SUSTAINABILITY

WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY ? AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT

SUBMITTED BY-
JATIN YADAV
B.ARCH 5TH YR
9TH SEM
 WHAT IS IT ? WHERE DOES THE TERM COME FROM?
WHILE THE CONCEPT OF SUSTAINABILITY IS A RELATIVELY NEW IDEA, THE MOVEMENT
AS A WHOLE HAS ROOTS IN SOCIAL JUSTICE, CONSERVATIONISM, INTERNATIONALISM
SUSTAINABILITY MEANS MEETING OUR OWN NEEDS AND OTHER PAST MOVEMENTS WITH RICH HISTORIES. BY THE END OF THE TWENTIETH
WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE ABILITY OF FUTURE CENTURIES, MANY OF THESE IDEAS HAD COME TOGETHER IN THE CALL FOR
GENERATIONS TO MEET THEIR OWN NEEDS. IN ADDITION TO ‘SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.’
NATURAL RESOURCES, WE ALSO NEED SOCIAL AND
ECONOMIC RESOURCES. SUSTAINABILITY IS NOT JUST
THE WORLD COMMUNITY ADOPTS [SOURCE – GOOGLE IMAGES]
ENVIRONMENTALISM. EMBEDDED IN MOST DEFINITIONS OF
SUSTAINABILITY WE ALSO FIND CONCERNS FOR SOCIAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
EQUITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
1979
FIRST WORLD CLIMATE CONFERENCE
OPENS UP THE SCIENCE OF CLIMATE
THE BRUNTDLAND COMMISSION CHANGE

IN 1983, THE UNITED NATIONS TAPPED FORMER NORWEGIAN PRIME 1987

MINISTER GRO HARLEM BRUNDTLAND TO RUN THE NEW WORLD BRUNDTLAND REPORT CONSOLIDATES
COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT. AFTER DECADES DECADES OF WORK ON SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT
OF EFFORT TO RAISE LIVING STANDARDS THROUGH INDUSTRIALIZATION,
MANY COUNTRIES WERE STILL DEALING WITH EXTREME POVERTY. IT 1992
SEEMED THAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AT THE COST OF RIO EARTH SUMMIT RALLIES THE
ECOLOGICAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL EQUITY DID NOT LEAD TO LONG- WORLD TO TAKE ACTION AND ADOPT
AGENDA 21
LASTING PROSPERITY. IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE WORLD NEEDED TO FIND
A WAY TO HARMONIZE ECOLOGY WITH PROSPERITY. 1993
CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL
AFTER FOUR YEARS, THE “BRUNDTLAND COMMISSION” RELEASED ITS DIVERSITY PUTS THE PRECAUTIONARY
FINAL REPORT, OUR COMMON FUTURE. IT FAMOUSLY DEFINES PRINCIPLE TO WORK
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AS:
1997
KYOTO PROTOCOL TAKES THE FIRST
STEP TOWARD STOPPINGDANGEROUS
“DEVELOPMENT THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF THE PRESENT CLIMATE CHANGE
WITHOUT COMPROMISING THE ABILITY OF FUTURE
GENERATIONS TO MEET THEIR OWN NEEDS.” 2000
WITH MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT
GOALS, SOCIAL JUSTICE MEETS
PUBLIC HEALTH &
THE COMMISSION SUCCESSFULLY UNIFIED ENVIRONMENTALISM WITH ENVIRONMENTALISM
SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONCERNS ON THE WORLD’S DEVELOPMENT
2006
AGENDA. AL GORE BRINGS CLIMATE CHANGE
TO THE MAINSTREAM WITH AN
SUSTAINABILITY IS A HOLISTIC APPROACH THAT CONSIDERS
INCONVENIENT TRUTH
ECOLOGICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC DIMENSIONS, RECOGNIZING
THAT ALL MUST BE CONSIDERED TOGETHER TO FIND LASTING 2012 RIO+20 TAKES STOCK ON 2+
PROSPERITY. DECADES OF EFFORTS AT
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

THREE PILLARS OF SUSTAINABILITY
WHAT WOULD A SUSTAINABLE WORLD LOOK LIKE?
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY IS MAINTAINED, ALL OF EARTH’S ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS
ARE KEPT IN BALANCE WHILE NATURAL RESOURCES WITHIN THEM ARE CONSUMED BY
HUMANS AT A RATE WHERE THEY ARE ABLE TO REPLENISH THEMSELVES.
ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY
HUMAN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE GLOBE ARE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THEIR
INDEPENDENCE AND HAVE ACCESS TO THE RESOURCES THAT THEY REQUIRE,
FINANCIAL AND OTHER, TO MEET THEIR NEEDS. ECONOMIC SYSTEMS ARE INTACT AND
ACTIVITIES ARE AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE, SUCH AS SECURE SOURCES OF LIVELIHOOD.
SOCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIGHTS AND BASIC NECESSITIES ARE ATTAINABLE BY ALL PEOPLE,
WHO HAVE ACCESS TO ENOUGH RESOURCES IN ORDER TO KEEP THEIR FAMILIES AND
COMMUNITIES HEALTHY AND SECURE. HEALTHY COMMUNITIES HAVE JUST LEADERS
WHO ENSURE PERSONAL, LABOUR AND CULTURAL RIGHTS ARE RESPECTED AND ALL
PEOPLE ARE PROTECTED FROM DISCRIMINATION.
WHY SUSTAINABILITY?
THE MOTIVATIONS BEHIND SUSTAINABILITY ARE OFTEN
COMPLEX, PERSONAL AND DIVERSE. IT IS UNREALISTIC
TO CREATE A LIST OF REASONS WHY SO MANY
INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS AND COMMUNITIES ARE
WORKING TOWARDS THIS GOAL. YET, FOR MOST
PEOPLE, SUSTAINABILITY COMES DOWN TO THE KIND
OF FUTURE WE ARE LEAVING FOR THE NEXT
GENERATION.
SUSTAINABILITY AS A VALUE IS SHARED BY MANY
INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS WHO
DEMONSTRATE THIS VALUE IN THEIR POLICIES,
EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES AND BEHAVIOURS. INDIVIDUALS
HAVE PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN DEVELOPING OUR
CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL
CIRCUMSTANCES. THE PEOPLE OF TODAY ALONG WITH
FUTURE GENERATIONS MUST CREATE SOLUTIONS AND
ADAPT.
[SOURCE – GOOGLE IMAGES]
Sources:
1. “Our Common Future: Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development”.
UN Documents. n.d. Web. Retriev ed 27 June 2013. < http://www.un-documents.net/ocf-
02.htm>
2. Horton, Jocelyn ed. “Mad About ... Tropical Rainforests.” Friends of the Earth. Jan 2003.
Web. Retrieved 27 June 2013. <
http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/factsheets/rainforest_mad_about.pdf>
3. United Nations General Assembly “48. Sustainable development: managing and protecting
our common environment “2005 World Summit Outcome. 24 October 2005. Web. Retrieved
27 June 2013. < http://daccess-dds-
ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N05/487/60/PDF/N0548760.pdf?OpenElement>
 SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE IS ARCHITECTURE THAT SEEKS TO MINIMIZE THE NEGATIVE
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF BUILDINGS THROUGH IMPROVED EFFICIENCY AND
MODERATION IN THE USE OF MATERIALS, ENERGY, DEVELOPMENT SPACE AND THE
ECOSYSTEM AT LARGE. SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE USES A CONSCIOUS APPROACH
TO ENERGY AND ECOLOGICAL CONSERVATION IN THE DESIGN OF THE BUILT
ENVIRONMENT.
THE IDEA OF SUSTAINABILITY, OR ECOLOGICAL DESIGN, IS TO ENSURE THAT OUR USE
OF PRESENTLY AVAILABLE RESOURCES DOES NOT END UP HAVING DETRIMENTAL
EFFECTS TO OUR COLLECTIVE WELL-BEING OR MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OBTAIN
RESOURCES FOR OTHER APPLICATIONS IN THE LONG RUN.
THE TERM "SUSTAINABILITY" IN RELATION TO ARCHITECTURE HAS SO FAR
BEEN MOSTLY CONSIDERED THROUGH THE LENS OF BUILDING
TECHNOLOGY AND ITS TRANSFORMATIONS. GOING BEYOND THE
TECHNICAL SPHERE OF "GREEN DESIGN", INVENTION AND EXPERTISE,
SOME SCHOLARS ARE STARTING TO POSITION ARCHITECTURE WITHIN A
MUCH BROADER CULTURAL FRAMEWORK OF THE HUMAN
INTERRELATIONSHIP WITH NATURE. ADOPTING THIS FRAMEWORK
ALLOWS TRACING A RICH HISTORY OF CULTURAL DEBATES ABOUT OUR
RELATIONSHIP TO NATURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT, FROM THE POINT OF
VIEW OF DIFFERENT HISTORICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXTS.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY OVER THE ENTIRE LIFE CYCLE OF A BUILDING IS THE MOST IMPORTANT GOAL OF SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE. ARCHITECTS USE MANY DIFFERENT
PASSIVE AND ACTIVE TECHNIQUES TO REDUCE THE ENERGY NEEDS OF BUILDINGS AND INCREASE THEIR ABILITY TO CAPTURE OR GENERATE THEIR OWN ENERGY.[5] TO
MINIMIZE COST AND COMPLEXITY, SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE PRIORITIZES PASSIVE SYSTEMS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF BUILDING LOCATION WITH INCORPORATED
ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS, SUPPLEMENTING WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES AND THEN FOSSIL FUEL RESOURCES ONLY AS NEEDED.[6] SITE ANALYSIS CAN BE
EMPLOYED TO OPTIMIZE USE OF EXPLOIT LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES SUCH AS DAYLIGHT AND AMBIENT WIND FOR HEATING AND VENTILATION.

