2. What is a green building?
Buildings have major environmental impact s over their entire life
cycle. Resources such as ground cover, forests, water, and energy are
depleted to give way to buildings. Resource -intensive materials
provide the skin to the building and landscaping adds beauty to it –
in turn using up water and pesticides to maintain it. Energy -
consuming systems for lighting, space conditioning, and water
heating provide comfort to its occupants. Hi-tech controls add
intelligence to ‘inanimate’ buildings so that they can respond to
varying conditions, and intelligently monitor and control resource
use, security, and usage of fire systems, etc. in the building. Water is
another vital resource for the occupants, which gets consumed
continuously during building construction and operation. Several
building processes and occupant functions generate large amounts
of waste, which can be recycled for use or can be reused directly.
Buildings are thus one of the major pollutants that affect urban air
quality and contribute to climate change. Hence, the need to design a
green building, the essence of which would be to address all these
issues in an integrated and scientific manner. It is a known fact that it
costs more to design and construct a green building. However, it is
also a proven fact that it costs less to operate a green building that
has tremendous environmental benefits and provides a better place
for the occupants to live and work in. Thus, the challenge of a green
building is to achieve all its benefits at an affordable cost.
A green building depletes the natural resources to the minimum
during its construction and operation. The aim of a green building
design is to minimize the demand on non-renewable resources,
maximize the utilization efficiency of these resources, when in use,
and maximize the reuse, recycling, and utilization of renewable
resources. It maximizes the use of efficient building materials and
construction
3. practices; optimizes the use of on-site sources and sinks by bio –climatic
architectural practices; uses minimum energy to power itself; uses
efficient equipment to meet its lighting, air-conditioning, and other
needs; maximizes the use of renewable sources of energy; uses efficient
waste and water management practices; and provides comfortable and
hygienic indoor working conditions. It is evolved through a design
process that requires all concerned –the architect and landscape
designer and the air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, and energy
consultants – to work as a team to address all aspects of building and
system planning, design, construction, and operation. They critically
evaluate the impacts of each design decision on the environment and
arrive at viable design solutions to minimize the negative impacts and
enhance the positive impacts on the environment. In sum, the following
aspects of the building design are looked into in an integrated way in a
green building.
Site planning
Building envelope design
Building system design ( (HVAC) heating ventilation and air conditioning,
lighting, electrical and water heating)
Integration of renewable energy
sources to generate energy on site.
Water and waste management.
Selection of ecologically sustainable
materials (with high
recycled content, rapidly
renewable resources with low
emission potential, etc.).
Indoor environmental quality (maintain indoor thermal and visual comfort, and
air quality)
Simply said, it is a method of construction that minimizes the effects
on the environment. The growing trend to recycle, reuse, avoid
abuse, and make the most of what you have with minimum impact
on the future ecology of the planet has created a new opportunity for
those involved in the construction industry
4. 1. Conserving energy:
• Building should be constructed so as to minimize the need for fossil
to run it.
• Use of low embodied energy insulation.
• Use of passive and active solar energy.
• And use of passive and natural ventilation systems rather than
mechanical.
2.Working with the climate:
• Building should be designed to work with climate, minimizing
external pollution and environmental damage and natural energy,
resources.
• Re-use of rain water on site.
• Avoiding destruction of natural habitats.
• Treat and recycle waste water on site.
3. Minimizing new resources:
• Use of local sourced material, minimize use of imported material.
• Use material from sustainably managed sources.
• Use of recycled materials, use low energy materials etc.
4. Minimizing internal pollution and damage to health:
• Use non toxic or low emission materials, reduce dust and allergens
etc.
5. Respect for and by the users:
• Green architecture recognizes the importance of all the people
involved with it.
• Also the users should be involved in design and management of
building and evaluating environmental choices.
6. Holism:
• All the green principles need to be embedded in a holistic approach
to the built environment.
Principles of green building…..
5. On a broader scale, this system, along with the activities and processes
that lead up to it, will benefit the community at large with the
improvement in the environment by reducing GHG (greenhouse gas)
emissions, improving energy security, and reducing the stress on natural
resources.
Some of the benefits of a green building to a building owner, user, and
the society as a whole are as follows :
Reduced energy consumption without sacrificing the comfort levels.
Reduced destruction of natural areas, habitats, and biodiversity, and
reduced soil loss from erosion, etc.
Reduced air and water pollution (with direct health benefits).
Reduced water consumption.
Limited waste generation due to recycling and reuse.
Reduced pollution loads.
Increased user productivity.
Enhanced image and marketability.
Benefits of a green building…..
Use of Energy Efficient and Eco-Friendly Equipment
Use of Recycled and Environmental Friendly Building Materials
Quality Indoor air for human safety and comfort
Use of Renewable Energy
Effective Controls and Building Management System
Use of Non-Toxic & Recycled Materials
Effective use of existing Landscapes
Adoption of Cost effective
6. Green building rating system is a feature-oriented rating system where
credits are earned for satisfying specified green building criteria.
THE FIVE MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL CATEGORIES OF REVIEW
INCLUDE:
1.SUSTAINABLE SITES
2. WATER EFFICIENCY
3. ENERGY AND ATMOSPHERE
4. MATERIALS AND RESOURCES
5. INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
6. INNOVATION AND DESIGN PROCESS
The LEED Rating System:
• LEED certification is based on a point system. the amount of points
achieved will determine which level of LEED certification the project is
awarded.
• LEED is a great measurement tool, but it should not be confused as a
design tool. there is no substitute for truly holistic, integrated
sustainable design.
