Oct - Dec 2009 • Vol. No. 32 Issue No. 2 • - L&T Construction

object of design. It is for the designers to reconcile the appropriate project location can reduce the need for
desire to save costs with the requirements of efficiency private automobile use and reduce urban sprawl.
and well being.
It is also important to minimize project impacts on
The term "green building" is synonymous with `high- surrounding areas after construction is complete
performance building', `sustainable design and and the building is occupied. Addressing heat
construction' as well as other terms that refer to a island effects and reducing light pollution on the site
holistic approach to design and construction. are also vital. Only then, the site can become
integrated into its surroundings and serve as a
Green building design includes all players in an
integrated development process, from the design
team (building owners, architects, engineers and
consultants), the construction team (material
manufacturers, contractors and waste haulers),
maintenance staff, and building occupants. The
green building process results in a high-quality
considerate and beneficial neighbor for the life time
of the building and minimize the impact on micro-
climate, on human life and wildlife. These initiatives
help conserve existing natural areas and restore
damaged areas to provide habitat and promote
biodiversity.
product that maximizes the owner's return on An ideal Green Building aims at limiting disruption
investment. of natural water flows by eliminating storm-water
runoff, increasing on-site infiltration and
Why design green?
eliminating contaminants. It may also be possible to
reuse storm-water for non-potable water purposes
It is common knowledge that the building sector has a such as flushing urinals and toilets, custodial
tremendous impact on the environment. It consumes
more than 30% of our total energy. Buildings are a
applications, and building equipment uses.
major source of the pollutants that cause urban air It is helpful to perform a water balance to determine
quality problems and contribute to climate change. the estimated volumes of water available for reuse.
Storm-water run-off volumes can also be reduced by
Green building practices can substantially reduce designing the building with underground parking, a
such negative environmental impacts associated with
buildings and reverse the trend of unsustainable
strategy that reduces heat island effects significantly.
construction activities. But, that is only part of the Energy consumption can be dramatically reduced
story. Green design also reduces operating costs, through practices that are economical and readily
enhances building marketability, potentially achievable. Improving the energy efficiency of
increases occupant productivity, and helps create a buildings lowers operation costs and reduces
sustainable community.
pollution. Reduction of energy loads through
improved glazing, insulation, day lighting and use of
As of today, there are but a handful of green buildings passive solar features may allow the design team to
in India. With 56 points, this building now stands as
third greenest in India under LEED NC (New
downsize mechanical HVAC systems.
Construction) Category and the first LEED Platinum Designing and specifying the use of on-site non
rated project in Gujarat!
polluting renewable technologies can contribute to
the total energy requirement of the project.
Salient features of the 'green'
building:
The architects of this building have studied the norms
for achieving a high level of sustainability in the
architecture of the building. Selection of an
Considering and employing high temperature solar,
geothermal, wind, biomass (other than unsustainably
harvested wood) and bio-gas technologies, are other
green measures.
Photo-voltaics (PVs) are composite materials that
convert sunlight directly into electrical power. In the
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ECC Concord Oct-Dec 09