ENERGY USE VERY OFTEN DEPENDS ON WHETHER THE BUILDING GETS ITS ENERGY ON-GRID, OR OFF-GRID.[7] OFF-GRID BUILDINGS DO NOT USE ENERGY PROVIDED BY
UTILITY SERVICES AND INSTEAD HAVE THEIR OWN INDEPENDENT ENERGY PRODUCTION. THEY USE ON-SITE ELECTRICITY STORAGE WHILE ON-GRID SITES FEED IN EXCESSIVE
ELECTRICITY BACK TO THE GRID.

PASSIVE SOLAR
PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN USES SUNSHINE TO HEAT,
COOL AND LIGHT HOMES AND OTHER BUILDINGS
WITHOUT MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL DEVICES. IT IS
USUALLY PART OF THE DESIGN OF THE BUILDING ITSELF,
USING CERTAIN MATERIALS AND PLACEMENT
OF WINDOWS OR SKYLIGHTS.
PASSIVE SOLAR FEATURES
• SHAPE AND FORM OF BUILDINGS.
• ORIENTATION OF THE FACADES.
• DESIGN OF BUILDING PLAN AND SECTION.
• THERMAL INSULATION AND THERMAL STORAGE OF
ROOF.
• THERMAL INSULATION AND THERMAL STORAGE OF
THE EXTERIOR WALLS .
RULES OF PASSIVE SOLAR SYSTEMS
SOLAR BUILDINGS ARE DESIGNED TO KEEP
ENVIRONMENT COMFORTABLE IN ALL SEASONS •HE BUILDING SHOULD BE ELONGATED ON AN
WITHOUT MUCH EXPENDITURE ON ELECTRICITY 30 TO
EAST-WEST AXIS.
40% SAVINGS WITH ADDITIONAL 5 TO 10% COST
TOWARDS PASSIVE FEATURES. MAJOR COMPONENTS : •THE BUILDING’S SOUTH FACE SHOULD RECEIVE
ORIENTATION SUNLIGHT BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 9:00 A.M. AND
3:00 P.M. (SUN TIME) DURING THE HEATING
• DOUBLE GLAZED WINDOWS SEASON.
• WINDOW OVERHANGS •INTERIOR SPACES REQUIRING THE MOST LIGHT
• THERMAL STORAGE WALLS/ ROOF
• ROOF PAINTING
AND HEATING AND COOLING SHOULD BE ALONG
• VENTILATION THE SOUTH FACE OF THE BUILDING. LESS USED
• EVAPORATION SPACES SHOULD BE LOCATED ON THE NORTH.
• DAY LIGHTING
• CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL
ETC. DESIGNS DEPEND ON DIRECTION & INTENSITY OF
SUN & WIND, AMBIENT EMP., HUMIDITY ETC. DIFFERENT
DESIGNS FOR DIFFERENT CLIMATIC ZONES

PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN WILL DRAMATICALLY REDUCE THE HEATING

AND COOLING COSTS OF A BUILDING, AS WILL HIGH LEVELS
OF INSULATION AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT WINDOWS. NATURAL
DAYLIGHT DESIGN REDUCES A BUILDING'S ELECTRICITY NEEDS, AND
IMPROVES PEOPLE'S HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY. GREEN BUILDINGS
ALSO INCORPORATE ENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHTING, LOW ENERGY
APPLIANCES, AND RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES SUCH AS
WIND TURBINES AND SOLAR PANELS.

THE ADVANTAGES OF PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGN

•HIGH ENERGY PERFORMANCE: LOWER ENERGY BILLS ALL YEAR
ROUND.
•INVESTMENT: INDEPENDENT FROM FUTURE RISES IN FUEL COSTS,
CONTINUES TO SAVE MONEY LONG AFTER INITIAL COST RECOVERY.
•VALUE: HIGH OWNER SATISFACTION, HIGH RESALE VALUE.
•ATTRACTIVE LIVING ENVIRONMENT: LARGE WINDOWS AND VIEWS,
SUNNY INTERIORS, OPEN FLOOR PLANS.
•LOW MAINTENANCE: DURABLE, REDUCED OPERATION AND REPAIR.
•UNWAVERING COMFORT: QUIET (NO OPERATING NOISE), WARMER IN
WINTER, COOLER IN SUMMER (EVEN DURING A POWER FAILURE).
•ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY: CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY DOESN'T
CONTRIBUTE TO GLOBAL WARMIMG, ACID RAIN, OR AIR POLLUTION.
AN IMPORTANT AND COST-EFFECTIVE ELEMENT OF AN EFFICIENT HEATING, VENTILATION, AND AIR
CONDITIONING (HVAC) SYSTEM IS A WELL-INSULATED BUILDING. A MORE EFFICIENT BUILDING REQUIRES LESS
HEAT GENERATING OR DISSIPATING POWER, BUT MAY REQUIRE MORE VENTILATION CAPACITY TO EXPEL
POLLUTED INDOOR AIR. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF ENERGY ARE FLUSHED OUT OF BUILDINGS IN THE WATER, AIR
AND COMPOST STREAMS. OFF THE SHELF, ON-SITE ENERGY RECYCLING TECHNOLOGIES CAN EFFECTIVELY
RECAPTURE ENERGY FROM WASTE HOT WATER AND STALE AIR AND TRANSFER THAT ENERGY INTO INCOMING
FRESH COLD WATER OR FRESH AIR. RECAPTURE OF ENERGY FOR USES OTHER THAN GARDENING FROM
COMPOST LEAVING BUILDINGS REQUIRES CENTRALIZED ANAEROBIC DIGESTERS.

HVAC SYSTEMS ARE POWERED BY MOTORS. COPPER, VERSUS OTHER METAL CONDUCTORS, HELPS TO IMPROVE
THE ELECTRICAL ENERGY EFFICIENCIES OF MOTORS, THEREBY ENHANCING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF ELECTRICAL
BUILDING COMPONENTS. SITE AND BUILDING ORIENTATION HAVE SOME MAJOR EFFECTS ON A BUILDING'S HVAC
EFFICIENCY.

PASSIVE SOLAR BUILDING DESIGN ALLOWS BUILDINGS TO HARNESS THE ENERGY OF THE SUN EFFICIENTLY
WITHOUT THE USE OF ANY ACTIVE SOLAR MECHANISMS SUCH AS PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS OR SOLAR HOT WATER
PANELS. TYPICALLY PASSIVE SOLAR BUILDING DESIGNS INCORPORATE MATERIALS WITH HIGH THERMAL MASS
THAT RETAIN HEAT EFFECTIVELY AND STRONG INSULATION THAT WORKS TO PREVENT HEAT ESCAPE. LOW ENERGY
DESIGNS ALSO REQUIRES THE USE OF SOLAR SHADING, BY MEANS OF AWNINGS, BLINDS OR SHUTTERS, TO RELIEVE
THE SOLAR HEAT GAIN IN SUMMER AND TO REDUCE THE NEED FOR ARTIFICIAL COOLING. IN ADDITION, LOW
ENERGY BUILDINGS TYPICALLY HAVE A VERY LOW SURFACE AREA TO VOLUME RATIO TO MINIMIZE HEAT LOSS.
THIS MEANS THAT SPRAWLING MULTI-WINGED BUILDING DESIGNS (OFTEN THOUGHT TO LOOK MORE "ORGANIC")
ARE OFTEN AVOIDED IN FAVOR OF MORE CENTRALIZED STRUCTURES. TRADITIONAL COLD CLIMATE BUILDINGS
SUCH AS AMERICAN COLONIAL SALTBOX DESIGNS PROVIDE A GOOD HISTORICAL MODEL FOR CENTRALIZED
HEAT EFFICIENCY IN A SMALL-SCALE BUILDING.

