I2bgreen October 2009

Whenever you are with me I can see the beauty in everything. You give me the purpose to live. Looking in your eyes lets me forget the problems in the world and when I am with you I feel like in heaven.

Free Publication October 2009

Our relationship is not easy, there is so much going on in my life that I forget about myself. My work is giving me new headaches everyday, I need to care for my family, spend sometime with my friends and after all that I try to find happiness. I know that you can give me the happiness I am searching for. It is just so difficult to do something more, to stand for your own opinion, and allow myself to be happy with you. It is sad to see that I am stuck in my routine.

I feel that it is the right thing to do, for my family and the future of my children, I just need to take that extra step… My love, when I look into your eyes I can see the ocean so clear and deep. You touch me like the fresh breeze on spring day. The smell of flowers and the forest reminds me of you. You give me the air to breath, and the purpose to live. I want to be with you for all my life. I will care for you, and only together we can be one.

In deep love, Your Green-Lover This letter is written not for a beautiful girl nor for an adored woman. it is for our mother nature with all her beauty, grace and charm. It is time to commit our love and to see the beauty… that we destroy everyday.

inspired to be

You can’t take that any longer, I understand. You have a lot of pressure on you, and you need someone to commit for a lifetime.

for those inspired by green, written by the experts in green

Dear Beloved,

CONTENTS Green Living - Pg 10

A multi-dwelling eco sensitive project inspiring the concept of green lifestlye. Explaining how the TZED project managed to get platinum certification,.

Process of Transplantation - Pg 30 An article focussing on tree transplantation, illustrated step by step from preparing the tree to after care steps, as devised by ELT India Pvt Ltd.

Pre Engineered Buildings - Pg 16

Intelligent Plastering Material - Pg 34

Adyar Poonga - Eco Park - Pg 21

Green Solar Series - Pg 44

Explaining the advantages of Pre Engineered Buildings over the conventional types, and the green features & credentials which could be achieved through the application of PEB systems. Written by Mr. Arun Singh, Head of Marketing Tata BlueScope.

A showcase of an new climate control and heat proofing plastering material, introduced by Sinicon Controls (P) Ltd. as an alternative to the sand in the construction, provides numerous advantages to the buildings.

An overview about the ambitious project happening to restore the ecological balance in the creek and the estuary area of Chennai, which could bring back a lot of native plants, and increase the biodiversity.

Showcasing the unique product from Moserbear which can convert the abundantly available sunlight to electricity, an intelligent option for sustainable built spaces.

inspired

to be

GREEN Pg 3 Green Homes Project Showcase Megapolis The Megapolis project by Pegasus Properties Pvt. Ltd is an IGBC Pre-Certified Green Homes Platinum project.

Pg 39 Dakshina Chitra A celebration of South India

Experience the art, architecture and craft of the four southern states. An overview of the architectural styles and examples of these heritage buildings.

Pg 48 Larsen & Toubro Limited At the forefront of the Green

In depth look at the green strategy incorporated by these pioneers in the green building movement and some green building examples.

Welcome to the Green World

Green Homes Project Showcase:

Megapolis... Pre Certified “Platinum” by Indian Green Building Council for Green Homes Rating System

M/s. Pegasus Properties Pvt Ltd., a joint venture between the Avinash Bhosale Group and Kumar Properties, Pune is coming up with a multistoried Residential Building project at Pune . It is the only residential project in the IT hub at Rijeev Gandhi Info Tech Park, Hinjewadi, Pune. The residential project of “Megapolis” is spread over 138 acres to be constructed in phase manner. In the First phase, cluster of nine towers is being developed. “Simply put, the walk to work concept offers a healthier life quality of life”. It is with this in mind that they are developing Megapolis amidst the pulsating Rajiv Gandhi InfoTech Park. Apart from saving on commuting time, their fully modern residential complex offers IT professionals and their families a horde of facilities that they need in one single complex.

Design Features: • Design is a simple, practical and sustainable solution for a high-rise and high-density development. • An Eco-responsive design that seeks to take advantage of the positive climate attributes and is in harmony with its immediate natural ecosystem and is energy efficient. • 20% Building Footprint with 80% open area. • Building envelope design based on Pune climate zone. • Solar access of one building block is not affected by the neighboring one.

This 2-phase, high-rise, high- density development on an undulating site provides 2 BHK, 2.5 BHK and 3 BHK apartments with areas ranging between 1100 and 1500 sq. ft. The scheme is an assemblage of clusters of tri-modular tower blocks, where each cluster is conceived as a sub-community. The radial layout of the blocks enables unobstructed, panoramic views. It provides 6.4 million sq. ft of built up area over a site of 74.31 Acres

• Clusters of tri-modular towers were designed where each cluster acts as sub community. • The radial layout of the blocks enables cross ventilation & wide-angle unobstructed, panoramic view from each unit either to the internal garden court or surroundings hills. • The small, intimate green spaces generated at the cluster level merge with larger community greens and establish a hierarchy of private, semi-public and public spaces with distinct microclimatic zones. • Each cluster of the development is conceived with distinct landscaped court comprising a stepped garden, swimming pool and ornamental water body. • A dense perimeter landscape creates a stronger sense of enclosure and enhances the sense of security and tranquility of the township. • The fundamental consideration while planning was to go for modular planning to achieve ease and speed of construction since the development involves 4700 dwelling units. • A distinct segregation of vehicular and pedestrian circulation is achieved through the restriction of vehicular paths along the periphery of each cluster. Each vehicular path terminates in a cul-de-sac with a landscaped roundabout and a central feature. • The Master layout has been planned in response to the natural topography of the site. 35 M slope has been utilized to the maximum possible by providing podium decks at various levels which is utilized for landscape & parking.

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Green Features of Megapolis... Sustainable Sites • Conservation of natural areas to promote Biodiversity by restoring natural habitat for native trees, birds, butterflies etc. • The landscape consists of native and regional species of trees which are acclimatized at a faster rate and requires less maintenance. • High albedo roof having higher Solar Reflective Index (SRI) to minimize heat island effects by reducing unwanted heat gain. • Electrical- Charging points for electric cars and e-vehicles with allotted preferred parking spaces. • Building is user-friendly for physically challenged persons. Preferred parking spaces for physically challenged, specially designed rest rooms in common areas and ramps are provided. • Amenities like ATM, Library, crèche, Bus stop, Temple provided within walk able distance.

