CII Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre-Case Study

Architectural Case Study
August 2012
Confederation of Indian Industry
by Sunanda Subramanian
Student of Architecture
BMSCE, Bangalore
About
CII Godrej GBC
The First LEED Platinum Rated Building in India
CII Godrej GBC
It offers advisory services to the
Industry in the areas of :
Green buildings
Energy Efficiency
Water Management
Environmental management
Renewable energy
Green business incubation
Climate change activities
Pancha Bhutas ancient belief states that life exists because of the presence and
balance of the five classical elements
They are associated with the five senses
They act as the gross medium for the experience of sensations
Bhumi
The Concept :What derives itself from nature returns to it.
(earth)
This is applied in the practice of Architecture:
a building gives back to nature even as it takes from it
Aakash
thus reducing the ecological footprint
(void)
An attempt to make a positive change in design by
Reducing the negative impact on the environment in terms of:
Use of materials
Water Management
Energy Efficiency
Sustainability
Natural Ventilation
Reuse and Recycle
Renewable Energy
Effective Land Use
Ecological footprint
Carbon Footprint
Socio Cultural Response etc
Vaayu
(air )
Jala
(water)
Agni
(fire)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Using processes that are environmentally responsible and

resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle:
from cradle to grave
Expanding and complementing the classical building design in
matters of economy, utility, durability, and comfort
Designing to reduce the overall impact of the built-up
environment on human health and the natural environment by:
Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources
Protecting occupants health and improving productivity
Reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation
Ensuring sustainability
Natural building - use of natural materials available locally.
Wind direction
Summer
Winter
Annual
Mean
Temp
Monthly
Mean
Temp
Max Temp
Ever
Recorded
Min Temp
Ever
Recorded
26 ^C
21-32 ^C
45.5^C
8^C
Combination of
tropical wet and
dry climate
- borders on a
hot semi-arid
climate
Residential
Commercial
Water
Located at the lowest

region of the site for
maximum accumulation
using existing site
drainage pattern
MAIN
CAMPUS
Located on the flattest zone on site- least

interference to site features during construction
Easy access from Main Road
Centrally located on site
Scope to create buffers surrounding the building
for effective design according to site climate
Less prone to pollution
Max
AIR POLLUTION
Min
Maximum exposure to
pollution- North and West
boundaries of the site,
along the main roads
Max
Min
NOISE POLLUTION
ROUGH ESTIMATE-NOT
PLOTTED TO ACCURACY
Natural Drainage
pattern utilized to
harvest rain water
at point of maximum
accumulation
Ridge
Valley
Warm breeze that picks

up heat from the vast
expanse of barren land in
the surroundings
Cooled by the presence

of Greenery and further
by the water body to the
North
Harsh west heat fi

ltered
and partially blocke
d by
the landscape and
the
plantations in the w
est
Orientation of the buildings capitalize on

all favorable conditions on site and
measures have been taken to fix the
problems on site
WINTER
CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN

(contd)
Cooled air is retained
and circulated within
the site and prevented
from escaping by
landscape on all sides
There is circulation of
wind within the site
along the circular
exteriors of the
building- easy flow
Warm breeze from the

South West gets
filtered and cooled by
the presence of lush
greenery
SUMMER
TO MAIN GATE
Main entrance located at the main road

Surrounded by Medium Rise commercial buildings
(under construction)
The main gate opens to a long driveway with

lush greenery on both sides creating
EMPHASIS to the entrance
Security
Cabin
Gate
The main building has direct access

from the main road,
But the entrance to it is from the
inside to ensure privacy and security
BUS
STOP
Charging
Station
Building located near a public

transport station.
Bicycle riders are treated preferentially - convenient parking,

lockers, shower cleaning
30 % of employee transportation: carpools, bicycles, and LPG
cars
Use of battery operated vehicles encouraged - Charging
stations available
The documented reduction of harmful emissions achieved is
62 %
Encourage building occupants to minimize their reliance on
fossil fuel-based transportation.
Emphasis of the
Entrance by a
large projected
overhang/
portico
Separation of
Pedestrian and
Vehicular movement
for easy circulation
BUILT VS UNBUILT AREA