WINDOWS ARE PLACED TO MAXIMIZE THE INPUT OF HEAT-CREATING LIGHT WHILE MINIMIZING THE LOSS OF HEAT
THROUGH GLASS, A POOR INSULATOR. IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE THIS USUALLY INVOLVES INSTALLING A
LARGE NUMBER OF SOUTH-FACING WINDOWS TO COLLECT DIRECT SUN AND SEVERELY RESTRICTING THE
NUMBER OF NORTH-FACING WINDOWS. CERTAIN WINDOW TYPES, SUCH AS DOUBLE OR TRIPLE GLAZED
INSULATED WINDOWS WITH GAS FILLED SPACES AND LOW EMISSIVITY (LOW-E) COATINGS, PROVIDE MUCH
BETTER INSULATION THAN SINGLE-PANE GLASS WINDOWS. PREVENTING EXCESS SOLAR GAIN BY MEANS OF
SOLAR SHADING DEVICES IN THE SUMMER MONTHS IS IMPORTANT TO REDUCE COOLING NEEDS. DECIDUOUS
TREES ARE OFTEN PLANTED IN FRONT OF WINDOWS TO BLOCK EXCESSIVE SUN IN SUMMER WITH THEIR LEAVES BUT
ALLOW LIGHT THROUGH IN WINTER WHEN THEIR LEAVES FALL OFF. LOUVERS OR LIGHT SHELVES ARE INSTALLED TO
ALLOW THE SUNLIGHT IN DURING THE WINTER (WHEN THE SUN IS LOWER IN THE SKY) AND KEEP IT OUT IN THE
SUMMER (WHEN THE SUN IS HIGH IN THE SKY). CONIFEROUS OR EVERGREEN PLANTS ARE OFTEN PLANTED TO THE
NORTH OF BUILDINGS TO SHIELD AGAINST COLD NORTH WINDS.

IN COLDER CLIMATES, HEATING SYSTEMS ARE A PRIMARY FOCUS FOR SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE BECAUSE THEY
ARE TYPICALLY ONE OF THE LARGEST SINGLE ENERGY DRAINS IN BUILDINGS.

IN WARMER CLIMATES WHERE COOLING IS A PRIMARY CONCERN, PASSIVE SOLAR DESIGNS CAN ALSO BE VERY
EFFECTIVE. MASONRY BUILDING MATERIALS WITH HIGH THERMAL MASS ARE VERY VALUABLE FOR RETAINING THE
COOL TEMPERATURES OF NIGHT THROUGHOUT THE DAY. IN ADDITION BUILDERS OFTEN OPT FOR SPRAWLING
SINGLE STORY STRUCTURES IN ORDER TO MAXIMIZE SURFACE AREA AND HEAT LOSS.[CITATION NEEDED]
BUILDINGS ARE OFTEN DESIGNED TO CAPTURE AND CHANNEL EXISTING WINDS, PARTICULARLY THE ESPECIALLY
COOL WINDS COMING FROM NEARBY BODIES OF WATER. MANY OF THESE VALUABLE STRATEGIES ARE
EMPLOYED IN SOME WAY BY THE TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE OF WARM REGIONS, SUCH AS SOUTH-WESTERN
MISSION BUILDINGS.
ACTIVE SOLAR
ACTIVE SOLAR DEVICES SUCH AS PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR PANELS HELP TO PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR PANELS
ELECTRICITY FOR ANY USE. ELECTRICAL OUTPUT OF A SOLAR PANEL IS DEPENDENT ON ORIENTATION,
EFFICIENCY, LATITUDE, AND CLIMATE—SOLAR GAIN VARIES EVEN AT THE SAME LATITUDE. TYPICAL
EFFICIENCIES FOR COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE PV PANELS RANGE FROM 4% TO 28%. THE LOW EFFICIENCY
OF CERTAIN PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS CAN SIGNIFICANTLY AFFECT THE PAYBACK PERIOD OF THEIR
INSTALLATION.[9] THIS LOW EFFICIENCY DOES NOT MEAN THAT SOLAR PANELS ARE NOT A VIABLE ENERGY
ALTERNATIVE. IN GERMANY FOR EXAMPLE, SOLAR PANELS ARE COMMONLY INSTALLED IN RESIDENTIAL
HOME CONSTRUCTION.

ROOFS ARE OFTEN ANGLED TOWARD THE SUN TO ALLOW PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS TO COLLECT AT
MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY. IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE, A TRUE-SOUTH FACING ORIENTATION MAXIMIZES
YIELD FOR SOLAR PANELS. IF TRUE-SOUTH IS NOT POSSIBLE, SOLAR PANELS CAN PRODUCE ADEQUATE
ENERGY IF ALIGNED WITHIN 30° OF SOUTH. HOWEVER, AT HIGHER LATITUDES, WINTER ENERGY YIELD WILL BE
SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED FOR NON-SOUTH ORIENTATION.

TO MAXIMIZE EFFICIENCY IN WINTER, THE COLLECTOR CAN BE ANGLED ABOVE HORIZONTAL LATITUDE
+15°. TO MAXIMIZE EFFICIENCY IN SUMMER, THE ANGLE SHOULD BE LATITUDE -15°. HOWEVER, FOR AN
ANNUAL MAXIMUM PRODUCTION, THE ANGLE OF THE PANEL ABOVE HORIZONTAL SHOULD BE EQUAL TO
ITS LATITUDE.

THE USE OF UNDERSIZED WIND TURBINES IN ENERGY PRODUCTION IN SUSTAINABLE STRUCTURES REQUIRES THE WIND TUBINES
CONSIDERATION OF MANY FACTORS. IN CONSIDERING COSTS, SMALL WIND SYSTEMS ARE GENERALLY MORE
EXPENSIVE THAN LARGER WIND TURBINES RELATIVE TO THE AMOUNT OF ENERGY THEY PRODUCE. FOR SMALL
WIND TURBINES, MAINTENANCE COSTS CAN BE A DECIDING FACTOR AT SITES WITH MARGINAL WIND-
HARNESSING CAPABILITIES. AT LOW-WIND SITES, MAINTENANCE CAN CONSUME MUCH OF A SMALL WIND
TURBINE'S REVENUE.[11] WIND TURBINES BEGIN OPERATING WHEN WINDS REACH 8 MPH, ACHIEVE ENERGY
PRODUCTION CAPACITY AT SPEEDS OF 32-37 MPH, AND SHUT OFF TO AVOID DAMAGE AT SPEEDS EXCEEDING
55 MPH.[11] THE ENERGY POTENTIAL OF A WIND TURBINE IS PROPORTIONAL TO THE SQUARE OF THE LENGTH OF
ITS BLADES AND TO THE CUBE OF THE SPEED AT WHICH ITS BLADES SPIN. THOUGH WIND TURBINES ARE
AVAILABLE THAT CAN SUPPLEMENT POWER FOR A SINGLE BUILDING, BECAUSE OF THESE FACTORS, THE
EFFICIENCY OF THE WIND TURBINE DEPENDS MUCH UPON THE WIND CONDITIONS AT THE BUILDING SITE. FOR
THESE REASONS, FOR WIND TURBINES TO BE AT ALL EFFICIENT, THEY MUST BE INSTALLED AT LOCATIONS THAT ARE
KNOWN TO RECEIVE A CONSTANT AMOUNT OF WIND (WITH AVERAGE WIND SPEEDS OF MORE THAN 15 MPH),
RATHER THAN LOCATIONS THAT RECEIVE WIND SPORADICALLY.[12] A SMALL WIND TURBINE CAN BE INSTALLED
ON A ROOF. INSTALLATION ISSUES THEN INCLUDE THE STRENGTH OF THE ROOF, VIBRATION, AND THE
TURBULENCE CAUSED BY THE ROOF LEDGE. SMALL-SCALE ROOFTOP WIND TURBINES HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO BE
ABLE TO GENERATE POWER FROM 10% TO UP TO 25% OF THE ELECTRICITY REQUIRED OF A REGULAR DOMESTIC
HOUSEHOLD DWELLING.[13] TURBINES FOR RESIDENTIAL SCALE USE ARE USUALLY BETWEEN 7 FEET (2 M) TO 25
FEET (8 M) IN DIAMETER AND PRODUCE ELECTRICITY AT A RATE OF 900 WATTS TO 10,000 WATTS AT THEIR TESTED
WIND SPEED.
SOLAR WATER HEATERS, ALSO CALLED SOLAR DOMESTIC HOT WATER SYSTEMS, CAN BE A COST-EFFECTIVE
WAY TO GENERATE HOT WATER FOR A HOME. THEY CAN BE USED IN ANY CLIMATE, AND THE FUEL THEY PHOTOVOLTAIC SOLAR PANELS
USE—SUNSHINE—IS FREE.
THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF SOLAR WATER SYSTEMS: ACTIVE AND PASSIVE. AN ACTIVE SOLAR COLLECTOR
SYSTEM CAN PRODUCE ABOUT 80 TO 100 GALLONS OF HOT WATER PER DAY. A PASSIVE SYSTEM WILL HAVE
A LOWER CAPACITY.
THERE ARE ALSO TWO TYPES OF CIRCULATION, DIRECT CIRCULATION SYSTEMS AND INDIRECT CIRCULATION
SYSTEMS. DIRECT CIRCULATION SYSTEMS LOOP THE DOMESTIC WATER THROUGH THE PANELS. THEY SHOULD
NOT BE USED IN CLIMATES WITH TEMPERATURES BELOW FREEZING. INDIRECT CIRCULATION LOOPS GLYCOL
OR SOME OTHER FLUID THROUGH THE SOLAR PANELS AND USES A HEAT EXCHANGER TO HEAT UP THE
DOMESTIC WATER. THE TWO MOST COMMON TYPES OF COLLECTOR PANELS ARE FLAT-PLATE AND
EVACUATED-TUBE. THE TWO WORK SIMILARLY EXCEPT THAT EVACUATED TUBES DO NOT CONVECTIVELY
LOSE HEAT, WHICH GREATLY IMPROVES THEIR EFFICIENCY (5%–25% MORE EFFICIENT). WITH THESE HIGHER
EFFICIENCIES, EVACUATED-TUBE SOLAR COLLECTORS CAN ALSO PRODUCE HIGHER-TEMPERATURE SPACE
HEATING, AND EVEN HIGHER TEMPERATURES FOR ABSORPTION COOLING SYSTEMS. ELECTRIC-RESISTANCE
WATER HEATERS THAT ARE COMMON IN HOMES TODAY HAVE AN ELECTRICAL DEMAND AROUND 4500
KW·H/YEAR. WITH THE USE OF SOLAR COLLECTORS, THE ENERGY USE IS CUT IN HALF. THE UP-FRONT COST
OF INSTALLING SOLAR COLLECTORS IS HIGH, BUT WITH THE ANNUAL ENERGY SAVINGS, PAYBACK PERIODS
ARE RELATIVELY SHORT.