Water Efficiency • Use of water conserving and high efficiency fixtures such as Dual Flushing System, low flow faucets and pressure compensated pipelines to reduce the potable water usages by 25%. • Efficient integration of rain water harvesting with storm water system to capture 95% of the run-off from roof area to charge the ground water aquifer and to utilize in landscape irrigation. • Sewage treatment plant planned to treat 100% of the sewage waste that would be generated from the site and use the recycled water for landscape irrigation. • Dedicated areas on site to facilitate segregation of waste at source i.e., at the level of each household to the site level for efficient waste Management. • All the organic waste from kitchen, other areas and landscape is recycled through an organic waste converter into fertile manure.

Energy Efficiency • Holistic energy efficient approach to include the building orientation, envelope, systems, lighting and other equipment in the integrated design for the project. • CFC-Free Air conditioners to be used. • Energy efficient lifts, water pumps and motors. • Energy efficient external lighting to reduce overall energy consumption with the use of at least BEE 3 star rated fixtures and timers for automatic shut off programmed on schedule basis or change in seasons. • Common Area lighting proposed to be high efficiency CFL lamps. • Occupancy Sensors are proposed for common areas and staircase that shall turn the lighting off within 30 mins of an occupant leaving the space. • Generator sets that are CPCB certified for emissions and noise compliance. • Continuous monitoring and verification of the electrical and mechanical systems.

Materials & Resources • At least 50% of the total building materials by cost used in the building are regional i.e., manufactured within a radius of 500 Km. • Materials with recycled content such that the total recycled content constitute at least 20% of the total cost of the materials used in the project. • Project envisages zero demolition waste as the construction is categorically new construction with more than 75% of construction waste to be diverted from landfills. • An interpretive signage system to be implemented in the Park Megapolis campus, to create environmental awareness. • Mivan system is adopted for construction where sets of prefabricated shuttering are used for walls and slabs to avoid the wastage of traditional shuttering materials as wood.

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Green Features of Megapolis... Indoor Environmental Quality • Smoking Free Campus’ with entrance lobbies, corridors at all residential levels, elevators, club house, gymnasium etc. declared as non- smoking areas. • Designated common smoking area outside the building, which will be 25 feet away from all the Entry/ exits to the premises. • 90% of the regularly occupied spaces have cross ventilation. • Fresh air ventilation in all living spaces. • Use of materials with low VOC emissions that are known to have adverse health impacts on building occupants. • 95% of regularly occupied spaces are day lit. This saves energy by efficiently utilizing day lighting in the daytime and increases overall occupant productivity. Project Title Building Use Location Size Pre Certification

: : : : :

MEGAPOLIS Residential Complex Hinjewadi, Pune 1371888 sq.ft IGBC Green Homes Platinum

Project Team Profile Owner: Pegasus Properties Pvt. Ltd. Architect: RSP India, Bangalore Structural Consultants: Y S Sane, Pune Landscape Consultants: Belt Collins, Singapore /Shobha Bhopatkar, Pune Contractor: Viraj Project India Pvt. Ltd., Pune Plumbing Consultant: Sampat Kumar, Bangalore Electrical Consultants : Entask Consultants, Bangalore LEED Facilitator : Godrej & Boyce Mfg Co Ltd , Mumbai

Conclusion The Megapolis project By Pegasus Properties Pvt. Ltd is a well deserved IGBC Pre-Certified Green Homes Platinum project. The green features will contribute to substantial energy and water savings. The intangible benefits of natural ventilation and daylight provided in the design will enhance the health and comfort of the residents. Inspired to be Green congratulates the Megapolis Team on this successful project and we all look forward to many more green projects from one of the leading developers in the market.

Green Buildings Make Economic Sense Energy-saving technologies will be the most successful instrument to not only stop global warming but also create your future profits. To cut down energy-cost of 20% is possible in almost every building, this savings come with higher investments but a short pay-back period. Additional the dramatically increasing energy costs will make investments in energy-efficiency and renewable energy very lucrative.

Start Early in the Design-Phase

Begin of Design

Cost

Energy Savings

Cost and Effect on Energy savings

Start NOW and don’t wait till the energy bills get extraordinary high. To implement green strategies in the design-phase will come with 0 additional cost. If the building is already constructed, energy saving measures will cost more and also the possibilities are restricted. For example it will be very easy in the design phase to create structural shading and overhangs for windows but after construction it will not be possible to add those elements.

End of Design

Begin of End of Construction Construction

Post Occupancy

Invest in Efficient Technologies To build decisions only on initial costs may lead in a wrong direction. Better quality, less maintenance and more efficiency products are expensive but at the end of the buildings lifecycle they work out as the intelligent choice. The example shows an additional investment for green strategies of 200,000 Rs. The Green Building will save 50,000 Rs, every year, on electricity cost compared to a conventional building. The savings of the Green Building pay back the additional costs in 4 years. After a period of 10 years, the green strategies has contributed to a profit of 300,000 Rs, by reduced operating costs for the Owner. 250,000

300,000 Rs Savings

150,000 50,000 -50,000

Conventional Building Invest

Year 1

200,000 Rs Invest -150,000

Year 2

Year 3

no invest in green technologies

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

Break-even Point (4 years)

-250,000

Everyone Wins Investing in energy efficient technology promotes materials/products which are long lasting; require less maintenance and consuming less energy. Savings achieved by more efficient systems help to pay back the higher initial cost and extending this period the savings will contribute to the profit of the company. The business with energy-efficiency has already started and increasing cost of fuel and materials will offer billion dollar opportunities in the future.

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The Raintree

An Eco-Sensitive Business Hotel in Chennai While the “Green Building Movement” gains momentum in India and every corporate, builder and individual looks to go green and be more eco-friendly, the Raintree Hotel is a brilliant example of how the Hospitality industry can also contribute. Raintree Hotel is located in Alwarpet, Chennai and boasts of 5-Star accommodation, featuring 7 floors of 105 contemporary guest rooms and suites, The Raintree Hotel offers world-class accommodations that are sleek, modern and eco-sensitive. The facilities include an ultra luxurious roof top pool, Spa and gymnasium. The Raintree Hotel offers comprehensive meeting and banquet facilities designed to accommodate up to 300 guests. The four stylish banquet halls are equipped with state of the art technology and individually tailored to fit the needs of corporate and business travelers.

