College (pg. 12).
They have no chemicals and do not emit any harmful toxins. They can be easily recycled as
organic material at the end of their life-cycle. It is versatile flooring material that can be
changed often and easily.

Natural Paints

There are many kinds of natural paints available on the market that do not emit any VOCs
and not harmful to health. Many use traditional materials like milk-based casein paints
reports UM (pg. 38). Other materials used to make natural paints are plants, minerals, and
clay. Mineral and plant based paints have the widest range of colors. Milk based colors need a
coat of linseed oil, but are resistant to chipping. Clay based paints are mold resistant and also
help in temperature moderation according to Greenopedia.

50
Natural paints, like those from BioShield, can be more expensive than conventional paints
and do not have the wide range of colors that chemical paints do. However they are
biodegradable.

FolkArt Milk Paint

Naturally Occurring Materials

Most natural building materials have been in use for a long time since they are easily
available, and can be recycled.

Earth and Clay

Earth and clay are the most sustainable building materials, as they require no processing,
making its embodied energy practically zero notes Sustainable Materials. Earth can be free if
sourced on the site, or entail little transportation cost if removed locally. Clay is a type of soil
that is fine textured and has a high content of kaolinite elaborates Countryside Daily. Clay
like earth is widely available in the U.S., and with permission can be collected locally or
purchased on the market. Earth has been used in many forms in conjunction with specific
techniques.

 Rammed earth homes use a formwork made of panels as frame, and a mixture of
earth, gravel, sand is rammed in. The whole structure rises layer by layer, explains

51
 an Australian Government report. This is a healthy material as it 'breathes' and allows
movement of air in and out and helps in temperature and humidity moderation. It is
fire and pest resistant, sturdy, and popular in earthquake prone
regions. Inhabitat reports that with timber reinforcement and other modern elements,
it is still a viable option.

 Adobe bricks are the alternate to burnt bricks. Bricks made of earth and clay need to
be fired in a kiln that uses wood and energy, however. Adobe is a process where the
mud or clay mixture is compressed in a brick form and left to dry in the sun according
to Countryside Daily. Many fibers are also added to increase mechanical stability and
increase its insulation capacities, notes a 2016 scientific study that recommends hemp
and straw in adobe bricks.

 Wattle and daub also uses a mud and fiber mixture. Instead of making blocks, the
paste is directly used as a filling with a framework of timber notes Encyclopedia
Britannica.

Wattle and daub

Stones

Stones can be expensive as have to be quarried and their weight adds to transportation costs.
Commercial and residential therefore use other materials according to UM (pg.33). However,

52
stones still remain a popular choice if they can be sourced locally. Institutes in particular still
use stones for its permanence and low maintenance features.

 It's used to make walls, foundations, in the garden, and as decorative elements in the
house like fireplace.

 Marbles of different colors are widely used as counter tops in kitchen and bathrooms,
and sometimes as flooring.

Mother Nature News advocates collecting rocks from own properties, or foraging in public
areas with permission (of course), and looking for deals at stone dealers. Find the nearest
stone supplier using Boral's online resources.

Lime

Lime is a mixture of calcium hydroxide and water and has been used for thousands of years.
It is mold resistant and improves air quality. It is also nearly carbon neutral notes Curbed,
making it a green material that is getting popular again. Green lime stabilized by prickly
cactus gel without any chemicals is also available according to Sustainable Build. It is useful
as a wall plaster and mortar for building blocks.

Recycled Gypsum Board

Gypsum is natural, but has to be mined. Recycled gypsum, which extends the life cycle of
this material, is therefore considered green. Gypsum is calcium sulfate mixed in water to
create a white paste. This is usually used to plaster walls directly or used as boards, referred
to as plasterboard or wallboard; sometimes dry wall. It is prepared by spreading gypsum on
paper and drying it. If gypsum is discarded after a single use, in the anaerobic or oxygen-less
conditions in landfills it produced hydrogen sulfite that is noxious and smells of rotten eggs
explains Recycle Nation.

Recovered gypsum loses none of its original qualities and can be repeatedly used without any
loss of material or function. Recycled gypsum boards are one of those rare materials that are
as good as new. Thus recycled gypsum represents closed loop utilization and makes it a green
material according to Recycle Product News.