AIR SOURCE HEAT PUMPS (ASHP) CAN BE THOUGHT OF AS REVERSIBLE AIR CONDITIONERS. LIKE AN AIR
HEAT PUMP
CONDITIONER, AN ASHP CAN TAKE HEAT FROM A RELATIVELY COOL SPACE (E.G. A HOUSE AT 70 °F)
AND DUMP IT INTO A HOT PLACE (E.G. OUTSIDE AT 85 °F). HOWEVER, UNLIKE AN AIR CONDITIONER, THE
CONDENSER AND EVAPORATOR OF AN ASHP CAN SWITCH ROLES AND ABSORB HEAT FROM THE COOL
OUTSIDE AIR AND DUMP IT INTO A WARM HOUSE.

AIR-SOURCE HEAT PUMPS ARE INEXPENSIVE RELATIVE TO OTHER HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS. AS THE EFFICIENCY
OF AIR-SOURCE HEAT PUMPS DECLINE WHEN THE OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE IS VERY COLD OR VERY HOT;
THEREFORE, THEY ARE MOST EFFICIENTLY USED IN TEMPERATE CLIMATES.[17] HOWEVER, CONTRARY TO
EARLIER EXPECTATIONS, THEY HAVE PROVEN TO BE ALSO WELL SUITED FOR REGIONS WITH COLD
OUTDOOR TEMPERATURES, SUCH AS SCANDINAVIA OR ALASKA.[18][19] IN NORWAY, FINLAND AND
SWEDEN, THE USE OF HEAT PUMPS HAS GROWN STRONGLY OVER THE LAST TWO DECADES: IN 2019,
THERE WERE 15–25 HEAT PUMPS PER 100 INHABITANTS IN THESE COUNTRIES, WITH ASHP THE DOMINANT
HEAT PUMP TECHNOLOGY.[19] SIMILARLY, EARLIER ASSUMPTIONS THAT ASHP WOULD ONLY WORK WELL
IN FULLY INSULATED BUILDINGS HAVE PROVEN WRONG—EVEN OLD, PARTIALLY INSULATED BUILDINGS
CAN BE RETROFITTED WITH ASHPS AND THEREBY STRONGLY REDUCE THEIR ENERGY DEMAND.
NATURAL BUILDING
ONE-HALF OF THE WORLD’S POPULATION LIVES OR WORKS IN BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED OF EARTH. STRAW BALE CONSTRUCTION IS NOW GAINING IN POPULARITY
AND MANY JURISDICTIONS IN CALIFORNIA HAVE ADOPTED THE STRAWBALE BUILDING CODE. GREEN BUILDING DESIGN FAVORS NATURAL BUILDING FOR ITS LOCAL
AVAILABILITY, EASE OF USE, LACK OF TOXIC INGREDIENTS, INCREASED ENERGY EFFICIENCY, AND AESTHETIC APPEAL. SOME EXAMPLES OF SUSTAINABLE BUILDING
MATERIALS INCLUDE RECYCLED DENIM OR BLOWN-IN FIBER GLASS INSULATION, SUSTAINABLY HARVESTED WOOD, TRASS, LINOLEUM,[23] SHEEP WOOL, HEMPCRETE,
ROMAN CONCRETE, PANELS MADE FROM PAPER FLAKES, BAKED EARTH, RAMMED EARTH, CLAY, VERMICULITE, FLAX LINEN, SISAL, SEAGRASS, EXPANDED CLAY GRAINS,
COCONUT, WOOD FIBER PLATES, CALCIUM SANDSTONE, LOCALLY OBTAINED STONE AND ROCK, AND BAMBOO, WHICH IS ONE OF THE STRONGEST AND FASTEST
GROWING WOODY PLANTS, AND NON-TOXIC LOW-VOC GLUES AND PAINTS. BAMBOO FLOORING CAN BE USEFUL IN ECOLOGICAL SPACES SINCE THEY HELP REDUCE
POLLUTION PARTICLES IN THE AIR.[25] VEGETATIVE COVER OR SHIELD OVER BUILDING ENVELOPES ALSO HELPS IN THE SAME. PAPER WHICH IS FABRICATED OR
MANUFACTURED OUT OF FOREST WOOD IS SUPPOSEDLY HUNDRED PERCENT RECYCLABLE, THUS IT REGENERATES AND SAVES ALMOST ALL THE FOREST WOOD THAT IT
TAKES DURING ITS MANUFACTURING PROCESS. THERE IS AN UNDERUTILIZED POTENTIAL FOR SYSTEMATICALLY STORING CARBON IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT.
WATER SYSTEM
WATER - OFTEN CALLED THE SOURCE OF LIFE - CAN BE CAPTURED, STORED, FILTERED, AND
REUSED. ITPROVIDES A VALUABLE RESOURCE TO BE CELEBRATED IN THE PROCESS OF
GREEN BUILDING DESIGN. ACCORDING TO ART LUDWIG IN ”CREATE AN OASIS OUT
OF GREY WATER”, ONLY ABOUT 6% OF THE WATER WE USE IS FOR DRINKING. THERE IS
NO NEED TO USE POTABLE WATER FOR IRRIGATION OR SEWAGE. THE GREEN BUILDING
DESIGN COURSE INTRODUCES METHODS OF RAINWATER HARVESTING, GREY WATER
SYSTEMS, AND LIVING POOLS.
MINIMISING WATER USE IS ACHIEVED BY INSTALLING
GREYWATER AND RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEMS THAT RECYCLE WATER FOR
IRRIGATION OR TOILET FLUSHING; WATER-EFFICIENT APPLIANCES, SUCH AS LOW FLOW
SHOWERHEADS, SELF-CLOSING OR SPRAY TAPS; LOW-FLUSH TOILETS, OR WATERLESS
CONCEPTUAL DRAWING OF WATER [SOURCE – GOOGLE IMAGES]
COMPOSTING TOILETS. INSTALLING POINT OF USE HOT WATER SYSTEMS AND LAGGING SYSTEM IN GREEN BUILDING
PIPES SAVES ON WATER HEATING. RAINWATER HARVESTING IN GREEN
BUILDING RAINWATER HARVESTING IS THE PRINCIPLE OF COLLECTING AND USING
PRECIPITATION FROM A CATCHMENTS SURFACE. AN OLD TECHNOLOGY IS GAINING
POPULARITY IN A NEW WAY. RAIN WATER HARVESTING IS ENJOYING A RENAISSANCE OF
SORTS IN THE WORLD, BUT IT TRACES ITS HISTORY TO BIBLICAL TIMES. EXTENSIVE RAINWATER
HARVESTING APPARATUS EXISTED 4000 YEARS AGO IN THE PALESTINE AND GREECE. IN
ANCIENT ROME, RESIDENCES WERE BUILT WITH INDIVIDUAL CISTERNS AND PAVED
COURTYARDS TO CAPTURE RAIN WATER TO AUGMENT WATER FROM CITY'S AQUEDUCTS.

RAINWATER HARVESTING IS ESSENTIAL SURFACE WATER IS INADEQUATE TO MEET OUR

DEMAND AND WE HAVE TO DEPEND ON GROUNDWATER. DUE TO RAPID URBANIZATION,
INFILTRATION OF RAINWATER INTO THE SUBSOIL HAS DECREASED DRASTICALLY AND
RECHARGING OF GROUNDWATER HAS DIMINISHED. AS YOU READ THIS GUIDE,
SERIOUSLY CONSIDER CONSERVING WATER BY HARVESTING AND MANAGING THIS
NATURAL RESOURCE BY ARTIFICIALLY RECHARGING THE SYSTEM. RAINWATER
HARVESTING TECHNIQUES FOR GREEN BUILDINGS THERE ARE TWO MAIN TECHNIQUES OF
RAINWATER HARVESTINGS.
1.STORAGE OF RAINWATER ON SURFACE FOR FUTURE USE
2.RECHARGE TO GROUNDWATER

STORAGE OF RAINWATER ON SURFACE FOR FUTURE USE. THE STORAGE OF RAINWATER

ON SURFACE IS A TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUES AND STRUCTURES USED WERE
UNDERGROUND TANKS, PONDS, CHECK DAMS, WEIRS ETC.

