All You Need to Know About Green Buildings - Factors, Components and More

Green Building: Introduction

In today's world, everyone is talking about going green. Whether you like to admit it or not, everyone will have to join the green movement at some point. This is because, at our current rate, the planet is simply unsustainable. That means that, over time, we will run out of some natural resources that are essential for our survival.

The ideal green building project would be one that allowed you to retain the majority of the natural environment surrounding the project site while still being able to construct a functional structure. The building's construction and operation will encourage a healthy environment for all parties involved, with minimal disruption to the land, water, resources, or energy in and around the structure. This is the true meaning of a green structure.

What is green building?

A green building lowers or eliminates negative effects on our climate and natural environment through its design, construction, or operation. Green building concept construction helps to protect natural resources while also improving our quality of life.

A building can be made 'green' by including a variety of characteristics. Among them are:

• Energy, water, and other resources are used in a more efficient manner.
• Solar energy - renewable energy resource.
• Measures to reduce pollution and waste, as well as reuse and recycling opportunities
• The air quality indoors is good.
• Non-toxic, ethical, and sustainable materials are used.
• The environment is taken into account during the design, building, and operation of the facility.
• In design, building, and operation, take into account the residents' quality of life.
• A design that allows for changes in the environment adaptation.

Any structure, whether it's a home, an office, a school, a hospital, a community centre, or anything else, can be considered a green building if it has the criteria stated above.

It's worth mentioning, though, that not all green buildings are – or should be. Different countries and regions have different climates, cultures, and traditions, as well as different building kinds and ages, as well as different environmental, economic, and social concerns, all of which influence how they approach the environmental benefits of a green building.

Green Building Features

A green building’s meaning is to inculcate a healthy lifestyle that is suitable for both humans and the environment. The objective of a green building is to sustain life in all its supreme forms. 

1. Building walls and surfaces must be airtight and vapour barrier

The building will be naturally cooler if the walls are able to keep out moisture and humidity from the outside. As a result, air-conditioning systems won't have to work as hard to keep the building cool. This lowers the cost of power.

2. Glass with a low solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC)

The quantity of solar radiation that enters a structure through the glass and is released as heat is known as the solar heat gain coefficient. The lower the SHGC, the less solar heat the building transmits, and the cooler it is. This also saves money on power because air conditioners don't have to do as much work.

3. Exhaust air enthalpy recovery

An enthalpy wheel is a device that recovers cooled air from the interior and uses the coolness of this "spent" air to chill fresh air from the outside. Outside air is also dehumidified during the process. This is a low-cost technique to improve indoor air quality while also reducing the amount of energy used by air conditioning systems.

4. Lighting systems that are controlled by the amount of light available during the day

Sensors that detect daylight are used in this type of lighting system. During the day, the sensor turns off the lights because the sun provides enough light. The mechanism will turn on the lights when the sunsets.

The use of artificial lighting during the day is minimised in this manner. It avoids situations when inhabitants are too lazy or forget to turn off lights that aren't in use.

5. Sensors that detect whether or not a room is occupied

When it detects individuals in the room, this lighting system turns on. This technology is also used in escalators that only operate when there are people waiting to ride them.

6. Water-saving fixtures

To achieve the same result, modern faucets and flush mechanisms utilise less water.

7. Rainwater harvesting

Rainwater is collected by a structure and stored in large containers. Plants can be watered, toilets flushed, and cooling towers can be supplied with water.

8. Facility for the recovery of materials (MRF)

The garbage from a building is separated into biodegradable, recyclable, non-recyclable, and special or hazardous waste at an MRF. Compostable trash can be used as fertiliser for the plants in the building.

9. Plantlife

Vegetation should take up a considerable percentage of the building's unpaved space. This helps to lessen the heat urban island effect, which occurs when concrete surfaces collect heat from the sun and release it to the environment.

Plants also assist in the absorption of some precipitation that would otherwise be directed to sewers and drainage systems, contributing to flooding.

10. Longevity of the site

The design, construction, and operation of the building should have the least amount of influence on ecosystems and water resources as possible.

Green building technology

A green building definition provided on the internet simply states its good effects of it. There are many components of a green building that enable this concept to work well. Listed below are the technological importance of green buildings and its functions. 

Biodegradable Materials

The usage of biodegradable materials is an environmentally beneficial way to ensure that a green building is long-lasting. The bulk of traditional building materials results in the accumulation of waste products and harmful chemicals, the majority of which take hundreds of years to degrade. They contaminate and harm the environment even after they decay.

Bamboo, timber, mycelium (a type of fungus), traditional linoleum, and organic paints are all readily biodegradable and don't have to end up in a landfill.

They have a low environmental impact since they break down quickly without generating contaminants. Biodegradable building materials, such as those used for foundations, walls, and insulators, are also part of sustainable construction methods.