ECOTEL Certified:

For someone thinking Green, the most attractive feature of this hotel is, of course, the “Eco Sensitive” aspects, making it the first ECOTEL certified Hotel in South India and only four other hotels in India have qualified for the ECOTEL certification. The ECOTEL Collection is a group of international inns, hotels and resorts that define the concept of environmental responsibility in the hospitality industry. All ECOTEL certified hotels must pass a detailed inspection and satisfy stringent criteria set by environment experts. The ECOTEL Certification is based on five areas of environmentalism, which are: • Energy conservation • Water conservation • Solid waste management • Employee environmental education • Environmental commitment

The Eco-Sensitive Philosophy:

The Raintree Hotel is committed to setting a new standard of environmental responsibility without compromising the guest experience. We believe in finding the right balance between luxury and conservation. This is done by monitoring our use of natural resources, educating and enlightening staff and inviting the guest to participate in the effort. At The Raintree we believe that style, comfort, business efficiency and service matter just as much as the environment. Every effort goes a long way towards protecting the planet. Everything matters…

Green Lifestyle / Housekeeping Features at the Raintree Chennai: • • • • • • • • • •

Potted plants instead of cut flowers Herbal and all natural toiletries Newspapers & fruits on request Recycled product purchasing program No polythene materials are used Rooms are booked by floors to reduce HVAC loads Cleaning of light fixtures on a regular basis Guests are reminded to save water and electricity Soap dispensers in bathrooms Organic food is grown & used

Green Building Features at the Raintree Chennai: • All the wood used in furniture & interiors is strictly rubber wood, or medium density fiber. There is a good deal of wood in The Raintree that balances the minimalist glass and metal design of the hotel. Bamboo, which is a rapidly growing material, is used for the flooring. • The cement used for the eco-friendly building is generally Portland Pozzalana cement that contains 15-20 per cent of fly ash, compared to ordinary Portland cement. • A sewage treatment plant recycles water, which is used for the air conditioners and for horticulture purposes, thereby reducing demand for potable water for these purposes. • Roof top swimming pool provides insulating effect to prevent solar heat gain through the roof. • Appropriate shading design to prevent direct heat gain by solar radiation on the building envelope. • The “Eco-Button” sets the temperature in the rooms 4 degrees above the standard 23 degrees centigrade. This greatly reduces the electricity consumed by air conditioning system. • Natural light utilization is maximized to reduce load caused by using artificial lights during daytime. • Energy Efficient CFL lamps are used. • Paints are low or No VOC content (volatile Organic Compounds), which have a negative impact on the health of the occupants of the space. • The Raintree Staff are friendly and are well trained and committed to passing along the eco-sensitive philosophy, saving energy and water and partaking in our various eco-initiatives and activities. • Solid Waste segregation is done by providing different colored bins to facilitate easy separation and recycling. Green (paper), Black (food), White (cans & bottles) and Red bins (non-recyclables) are provided.

The Raintree Hotel - Alwarpet, Chennai

120, St. Mary’s Road, Alwarpet, Chennai 600 018 India Reservations: +91 44 42 25 25 25 Email: [email protected] Room Reservation: [email protected]

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o m IGB es C G PL re AT en IN UM H

“Greening the Urbane Eco space- the TZED way”

How many times, you will find people telling you that they stay in a building which has won many awards and accolades at a national and global level. Well, for residents of T ZED, who made a choice for greener living a couple of years ago, awards are an humbling experience that strengthens their conviction of choosing a green lifestyle. After getting prestigious Ryutaro Hashimoto Award for environment and development in Asia Pacific, CII conferred a special jury award for this building and finally the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) has given a platinum rating for this rare building which mixes tradition with cutting edge technology, being the first building to get this rating in multi dwelling residential at a post construction stage. So, what makes T ZED a near zero energy development, what inspired T ZED and what does T ZED inspires? T ZED has been a very important project and a significant step forward for Biodiversity Conservation India Limited, a one of a kind builder technology enterprise, which has been trying to mainstream eco sensitive housing development for last fifteen years and at its core carries a belief that environmentally sensitive urbane living is the only way to manage our natural resources efficiently and sustainably. T ZED is a multi-dwelling of about 91 homes, out of which 76 apartments and 15 duplex houses were developed on a 5.23 Acre of land in Whitefield suburb of Bangalore.

Indian Green Building Council has recently started rating residential buildings as Silver, Gold and Platinum on the basis of criterion that emphasizes standards on site efficiency, water efficiency, energy efficiency, materials and indoor air quality. There is an element of innovation which also gets rewarded in this rating system. Some of these criteria are mandatory which are non negotiable, and others decide what rating you get. For a building to get a platinum rating, it must receive a score between 53 -75. T ZED got this rating as it met all mandatory standards laid out by IGBC and over that a high score that meets rating for platinum. This was achieved by planning all aspects of the building in an eco friendly way. IGBC Checklist: Total Score Site Efficiency Water Efficiency Energy efficiency Materials Indoor Air Quality Innovation

55 9 19 8 9 6 4

Homes of T ZED are well oriented, well ventilated, thermally insulated and receive ample natural light. Framed RCC structure for ZED homes provide all safety features of a modern home. Each home has a utility verandah or a terrace which serves as a drying yard thus keeping the balconies and gardens clutter free. A ‘pedestrian first’ policy with good lighting, disabled friendly drop kerbs for prams and wheel chairs leading up to elevators has been provided. The entire ZED homes stretch is dotted by courts and plazas and pergolas with benches. A road layout that keeps vehicles to walking speed, as it meanders along the central road and the permeable roads are interspersed with interesting eco scapes. Car parking spaces are laid with paving over sand and gravel to minimize surface runoff. Non Fossil Fuelling facility for vehicles is provided through electric charge point in the parking area.

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The materials used in TZED homes are those that are renewable and can be reused and recycled. These are also materials that have low embodied energy and low carbon emission ratings. Soil got by excavating is used to make soil stabilized bricks which is used for external walls along with laterite blocks. A combination of gypsum plaster with quarry dust and sand cement has been used on internal walls. White lime base with non toxic paints have been used for plastered surfaces. Natural Kadappa and Kota stone polished to a sheen with Jaisalmer and Dholpur stone as borders and highlights replaces the often used vitrified tiles. The kitchen floor is in granite, washrooms are clad in a combination of ceramic tile and slate. Rubber wood panelled doors and teak wood main door sourced from certified plantations. The pervious roads are build over a consolidated earth surface using paving and cobbles levelled over sand beds. The sustainability of this campus pivots around the water efficiency, the number of houses were decided on the basis of water self sufficiency of the campus. All rainwater is collected and flows along the contour of the land. There are 44 rainwater percolation wells that are interconnected. The water leads to a 400,000 litre water tank located beneath a road behind the housing complex. The water is purified in a central reverse osmosis system. A high-pressure pneumatic system pumps water to each apartment. Grey water is supplied for gardens, toilets and for washing cars. Water efficient fixtures which are used are 20 percent efficient over the baseline flow rates.

The houses are extremely energy efficient which has been achieved through many interventions. Solar Water Heating Systems capacity has been provided in a way that it serves all residents. All pumps, motors, lighting, fixtures and appliances in this complex are energy efficient. Every home comes with a built in customized 350 litre Zed refrigerator cum freezer.All bedroom are centrally air conditioned. The custom designed and built ZED ACs is integrated into the window openings in the bed rooms.