SOLAR WATER HEATING SYSTEM [SOURCE – GOOGLE IMAGES]

RECHARGE TO GROUNDWATER RECHARGE TO GROUNDWATER IS A NEW CONCEPT OF
RAINWATER HARVESTING AND THE STRUCTURES GENERALLY USED ARE PITS ,TRENCHES,
DUG WELLS, HAND PUMPS, ETC.
GREEN BUILDING
A GREEN BUILDING IS THAT IT IS A BUILDING THAT HAS HIGH-EFFICIENCY IN THE USE OF
NATURAL RESOURCES, WATER AND MATERIALS THAT ARE USED IN DESIGNING AND
CONSTRUCTINGTHE BUILDING. SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ACTIVITIES FOR GREEN
BUILDING ARE USE OFENERGY-EFFICIENT LIGHTS AND APPLIANCES, USE OF RECYCLED
MATERIALS, DESIGN ANDIMPLEMENTATION OF ENERGY EFFICIENT TEMPERATURE
CONTROL IN THE BUILDING ANDPROVISIONS FOR GOOD INDOOR QUALITY.THE GOAL
OF THE “GREEN BUILDING” PROJECT IS TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF CONSTRUCTION
ONTHE ENVIRONMENT. THE GREEN BUILDING PROJECT DIFFERS FROM
CONVENTIONAL BUILDINGPROJECTS BY ASSIGNING EQUAL PRIORITIES TO
ECONOMIC, SOCIAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL GOALS.

[SOURCE – GOOGLE IMAGES]

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS:
• PLANNING
• REDUCED SITE DISTURBANCE
PRINCIPLES OF GREEN BUILDING DESIGN • WASTE WATER MANAGEMENT.
• STORM WATER MANAGEMENT.
THE GREEN BUILDING DESIGN PROCESS BEGINS WITH AN INTIMATE UNDERSTANDING
• LANDSCAPE AND EXTERIOR DESIGN TO REDUCE HEAT
OF THE SITE IN ALL ITS BEAUTIES AND COMPLEXITIES. AN ECOLOGICAL APPROACH TO ISLANDS.
DESIGN AIMS TO INTEGRATE THE SYSTEMS BEING INTRODUCED WITH THE EXISTING ON- • LIGHT POLLUTION REDUCTION.
SITE ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS PREFORMED BY MOTHER NATURE. THESE ECOLOGICAL • REDUCED CAR DEPENDENCE THROUGH CARPARKING
FUNCTIONS PROVIDE HABITAT, RESPOND TO THE MOVEMENTS OF THE SUN, PURIFY THE PROVISION.
AIR AS WELL AS CATCH, FILTER AND STORE WATER. DESIGNERS CAN CREATE FEATURES
IN THEIR BUILDINGS THAT MIMIC THE FUNCTIONS OF PARTICULAR ECO-SYSTEMS.
SPECIES THAT THRIVE IN NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS MAY ALSO UTILIZE HABITATS CREATED
IN MAN-MADE STRUCTURES. CREATING NEW HABITAT ON STRUCTURES IN URBANIZED
AREAS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT BIO-DIVERSITY AND A HEALTHY
ECOSYSTEM. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS: PLANNING REDUCED SITE DISTURBANCE
WASTE WATER MANAGEMENT. STORM WATER MANAGEMENT. LANDSCAPE AND
EXTERIOR DESIGN TO REDUCE HEAT ISLANDS. LIGHT POLLUTION REDUCTION. REDUCED
CAR DEPENDENCE THROUGH CARPARKING PROVISION.

[SOURCE –https://www.eai.in/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/green-buildings-1-lac.jpg]
 DIFFERENT IGBC RATING SYSTEM
INDIAN GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL (IGBC)
INDIAN GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL (IGBC) HAS DEVELOPED GREEN BUILDING
RATING PROGRAMMES TO COVER COMMERCIAL, RESIDENTIAL, FACTORY
BUILDINGS, ETC., RATING PROGRAMMES WOULD HELP PROJECTS TO ADDRESS ALL
ASPECTS RELATED TO ENVIRONMENT AND IS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL TO MEASURE THE
PERFORMANCE OF THE BUILDING/ PROJECT.
IGBC RATING SYSTEM ADDRESSES GREEN FEATURES UNDER THE FOLLOWING
CATEGORIES:
•SITE PRESERVATION & RESTORATION
•SITE PLANNING & DESIGN
•WATER EFFICIENCY
•ENERGY EFFICIENCY
•MATERIALS & RESOURCES
•INNOVATION & DESIGN PROCESS
EACH RATING SYSTEM DIVIDED INTO DIFFERENT LEVELS OF CERTIFICATION ARE AS
FOLLOWS.

‘CERTIFIED’ TO RECOGNISE BEST PRACTICES

‘SILVER’ TO RECOGNISE OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE
‘GOLD’ TO RECOGNISE NATIONAL EXCELLENCE
‘PLATINUM’ TO RECOGNISE GLOBAL LEADERSHIP

THE THRESHOLD CRITERIA FOR CERTIFICATION LEVELS CHANGES WITH RATING

SYSTEMS.
IGBC GREEN HOMES RATING SYSTEM:
INDIAN GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL (IGBC) GREEN HOMES IS THE FIRST RATING
PROGRAMME DEVELOPED IN INDIA, EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE RESIDENTIAL SECTOR.
IT IS BASED ON ACCEPTED ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRINCIPLES AND
STRIKES A BALANCE BETWEEN KNOWN ESTABLISHED PRACTICES AND EMERGING
CONCEPTS. THE SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO BE COMPREHENSIVE IN SCOPE, YET
SIMPLE IN OPERATION.
ELIGIBILITY
IGBC GREEN HOMES RATING SYSTEM IS A MEASUREMENT SYSTEM DESIGNED FOR
RATING NEW RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS WHICH INCLUDE CONSTRUCTION CATEGORIES
SUCH AS
• INDIVIDUAL HOMES
• HIGH RISE RESIDENTIAL APARTMENTS,
• GATED COMMUNITIES
• ROW HOUSES
• EXISTING RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS WHICH RETROFIT AND
• REDESIGNED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE IGBC GREEN HOMES CRITERIA.
IGBC GREEN FACTORY BUILDING RATING SYSTEM
GBC GREEN FACTORY RATING SYSTEM IS A VOLUNTARY AND CONSENSUS BASED
PROGRAMME. THE RATING SYSTEM HAS BEEN DEVELOPED BASED ON THE
CONTEMPORARY MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES. THIS RATING SYSTEM WOULD
FACILITATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF GREEN FACTORIES. THE RATING SYSTEM
EVALUATES CERTAIN CREDIT POINTS USING A PRESCRIPTIVE APPROACH AND OTHER
CREDITS ON A PERFORMANCE BASED APPROACH. THE RATING SYSTEM IS EVOLVED
SO AS TO BE COMPREHENSIVE AND AT THE SAME TIME USER-FRIENDLY.
THE EXISTING FACTORY BUILDINGS SHOULD ADDRESS THE FOLLOWING MEASURES
(ILLUSTRATIVE) BEFORE APPLYING FOR CERTIFICATION:
•SOIL EROSION CONTROL MEASURES IN FUTURE
•CHANGES IN DESIGN TO ACCOMMODATE REQUIREMENTS OF DIFFERENTLY ABLED
PEOPLE, LIKE
•EASY ACCESS TO LIFTS, REST ROOMS ETC.,
•CHANGE TO LOW FLOW WATER FIXTURES
•RAINWATER HARVESTING
•LIMIT TURF AREAS
•HAVE POLICY FOR USE OF GREEN MATERIALS IN FUTURE
•MINIMUM FRESH AIR VENTILATION
•COMFORT CONDITIONS
•USE ECO-FRIENDLY HOUSEKEEPING MATERIALS
THE RATING SYSTEM IS VALID FOR 3 YEARS. ON COMPLETION OF 3 YEARS, PROJECTS
CAN VALIDATE /RENEW BASED ON THE PREVAILING LATEST VERSION.
IGBC GREEN SEZ RATING SYSTEM-PILOT VERSION
IGBC ALONG WITH THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (MOCI)
HAS PREPARED THE GREEN SEZ GUIDELINES.
IGBC HAS FURTHER DEVELOPED IGBC GREEN SEZ RATING SYSTEM AS AN
EXTENSION OF THE GREEN SEZ GUIDELINES WHICH ENCOURAGES THE
PROJECTS TO EXCEED THE REQUIREMENTS OF MANY CODES AND
STANDARDS.
THE RATING SYSTEM HAS BEEN DEVELOPED BASED ON
MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGIES THAT ARE PRESENTLY AVAILABLE. THE
OBJECTIVE OF IGBC GREEN SEZ IS TO FACILITATE THE CREATION OF ENERGY
EFFICIENT, WATER EFFICIENT, HEALTHY, COMFORTABLE AND
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY SEZ.
THE RATING SYSTEM EVALUATES CERTAIN CREDIT POINTS
USING A PRESCRIPTIVE APPROACH AND OTHER CREDITS ON A
PERFORMANCE BASED APPROACH. THE RATING SYSTEM IS EVOLVED SO AS
TO BE COMPREHENSIVE AND AT THE SAME TIME USER-FRIENDLY.
THE RATING PROGRAMME USES WELL ACCEPTED NATIONAL STANDARDS
AND WHEREVER LOCAL OR NATIONAL STANDARDS ARE NOT AVAILABLE,
APPROPRIATE INTERNATIONAL BENCHMARKS HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED.
GREEN RATING FOR INTEGRATING HABITAT ASSESMENT (GRIHA)
GRIHA IS INDIA’S NATIONAL RATING SYSTEM FOR GREEN BUILDINGS. IT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED
BY TERI (THE ENERGY AND RESOURCES INSTITUTE) AND IS ENDORSED BY THE MNRE (MINISTRY OF
NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY). SEEKS TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN ESTABLISHED
PRACTICES AND EMERGING CONCEPTS, BOTH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL.