Site Area : 5 acres
Built Up Area : 20000 sq ft
Building footprint: Only 9.2% of site
Minimum disturbance to the existing
site features
Large area for landscape to enhance
micro climate and for visual delight
Zoning done by HIERARCHY in

terms of PRIVACY
PUBLIC- Reception, Library
SEMI PUBLIC Administration,
Office for employees
SEMI PRIVATE Seminar hall
PRIVATE - Conference rooms,
Cabins for Senior Executives
COMMON AREAS for
circulation and gathering
Unity
Linear Access
Convergence
Central
Organization
Circulation Scheme
encourages
interaction
Arrows indicate Circulation

within the building,
surrounding the Central
Courtyard along colonnaded
corridors
Recessed
Staircase to first
floor
Everything acquires rounded edges, soft forms,

and thus forms a closer association
Arrangement of spaces according to size to
create balance
Convergence of individual spaces to the

Central Court, binding them together
Courtyard as central Focal Point

Use of green spaces to fill in voids between
solids
Minimal damage during construction and occupancy,

to the natural elements of water flow, air quality,
vegetation, and topography
The built form responds to the rocky site.
Small footprint, design retains site contours and
existing boulders.
"Contour trenching" adopted to avoid erosion and
sedimentation.
During construction, barricades were installed to
prevent contaminants from spreading to surrounding
areas.
Care has been taken not to disturb the activities of a
temple nearby
The spatial and formal elements around a courtyard create
introverted blueprint.
Courtyard space was not rigidly fixed but could be adaptable
depending on the time of day, season
Its mood changed with varying degrees of light and shade, and
with them the ambience
Centrally located, serves as visual anchor.. It was the spatial,
social, and environment control center of the home.
By building them around a central open space ensured
close relationships between separate units
Brought in an additional usable space within the living space.
In history : Haveli, Wada, Deori , Nalukettu, Totti mane. etc

Traditional gathering
place for intellectual
encounters and cultural
functions.
Court yard acts as the

energy centre, also the
communication
centre
Centre creates a centrifugal effect,

Parts of the design spring apart, try
to escape from the centre, but
are caught and held together again
by a bracket, a round canopy over
the connecting route.
Inside Yet
outside
Stay connected
to nature
Exploded
geometry
Introverted courtyard
The axis mundi the axis of creation
MECHANICS OF A COURTYARD
The courtyards act as

"light wells,"
illuminating adjacent
work areas
NIGHT
DAY
Courtyard functions as a convective thermostat and gives protection from extremes of

weather. The total number of courtyards in one residence could sometimes be five to six.
A PATTERN OF SOLIDS AND VOIDS
As the courts progress in and out from the exterior structure, they
form a pattern of negative and positive spaces
NIGHT
Colonnaded corridors
surrounding the courtyard
convey a sense of Rhythm
and Movement
SHADE
Shade
Like most olden systems of construction, structures are

kept ground hugging ensuring natural modulation of
microclimate and creating more interaction with nature
Gives a sense of being close to nature
vs
SEAT
LIB
Reception desk and library
REC
Seating at the reception

E LIB
Great collection of
books for reference
during non office
hours!
Library, e library and admin
Extremely Well Lit
CAFE
Easy access from main

entrance
Easy circulation in block organization
OFFICE
SPACE
COURT
YARD
LEISURE
WIND
TOWER
COURT
YARD
A
H
U
EX
HIB
IT I
ON
OFFICE
SPACE
NORTH
LIGHT
GLAZED
ROOF
CONFER
ENCE
Sufficient Diffused Daylight for all areas through

recessed courtyards and North light Glazing
Grid like arrangement of desk

spaces
ROOF GARDEN
CENTRAL COURT
TO ROOF
GARDEN
All workstations
organized
around a central
court
Naturally lit
throughout
the day
INFORMAL
GATHERING
SPACE
PARTITION
WALLRETRACTABLE
Gathering space
outside for interactive
discussions before and
after seminars
May also be used as
dining space
Can be divided
using partition
walls to create
smaller meeting
rooms flexibility
of spaces
Spaces located in the overlap between inside and

outside create informal spaces for interaction
Out
Transition
In
Easy navigation - use of