The construction waste is effectively reused within the site which absorbs 75 percent of the waste generated. The measures taken by the project team to reduce CO2 emissions are quantified as more than 20,000 Ton CER. Solid waste is separated- at source by residents into recyclable groups ( paper, metal, plastic, organic, mixed and toxic) Old newspapers and other papers sent to recyclers, Sewage goes to STP. Reclaimed water that comes out from sewage treatment originates plants and is fed to terrace gardens. Biodegradable waste is fed into a biogas digester of 150 kg capacity. Nearly 40 percent of the area is the undisturbed site area in this complex. More than 75 percent of the exposed roof area is either covered by cool coating or garden area. Zed landscape has 87 percent of the landscape area which is covered with drought tolerant plants irrigated by drip irrigation system. ZedHomes come with sky gardens that are engineered to have only 30 percent soil, the rest being a combination of mulch, vermiculite, cocoa peat and other water retaining plant bed materials. It offers the twin advantage of less water used for plants & reduced load on the slab.

It offers the twin advantage of less water used for plants and reduced load on the slab. T ZED club is a load bearing masonry structure with filler slabs and bamboo roof. A nursery / greenhouse are located in its vicinity. The club has a theme restaurant in semi open setting with an amphitheatre for the occasional concert, birthday bash or any formal gathering of T Zedders. The club includes a contemporary fitness centre, convenience store, a real library, an ozonized non chlorinated pool with its surface clad in natural stone. Putting a value on green building Often times location, cost, reputation of the builder and building plans take precedence, when we buy a house. What we ignore is the life cycle cost of the building, but all this is slowly changing now. We sometimes learn through the most painful route i.e. exhaustion of resources. In some years, builders will be forced to incorporate the life cycle costs of the building as the awareness increases and people ask for choices. It is the right of the customer to demand a healthy living spaces when they spend a fortune on buying these houses. While this happens, BCIL would have travelled further along the road less travelled to set up newer standards in building technology and conserving environment.

For more information to this project please visit the website: www.ecobcil.com

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Wienerberger’s

POROTHERM Clay Hollow Blocks About Wienerberger India Wienerberger Brick Industry, in its first Asian plant in Karnataka, have an annual output of one lakh tones operation from May 2009. The company is the world’s largest producer of Clay Hollow Blocks and has the second largest market for clay roof tiles in Europe. The Austrian brick manufacturer’s foray into the Indian market, with an investment of Rs. 90 crore for its 30-acre Kunigal plant & a production capacity of 100,000 tons of blocks/annum, has launched four brands – Porotherm (Clay Hollow Blocks); an exclusive range of Terca facing bricks; Koramic (Clay Roof Tiles) and Argeton ( façade tiles) that would be brought over from Wienerberger’s plants in Europe.

HP POROTHERM BLOCKS Under the brand POROTHERM, Wienerberger India is producing Horizontally Perforated Clay Hollow Blocks from May 2009. These Clay Hollow Blocks are used for Non-Load Bearing partition walls or infill masonry.

Main Advantages of HP Blocks: • • • • •

60% less weight than a solid concrete block Compressive strength >35 kg/cm2 Density of approx. 700 - 750 kg/m3 Large size & low weight Excellent thermal insulation

As a Result • • •

Reduction of dead loads Saving on structural costs Faster construction

A house of POROTHERM bricks is the very essence of healthy construction and natural living. The proven properties of the bricks make them an easy choice.

Value Retention It is possible to plan, build and live according to environmental and long-term economic principles with POROTHERM. A Clay Hollow Block structure and the associated long-lasting quality require no maintenance effort. Buildings constructed with POROTHERM clay hollow blocks are an investment for generations because the material guarantees to retains it’s value.

Thermal Insulation and Humidity Regulation – Enhancing the Indoor Climate Air in the perforations of PORTHERM Clay Hollow Blocks acts as an insulator guaranteeing good thermal insulation values. A Clay block house remains pleasant in summer, while slashing your energy cost. POROTHERM Clay Hollow Blocks with countless pores in the block favor the exchanged of humidity between the indoor and outdoor environments providing comfortable room climate to its inhabitants.

Light Weight, Quick and Economic Construction POROTHERM Clay Hollow Blocks are more than 60% lighter than conventional walling material. Light weight, large block sizes and savings on other structural elements(concrete, steel), make construction faster and more economical.

Compressive Strength - Strong Blocks for Durable Construction POROTHERM Clay Hollow Blocks are the highly engineered shell and web pattern blocks from Wienerberger India ensuring high compressive strength at minimal weight, allowing safe, economic and durable construction of buildings.

Fire Protection - Blocks don't Burn! PORTHERM Clay Hollow Blocks have already gone through fire for you! This means they are “immune” to fire. In case of fire; clay blocks do not burn, and do not produce any harmful vapors. It achieves a value of F90/F120 - that means 90/120 minutes of time in which to get yourself and your family to safety.

Earthquake Safety Ceramic Clay Blocks have high mechanical strengths and a very good bond with the masonry mortar, which improves its usefulness for earthquake-safe buildings.

Economy Solid masonry of clay blocks requires only low maintenance costs. High thermal protection and wind-tightness save energy costs. Long life and high resale value make a clay block house a safe investment for generations. Wienerberger will be producing POROTHERM Vertically Perforated Clay Hollow Blocks from 2010 onwards. POROTHERM products provide a value for generations through a careful selection of raw materials and state-of-the-art production.

• • • • • • • • • •

Ease in handling Dimension stability Excellent thermal insulation and sound insulation Moisture regulating Value retention due to highest quality standards Long product life-cycle / sustainability Environmentally friendly / ecological Comfortable indoor climate Most advanced technology Non-flammable

Production Facility Construction of the plant in Kunigal, Bangalore has started in November 2007 and commercial production started May 2009. The first materials are being marketed in the beginning of May 2009. The plant is spread over 30 acres of land. Our production target is 100,000 tones per year in phase I. Wienerberger will not produce all clay brick materials. We are concentrating on our two main products: facades and walls. We are going into niche areas like Porotherm Hollow Clay Blocks and Terca facing bricks for commercial and residential properties. We are exploring ways of working with Indian industries in this regard. Koramic clay roof tiles and ArGeTon façade tiles will be imported.