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 Gypsum board

Slate Roof Tiles

Slate is a kind of metamorphic rock that is water-resistant and fire proof. These are natural,
with low embodied energy, and can be recycled and reused after they are salvaged. They are
used for roofing and cladding walls, according to Green Building Elements. Many building
materials can be reused if the demolition is done with care so that the different elements can
be salvaged. Material for buildings can come other recycled materials too.

Construction and Demolition Materials

Construction and demolition materials usually end up in landfills, However, there are many
items that can be salvaged and reused. The EPA recommends considering this use while
planning the demolition so that precious material can be saved. It is not just building
materials, but various other items that can be salvaged. Find the nearest supplier
through Construction and Demolition Recycling Association. Items you may be able to
salvage include:

 Dimensional limber, doors, windows, wood flooring, kitchen cabinets

 Stones, marble, bricks

 Bathtubs, sinks, light fixtures

Reclaimed Wood

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Besides demolition material, wood can be salvaged from shipyards, old wine casks, and old
shipping material. Nails are removed, the wood cleaned and milled to reveal the original
texture and color, according to Buildopedia. Check with local lumberyards, construction
crews, and building contractors to see if they save wood for use in other projects or for sale.

There are some criteria that building materials have to fulfill to be green according
to California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). Criteria
considered by various certifying agencies often include:

 Sustainability - Material should be sustainable, renewable, and recyclable; for

example, natural and local and grown so the supply is environmentally benign.

 Energy efficiency - Both the production and the resulting energy demand on the
building should be energy efficient.

 Quality controlled for air pollution - Green materials selected for construction should
not cause indoor air pollution and harm human health.

 Affordability - Materials should be affordable. Even if some costs upfront are high, a
reduction in operational costs should help cover the extra initial cost says CalRecycle.

 Waste management considerations - The building materials should not contribute to

waste and landfills. The ability to recycle material, or use products made from
recycled material that in turn reduces waste, makes products green notes UM.

Lifecycle assessment is used to analyze the effect of a material or whole building in all its
phases from production, through transport, use, and operation, on the environment, as well as
its "economic and social sustainability" according to Green Building Council and Design
Buildings. This assessment is being increasingly used by agencies that certify buildings like
LEED and Green Globes.

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LEED certification

Going Green

Many of the green materials go hand-in-hand with special techniques for their use, which in
turn requires prior planning. That being said, it is possible to use many green elements while
renovating old houses for flooring, wall panels, or insulation, or in interior decoration with
just a little forethought.

11 GREEN BUILDING MATERIALS THAT ARE WAY

BETTER THAN CONCRETE

1. Straw Bales
Rather than relying on new research and technology, straw bale building hearkens back to
the days when homes were built from natural, locally-occurring materials. Straw bales are
used to create a home’s walls inside of a frame, replacing other building materials such as
concrete, wood, gypsum, plaster, fiberglass, or stone. When properly sealed, straw
bales naturally provide very high levels of insulation for a hot or cold climate, and are not
only affordable but sustainable as straw is a rapidly renewable resource.

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2. Grasscrete
As its name might indicate, grasscrete is a method of laying concrete flooring, walkways,
sidewalks, and driveways in such a manner that there are open patterns allowing grass or
other flora to grow. While this provides the benefit of reducing concrete usage overall, there’s
also another important perk — improved storm water absorption and drainage.

3. Rammed Earth
What’s more natural than the dirt under your feet? In fact, walls that have a similar feel to
concrete can actually be created with nothing more than dirt tamped down very tightly in
wooden forms. Rammed earth is a technology that has been used by human civilization for
thousands of years, and can last a very long time. Modern rammed earth buildings can be
made safer by use of rebar or bamboo, and mechanical tampers reduce the amount of labor
required to create sturdy walls.

4. HempCrete

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HempCrete is just what it sounds like – a concrete like material created from the woody
inner fibers of the hemp plant. The hemp fibers are bound with lime to create concrete-like
shapes that are strong and light. HempCrete blocks are super-lightweight, which can also
dramatically reduce the energy used to transport the blocks, and hemp itself is a fast-growing,
renewable resource.

5. Bamboo
Bamboo might seem trendy, but it has actually been a locally-sourced building material in
some regions of the world for millennia. What makes bamboo such a promising building
material for modern buildings is its combination of tensile strength, light weight, and fast-
growing renewable nature. Used for framing buildings and shelters, bamboo can replace
expensive and heavy imported materials and provide an alternative to concrete and rebar
construction, especially in difficult-to reach areas, post-disaster rebuilding, and low-income
areas with access to natural locally-sourced bamboo.

