Green Buildings in India

What is a Green Building?

A Green Building is one, which incorporates several Green features. The appearance of a Green Building will be similar to any other building. However, the difference is in the approach, which revolves round a concern for extending the life span of natural resources, provide human comfort, safety and productivity. This approach results in reduction in operating costs like energy and water, besides several intangible benefits.

 Some of the salient features of a Green Building are:

• Minimal disturbance to landscapes and site condition
• Use of Recycled and Environmental Friendly Building Materials
• Use of Non-Toxic and recycled/recyclable Materials
•   Efficient use of Water and Water Recycling
•   Use of Energy Efficient and Eco-Friendly Equipment
•   Use of Renewable Energy
•   Quality of Indoor Air Quality for Human Safety and Comfort
•   Effective Controls and Building Management Systems

‘A Green building should create delight when entered, serenity and health when occupied and regret when departed’ – Perhaps this is one of the most inspiring definitions of a Green building, articulated in the book ‘Natural Capitalism’. The concept of green buildings is not as nascent as we think it is. For example, our own ancestors worshipped the five elements of nature - Earth as ‘Prithvi, Water as “Jal’, Agni as ‘Energy’, Air as ‘Vayu’, and Sky as ‘Akash’. Today through the LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Leadership) green building rating system, we are rediscovering the Indian ethos.

From a humble beginning of 20,000 sq.ft of green footprint in the country in the year 2003, to a staggering 10 million sq.ft expected by end 2008, green buildings are well poised to reach scalar heights. Today a variety of green building projects are coming up in the country – residential complexes, exhibition centers, hospitals, educational institutions, laboratories, IT parks, airports, government buildings and corporate offices


 Benefits of Green Buildings
A Green Building can have tremendous benefits, both tangible and intangible. The immediate and most tangible benefit is in the reduction in operating energy and water costs right from day one during the entire life cycle of the building. The savings could range from 25 – 40 % depending on the extent of green specifications. Other tangible savings would be reduction in first costs and enhanced asset value. Intangible benefits of Green Buildings include increasing productivity of occupants’, health, safety benefits and a green corporate image. Several Corporates are now seeing Green Building Rating as a tool to enhance marketability.