Wienerberger Showroom The showroom in India is really the unique center of information about building products made out of clay or the ‘Clay heart’ in the India. In this 1200 sq feet Wienerberger showroom, located only 30 km from Bangalore airport, you can find the whole spectrum of materials under a single roof: Hollow Blocks, facing bricks, clay roof tiles and clay pavers - in all sorts of shapes and sizes. You can look at and physically touch all the raw construction materials and immerse yourself in the richness of their colors and familiarize yourself with their natural textures. Image & Information Courtesy : Wienerberger Brick Industry Pvt. Ltd. www.wienerberger.in

Green Credentials of Pre-engineered Buildings “Going Green is not an option anymore!” – This statement is surely a sempiternal truth that has dawned to all those who have seen the movie ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ that featured the renowned environmental activist and Nobel laureate Mr. Al Gore. Going by the ‘Global Warning’, which the movie is all about; climate change activities are an absolute must for every one of us. If we do not wake up now, we shall be putting our very next generation – which already has taken birth in this world- in the danger of various life threatening circumstances.

How Industries and Pre Engineered Buildings go hand in hand? Climate change initiatives are applicable to every industry cutting across every application and segment and every industry needs a building to start its operation, whether it is a manufacturing plant, maintenance workshop, processing centre, and storage warehouse or retail outlet. Building is the second most important need after acquisition of land and this is where Pre Engineered Buildings have been dominating the market in last one decade in India. Now, almost every new Industrial building being made in India is a Pre Engineered Buildings (PEB), though the application of PEBs is also extended to sectors beyond Industrial (e.g. Aviation, Railways, Commercial, etc.). Pre Engineered Buildings are Buildings made in Steel where different components of Building are designed, detailed and manufactured in the plant, shipped to site and erected at the site. Hence no welding or drilling is done at the site.

These Buildings rely on Standard Engineering Designs for a variety of Off-the-shelf configurations, wherein each component of the building comes pre-punched, marked, completely constructed to specifications off site and shipped to site. They involve minimum on site work and the erector has to simply assemble the pieces together. However, they are different from Pre-fabricated buildings which are made and substantially assembled at the factory, mostly small structures such as Toll booths, Household sheds etc. In today’s context, where the industry has started to offer custom-designed metal buildings to fill the particular needs of each client, the term PEB has become somewhat of a misnomer. Metal Building Systems is more apt a name, even though the same is still referred to by its still common and popular name, Pre-Engineered Buildings.

How PEBs can help in the green cause? Buildings are the single largest consumer of energy across the world and hence this has been an endeavour of all the environmentalists as well as construction fraternity to transform the process of building making into one which consumes less of energy and helps the cause of green revolution. The concept of ‘Green Buildings’ has picked up like a wildfire across most of the countries in the world for this single reason. Pre Engineered Buildings are buildings made in steel which itself is a 100% recyclable material – unlike concrete which is not at all recyclable and the superiority of steel over cement as a building making material takes off from here. A diagram shows how old steel buildings can be scrapped and recycled into new steel coils which in turn, can be used for making of new buildings.

Green Features There are a few other advantages in case of a Pre Engineered Building which support the green cause. In most of the cases, a Pre Engineered Building comes with Skylight panels fitted on the roof system. Typically 5-6 % of the roof area is made of Skylights. Skylights are designed to let natural light penetrate inside the building during the day time and practically eliminate the usage of any electricity generated illumination in the day time. This saves on energy. Tata BlueScope Building Solutions, which is a leader in PEB market through offering world’s best Pre Engineered Building Brand i.e. BUTLER™ BUILDING SYSTEMS has come up with designs to fix solar panels on the top of MR-24® Roof system which is a standing seam and floating roof system. Fixing Solar panels is even easier on the pierce fixed roof system. So now it is possible for the customers of Pre Engineered Buildings to have Solar panels fitted on the roof systems and use the solar power generated in the night time – using a better of course. Fixing of solar panels on the roof systems is a convenient thing to do for the following reasons: • Typically, PEBs have a large roof area, especially the ones which are used for Industrial, Warehousing and manufacturing applications which need a single storey building (of course the height varies) with huge roof area. • These buildings are normally in industrial areas and hence are not surrounded by multistory buildings making them exposed to the sun all throughout the day • In both the types of roof systems, there are exposed seams as well as fasteners which can be easily integrated with solar panels.

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PEBs also come with rain water harvesting arrangement. Typically PEBs have a large roof area and very less angle of inclination. Entire rain water falling over the roof area is channelized through a series of gutters and downspouts and discharged at the ground lever. Customer, by making of underground water storage tanks, can go for rain water harvesting for various needs e.g. gardening, washing and cleaning and other needs. One of the myths about PEBs is that, as they are made of steel, they must be very hot. The truth is- these buildings have Zinc and Aluminum coated material as the roofing system which have a very good thermal reflectivity and hence actually help in reduction in air-conditioning load. This is also possible due to usage of insulation material which has a very good thermal reflectivity property. Both these factors together, help the customer in reducing his air-conditioning load.

Way ahead Green Building is a wide concept and not a product. Selection of sustainable site, Material selection, Energy efficient equipments, Water use efficiency, Innovation in design and Ambient air are the criteria under LEED certification system which are deployed for Green Building certification process and it proves, there are many more ideas which can be thought and implemented to make PEBs even greener. With thousands of PEBs being erected every year for various customer needs, it is imperative that greener credential are added to PEBs to have a wider impact on the environment for its sustenance.

For circulation of air inside the building, there are two arrangements which, again, save on energy. Along the walls, there are louvers which do not consume any unit of electricity and allow natural air to be circulated inside the building. Along the roof there are ridge ventilators which are fixed at the ridge level, as the name suggests, and allow the hot air from inside the building to escape outside. Turbo ventilators fitted on the roof systems do not consume any electricity while they do the same work to keep the buildings well ventilated. Paints play an important role in not only making the buildings look aesthetically pleasing, but also add to the anti corrosive property of the building components. Pre Engineered Building manufacturers are now using Lead free paint which is environment friendly. Also, usage of low VOC paint is being discussed by PEB manufacturers , which again is meant to ensure that inside ambience is conducive to the health of people occupying the building space.

The author Mr. Arun Singh is Head of Marketing Tata BlueScope Building Solutions He has 12 years work experience in Operations, Maintenance, Supply Chain and Marketing in Tata Steel Limited and Tata BlueScope Steel Limited. He is a BE (Mechanical Engineering) and MBA.