ramps for circulation
Wheelchair friendly
washrooms
Building layout ensures that 90 % of spaces have daylight

access and views to the outside.
North facades are glazed for efficient diffused light
Low heat transmitting glass used
Double glass to further reduce heat gain
Natural lighting - no lights are used until late in the evening
Minimum lux levels for all work stations have been ensured
Light captured from as many sides possible - the use of courtyards
Natural light ensured in dark

corners by the use of full length
slits for maximum light
All work stations have

ample natural light
North light roof used to naturally light

the entire green technology centre
Light may been filtered in meeting

rooms and offices by the use of
shutter curtain panels
Fully glazed windows help to

light the entire technology
centre
Allow controlled passage

of air and light into the
interior space.
Courtyard
Exterior wall
of washrooms
throw patterns of light

and shadow on the floor
enhancing aesthetics
Ensure constant flow of
breeze into the interior occupant comfort
cools the interiors
Jali walls
at GBC
Passage to
washrooms
An alternative to costly
window construction
Diffuse the glare of
direct sunlight.
Traditional Islamic Jali

Confederation of Indian Industry work
RECEPTION
MAX( > 300LUX)
GREEN
TECHNOLOGY
CENTRE
MIN ( > 250 LUX)

ALMOST NIL
(50 - 100 LUX)
Each individual space

within the building
supplied with minimum
standard requirements
of illumination for
various activities
MEETING
ROOMS
The office block on the first floor receives

sufficient natural light within even on dull
days by the presence of internal courtyard
and glass windows along all exterior walls
MAX( > 300LUX)
Since the seminar hall is

generally air conditioned
and lit mechanically, only
optimum level of natural
light has been ensured
MIN ( > 250 LUX)

ALMOST NIL
(50 - 100 LUX)
OFFICE BLOCK
SEMINAR HALL
Where natural light un
available- washroomssensor lights have been
used to save power
WASHROOMS
The outside brought

in -COURTYARDS
Influences microclimate and
hence human comfort
Contributes colour and is a
visual delight
Defines and
articulates space
Greenery and Landscape is proven to be

therapeutic and a stress buster
Green cover acts

as modifier of
micro climate
Landscaping by
sequential arrangement
of different sizes of
plants for various
effects
CANOPY TREES
Create mass from the outside,

for a canopied space from the inside
Trunks imply but do not enclose space
Spaces formed have ceiling, no walls,
only columns
Fairly open at eye level
Tree trunks act as landscape columns
and give architectural character to the site
Modify the natural light quality
Penetrating sunlight adds to the dynamism of the space
Extend lines or rhythm of architecture into exterior
space
Large Trees Provide Bulk To Plant Mass
UNDERSTOREY TREES
Suitable for small, intimate courtyards
Provide colour, shade without
overpowering the space
Used as accent plants or focal plants
Are effective in screening mid or low
angle sun
Frangipani tree
Bamboo
The Buddha Belly

Bamboo tree
Canon
ball tree
SHRUBS
Define and separate spaces
without blocking vision
Shrubs can effectively unify
a composition
GROUND COVER
Unify groups of plants into a composition
Creates edges
Lead the eye to focal points, building
entries
Can create lines of visual character
overlapping with paving
Bio degradable
Beneficial in stabilizing slopes,
plastic grass crates
preventing erosion
used to hold grass
easy removal and
maintenance
Defined pathways in
landscape to reduce
disturbance to plant species
Large expanse
of ground
cover used to
create focus on
Local craftwork
as landscape
elements
Tree trunks
and columns
lined with
gravel stone
attention
to detail aesthetics
A Responsibility Towards
The Environment
Creating Awareness
About green architecture
About the building
About construction
And material, flora and fauna
Water Has Sensual Value:

It triggers the mind
It augments meaning
It reinforces communication
It calms the mind and relieves stress
Water is also used

to modify site
climate by
evaporative
cooling
Existing rocks used as

sculptural features
Ashoka Tree
Saraca asoca
Ashoka is one of the most
legendary and sacred trees
of India
Ashok means without grief
or that which gives no grief
Coral Jasmine
Nycthanthes arbortistis
Tree of Sorrow
The tree flowers only at night and sheds them like
tear drops before the sun rises
Leaf is rough and the abrasive nature of the leaf
is employed to scrub metallic vessel, to give them
a shine.
Has medicinal properties and is used in Ayurveda
The Sensitive Plant/ Touch-me-not

