NP-Green homes in city soon

Green homes in city soon

BANGALORE: Homes that are naturally air-conditioned, with less carbon dioxide emission, vegetable gardens nearby and less energy consumption will soon be a reality.

This is just a glimpse of 'BCIL' Collective, a green project initiative being developed by Biodiversity Conservation India Limited (BCIL).

The city-based private technology building firm formally launched the project on Thursday. It is said to be the first of its kind, that aims at being ecologically sustainable, reduced green house emission and lower consumption of resources.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Chandrashekar Hariharan, CEO, BCIL, said that the complex has been designed to save 35,000 litres of water per home per year, by focusing on rain water harvesting and recycling within the residential complex.

On the energy front, the complex will not have incandescent bulbs or tube lights but will have hybrid lighting comprising CFL and LED lights, which would reduce power consumption, he said. The complex also aims at promoting 'Zero food miles' where the residents could get access to vegetables and herbs that have not travelled for miles, but grown in controlled microirrigated patches of land on the campus. The design enables growing seven tonnes of vegetables per annum.

The complex would use hollow blocks which are made using fly ash to reduce heat gain in the house. These apartments are located on a three-acre site at Yelahanka. Chandrashekar said that the unique feature of this complex is the use of an underground earth tunnel ventilation to provide natural airconditioning.

''The system uses night air to cool the rooms and hot afternoon air for active ventilation. This is the largest earth tunnel ventilation system reported in India so far,'' said Anup Naik, senior architect.

''The apartments will be ready in a few months and will not cost more than normal apartments in the area,'' he added.

For details call, 4018 4018 or e-mail write@ecobcil. com or visit www.ecobcil. com