Green News

Kohinoor Hospital Embraces Healthy Building

Developed as the First Platinum LEED ® Certified Green Hospital in India Kohinoor Planet Constructions Pvt Ltd., the real estate arm of the Kohinoor group, is developing the first Platinum LEED ® certified Green hospital in the country. The 150 bed, multi-specialty Kohinoor hospital is implementing a range of energy efficient measures to reduce energy consumption, decrease greenhouse gas emissions and improve the quality of patient care. Research has shown that hospitals are resource intensive organizations that consume large volumes of energy and water - typically around 15-20 percent of a hospital’s operational expense is spent on energy and water . To make hospital infrastructure more environmentally responsible, healthy and sustainable (green), the appropriate expertise and decision-making needs to occur at the design and construction stage. This will ensure that the facility will deliver improved levels of patient care and reduce operational expenses, especially in respect to energy and water usage. Kohinoor will work with Trane to install its energy efficient chilled water system into the hospital. These cooling systems meet the demanding criterion of minimum power consumption as specified for Green Building applications by the India Green Building Council (IGBC). By investing in energy efficient cooling systems and other integrated green features, the Kohinoor Group expects to have its hospital certified under U.S Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED® program. “Indian healthcare infrastructure is at a critical juncture and is expected to rise exponentially in the near future so that is why Kohinoor hospital wants to be the best prepared to meet the demand with energy efficient and environmentally responsible building solutions,” said Mr. Sudesh Bhelekar, general manager – MEP, Kohinoor Constructions. “Our selection of Trane was based on the highest energy efficiency and Coefficient of Performance coupled with its global reputation of offering top-of-the- line HVAC systems available in the market today.” Trane has been providing HVAC systems, services and solutions to customers in India since 1993. Their systems can be found in leading luxury hotel chains, commercial buildings, malls, and pharmaceutical companies. Trane’s approach is to look at building systems as a long-term asset, ensuring that they are energy efficient, meet customer needs and deliver an attractive return on investment. Trane achieves these goals by working closely with clients and providing integrated systems and services.

Trane Trane, a business of Ingersoll Rand, improves the performance of homes and buildings around the world. Trane solutions optimize indoor environments with a broad portfolio of energy efficient heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, building and contracting services, parts support and advanced controls for homes and commercial buildings. For more information, visit www.trane.com Or contact: Nitika Dhawan +91-9910158528

Adyar Poonga

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Eco-park The Government of Tamil Nadu initiated an ambitious project to restore the ecological balance in the creek and the estuary area of Chennai. Initially spearheaded by the Chennai Corporation and supported by Tamil Nadu Road Development Company Ltd, TNRDC, this project was conceived primarily as an effort to restore the fragile Eco-system of the precious endangered wetland habitat of the Adyar estuary and creek and raise awareness of the general public to environmental issues. With this pristine Adyar river water feeding the land, and with the rich vegetation and animal life abounding here, this should have been a veritable heaven on Earth…but our apathy and abuse has degraded the environment here dramatically. Chennai’s sewage and effluence from its various industries have, for some time, been emptying themselves into the river.  The Mambalam drain, the Buckingham canal and numerous sewage and storm water drains in the city join it. Polluted water from upstream, caused by increase in man-caused degradation, has killed the vegetation. The sloping banks of the estuary are filled with debris from a nearby construction site…

Natures Comeback Fifty-eight acres of land filled with sewage and waste near the city center of Chennai - this dumping place was an area where nobody wanted to take a walk in the morning even though it’s surrounded by beautiful apartments and houses.

Two years later … You find flowers, shrubs and young trees surrounding the water body’s. The water is clean, the disgusting smell is gone and it seems like a perfect place to find relaxation. The Adyar Poonga Project is a government funded restoration which offers unequaled opportunities. It accommodates a nursery, a natural play-area for children as well as a proposed nature trail to see different habitats, plants and wildlife. Educating people about biodiversity, renewable energy and natural habitats of flora and fauna is an important element of the project. Additional to onsite activities the Adyar Poonga education team conducts workshops and other nature-related activities in schools and motivates kids to preserve their environment. Connected to the sea, the Adyar river and several storm water inlets, this backwater accumulated huge amounts of waste. Thousands of glass bottles, bones, battery packs, plastic items and even an old car could be found on site. At times when our grandfathers were young this land was home for Coromandel coast native vegetation and mangroves and hosted a great biodiversity. With the expanding city also this area changed dramatically and at the end only a few species of plants could be found, many of which were not native to the place.



in Chennai The restoration started with excavation works to clean up the water bodies. Excavated soil was used on site to build hillocks and to bring back a natural landscape. Artefacts and a compendium of plants and animals can be seen along with live turtles, scorpion and fish tanks in the exhibition. With self explaining signboards and natural pathways leading through different habitats the Adyar Poonga area will grow into a beautiful eco park where kids as well as adults can understand why it is so important to preserve our environment. Nearly 80% of the site area is wetland, the rest is covered with a great variety of native flowers, shrubs and trees. These plants have been planted prior to the monsoon and will require watering largely in the coming summer. After one or two years the vegetation will maintain itself, creating a canopy and providing a habitat to many birds and other creatures. The Adyar Poonga gives the land back to nature, to the native plants, animals and insects whose habitat we take away every day by constructing streets and new buildings and dumping waste on low lying land. The efforts of the Adyar Poonga Trust together with the government are amazing and they could bring back a lot of native plants, increase the biodiversity effectively and make the whole area an enjoyable reserve. Waste found on site: Type of Waste Construction Material Plastics Ceramics Metal Objects Battery cases Glass Bottles Bones

Amount 100,000 kg 5,000 kg 500 kg 2,500 kg 5,000 nos 2,000 kg 500 kg

23

Designing Green Buildings

Computer Simulation for Solar Design Use of Solar Modeling and Sustainable Design Solutions for new and existing developments in the Middle East Arindam Bose is an Architect with a Masters Degree in Architecture, with focus on Energy Conservation in Design. For more information on Solar Modeling please contact : Arindam Bose, Project Architect GHD, Qatar Website: www.ghd.com Phone : +97 4428 9444 or [email protected] Building design by itself is a complex process. Along with a vast list of considerations already to be taken account there is also an immense drive to make better performing, energy efficient buildings. In fact soon enough it will become one of the primary factors to gauge the success of a design solution. Engineers have long performed the role of specifying energy efficient equipment and strategies at the latter stage of a design but it has already been proven that the maximum amount of benefits are realized when the decisions are made right in the early stages of the design process. And since the designers are the driving force they must possess a sound understanding of environmental considerations and phenomenon that determines building performance.

GHD & Sustainable Design GHD now utilizes ECOTECT, a complete building design and environmental analysis tool that covers the full range of simulation and analysis functions required to truly understand how a building design will operate and perform. ECOTECT allows GHD designers to work easily in 3D and apply all the tools necessary for an energy efficient and sustainable future. GHD is an international network of professional and technical consultants. Established in 1928, GHD employs more than 6000 people across five continents and serves clients in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation.

Design Project The pictures shows an example project to explain how the application of this software is guiding the decision-making in the design process of a one million square meter mixed use development project in Qatar. The residential component in the project involved a canopy roof that was intended to provide optimum shading to the building through the summer months and thus reducing the heat gain through the skin on the building. This would not only reduce energy consumption and glare but also allow the designers to specify a lower performing skin assembly thus saving the client money. Below is the summary of findings. The canopy over the residential component was studied for it’s shading capability on the South, South-West and South-East Facades of the building. We modeled the building and performed shading simulation and analysis on Ecotect. The building was studied under 3 different canopy conditions (5m overhang, 9m overhang and 15m overhang) and then the results compared to a “without canopy” simulation.