Mimosa pudica
A prickly plant spreading on the ground or on
the herbs
the plant uses its ability to shrink as a defense
from predators.
It is used to reduce toxicity of venoms and fixes
nitrogen in soil for plans to utilize
Joy perfume tree/Champa
Magnolia champaca
This tree is regarded to be the personification of
Goddess Lakshmi
Increases the wealth of the family
Its timber is used in urban landscaping
Flowers are used to make the world's most
expensive perfume 'Joy' in America
Used as an ornamental tree
Bottle Gourd or Calabash

Lagenaria siceraria
Dried Calabash is used as bottle, Utensil or Pipe.
Used to Prevent chicken pox
Popular vegetable in many world cuisines,
In parts of India, the dried, unpunctured gourd is used as a
float for swimming
Indian instruments, such as the tanpura, sitar and rudra veena, are
constructed from dried calabash gourds
Used as a utensil for water or drinks in many countries
Spear mint
Mentha spicata
Mint is a symbol of hospitality

Often cultivated for its aromatic and carminative oil, referred to
as oil of spearmint.
Has medicinal properties
Ingredient in several mixed drinks and teas
Also used in flavouring
Basil
Ocimum basilicum
Culinary herb
A full, fresh leaf, in a cash register or wallet, is said to
draw money
Very characteristic smell
Basil seeds used in Asian drinks and desserts such
as faluda and sherbet
Used for their medicinal properties
in Ayurveda, Siddha medicine
Sarpagandha
Rauvolfia serpentina
Mahatma Gandhi was said to have Snake root tea

on a regular basis
Used to treat high blood pressure and mental
disorders including schizophrenia,
It has been used for millennia as an antidote against
bites of venomous reptiles.
CANNA
HIBISCUS
CORAL FLOWER
RUFFLED FAN PALM
BOUGAINVILLEA
MONDO GRASS
BLACK MAGIC
PLANT
GOLDEN DURANTA
SCREW PALM
CROSSANDRA
MARIGOLD
Marigold
GUAVA
Bagasse Board by product of

66% (by cost)
sugarcane industry-a good
of the material
substitute for plywood or Particle
was sourced
within a radius
Board
of 800 km
It has wide usage for making
partitions, furniture etc.
Of this, 95 % of the
Eco-friendly method - does not
raw material was
involve any harm to the timbers,
extracted or
unlike plywood.
harvested locally.
Used for furniture in interiors of the
building
An impressive 77 % of the building materials use
recycled content in the form of fly ash, broken

glass, broken tiles, recycled paper, recycled
aluminum, cinder from industrial furnaces,
bagasse, mineral fibers, cellulose fibers, and
quarry dust.
Low VOC paints have also been applied
RECEPTION
AND OFFICE
PORTICO
COURTYARD
MEETING
ROOM
WIND
TOWER
GREEN TECHNOLOGY
CENTRE
OFFICE BLOCK
COURTYARD
SEMINAR
HALL
WIND
TOWER
SECTIONS
GREEN TECHNOLOGY
CENTRE
SEMINAR HALL
COURTYARD
All of the new wood used was sustainably harvested, as certified by

the Forest Stewardship Council.
Reuse of a significant amount of material salvaged from other
construction sites like toilet doors, interlocking pavement blocks,
stone slabs, scrap steel, scrap glazed tiles, shuttering material and,
the furniture in the cafeteria.
Clay tile paving
in the gardens
Stone grid pavers

used on roads for
easy drainage of
water
Reuse of construction
waste stone in paving
the gardens
Furniture in the canteen

with local Tandur stone
flooring
A waste management plan ensured that 96 %

of construction waste was recycled.
Use of bamboo
as landscape
elements
FLY ASH BRICK
65% walls in GBC are
Manufacturing method saves energy, reduces mercury pollution,

constructed with this
costs 20% less than traditional clay brick manufacturing.
material
Low embodied energy, High recycled content, low CO2 emission
Lighter than clay bricks.
High strength, practically no breakage during transport
Uniform size of bricks reduces mortar required for joints and plaster by 50%.
Lower water penetration, considerably reducing seepage of water through
bricks
Gypsum plaster (plaster of Paris) can be directly applied on these bricks
without a backing coat of lime plaster.
Use of Solar photovoltaic cells on the rooftop grid provides about

