Green Buildings
KGBRC - Kembhavi
Green building Research Center.
“Kembhavi Green Building Research Center”
is a pioneer organization established to spearhead “Green
Building Technology”. Incorporating excellent practices
and research providing applications and systems synergizing into
ambient habitats encompassing optimized comfort conditions and
energy savings to the user while mitigating adverse effects to
the ecosystem. This center is conceived as a research as well
as a service provider organization as per LEED standards of the
US GBC (United States Green Building Council). The building sector
is growing at a rapid pace and is the third largest consumer of
energy after agriculture and industry. World over today the focus
is on constructing “Green buildings” Which address
environmentally sustainable issues. Adaptation of environmentally
benign technologies and practices in the building sector contributes
to conserving the natural resources besides saving on operating
costs.
A Green Building is one that is
environmentally responsible, profitable and a healthy place to
live and work. Green Building ensures that waste is minimized
at every stage during the construction and operation of building,
resulting in low cost .Green Building applies to both existing
and new construction, from simple spaces to large development
projects-A green building is one that incorporates several features
involving:-
| 1. |
Effective use of existing landscapes. |
| 2. |
Use of energy efficient and eco-friendly
equipment. |
| 3. |
Use of recycled and environmental
friendly building materials. |
| 4. |
Optimum quality of indoor air
for human safety and comfort. |
| 5. |
Efficient use of water. |
| 6. |
Use of non-toxic and recycled
materials. |
| 7. |
Use of renewable energy. |
| 8. |
Effective controls and building
management systems. |
| 9 |
Regeneration and reuse of water |
| 10. |
Optimum use of lighting (natural
and artificial) for varying purposes. |
| 11. |
Elimination of pollutants and
other health hazards. |
| What constitutes a green building? |
a) Sustainable Site:
- Appropriate site
selection.
- Effective use of nature.
- Soil erosion control.
b) Water use efficiency:
- Capture storm
water from impervious areas of the building for ground water
re-charge or reuse.
- Do not use potable water for
landscape irrigation. Use recycled water/storm water.
- Install moisture denser on plants
for water conservation.
- Use recycled water for NVAC system.
- Use recycled water for toilet
flushing.
- Use ultra high efficiency water
fittings and controls.
- Monitor water consumption through
on-line controls.
c) Energy efficient and eco-friendly equipment:
- Design orientation
of the building to get maximum day-lighting.
- Use green wall and green roof
to avoid heat gain into the building.
- Adopt spectrally natural glass
materials such that it reduces heat gain. minimize lighting
of landscape
features.
- Use of energy efficient goods.
- Use zero CFC base refrigerants
in refrigeration and air-conditioning system.
- Use of renewable energy to reduce
environmental impacts associated with fossil fuel energy use.
- Establish Baseline data for energy
consumption.
d) Eco-friendly building materials and resources:
- Recyclable and
Salvage materials.
- Material from local sources mitigating
/ reducing environmental impact.
- impact of manufacturing and transportation.
-Salvage controls.
- Material pollutant management.
- Health Hazard management of workers
on site.
- Material storage methodologies.
- Waste management.
e) Indoor air quality:
- Distribution channels
for air intake movement and exhaust.
- Climate and pollution monitoring
systems.
- Elimination of chemically toxic
materials and devices.
- Maintenance of optimum temperature
and humidity.
f) Energy system management:
- 30% to 40% saving
in operation costs.
- Alternative energy system design.
- Optimization of Conventional Energy.
- Building management, control and
Monitoring systems.
- Adaptation of latest technologies.