Green Insulation

When it comes to constructing home construction, insulation is one of the most important considerations. Most people are unaware, however, that insulators are just wall filters that do not require the use of pricey or finely finished materials.

Green insulation has been shown to be a sustainable construction method since it reduces the requirement for high-end finishes made of non-renewable resources. Green insulation uses old and discarded materials like denim and newspaper to provide a solution. To put it another way, the walls are lined with recycled materials.

Smart Appliances

Because homes and commercial buildings utilise the majority of the world's energy, smart appliances must be included as part of sustainable construction technology. The installation of energy-saving and self-sufficient appliances is emphasised in sustainable construction methods.

Sustainable technology includes dishwashers, refrigerators, and washing machines, to name a few. The technology is geared toward creating zero-energy residences and commercial structures.

Cool Roofs

Cool roofs are green design innovations that aim to reflect heat and sunlight away from the building. By minimising heat absorption and thermal emittance, it helps to keep homes and buildings at conventional room temperatures.

Reflective paints and specific tiles are used in the design, which absorb less heat and reflect the majority of solar energy. Cool roofs, for example, can cut summer temperatures by more than 28°C. As a result, cool roofs minimise reliance on air conditioning and, as a result, energy consumption, resulting in lower cumulative greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.

Green building concept in India

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) established the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) in 2001. The council is headquartered in Hyderabad's CII-Sohrabji Green Business Centre, which is India's first Platinum-rated green building and a Net Zero Energy Building. The council's mission is to create a "Sustainable Built Environment for All."

The IGBC is India's leading green building certification and related services organisation. They have now reached the following key milestones, thanks to the overwhelming support of many stakeholders:

• There are 7,128 projects registered with the IGBC from India and internationally, with a total footprint of 8.00 billion square feet (743,000,000 m2)
• IGBC green building ratings encompass a wide range of project types, including residential, commercial, industrial, healthcare, and more.
• There are more than 1,600 IGBC Member Organisations, which include developers, corporations, architects, consultants, institutes, government, and others.
• IGBC has taught over 30,000 stakeholders and has 5,661 qualified IGBC Accredited Green Building Professionals.

The IGBC-certified green projects are developed, designed, built, and operated by IGBC Ratings. IGBC has graded over 2,383 projects (about 1,212 million square feet (112.6106 m2)) to date. When compared to conventional constructions, these IGBC-rated projects have shown significant cost reductions of up to:

• 15,000 MWh of annual energy per million square feet
• 45,000 litres of water per million square feet per year
• 100 MW of renewable energy installed in IGBC-certified projects
• CO2 emissions were reduced by 12,000 tonnes per million square feet per year.
• Per million square feet, 500 tonnes of construction trash were diverted from landfills.

Green projects are categorised into one of four tiers (in ascending order) by the IGBC: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

Residential buildings in India: India's residential building sector is one of the country's top electricity consumers. Increasing electricity consumption in buildings is a result of continuous urbanisation and population expansion. While experts recognise the enormous potential for energy conservation in this sector, stakeholders continue to believe that energy-efficient structures are more expensive than conventional buildings, which harms the building sector's "greening." Studies contradict this belief, finding evidence that the contrary is true.

Examples of green buildings in India

ITC Green Centre, Gurgaon

The ITC Green Centre, which spans 1,80,000 square feet, has set a new standard for green buildings in India. The structure, which is located in Sector 32 in Gurgaon, has been awarded the Platinum Green Building rating by USGBC-LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), making it the first corporate residence in India to receive this honour.

The structure was created with the highest environmental standards in mind. It's composed of fly-ash bricks and concrete, and it's outfitted with high-efficiency machinery that saves 53% on electricity and 40% on potable water compared to a normal structure. Other characteristics of the building include zero water discharge, solar thermal technology, a stormwater management system, reflective high-albedo roof paint, minimal outside lighting, and separate smoking rooms with exhaust systems.

Suzlon One Earth, Pune

'One Earth,' a LEED Platinum-certified building with a capacity of 2300 people, is another LEED Platinum-certified structure. The structure was constructed with low-energy materials, resulting in a lower carbon footprint. Natural light is available in 90% of the building's occupied space. While LED street lighting powered by renewable energy saves about 25% of the total electricity used on the exterior of the building. Jet fans in the ventilation system save 50% energy by pushing away stale air and bringing in new air regularly.

Patni (i-GATE) Knowledge Centre, Noida

Patni Knowledge Centre, which has been awarded the renowned LEED Platinum rating, is India's next green building. The building's depth is planned in such a way that it collects daylight for 75% of the inhabited interiors. It is located in suburban Noida and spans 4,60,000 sq ft. About half of the land is set aside for open green space. Furthermore, the campus employs water-saving measures such as rainwater collecting, solar water heating, and drip irrigation. 100% of the sewage is processed, and recycled water is utilised to cool the tower makeup, garden, and flush the toilets.

