Answer: Features of Green Building
Green Building (also known as sustainable or high-performance building) is a structure designed, constructed, and operated to minimize environmental impact while enhancing occupant health, comfort, and productivity throughout its lifecycle - from planning and construction to operation, maintenance, and eventual demolition.
1. Site Planning and Land Use
Sustainable Site Selection:
- Brownfield Development: Preference for previously developed or contaminated sites over greenfields
- Proximity to Public Transit: Location near bus/metro stations to reduce vehicular travel
- Heat Island Reduction: Light-colored roofs, vegetation, shaded parking to reduce urban heat
- Stormwater Management: Pervious surfaces, rain gardens, detention ponds
- Minimizing Site Disturbance: Preserving existing vegetation, topsoil, natural drainage
2. Energy Efficiency
Reducing Energy Consumption:
- Building Envelope: High-performance insulation, low-U value windows, thermal mass to reduce heating/cooling loads
- Passive Design: Optimal orientation (long axis east-west), shading devices, natural ventilation, daylighting
- Efficient HVAC: High-efficiency chillers, VRF systems, energy recovery ventilators
- LED Lighting: Energy-efficient lighting with occupancy sensors and daylight dimming
- Building Automation: Smart controls for lighting, HVAC, elevators based on occupancy
- Renewable Energy: Rooftop solar PV, solar water heaters, building-integrated PV
ECBC Compliance: India's Energy Conservation Building Code mandates energy savings of 25% (ECBC), 35% (ECBC+), or 50% (Super ECBC) compared to conventional buildings.
3. Water Efficiency
Water Conservation Features:
- Low-Flow Fixtures: Water-efficient faucets, showerheads, dual-flush toilets (30-50% water savings)
- Rainwater Harvesting: Collection and storage of rainwater for non-potable uses
- Greywater Recycling: Treatment and reuse of wastewater from sinks, showers
- Efficient Landscaping: Native plants, xeriscaping, drip irrigation, moisture sensors
- Water Metering: Sub-metering to monitor and manage water use
- Sewage Treatment: On-site STP for wastewater treatment and reuse
4. Sustainable Materials
Eco-Friendly Material Selection:
- Recycled Content: Materials with recycled content (steel, concrete with fly ash, recycled aggregates)
- Local Materials: Sourced within 500 km to reduce transportation emissions
- Rapidly Renewable: Bamboo, cork, linoleum, certified wood (FSC)
- Low-VOC Materials: Paints, adhesives, sealants with low volatile organic compounds
- Fly Ash Bricks: Utilize industrial waste, lower embodied energy
- AAC Blocks: Autoclaved Aerated Concrete - lightweight, good insulation
5. Indoor Environmental Quality
Occupant Health and Comfort:
- Natural Daylighting: Maximum use of natural light through windows, skylights, light shelves
- Fresh Air Ventilation: Adequate outdoor air supply, CO2 monitoring
- Thermal Comfort: Temperature and humidity control within comfort range
- Acoustic Comfort: Sound insulation, noise control measures
- Views: Access to outdoor views for occupant well-being
- Non-Toxic Materials: Avoiding materials that off-gas harmful chemicals
6. Waste Management
- Construction Waste: Diverting 50-75% of construction waste from landfills
- Operational Waste: Segregation facilities, recycling provisions, composting organic waste
- Design for Disassembly: Easy deconstruction and material recovery at end-of-life
7. Green Building Rating Systems
| Rating System |
Origin |
Certification Levels |
| GRIHA |
India (TERI + MNRE) |
1 to 5 Stars |
| IGBC |
India (CII) |
Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum |
| LEED |
USA (USGBC) |
Certified, Silver, Gold, Platinum |
| BREEAM |
UK (BRE) |
Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent, Outstanding |
8. Benefits of Green Buildings
| Category |
Benefits |
| Environmental |
30-50% energy reduction, 30-50% water savings, reduced carbon footprint, less waste |
| Economic |
Lower operating costs, higher property value (10-20%), tax incentives, faster occupancy |
| Social |
Improved occupant health, higher productivity (8-11%), better indoor air quality, thermal comfort |
Conclusion
Green buildings represent a holistic approach to sustainable construction, addressing energy efficiency, water conservation, material sustainability, indoor environmental quality, and waste management. With buildings accounting for 40% of global energy consumption and 33% of GHG emissions, green building practices are essential for climate action. India's growing adoption of GRIHA and IGBC certifications, along with mandatory ECBC compliance, is driving the green building movement. The initial cost premium (2-5%) is typically recovered within 3-5 years through operational savings.
Sources: Module 3 Notes | GRIHA | IGBC | ECBC 2017 | USGBC LEED