GRIHA ATTEMPTS TO MINIMIZE:

- A BUILDING’S RESOURCE CONSUMPTION,
- WASTE GENERATION, AND
- OVERALL ECOLOGICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
BY COMPARING THEM TO CERTAIN NATIONALLY ACCEPTABLE LIMITS / BENCHMARKS. IT DOES
SO, ADOPTING THE FIVE ‘R’ S -[ REFUSE, REUSE, REDUCE, RECYCLE, REINVENT ]

Set of 34 criteria focusing on:

•Site Planning
•Building Design
•Energy Efficiency
•Water and waste management
•Sustainable Building Materials
•Occupant Health and comfort
SO AS TO MANAGE, CONTROL AND REDUCE /OPTIMIZE THE SAME TO THE BEST POSSIBLE EXTENT
GRIHA ASSESSES A BUILDING OUT OF 34 CRITERIA AND AWARDS POINTS ON A SCALE OF 100.
IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR GRIHA CERTIFICATION, A PROJECT MUST ACHIEVE AT LEAST 50
POINTS.
SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF A GREEN DESIGN TO A BUILDING OWNER, USER, AND
THE SOCIETY AS A WHOLE ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. REDUCED ENERGY CONSUMPTION WITHOUT SACRIFICING THE COMFORT LEVELS (LOWER
OPERATIONAL COSTS)
2. REDUCED WATER CONSUMPTION
3. REDUCED SYSTEM SIZES (HVAC, TRANSFORMERS, CABLING, ETC.) FOR OPTIMAL
PERFORMANCE AT LOCAL CONDITIONS.
4. REDUCED INVESTMENT (LIFECYCLE COST)
5. REDUCED DESTRUCTION OF NATURAL AREAS, HABITATS, BIODIVERSITY, REDUCED SOIL LOSS
FROM EROSION ETC.
6. REDUCED AIR AND WATER POLLUTION (WITH DIRECT HEALTH BENEFITS)
7. LIMITED WASTE GENERATION DUE TO RECYCLING AND REUSE
8. REDUCED POLLUTION LOADS
9. INCREASED USER PRODUCTIVITY
10. ENHANCED IMAGE AND MARKETABILITY

LEED IS A THIRD-PARTY GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION PROGRAM AND THE
GLOBALLY RECOGNIZED STANDARD FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND
OPERATION OF HIGH-PERFORMANCE GREEN BUILDINGS AND NEIGHBORHOODS. THE
RATING SYSTEM APPROACH FOCUSES ON EFFICIENCY AND LEADERSHIP TO DELIVER
THE TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE RETURNS OF "PEOPLE, PLANET AND PROFIT.“ APPROPRIATE
FOR ALL BUILDING TYPES AND PHASES, INCLUDING NEW CONSTRUCTION, INTERIOR
FIT-OUTS, OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE, AND CORE AND SHELL, LEED GIVES
BUILDING OWNERS AND OPERATORS THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO HAVE AN IMMEDIATE
AND MEASURABLE EFFECT ON THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR SPACES. BY PROMOTING
A WHOLE-BUILDING APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITY, LEED RECOGNIZES
ACHIEVEMENTS IN LOCATION AND PLANNING, SUSTAINABLE SITE DEVELOPMENT,
WATER SAVINGS, ENERGY EFFICIENCY, MATERIALS SELECTION, WASTE REDUCTION,
INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES AND ATTENTION TO
PRIORITY REGIONAL ISSUES.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT LEED RATING SYSTEMS?
THE LEED RATING SYSTEMS COVER A WIDE RANGE LEED FOR BUILDING DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCTION (BD+C), WHICH INCLUDES RESIDENTIAL DESIGN AND
CONSTRUCTION; LEED FOR INTERIOR DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION (ID+C); LEED FOR
BUILDING OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE (O+M); LEED FOR NEIGHBORHOOD
DEVELOPMENT (ND); AND LEED FOR CITIES AND COMMUNITIES.
WITHIN EACH OF THESE RATING SYSTEMS ARE DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS TO FIT VARIOUS
PROJECT TYPES AND SCOPES.
HOW ARE THE RATING SYSTEMS STRUCTURED?
THE LEED RATING SYSTEMS ARE MADE UP OF PREREQUISITES AND CREDITS.
PREREQUISITES ARE REQUIRED ELEMENTS OR GREEN BUILDING STRATEGIES
THAT MUST BE INCLUDED IN ANY LEED-CERTIFIED PROJECT. CREDITS ARE
OPTIONAL ELEMENTS THAT PROJECTS CAN PURSUE TO GAIN POINTS
TOWARD LEED CERTIFICATION. ALTHOUGH THE ORGANIZATION OF
PREREQUISITES AND CREDITS VARIES SLIGHTLY DEPENDING ON THE
BUILDING TYPE AND ASSOCIATED RATING SYSTEM, LEED IS GENERALLY
ORGANIZED BY THE FOLLOWING BROAD CONCEPTS:
•INTEGRATIVE PROCESS
•LOCATION AND TRANSPORTATION
•SUSTAINABLE SITES
•WATER
•ENERGY
•MATERIALS AND RESOURCES
•INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
HOW DOES A PROJECT ACHIEVE CERTIFICATION?
ACHIEVING LEED CERTIFICATION REQUIRES SATISFYING ALL PREREQUISITES
AND EARNING A MINIMUM NUMBER OF CREDITS. REFERENCE GUIDES,
DESIGNED TO HELP PROJECT TEAMS, EXPLAIN CREDIT CRITERIA, DESCRIBE
THE BENEFITS OF COMPLYING WITH THE CREDIT AND SUGGEST
APPROACHES TO ACHIEVING CREDIT COMPLIANCE. THE LEVELS OF
CERTIFICATION GENERALLY FOLLOW THESE THRESHOLDS:
•CERTIFIED: 40–49 POINTS
•SILVER: 50–59 POINTS
•GOLD: 60–79 POINTS
•PLATINUM: 80+ POINTS
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU BHAWAN
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU BHAWAN, THE HEADQUARTERS OFFICE BUILDING OF THE
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS AT JANPATH, NEW DELHI, IS A CONTEMPORARY
STATE-OF-THE-ART BUILDING IN COMPLETE HARMONY WITH ITS ENVIRONMENT AND
SURROUNDING ARCHITECTURE OF EDWIN LUTYEN’S.

JAWAHARLAL NEHRU BHAWAN IS THE FIRST ECBC COMPLIANT GOVT. BUILDING

WHICH WILL HAVE GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION WITH ‘LEEDS’. THE PLOT OF
LAND MEASURING 7.785 ACRES (31,504 SQM.) IS SITUATED ON THE CROSSING OF
MAULANA AZAD ROAD AND JANPATH. THE TOTAL BUILT UP AREA OF THE
BUILDING IS 59,475 SQM INCLUDING BASEMENT AREA OF 28,075 SQM TO
ACCOMMODATE PARKING AND SERVICES SUCH AS ELECTRIC SUBSTATION, PUMP
ROOM, DG SET ETC. THE TOTAL COST OF THE PROJECT IS APPRX. RS. 232 CR. THE
BUILDING HAS THREE MAIN BLOCKS – ONE OF THREE STOREYS AND TWO OF 5
STOREYS, FOUR DISTINCT ZONES, WITH SEPARATE ENTRANCES BUT INTER-
CONNECTED THROUGH CORRIDORS AND COURTYARDS. VARIOUS AMENITIES
PROVIDED IN THE BUILDING ARE AS GIVEN BELOW:
GREEN BUILDING FEATURES IN BUILDING
1. INSULATED BUILDING ENVELOPE THUS REDUCING AC LOAD OF THE BUILDING BY
ALMOST 30% BY USING:

COMPOSITE WALLS: COMPOSITE BRICK & STONE MASONRY WITH 75MM THK CAVITY FILLED
WITH GLASS WOOL INSULATION.
ROOF INSULATION: OVER DECK INSULATION USING 55MM THICK POLYURETHANE FOAM ON
TERRACE ROOF SLABS AND FINISHED WITH A REFLECTIVE LAYER OF MOSAIC FLOORING USING
BROKEN GLAZED TILES PIECES FOR REFLECTING THE SOLAR RADIATIONS.
DOUBLE GLAZING: DOUBLE GLAZED DUAL SEALED INSULATED UNITS FOR GLAZING HAVE
BEEN USED.
COURTYARD PLANNING- BUILDING HAS BEEN PLANNED AROUND 100’X100’ EXTENSIVELY
LANDSCAPED COURTYARDS ENSURING
- AMPLE NATURAL LIGHT IN ALL COMMON AREAS LIKE LIFTS, STAIRS & LOBBIES; MINIMIZING
DEPENDENCE ON ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING & EXTERNAL VIEW FOR MOST OF THE OFFICIALS
- GLAZINGS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED IN CORRIDOR WALLS TO ENHANCE NATURAL LIGHT
PENETRATION
- LIGHT CUT-OUTS IN COURTYARDS TO ENSURE NATURAL LIGHT PENETRATING BOTH LEVELS OF
BASEMEN

