Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Going green while constructing your house is not about compromising on quality and material. The concept of a green building still evokes doubts and misgivings, writes Jayanthi Madhukar

There has been a lot of talk about the concept of green buildings. But for the average homebuilder this may still not be clear. More so, the ‘scalability’ of the concept remains hazy. Can it be done on a small scale? Will it be economically feasible? Are the materials relevant to the place? Is there any fine print that is left unsaid, only to be experienced later? And will aesthetics be overshadowed by the functionality? These are some niggling questions that may play in the mind when you consider building a house on the green track.

Why green?

Ask environmentalists and they will tell that the question is too late in the day. By now all must be aware about how natural resources must be used more responsibly. The three ‘Rs’ here would be to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. This is especially adopted by green buildings. This alone ought to be reason enough for the adoption of the concept. The fact that there are numerous other benefits is further encouraging. Combining technology, eco-friendly principles and wisdom of our forefathers is a fine art that is clearly the call of the day. Save earth, do your bit, and go green. And where else to begin other than home?

Building concept

When you decide to use ‘green concepts’ for your house, there may be resistance from the builders for two reasons — one, they may not have done such a house before, and two, they maybe more comfortable with the usual ways of construction. This is what Hariharan, MD, BCIL, feels about the surprising reluctance in some of the building professionals. His company was behind T-Zed, India’s first carbon-neutral residential campus. This refers to the carbon value that is mapped on the basis of differential in carbon emission between materials used in the building.

For the eco-conscious trend to become a way of life, the mindset has to change. Local awareness must be heightened to the principles of a green building. The principles are simple and clear. According to Hariharan, the design must include the four Es — Ecological compatibility, Economic efficiency, Endogeneity and Equity. He further specifies the six strand approach in architecture whereby Earth, Energy, Water, Waste, Air and Biomass are handled prudently. This would mean:
> Avoid bricks which use precious top soil. Instead, use soil stabilised blocks.
> Pay attention to embodied and active energy use on consumption. Engineer active and passive elements on energy saving.
> Superior water management that will reduce the use of fresh water.
> Proper disposal of degradable and toxic wastes.
> Ensuring passive and active cooling systems are energy efficient.
> Improve microclimate of a land zone.

Green basics

Materials used for the construction must obviously not compromise on the structural strength of the house. Selection should consciously encompass choices that will be practical as well as theme-adherent. This is precisely what K S Rao has done for his house in HSR Layout. He has used ferro-cement precast slabs for the roof, moulded concrete blocks for the walls and avoided energy intensive ceramic tiles completely. Instead, his house sees the use of granite along with terracotta and Athangudi tiles. He explains, “Most visitors are surprised to see granite for they associate green buildings with low-cost materials and worse still, some associate it with poor quality materials. In fact, the construction cost of a green building maybe at par with that of a usual building. The idea is to make the selection least energy intensive and maximum eco-friendly.”

This explains the presence of appliances and fixtures that conserve energy. There are water saving taps and fixtures, CFL lamps, minimal use of non toxic paints and non errodable external surface which requires absolutely no maintenance. Wood is restricted to the door, staircase treads, cabinets and the master bedroom flooring. Mostly rubber wood and jack wood are used, both being non forest timber. Door and window frames are in metal. Correct placement of doors and windows ensure maximum cross ventilation. Water heaters are powered by solar panels. And above all, the massive and ornately carved front door was bought from an old house that was to be demolished. In short, the materials chosen are practical and save enough energy.

Here is a shortlist of some for the house:

So, answering the question raised at the start, going green is possible in small scale. A smaller model can be easily recreated with bigger overall features. For instance, in T-Zed colony, measures have been taken in order to keep the footprint as minimal as possible. There are built-in zero electricity fridge-freezers, electric power free water pump, fully controlled air conditioning that is based on 100% natural air, intelligent lighting system with ambient light sensors and timers, and green roofs that uses lightweight mulch and coir pith instead of the heavier soil.

For a house to be functional and eco-friendly, Hariharan avers the need to look at it as an energy system. Exactly like the human body, it needs energy and water and has to put out waste. All have to be handled effectively, efficiently and with minimum impact to the environment. Only then can the house be called green!

Green measures

> Use of ferro-cement slabs, soil cement blocks, laterite blocks and so on.
> Soil stabilised bricks instead of fired bricks.
> Use of prefabricated materials like precast slab roofs.
> Minimal use of steel.
> Avoiding ceramic tiles for less energy intensive materials. These may include certain variety of natural stone relevant to the local availability, Athanagudi and terracotta tiles.
> Use of metal frames for doors and windows as opposed to wood.
> In case of wood, preference must be given to non forest timber like neem, jack, rubber and palm wood.
> Use of non toxic and low VOC paints where required. Usually eco houses are more for surfaces that need not be painted.
> Use of energy saving appliances and fixtures such as water saving fixtures and CFL lamps.
> Recycling kitchen waste and water.
> Rainwater harvesting wherever possible.