Nothing commercial about it

Commercial buildings are not averse to incorporating sustainable options. They not only want to go green, but also like to be rated green, says NANDHINI SUNDAR

NOVEL design: An artist’s sketch of the Bearys Global Research Triangle of the Bearys Group.

Given the consciousness and increasing need to opt for greener solutions to promote sustainability, corporate houses appear serious about carrying out operations from buildings that sport a green tag. Unlike earlier times when few sustainable options were incorporated, commercial buildings now evince the need to go not only totally green but be rated green.

Buildings that have incorporated green aspects of construction and ensured thermal comfort and indoor air quality have been found to increase employee productivity and reduce attrition rates.
LEED-rated IT park

While none of the presently occupied commercial buildings have a LEED rating, Xylem, the first LEED (Gold) rated IT park in the city, developed by the Tata Group, became ready for occupation recently.

With an area exceeding 240,000 sq.ft., Xylem incorporates all the essentials in terms of design, materials, orientation, energy savings and indoor air quality. The objective is to tackle the ‘sick building syndrome’ and focus on occupants’ health, ergonomic design and architecture to increase employee productivity.

Boasting of a 19 per cent saving in operational cost as compared to a conventional building, the IT park packs in features such as efficient water use, right orientation to let in maximum natural light, efficient and intelligent air conditioning that results in energy savings of up to 26 per cent as well as energy-saving lighting options.

To ensure indoor air quality, the building has 22 CFM of fresh air as compared to 15 CFM in a conventional building. The use of double-glazing glass and aluminium aerofoil louvers further reduces indoor temperature, reducing the need for air-conditioning.

The building has lounges at each level with a terrace garden to serve as relaxation centres. A fully-equipped club house complements this.

Says Brotin Banerjee, COO, Tata Housing, “While this IT Park is the first of its kind in Bangalore, we propose to make all our future projects green compliant.” While there is a marginal increase in the cost of construction, the operational and health benefits negate this extra cost.

Following closely on this path is Bearys Global Research Triangle, currently under development by the Bearys Group. Being the first green building research park in the IT sector, the development aims to incorporate all aspects of a green building to attain a LEED Platinum rating on completion.

Aesthetically designed, the building is in the midst of the lush green belt in Whitefield and built with no changes to the contours of the landscape. The building is to be surrounded by trees to add to the green factor. While all the open terrace spaces are to sport a terrace garden to minimise heat besides enhancing the green look, even the commonly used aluminium louvers have been replaced by creepers. “The building occupies only 28 per cent of the site area with the rest covered by trees. Even in this 28 per cent, all open areas are to be greenery,” says Syed Beary, Chairman, Bearys Group.

The building is uniquely designed with a portion of it slanting to provide shade to the relevant section. Similarly, the fire escape incorporates a fresh air vault to successfully push the fire out of the section. While the orientation of the building is structured to let in maximum natural light while cutting out heat, double-glazed glass and Aerocon blocks act as an extra level of insulation.

To ensure indoor air quality, separate ducts are provided for fresh air which minimises stale air circulated in an air- conditioned interior. Green-compliant carpet tiles will improve indoor air quality. About 50 per cent savings in energy is expected to be realised with CFL and LED lights. In conference halls, sensors regulate air-conditioning and lighting.

Similar to energy saving, water conservation features will be in place, not only in terms of waste water recycling and rainwater harvesting, but also by using methods like dual flushing and sensor taps.

While the facilities of a club house are to be available for the occupants, the building also proposes to incorporate a Montessori and child care centre to take care of the needs of working mothers with young children.

To promote green modes of transport, special bicycle parking zones and facilities for charging battery-operated cars are to be provided besides making available a fleet of buses for long distance commuters.
Remove the myth

Says Chandrashekar Hariharan, CEO of BCIL-GIL, “the concept that green buildings are more expensive than conventional buildings is a myth.” According to him, a green building veers around the basic approach to design and the right design will reduce the cost of construction, making the cost difference minimal.

BCIL is a green building consulting firm assisting corporate houses with green options. Its wing, GIL, is into research and innovation to promote new ways of adopting green technology.

The company has developed and is in the process of developing various end-user products that are not only energy saving but economically viable. These products extend to home appliances and address commercial needs such as innovative ways to increase the level of fresh air in an air-conditioned interior.

Adds Hariharan, “There has been tremendous response from builders to incorporate green features not only in commercial spaces but residences too. This response is seen across the board to imbibe the green concept even in other sectors like food processing and manufacturing.”

Going forward, he envisages increased awareness and steep growth in the percentage adopting the green concept.