Without Canopy



With 5m Overhang

With 9m Overhang



TOTAL INCIDENT SUNLIGHT PER HOUR FOR THE YEAR



TOTAL SHADING PER HOUR FOR THE YEAR



SHADING CONDITION - SUMMER SOLSTICE - 21st JUNE

Shading Analysis...

With 15m Overhang

Inference of Ecotect Study 21st April – Spring Equinox – the 5m overhang reduced the absorbed sunlight by 11.42%, the 9m overhang reduced the absorbed sunlight by 24.33 % and the 15m overhang reduced the absorbed sunlight by 32.75%. 21st June – Summer Solstice – the 5m overhang reduced the absorbed sunlight by 6.34%, the 9m overhang reduced the absorbed sunlight by 9.76 % and the 15m overhang reduced the absorbed sunlight by 20.00%. 21st September – Autumn Equinox – the 5m overhang reduced the absorbed sunlight by 4.51%, the 9m overhang reduced the absorbed sunlight by 21.88 % and the 15m overhang reduced the absorbed sunlight by 41.41%. 21st December – Winter Solstice – All the 3 conditions performed in the same manner providing no shading in the winter months. Overall Summer Performance (April – September) – the 5m overhang reduced the absorbed sunlight by 7.07%, the 9m overhang reduced the absorbed sunlight by 20.36 % and the 15m overhang reduced the absorbed sunlight by 34.45%. Overall Winter Performance (October – Mar) – The 5m overhang allows complete solar access from October to February thus allowing effective solar access. It also allows significant solar access during the month of March and September. The 9m overhang performs similar to the 5m overhang through the months of October to February but shades the façade for a significant amount during the month of March and September at early mornings and late afternoons. The 15m overhang cuts out a significant amount of beneficial sunlight during the cooler months of October, November, February and March. Based on the overall assessment of shading patterns above, a 9m overhang or a design of canopy overhang somewhere between 5m - 9m would be the most beneficial in terms of solar shading of the South, South-West and South-East façades.

25

How we light up the places we live and work makes a big impact on how we feel. It also makes a big impact on the environment. Daylighting facts: • Daylight (Full Spectrum light), is the source of life and essential to our well being, health and development. • It provides high luminance and permits excellent colour discrimination and colour rendering, these two properties mean that daylight provides the condition for good vision. • Skyshade Daylights is presenting the miracle Daylighting system “LightPipe” which conducts sunlight through a system of pipes from exterior/ ambient into desired location in the building.

Features: • • • • •

Applications:

Commercial Warehouses Factories Corridors Schools Institutions Offices

Bright natural day light Works on rainy days No heat transfer Zero UV radiation Can bend around corners

Diameter (mm)

750 530 250

Ambient Light vs Light output (Lux) 1.00 to 1.10 lakh 50,000

5000 2800 450

1600 250

Advantages: • Cool day light • Saves Electricity • Exposure to natural daylight is beneficial to keep up the mental and physical well being • Better natural light conditions were linked to improved productivity and safety of personnel • Reduces the risk of business disruption due to power failures

How it works? The Transparent Dome exposed to sun collects light and pipes it down. The highly reflective interior surface of the pipe, conducts light to desired location, with minimal loss. The diffuser installed inside, distributes the incoming light evenly throughout the area.

Residential Living Bedrooms Kitchen Toilets Staircases

9,000

500

Area Covered (sft)

1000-1100 450-500 150-200

Working long-term in electric lighting is believed to be deleterious to health, working by daylight is believed to result in less stress and discomfort.

Features: 1. LightPipe can work for Lower Floors in Multilevel building, if there is a duct or opening for the tubes to run through from roof. The light pipes are to be weather protected. The southern face of building can be tapped to bring the light inside. 2. LightPipe provides good performance even in cloudy days. In overcast conditions where ambient light is 40,000-50,000 lux, 530 mm Light Pipe delivers 1400-1500 lux. 3. Unlike regular Skylights, the LightPipe conducts light only and not heat because of static air column. As the length of Reflective tubing increases, the heat transfer reduces. Even double glazed diffusers can be provided. 4. LightPipe has a top UV absorbing dome and bottom diffuser which absorbs 99% UV radiation. The light transmitted will not fade the interiors of building and is not harmful.

Electric Light

vs

Contact us at: Skyshade 6-3-1216/141, Methodist Colony, Kundanbagh, Begumpet, Hyderabad-500016

Light pipe

Light can reach desired locations in a building

Email: [email protected]; [email protected] Visit: www.skyshade.in

The Process of Transplantation Trans plant :

To transfer from one place or residence to another The contribution of trees to the environment is undisputed. Trees generate oxygen, recycle water, help in withstanding wind velocity, help in soil fertility, control soil erosion & air pollution. Trees afford shelter to birds, animals & mankind. Both flowering & foliage trees add beauty to the landscape be it natural or manmade. Some have fragrant blooms whereas some bear delicious fruits and some are grown for their ornamental foliage. Thus human life is enriched because of Trees. With proper care & techniques anyone can grow healthy & attractive trees.

The Need for Proper Transplantation Techniques With urbanization the green areas around cities are reducing and being developed into concrete jungles. The first victims of such development are none but trees existing on site. Thanks to environmental thoughts, regulations & general awareness among people, planners adjust the location of the building than to remove a tree. Transplantation involves lifting the tree up from its original place & planting it again in a new location, where it continues to grow normally. Under normal circumstances landscape architects always try to save existing trees in their positions. But sometimes due to various reasons like road widening, under ground cabling work, drainage or construction work trees need to be removed from the place. In such condition it is advisable to assess the tree for transplant-ability. Some trees can be moved more successfully than others depending on the species, size, health & location. Transplanting stress can cause some trees to die, go into dormancy or loose beauty. Plants which are aged are more likely to succumb to transplantation stress. Young & semi-mature trees resume growth sooner after transplantation & give long term benefits. Deciding factors for successful transplantations are plant health, season of actual transplantation, site conditions where tree will be relocated, machinery used & post transplantation care.

Transplantation Technique Involves the Following Steps: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Preparing tree for transplantation Preparing pits for transplantation Transporting & transplanting After care

STEP ONE: PREPARING TREE FORTRANSPLANTATION Depending on size, species & soil strata where the tree is growing, it should always be prepared 3-4 months in advance of transplanting. Trees can be moved when there is warmth in weather and temperatures of 18-35 °C are preferable. Firstly the tree should be checked for stem borer, bark borer, termites & other pests. If necessary proper treatment needs to be given well in advance. All watery shoots and young shoots should be pruned but one third of the shoot volume must be retained. Paste of Bordeaux mix is applied to the cut surface. The trunk and branches are sprayed with insecticide & anti-transpiration spray immediately.