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6. Recycled Plastic
Instead of mining, extracting, and milling new components, researchers are creating concrete
that includes ground up recycled plastics and trash, which not only reduces greenhouse gas
emissions, but reduces weight and provides a new use for landfill-clogging plastic waste.

7. Wood
Plain old wood still retains many advantages over more industrial building materials like
concrete or steel. Not only do trees absorb CO2 as they grow, they require much less energy-
intensive methods to process into construction products. Properly managed forests are also
renewable and can ensure a biodiverse habitat.

8. Mycelium
Mycelium is a crazy futuristic building material that’s actually totally natural – it comprises
the root structure of fungi and mushrooms. Mycelium can be encouraged to grow around a

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composite of other natural materials, like ground up straw, in molds or forms, then air-dried
to create lightweight and strong bricks or other shapes.

9. Ferrock
Ferrock is a new material being researched that uses recycled materials including steel dust
from the steel industry to create a concrete-like building material that is even stronger
than concrete. What’s more, this unique material actually absorbs and traps carbon dioxide as
part of its drying and hardening process – making it not only less CO2 intensive than
traditional concrete, but actually carbon neutral.

10. AshCrete

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AshCrete is a concrete alternative that uses fly ash instead of traditional cement. By using
fly ash, a by-product of burning coal, 97 percent of traditional components in concrete can be
replaced with recycled material.

11. Timbercrete
Timbercrete is an interesting building material made of sawdust and concrete mixed
together. Since it is lighter than concrete, it reduces transportation emissions, and the sawdust
both reuses a waste product and replaces some of the energy-intensive components of
traditional concrete. Timbercrete can be formed into traditional shapes such as blocks, bricks,
and pavers.

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WHAT IS TO BE DONE TO MAKE BUILDING GREEN?

The study and selection of site should be done based on ecological considerations and holistic
perspective for living of people. Existing features should be kept undisturbed and design to
be done under its consideration.

Proper underground drainage should be provided. The topography of land should be used for
the flow of drainage which would minimize addition pumping cost. Soil conservation to be
done on site itself by using top soil for landscape. Erosion of loose soil to be prevented by
growing plantation on it. Shades should be provided at least 40% of nonroof impervious
surface on site with help of pergolas and tress etc. Use tress on east and west sides maximum
to reduce direct heat from sun.

Water bodies should be used where possible for evaporative cooling effect. Maximum
strategies for thermal comfort should be designed by using shading devise for windows.
Vegetation should be planted for shading specially on east, west and south Indoor air speed
can we improved by providing smaller inlets and large outlets.

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Longer axis of building should be parallel to East-West direction to minimize heat gain.
Maximum openings to be given on north south for diffused day light, from north in summers
and for south to get heat in winters. Building form should be compact to minimize heat loss.
Glazing that allows maximum natural light should be provided. Windows and habitable areas
should be placed in wind direction. Roof garden can provided to minimize heat gain in
building. Low voc materials to be used in the building which reduces the carbon emission

CONCLUSION
Benefits of building green include cost savings from reduced energy, water, and waste; lower
operations and maintenance costs; and enhanced occupant productivity and health. Despite
data limitations and the need for additional research in various areas, the data demonstrates
that building green is cost-effective today, particularly for those projects which start “green”
design early in the process. Moreover, achieving higher green building construction area in
India would require-

 Bridging the knowledge gap on sustainable building strategies, which exists at various
levels within the industry.
 Enforcing implementation of strategies to encourage adoption of sustainable, green
and energy efficient buildings; and conducting research and development on
technology for lowering costs.
 Support and cooperation between all the people of the sector is required. The
immediate actions to be considered in developing a sustainable buildings.
 Developing a business model to provide a further impetus to initiatives to minimize
the detrimental impacts of construction on the environment and society.
 Introducing a green rating for residential developments and directing real estate
developers to adopt this.
 The energy saved can be used for further development which creates a large
employment opportunity.

REFRENCE
1. References: (n.d.). Promoting sustainable and inclusive grownth in emerging
economies. delhi. Sallal, K. A. (2014).
2. A Review of Buildings Energy Challenges. International journal of Environment and
Sustainability, 3(1), 42.

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3. http://www.thealternative.in/lifestyle/10-greenbuilding-innovations-in-india/
https://igbc.in/igbc/
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_building_in_India
5. http://www.greenbuildingcongress.com/site/gbc/about event.jsp www.ifc.org/edge

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