24 kilowatts, or 16 % of the building's electricity needs.
Placed appropriately on the roof facing South and West to capture
maximum heat gain
A Windcatcher, Windscoop or Badgir is a

traditional Persian architectural element to
create natural ventilation in buildings.
Energy savings are achieved by the GBCs two
wind towers
Air, cooled by upto 8 ^C, is supplied to the AHUs,
substantially reducing the load on the air
conditioning system.
A heavily insulated roof further reduces the
cooling load.
Wind towers in Persia
GBC
wind towers
Earth sheltering is a an ancient architectural practice of

using earth against building walls/ roofs for external thermal
mass, to reduce heat loss, and to easily maintain a steady
indoor air temperature.
Roof Gardens cover 55 % of the exposed roof area of the
building high reduction of heat gain
Root Zone Treatment

Artificially prepared wetlands
comprising of clay or plastic lined
excavation and emergent vegetation
growing on gravel/sand mixtures
Rain Water Harvest :

Some rainwater goes into the soil by the use of
permeable grid pavers.
The remaining rainwater follows existing flow
patterns and is collected in a water pondanother traditional method of rain water
harvesting, constructed at a lower end of the
site.
In addition, the building achieves a 35 %
reduction of municipally supplied potable water,
in part through the use of low-flush toilets and
waterless urinals.
Waste Water Treatment
All wastewater generated - recycled by "root zone treatment" simultaneously irrigates the vegetation.
Low operating cost , less energy requirement and ease of maintenance
Attractive alternative for wastewater management
Enhances the Landscape
Campus Address:
CII - Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre
Survey # 64, Kothaguda Post
R R District, Hyderabad 500084, India
Tel: +91 40-44185111 (B)
Fax: +91 40 23112837
www.igbc.in

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Architectural Case Study

Confederation of Indian Industry

Confederation of Indian Industry

Confederation of Indian Industry

Using processes that are environmentally responsible and

Confederation of Indian Industry

Confederation of Indian Industry

Confederation of Indian Industry

Confederation of Indian Industry

Located at the lowest

Located on the flattest zone on site- least

Confederation of Indian Industry

Confederation of Indian Industry

Warm breeze that picks

Cooled by the presence

Harsh west heat fi

Orientation of the buildings capitalize on

CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN

Warm breeze from the

Confederation of Indian Industry

Main entrance located at the main road

The main gate opens to a long driveway with

The main building has direct access

Building located near a public

Bicycle riders are treated preferentially - convenient parking,

BUILT VS UNBUILT AREA

Confederation of Indian Industry

Zoning done by HIERARCHY in

Confederation of Indian Industry

Arrows indicate Circulation

Everything acquires rounded edges, soft forms,

Convergence of individual spaces to the

Courtyard as central Focal Point

Confederation of Indian Industry

Minimal damage during construction and occupancy,

Confederation of Indian Industry

The spatial and formal elements around a courtyard create

In history : Haveli, Wada, Deori , Nalukettu, Totti mane. etc

Court yard acts as the

Centre creates a centrifugal effect,

Confederation of Indian Industry

The courtyards act as

Courtyard functions as a convective thermostat and gives protection from extremes of

Confederation of Indian Industry

Confederation of Indian Industry

Confederation of Indian Industry

Like most olden systems of construction, structures are

Confederation of Indian Industry

Reception desk and library

Seating at the reception

Library, e library and admin

Extremely Well Lit

Confederation of Indian Industry

Easy access from main

Easy circulation in block organization

Sufficient Diffused Daylight for all areas through

Grid like arrangement of desk

Confederation of Indian Industry

Confederation of Indian Industry

Spaces located in the overlap between inside and

Confederation of Indian Industry

Easy navigation - use of

Confederation of Indian Industry

Building layout ensures that 90 % of spaces have daylight