Olympia Tech Park, Chennai

The Olympia Tech Park, which is located in the heart of Chennai (Guindy), has grown to become one of the city's largest and most sought-after IT parks. The tech park houses multinational corporations that operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, necessitating energy-saving technologies and an environmentally friendly environment. The skyscraper, which is one of the world's largest gold LEED rating buildings, uses energy and water conservation measures (rainwater collection) and recycling to achieve zero discharge. The building's dual plumbing line, which helps to treat greywater, is used for flushing or irrigation.

Infinity Benchmark, Kolkata

The Infinity Benchmark, a LEED Platinum-certified green building with a total area of 5,60,000 square feet and 20 storeys, is the next construction on the list. CO2 monitoring sensors and clever humidification controllers keep the building's air quality in check. The building's external walls are composed of brick wall blocks, and the roof has thick polyurethane foam beneath the deck for improved insulation. Within the complex, environmentally friendly techniques such as the usage of electric cars are employed, as well as energy-efficient equipment and a wastewater treatment system.

Green building materials

Green buildings in India usually use materials that are easily available in the market. Green building designs in their initial phase keep in mind the construction factor before starting a project. Listed below are the most common examples of green building materials used in India.  

Bamboo

Cordwood

Composites

Cork

Cellulose

Earth Bags

Earthen Materials

Fibreglass

Fibre Cement

Insulated Concrete Forms

Natural Fibre

Natural Clay

Non- VOC Paints

Natural Fibre Floor

Polyurethane

Polystyrene and isocyanurate

Stone

Straw Bale

SIPs

Slate/Stone Roofing

Steel

Thatch

Wood

Understanding the concept of Green Building & Certifications

We all are aware of the fact that the real estate industry is one of the major contributors to environmental pollution, but have you ever wondered how we can make our buildings eco-friendly? The concept of "green building" is all about constructing buildings in a way that they are environment-friendly and sustainable. But how do we ensure that a building is indeed "green"? That's where the "Green Building Councils and Certifications" come into the picture.

What's a Green Building Council and why does it matter?

Green Building Councils are non-profit organizations that work towards promoting sustainable green buildings and eco-friendly construction practices. They provide certifications to buildings that meet their set standards of sustainability. In India, the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) is the leading council that provides certifications to green buildings.

Why should you invest in a green building?

Investing in a green building not only saves the environment but also offers numerous benefits to the building owners, tenants and the community as a whole. Let's have a look at some of the advantages of green building:

• Energy Efficiency: Green buildings are designed in a way to conserve energy. They make use of natural light and air, reducing the need for artificial lighting and air conditioning. This leads to a reduction in energy costs.
• Improved Indoor Air Quality: Green buildings make use of non-toxic materials and have proper ventilation systems, ensuring that the indoor air quality is much better than conventional buildings.
• Water Conservation: Green buildings have water-saving fixtures, rainwater harvesting systems and use treated waste water for non-potable purposes, leading to a reduction in water usage.
• Enhanced Productivity: Studies have shown that employees in green buildings have increased productivity and better health.
• Increased Property Value: Green buildings have a higher resale value as compared to conventional buildings.

(Source: IGBC)

Types of Green Buildings in India

Green buildings can be categorized based on the certification they receive. In India, the following are the types of green buildings:

• IGBC Green Homes: These are green buildings for residential purposes.
• IGBC Green Factory Buildings: These are green buildings for industrial purposes.
• IGBC Green Commercial Buildings: These are green buildings for commercial purposes.
• IGBC Green Schools: These are green buildings for educational purposes.
• IGBC Green Healthcare Buildings: These are green buildings for healthcare purposes.

(Source: IGBC)

Comparison of Conventional and Green Buildings

Parameters	Conventional Buildings	Green Buildings
Energy Efficiency	Low	High
Indoor Air Quality	Poor	Good
Water Conservation	Low	High
Productivity	Low	High
Property Value	Low	High

The eco-friendly way to decorate your home with NoBroker

This article discusses the importance of Green Buildings and all of the science behind them. The introduction of green buildings has sparked a revolution in the construction industry, with a focus on sustainability and environmentally friendly practices. The concept of green building involves designing and constructing structures with the aim of reducing their impact on the environment and improving human health. The green building characteristics include the use of renewable resources, efficient use of energy and water, and improved indoor air quality. The purpose of green building is to create a more sustainable and eco-friendly future for generations to come.

So, if you are looking to renovate, then you can incorporate some of the green elements into your home. Have any more queries about the functions of an eco friendly building? Head to NoBroker Forum to find all your answers. Looking forward to renovating and needing assistance? NoBroker offers the best services at the most affordable rates. Drop a comment down below and our executive will be in touch with you shortly.

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