2. LANDSCAPE FEATURES
MAXIMIZING PERVIOUS & GREEN SURFACES TO ALMOST 60% OF SITE AREA
CONCRETE ROADS AROUND THE BUILDING INSTEAD OF BLACK BITUMINOUS ROAD
FOR HIGH REFLECTANCE
EXTENSIVE LANDSCAPING, USING NATIVE PLANTS, IN COURTYARDS, TERRACE
GARDENS & AROUND
THE BUILDING REDUCES THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AROUND THE BUILDING
PROVISION OF ‘VERTICAL GREEN WALL’ IN LANDSCAPED AREAS

3. USE OF ENERGY EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGIES

VRF AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM HAS BEEN PROVIDED USING NON-CFC
REFRIGERANTS AND HEAT RECOVERY
WHEEL TO PRE-COOL FRESH AIR
MACHINE ROOM LESS AND GEARLESS LIFTS HAVE BEEN INSTALLED WHICH REDUCE
THE ENERGY CONSUMPTION
BY ABOUT 25%
USE OF SPV PANELS FOR HOT WATER IN KITCHEN
USE OF MIRROR OPTIC FIXTURES, CFLS AND OCCUPANCY SENSORS.
EXTERNAL & FAÇADE LIGHTING HAVE BEEN DESIGNED AS PER FOLLOWING NORMS
 FACADE LIGHTING LPD= 50% OF ASHRAE NORMS
EXTERNAL STREET LIGHTING LPD = 80% OF ASHRAE NORMS
NO LIGHT TRESPASS & NO UPWARD LIGHT FLUX
EFFECTIVE WATER MANAGEMENT IN BUILDING BY
USE OF HYDRO-PNEUMATIC WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
SENSORS IN URINALS AND WATER TAPS
DUAL FLUSHING CISTERNS (TO REDUCE WATER CONSUMPTION)
USE OF STP TREATED WATER FOR FLUSHING & IRRIGATION
SEGREGATION OF BIO-DEGRADABLE WASTE GENERATED BY END USERS
DESIRABLE INDOOR AIR QUALITY HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY
O PROVIDING CO2 SENSORS IN MEETING ROOMS
O PROVIDING TFA SYSTEM TO SUPPLY FRESH AIR (21CFM/ PERSON)
O PROVIDING CO SENSORS IN BASEMENTS
O USE OF LOW VOC PRODUCTS LIKE PAINTS, ADHESIVES, SEALANTS, CARPETS ETC.
O USE OF FOOT MATS BEFORE ENTRANCES TO REDUCE THE DIRT PARTICLES ENTERING THE
INTERIORS
BMS SYSTEM HAS BEEN PROPOSED IN THE BUILDING TO INTEGRATE ALL THE SERVICES OF THE
BUILDING THROUGH A SOFTWARE INTERFACE TO ACHIEVE THE OPTIMIZATION OF RESOURCES
AND MONITORING OF THE SAME IN PRETEXT OF THE HISTORICAL DATA OF THE BUILDING. IT ALSO
INCLUDES GRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF DATA AND REPORTS, ALARM MANAGEMENT AND
BUILDING SYSTEMS RESPOND IN COORDINATED MANNER IN CASE OF EMERGENCY.
5. RECYCLING OF MATERIAL:
A. USE OF WASTE BRICK BATS FOR FILLING IN LANDSCAPED AREAS AND WATER PROOFING
TREATMENT OF TERRACES.
B. USE OF WASTE PIECES OF GLAZED TILES ON TERRACE TO REFLECT SOLAR RADIATION.
C. USE OF RECYCLED MATERIALS SUCH AS ‘AEROLITE’ CALCIUM SILICATE FALSE CEILING
TILES, CALCIUM SILICATE ‘HILUX’ BOARD, GYPSUM BOARD IN PARTITIONS AND FLY ASH
BRICKS ETC.
4. MINIMUM IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT DURING THE COURSE OF
CONSTRUCTION BY USING
FOLLOWING CONTROLLING MEASURES
SOIL EROSION & SEDIMENTATION CONTROL DURING EXCAVATION &
CONSTRUCTION STAGE. PRESERVATION OF GOOD EARTH BY STACKING
THE COMPLETE EXCAVATED EARTH (1.5 LAKH CU.M.) AT SUNDER
NAGAR NURSERY FOR FRESH PLANTATION
SITE SCREENING (UP TO A HT. OF 20’) AND REGULAR SPRINKLING OF
WATER TO SUPPRESS SPREADING OF DUST IN THE AIR & SURROUNDING
AREAS
CLEANING OF VEHICLE TYRES BEFORE LEAVING THE SITE & REGULAR
WASHING OF SURROUNDING ROADS
CONSTRUCTION WASTE WAS SEGREGATED & SENT TO MUNICIPAL
WASTE FACILITY, THUS NOT ALLOWING IT TO MIX WITH GROUND WATER.
ALSO IT WAS ENSURED THAT THERE WAS NO SLIPPAGE OF LUBRICANT,
WASTE OIL ETC. INTO THE GROUND CONTAMINATING THE SOIL &
LEACHING INTO THE GROUND WATER.
AMBIENT NOISE LEVEL WAS MAINTAINED WITHIN PERMISSIBLE LIMITS
BY USE OF 4NO. SILENT TYPE D.G SETS FOR THE PROJECT, MEETING
ENVIRONMENTAL (AIR & NOISE) EMISSION STANDARDS
RELEVANT QUALITY CHECK COMPLIANCE REPORTS FOR AIR, WATER
& NOISE LEVELS WERE SENT TO MOEF (MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT &
FOREST) AND DPCC ON 6 MONTHLY BASIS
USE OF REGIONAL MATERIALS AT SITE AS MAJORITY OF THE
MATERIALS HAVE BEEN PROCURED WITHIN 250
KMS FROM SITE
CLIMATE
THE CLIMATE OF THE EARTH CONSISTS OF A SERIES OF INTERLINKED PHYSICAL SYSTEMS
POWERED BY THE SUN.
IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT WE ARE GENERALLY CONCERNED WITH LOCAL CLIMATIC
SYSTEMS IN PARTICULAR:

• MACRO-CLIMATE THE CLIMATE OF A LARGER AREA SUCH AS A REGION OR A COUNTRY

• MICRO-CLIMATE THE VARIATIONS IN LOCALIZED CLIMATE AROUND A BUILDING

THE MACRO AND MICRO CLIMATE HAS A VERY IMPORTANT EFFECT ON BOTH THE ENERGY
PERFORMANCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF BUILDINGS, BOTH IN THE
HEATING SEASON AND IN SUMMER.
THE SITE AND DESIGN OF A BUILDING CAN HAVE A PROFOUND EFFECT UPON THE
INTERACTION BETWEEN A BUILDING AND ITS ENVIRONMENT.
MACRO CLIMATE
THE BUILDING SITE AFFECTS EXPOSURE TO THE PREVAILING WIND, THE SOLAR
THE MACRO CLIMATE AROUND A BUILDING CANNOT BE AFFECTED BY ANY
RADIATION THE BUILDING RECEIVES, POLLUTION LEVELS, TEMPERATURES AND RAIN
DESIGN CHANGES, HOWEVER THE BUILDING DESIGN CAN BE DEVELOPED
PENETRATION.
WITH A KNOWLEDGE OF THE MACRO CLIMATE IN WHICH THE BUILDING IS
SITE AND MACRO CLIMATE
LOCATED. GENERAL CLIMATIC DATA GIVE AN IDEA OF THE LOCAL CLIMATIC
THE ORIENTATION OF THE BUILDING AFFECTS SOLAR GAINS AND EXPOSURE TO THE
SEVERITY:
PREVAILING WIND (VENTILATION).
THE LOCATION OF NEIGHBOURING TREES AND BUILDINGS AFFECTS THE SOLAR GAINS
• SEASONAL ACCUMULATED TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE (DEGREE DAY) ARE
(SHADING) AND WIND PATTERNS.
A MEASURE OF THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE, THOUGH DO NOT ACOUNT
NEIGHBOURING TREES AND BUILDINGS ALSO PROTECT THE BUILDING FROM DRIVING
FOR AVAILABLE SOLAR
RAIN.

• TYPICAL WIND SPEEDS AND DIRECTION

• ANNUAL TOTALS OF GLOBAL HORIZONTAL SOLAR RADIATION

• THE DRIVING RAIN INDEX (DRI) RELATES TO THE AMOUNT OF MOISTURE

CONTAINED IN EXPOSED SURFACES AND WILL AFFECT THERMAL
CONDUCTIVITY OF EXTERNAL SURFACES.

