GREEN BUILDINGS AND

GREEN RATING IN
INDIA

THUSHAR PREMACHANDRAN
S4 B.ARCH
LEED- LEADERSHIP IN
ENERGY AND
ENVIRONMENTAL
DESIGN

INTRODUCTION

THE LEADERSHIP IN ENERGY AND

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN (LEED)

RATING SYSTEM EVALUATES

BUILDINGS FOR THEIR

ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE

AND ENCOURAGES THE USE OF

GREEN BUILDING PRACTICES.

WHY LEED IS IMPORTANT?

New building designing and construction has brought a negative impact on the

environment for many years. Considering this Green Building Council have done best

practices in sustainability matters and create awareness of environment importance in

the construction industry for which measuring tools have been used to know the

environment impact of the building built.That is how leed rating system was found .

LEED certified buildings reduce stress on the environment. They are more energy and

resource-efficient. They generate less waste and lower the use of energy, water, and

other resources.

LEED provides a framework to create a healthy, efficient, and cost-saving green building

that is globally recognized for the sustainability of green buildings.

LEED RATING SYSTEM

There is a LEED certification framework for nearly every

project, with a rating system that is grouped into five

categories:

Building Design and Construction (BD+C)

Interior Design and Construction

Operations and Maintenance (O+M)

Neighborhood Development

Homes
LEED certification can be a complex process that involves

extremely detailed standards and guidelines that involve

mathematical calculations and detailed documentation.

The point system for certification of building is categorised

in five areas-

Sustainable sites

Water efficiency

Energy and atmosphere

Materials and resources

Indoor environmental quality

A private home has even more opportunity to become LEED certified through

environmentally sustainable improvements under nine priority categories:

Sustainable sites

Water efficiency

Energy and atmosphere

Materials and resources

Indoor environmental quality

Locations and linkages

Awareness and education

Innovation and design

Regional priority
CHARACTERISTICS OF LEED BUILDINGS

Location and linkage-. This category is based on where the project is located, its

connectibility to public transportation, and making accommodations for those

using alternative transportation modes.  

Sustainable Sites. Site selection is also an important factor in the sustainable

building process. choosing a site that has been previously developed and that has

at least 25% open, vegetated space as part of the project boundary line, will

result in a more environmentally responsible building design and consequently, a

higher LEED score.

Water Efficiency. Responsible indoor and outdoor water use is key to

designing a building that is truly sustainable. Indoor water savings can

be attained through low hanging fruit strategies such as efficient

plumbing fixtures or condensate recovery. 

Energy Use - There are four main methods architects use to optimize a

building’s energy use. The first is to reduce the internal energy use intensity

(EUI) by focusing on the envelope of the building. The second step is to right-

size the HVAC system. The third method is the use of renewables such as solar

panels, wind turbines, and geothermal systems. The final component is the

storage of energy, which is often used in conjunction with renewable energy

systems.

Materials and Resources - The resources used to create a project are

incredibly important in LEED buildings . Using materials that are high

in recycled content, which are regionally sourced, which are

extracted in responsible ways all help in ensuring that the building is

composed of environmentally sound materials.

Indoor Environmental Quality. This category addresses

environmental factors such as air quality, lighting quality, acoustic

design, and user control of interior spaces, which all affect the

way people learn, work, and live inside of buildings.

Innovation. This last category challenges designers to

think outside the “box” of LEED and to push the

envelope when it comes to sustainable design.

CERTIFICATION LEVELS

Buildings and homes are awarded up to 110 points, based on the level of

sustainable strategies that are achieved – from basic sustainable design to a

framework that consumes the least amount of energy possible. The more

points achieved, the higher the level of LEED certification, which is comprised

of four levels:

1. LEED certified (40-49 points)

2. Silver certification (50-59 points)

3. gold certification (60-70 points)

4. Platinum certification (80+points)

LEED CERTIFIED BUILDINGS IN INDIA

CII-SOHRABJI GODREJ GREEN BUSINESS

CENTRE, HYDERABAD

The center was the first building in India and the first outside the United States

to acquire a LEED Platinum certification.

INFINITY BENCHMARK ,KOLKATA

The company is Kolkata’s first LEED platinum-rated structure. From the

conceptualization, the design stood for the exploitation of optimum resources,

innovative sources for green energy, and protection of the environment around.