Green building rating system…..
CATEGORY POSSIBLE POINTS
SUSTAINABLE SITES 14
WATER EFFICIENCY 5
ENERGY & ATMOSPHERE 17
MATERIALS & RESOURCES 13
INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY 15
INNOVATION & DESIGN PROCESS 5
8. Architects can achieve energy efficiency in the buildings they design by
studying the macro and microclimate of the site, applying bioclimatic
architectural principles to combat the adverse conditions and taking
advantage of the desirable conditions. A few common design elements
that directly or indirectly affect thermal comfort conditions and thereby
the energy consumption in a
building is as follows:
Landscaping
Ratio of built form to open
spaces
Location of water bodies
Orientation
Form
Building envelope and
fenestration
Passive architectural techniques…..
9. Landscaping is an
important element in
altering the micro climate
of a place. Proper
landscaping reduces direct
sun from striking and
heating up building
surfaces. It prevents
reflected light carrying
heat into a building from
the ground or other
surfaces.
Additionally, the shade
created by trees and the
effect of grass and shrubs
reduce air temperatures
adjoining the building and
provide evaporative
cooling. Properly designed
roof gardens help to
reduce heat loads in a
building.
Landscaping…..
10. The volume of space inside the building that needs to be heated or
cooled and its relationship with the area of the envelope enclosing the
volume affect the
thermal performance of the building. This parameter, known as S/V
(surface-to volume) ratio, is determined by the building form.
For any given building volume, the more compacts the shape, the less
wasteful it is in gaining or losing heat. Hence, in hot and dry regions and
cold climates, buildings are compact in form with a low s/v ratio to
reduce heat gain and losses, respectively. Also, the building form
determines the air flow pattern around the building, directly affecting its
ventilation.
Building form/surface to volume ratio…..
11. Water is a good modifier of micro climate. It takes up a large amount of
heat in evaporation and causes significant cooling especially in a hot and
dry climate. In hot and dry climate. In humid climates, water should be
avoided as it adds to humidity.
Location of water bodies…..
Building orientation is a significant design consideration, mainly with
regard to solar radiation and wind. In mainly cold regions, building
should be oriented to maximize solar gain; the reverse is advisable for
hot regions. Like for a cold climate, for an orientation slightly east of
south(15 degrees) is favored, as this exposes the unit to more morning
than afternoon sun and enables the house to begin to heat during the
day.
Orientation…..
The building envelope and its
components are key
determinants of the amount of
heat gain and loss and wind that
enters inside. The primary
elements affecting the
performance of a building
envelope are:
• Materials and construction
techniques.
• Roof.
• Walls.
• Fenestration and shading.
• Finishes.
Building envelope and fenestration…..
12. Material with embodied energy:
Choice of building materials is important in reducing the energy
of buildings. Strain on conventional energy can be reduced by use of
low-energy materials, efficient structural design, and reduction in
transportation energy. The choice of materials also helps to maximize
indoor comfort.
Thermal insulation:
Insulation is of great value when a building requires mechanical
or cooling insulation helps reduce the space-conditioning loads.
Location of insulation and its optimum thickness are important. In hot
climates, insulation is placed on the outer face (facing exterior) of the
wall so that thermal mass of the wall is weakly coupled with the
source and strongly coupled with the interior.
Materials & construction techniques…..
13. Walls are a major part of the building envelope and receive large
amounts of solar radiation. The heat storage capacity and heat
conduction property of walls are key to meeting desired thermal comfort
conditions. The wall thickness, material, and finishes can be chosen
based on the heating and cooling needs of the building. Appropriate
thermal insulation and air cavities in walls reduce heat transmission into
the building, which is the primary aim in a hot region.
Walls…..
Air cavities within walls or an attic space in the roof ceiling
combination reduce the solar heat gain factor, thereby reducing space-
conditioning loads. Heat is transmitted through the air cavity by
convection and radiation.
Air cavities…..
14. Of all the elements in the building envelope, windows and other glazed
areas are most vulnerable to heat gain or losses. Proper location, sizing,
and detailing of windows and shading form an important part of
bioclimatic design as they help to keep the sun and wind out of a
building or allow them when needed.
The location of openings for ventilation is determined by prevalent wind
direction. Openings at higher levels naturally aid in venting out hot air.
Size, shape, and orientation of openings moderate air velocity and flow
in the room; a small inlet and a large outlet increase the velocity and
distribution of airflow through the room.
Natural light is also admitted into a building through glazed openings.
Thus, fenestration design is primarily governed by requirements of heat
gain and loss, ventilation, and day lighting. The important components
of a window that govern these are the glazing systems and shading
devices.
Fenestration and shading…..
15. Heat gain through windows is much higher as compared to that through
solid wall. Shading devices for windows and walls thus moderate heat
gains into the building. In a low-rise residential building in hot and dry
climate shading a window by a horizontal 0.7 6-m deep chajja can
reduce the maximum room temperature by 4.6 degree C (from 47.7 to
43.1 *C).
Shading devices are of various types:
• Moveable opaque (roller blind, curtains, etc.) can be highly effective
in reducing solar gains but eliminate view and impede air movement.
• Louvers (adjustable or fixed) affect the view and air movement to
some degree.
• Fixed overhangs.
Finishes:
The external finish of a surface determines the amount of heat absorbed
or rejected by it. For example, a smooth and light color surface reflects
more light and heat in comparison to a dark color surface. Lighter color
surfaces have higher emissive and should be ideally used for warm
climate.
Shading devices…..