THIS METEREOLOGICAL DATA GIVES A GENERAL IMPRESSION OF THE CLIMATE

AT THE SITE OF A BUILDING AND THE BUILDING DESIGN CAN BE PLANNED
ACCORDINGLY. HOWEVER THE BUILDING ITSELF AND SURROUNDING
GEOGRAPHY WILL AFFECT THE LOCAL CLIMATE.
MICRO-CLIMATE
THE SITE OF A BUILDING MAY HAVE A MANY MICRO CLIMATES CAUSED BY THE
PRESENCE OF HILLS VALLEYS, SLOPES, STREAMS AND OTHER BUILDINGS.
MICRO CLIMATE – EFFECT OF LOCAL TERRAIN
SURROUNDING SLOPES HAVE IMPORTANT EFFECTS ON AIR MOVEMENT, ESPECIALLY
AT THE BOTTOM OF A HOLLOW. IN HOLLOWS AIR WARMED BY THE RISES UPWARDS
DUE TO BUOYANCY EFFECTS (ANABATIC FLOW), TO BE REPLACED BY COOLER AIR
DRIFTING DOWN THE SLOPE (KATABATIC FLOW).
THE RESULT IS THAT VALEY FLOORS ARE SIGNIFICANTLY COLDER THAN LOCATIONS
PART WAY UP THE SLOPE. KATABATIC FLOWS OFTEN RESULT IN FROSTS PERSISTING FOR
LONGER IN LOW LYING LOCATIONS. THE MOST FAVOURABLE LOCATION IN A VALLEY
IS KNOWN AS THE THERMAL BELT, LYING JUST ABOVE THE LEVEL TO WHICH POOLS OF
COLD AIR BUILD UP, BUT BELOW THE HEIGHT AT WHICH EXPOSURE TO WIND
INCREASES.
MICRO-CLIMATE – EFFECTS OF BUILDINGS
BUILDINGS THEMSELVES CREATE FURTHER MICRO-CLIMATES BY SHADING
THE GROUND, CHANGING WIND FLOW PATTERNS.
ONE EXAMPLE OF HOW BUILDINGS AFFECT THE LOCAL CLIMATE IS THE
HEAT ISLAND EFFECT IN LARGE CITIES WHERE THE AVERAGE TEMPERATURE
IS HIGHER THAN THE SURROUNDING AREA:
SOLAR ENERGY ABSORBED AND RE-EMITTED FROM BUILDING SURFACES,
PAVEMENTS ROADS ETC. CREATES A WARMING EFFECT ON THE
SURROUNDING AIR. ALSO THE LARGE QUANTITIES OF BUILDINGS BREAK UP
THE WIND FLOW, REDUCING WIND SPEEDS AND CAUSING THE WARM AIR
TO REMAIN STAGNANT IN THE CITY. THIS ALSO CAUSES INCREASED
POLLUTION AS WELL AS TEMPERATURES.
THE PRESENCE OF LOCAL HIGH RISE BUILDINGS CAN DEGRADE THE LOCAL
CLIMATE AS WIND SPEED AT GROUND LEVEL CAN BE SIGNIFICANTLY
INCREASED, WHILE EXTENSIVE SHADOWS BLOCK ACCESS TO SUNLIGHT
FOR LONG PERIODS, INCREASING SPACE HEATING COSTS IN
SURROUNDING BUILDINGS.
IMPROVING MICRO CLIMATE THROUGH DESIGN
THE AIMS OF ENHANCING MICRO-CLIMATE AROUND BUILDINGS:
· REDUCE COSTS OF WINTER HEATING
WIND PROTECTION
PROTECT SPACE AND BUILDINGS FROM PREVAILING WINDS AND COLD (E.G.
· REDUCE SUMMER OVERHEATING AND THE NEED FOR COOLING
NORTH/EAST) WINDS.
· MAXIMISE OUTDOOR COMFORT IN SUMMER AND WINTER
PREVENT BUILDINGS AND TERRAIN FEATURES FROM GENERATING TURBULENCE
ALSO:
PROTECT SPACES AND BUILDINGS FROM DRIVING RAIN AND SNOW
· IMPROVE DURABILITY OF BUILDING MATERIAL (REDUCED RAIN PENETRATION)
PROTECT SPACE AND BUILDINGS FROM KATABATIC FLOWS, WHILE RETAINING
· PROVIDE A BETTER VISUAL ENVIRONMENT IN SPACES AROUND BUILDINGS
ENOUGH AIR MOVEMENT TO DISPERSE POLLUTANTS
· ENCOURAGE GROWTH OF PLANTS
· DISCOURAGE GROWTH OF MOSSES AND ALGAE
· FACILITATE OPEN AIR DRYING OF CLOTHES
FEATURES
PROVIDE THERMAL MASS TO MODERATE EXTREME TEMPERATURES
MEANS OF ENHANCING THE MICRO CLIMATE AROUND A BUILDING INCLUDE:
USE VEGETATION FOR SUN SHADING AND WIND PROTECTION (TRANSPIRATION
HELPS MODERATE HIGH TEMPERATURES).
SOLAR ACCESS:
PROVIDE SURFACES THAT DRAIN READILY.
ALLOW MAXIMUM DAYLIGHT INTO SPACE AND BUILDINGS
PROVIDE WATER FOR COOLING BE EVAPORATION (POOLS AND FOUNTAINS)
ALLOW MAXIMUM SOLAR RADIATION INTO SPACE AND BUILDINGS
SHADE SPACE AND WINDOWS FROM PROLONGED EXPOSURE TO SUMMER SUN
PROTECT SPACE AND WINDOWS FROM GLARE
SOLAR ACCESS
SOLAR ACCESS TO A SITE IS OFTEN A CASE OF MINIMISING SOLAR OVERHEATING IN SUMMER WHILE MAXIMISING SOLAR ACCESS DURING THE WINTER.
BUILDINGS WITH A HEATING REQUIREMENT SHOULD BE ORIENTATED NORTH SOUTH WITH MAXIMUM GLAZING ON THE SOUTH FACE.
DECIDUOUS TREES OFFER AN EXCELLENT MEANS OF SITE SHADING, WITH SHADING BEING REDUCED IN WINTER WHEN THE TREES LOSE THEIR LEAVES.
THE COLOUR OF SURROUNDING SURFACES WILL HAVE A PRONOUNCED EFFECT ON THE SOLAR
RADIATION AVAILABLE TO THE BUILDING. LIGHT COLOURED PAVING WILL INCREASE THE RADIATION REFLECTED FROM THE GROUND INTO THE BUILDING. PAVING
STONES WILL ALSO PROVIDE EXTERNAL THERMAL MASS, MODERATING TEMPERATURE SWINGS IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE BUILDING.
GRASS PLANTED OUTSIDE A BUILDING WILL REDUCE THE GROUND REFLECTED SOLAR.
USE OF COURTYARDS AND WATER CAN ALSO MODERATE THE EFFECTS OF HIGH TEMPERATURES ON SUMMER.

WIND CONTROL
THE FORM OF THE BUILDING CAN HAVE A GREAT EFFECT ON THE IMPACT OF THE WIND:
· AVOIDANCE OF THE BUILDING FLANK FACING THE WIND
· AVOIDANCE OF FUNNEL-LIKE GAPS BETWEEN BUILDINGS
· AVOIDANCE OF FLAT ROOFED BUILDINGS AND CUBICAL FORMS
· AVOID PIERCING BUILDINGS AT GROUND LEVEL
· AVOID ABRUPT CHANGES IN BUILDING HEIGHTS
· ORIENTATE LONG AXIS OF THE BUILDING PARALLEL TO THE DIRECTION OF THE WIND
· USE PODIUM TO LIMIT DOWN DRAUGHT AT GROUND LEVEL
· USE PITCHED RATHER THAN FLAT ROOFS AND STEPPED FORMS FOR HIGHER BUILDINGS
· GROUPS OF BUILDINGS CAN BE ARRANGED INIRREGULAR PATTERNS TO AVOID WIND TUNNELING.
CONIFEROUS TREES AND FENCING AND OTHER LANDSCAPE FEATURES SUCH AS MOUNDS OF EARTH AND HEDGES CAN ALSO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF WIND AND
DRIVING RAIN ON THE BUILDING
STRUCTURE.

ENHANCED MICRO CLIMATE AND ENERGY SAVING

INCREASED EXTERNAL AIR TEMPERATURE LEADING TO REDUCED SPACE HEATING REDUCTION:
INCREASE SOLAR ACCESS TO SITE, WIND PROTECTION, EXTERNAL THERMAL MASS, QUICK DRYING SURFACES.
REDUCED AIR CHANGE RATE, INTERNAL AIR MOVEMENT AND DECREASED EXTERNAL SURFACE CONNECTIVE HEAT TRANSFER: REDUCED PRESSURE DRIVEN VENTILATION
BY WIND PROTECTION.
REDUCED MOISTURE EFFECTS ON FABRIC: LESS WETTING OF FABRIC AND ENERGY LOSS DUE TO EVAPORATION FROM WET SURFACES BY PROTECTING FROM DRIVING
RAIN AND PROVIDING ADEQUATE SURFACE DRAINAGE.

[SOURCE – https://www.boeingconsult.com/]