Go green, impress your neighbours
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Want to know the kinds of design approaches and technologies available to structure your building green? Some points from NANDHINI SUNDAR
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Photo: Bijoy Ghosh,
Green drive: Landscaping at a penthouse of a building in Chennai. —
Once a decision to have a green building is made, the next step is look at the kinds of design approaches and technologies available for the purpose. Since the green concept pertains to sustainability and improving the ecological footprint, it is important to ensure that the design elements effect a reduced resource consumption pattern.
The recently published “Redesign,” the Green Real Estate Guide for Asia by Colliers International, provides various ways of designing a green building. While the design elements suggested may not be exhaustive, there are plenty of tips to take note of.
The first aspect is to address the building orientation to ensure abundant natural light while at the same time shutting out excessive heat that would require increased amounts of energy for cooling. For instance, windows should be structured such that their size and orientation attracts maximum amount of daylight but keeps out the glare.
Glazing
Having excessive glazing can have a reverse effect, requiring blinds being down most of the day to shut out the glare and this can result in reduced quantum of natural light. This is especially so if the orientation is towards West.
Similarly, while an atrium is a good idea to bring in natural light, it can also lead to unwanted heat gain and glare if the sunlight intrusion is not managed.
Providing windows that can be opened increases natural ventilation. External solar shading controls heat gains within the building and also assists in glare control. However, this again needs to be carefully designed in accordance with sun paths. Installing light shelves on windows reflects daylight deeper into the interiors, increasing the quantum of natural light. One way of letting in ample daylight, yet containing heat gain, is to use low emissive glazing. Using lighter colour paints for interior walls again increases the brightness within, thereby reducing the need for artificial lighting.
Trees, especially deciduous, adjacent to buildings are excellent for providing shade during summer and more natural light and heat during winter when they shed their leaves. Providing water bodies around the building also helps to cool the air. The indoor air quality and thermal comfort can be addressed by using the right design. Structuring the building to allow sufficient natural ventilation reduces the need for air-conditioning. Here, air-conditioning can be provided only as a back-up when the outside temperature is uncomfortable. Night cooling, where the building is flushed with cooler air at night, reduces the level of air-conditioning required during the day. Similarly, chilled beams, where cool water is pumped through small pipes in the ceiling, reduces the need for cooling.
Sensors
Simon Carter, Regional Director of Sustainability, Asia Pacific, Colliers International, suggests the use of Displacement Ventilation to improve air quality inside the building. “Supplying air at low velocity and temperature at floor level, letting it to warm and rise, removes pollutants, improves air quality and saves energy.”
The level of carbon-dioxide in the air can significantly go up when there is a large gathering. It is important to have sensors to monitor the CO2 levels to keep it low.
Water can be saved through innovative methods such as waterless urinals, toilets with dual flush models, and taps that have water flow of 2.5l /minute compared to the conventional 10-12l / minute. Again black water can be recycled for use in toilet flush or irrigating the garden. These are apart from the common practices such as rainwater harvesting and grey water recycling that are followed to conserve water.
The building too should be designed to minimise wastage. Says Carter, “Buildings should be designed to be flexible to adapt to different uses over time with minimum alteration.” The materials used should require minimum maintenance during their life cycle. Similarly, construction wastage can be minimised by using standard product sizes. Providing internal staircases reduces the use of lift and in turn saves energy.
Before designing a building, the ecology of the site needs to be studied. The site may be rocky, necessitating the blasting of rocks. This not only harms the site and its natural habitat but also the foundations of nearby buildings. Design elements would have to take into account the inherent nature of the site.
While locating the building close to public transport hubs is a good option, in instances where it is not feasible, small car parking spaces to encourage the use of small cars and bicycle parking facilities to promote their use is a good starting point to conserve fuel.
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