DIGGING THE TREE For successful moving of the tree it is essential to keep a mass of young roots intact and in contact with soil & without disturbance. Necessary care should be taken to avoid drying of roots during transplantation. A sharp spade should be used when digging trees to assure root wounds are clean cut. A trench, deep enough to get below all of the major roots, should be dug completely around the tree. Depending on species & size of the tree, the trench size differs. When the tree has been ‘cored’to required depth undercutting can take place so as to leave the tree on a neck or pedestal of subsoil. All roots around the plant must be severed before any lifting takes place. The root ball must be sprayed with a root-inducing hormone and should be covered with damp material like hessian or burlap which will retain moisture until planting. This also protects the root-ball from breakage during transportation.

STEP TWO: PREPARATION OF TREE PIT The pit where the tree is to be relocated should be dug much before the tree is moved. Good drainage is essential. The hole should be wider and deeper than the width of the ball. The tree pit needs to be ready 10-15 days prior to the shifting. One third of the tree pit should be backfilled, the treatment for insects & fungus is important as well as the flooding before shifting.

31

STEP THREE: TRANSPORTATION & PLANTING Trees must be protected when transporting to a planting site. Covered trucks are best, but if an open truck is used, a tarp must be in place to protect the plant canopies and roots from drying in transit. Prior to lifting the root ball must be soaked with root hormones & stem, bark & leaves with anti-transpiration spray. To prevent chafing of bark lower branches need to be tied properly to the center of the tree. Trees should be securely tied to prevent movement during transit.

STEP FOUR: AFTER CARE Newly planted trees need to be maintained to ensure the success of their relocation. Depending on the strength and health of the tree, it may need to be artificially supported and pruned. Proper staking should be done to support the branches & stem. All new transplants should be watered and mulched immediately; then fertilized at the end of the first growing season (depending on soil conditions). Sufficient water must be provided daily during dry season to keep the soil moist but not wet. Water stagnation around the tree should to be avoided. A watch on diseases, pests and necessary curative is important as well as to apply preventive sprays regularly to ensure the plants health. Since mature tree transplanting can be an expensive venture, it is wise to consult with a professional arbor culturist and obtain a recommendation before proceeding. Also it is advisable to find out the rules & regulations prevailing for particular site & get proper permissions prior to the transplantation. Thus with careful transplanting techniques, fully grown trees of almost any species or size can be successfully integrated into the residential or commercial landscape.

“Man is known by the surrounding he keeps. We believe

that the Landscape creates, very first impression as we enter any premises. It gives an insight into the very soul of the place.” - Nandini Gardens

T-shirts Made of recycled bottles We know that plastic waste can be recycled, but till now we didn’t believe that it is possible to make such a great product out of used drinking bottles. See the facts about ecofriendly T-shirts from the young American company “A lot to say”:

Every “A Lot To Say” tee is made of recycled PET

and uses a revolutionary process that allows this discarded PET to be turned into soft, durable and highly sustainable fabrics. The bottles are cut into small pieces called flake and then washed. PET flake is then melted into a liquid and shaped into a long, thin fiber. These fibers are then spun into yarn in the same manner as other materials. Every T-shirt is created with this process. By using recycled plastic instead of new petroleum, over 75% of the energy is saved without any additional harm to the environment. Recycled polyester is tougher than cotton. A polyester shirt lasts longer. Up to five times longer in fact. A longer life means buying fewer shirts, which means less resources consumed. Not to mention the money you save. Every shirt has the ability to recycle that same shirt into yet more RPET and recycled polyester and back into a new garment . That means no products going to landfill. Read more about this eco-revolution: www.alottosay.com

Electric speed >>> It takes less than 4 seconds from 0 to 100 kmh – if you drive this car. Well, this should not be the only reason to drive it. To have a fancy sports car without compromising the environment was the dream of the inventors. The batteries give power for 400 km and can be full charged in 4 hours, what should be enough for every weekend trip. For 1,00,000 USD the car is yours and the limousine version of the Tesla should be launched with 50,000 USD in America very soon. To check out the details of this green car please visit the official website: www.teslamotors.com

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CLIMATE CONTROL & HEAT PROOFING PLASTERING MATERIAL Sinicon PP as a Climate Control Plastering Product Sinicon PP is a heat proofing and climate control plastering and concrete aggregate which is to be used in the plastering in place of sand. It is not just a practical alternative to sand but once plastered a building using Sinicon PP would give many benefits to the inhabitants as well as the building itself. Comparable to ‘Rocket Technology’ in its material engineering the product exhibits many superior characteristics that are unmatched with any product presently available in the world. Sinicon PP is derived out from a unique volcanic glass, a large deposit of which is found at only one location on the earth which is South Africa.

The vast area of this mine field is owned by the Pratley Group. Pratley produces Sinicon PP using feed from this mine using patented manufacturing process to convert this volcanic glass into well-sealed tough glass granules which are ideally suited for use with cementitious and other binders. Each tough granule comprises a froth of glass-walled closed cells each enclosing a near vacuum. Sinicon PP is therefore best described as comprising millions of tiny sealed “thermos flasks”, making it an absolutely unique and unrivalled insulating and fireproofing material.

Sinicon PP Benefits

Characteristics of Sinicon PP

Key Property : The Thermal Conductivity i.e. ‘K’ value of Sinicon PP in a plaster mix of 4.5 : 1 (Sinicon PP : Cement) is as low as 0.13 W/mºC whereas the K Value of normal plaster is 0.78W/mºC and hence Sinicon PP plastered room (Roof Deck, Ceiling, Walls etc.) would provide the inhabitant a very comfortable living inside and one can reduce the use of Air Conditioner (or even it may be avoided and could live comfortably with a fan).

• A zero fire product.

In places where temperature is low one can reduce the use of Room Heater or even it may be avoided.

• A light weight product.

• It cannot be burned. • A zero fume product. It does not release fume when fire applied. • A zero smoke product. Since it can not be burned it does not emanate smoke. • A sand like product.

If plastered from inside or outside (or both side for better results) of roof and walls it protects from harsh weather entering the room. It retains the temperature inside the room during all weather and the room behaves almost like a Thermos Flask wherein the temperature inside is independent of the temperature outside.

The effect of Sinicon PP can be better explained that a 20mm plastering on a brick wall would give a heat (cold) reduction equal to having a double wall. Sinicon PP is suitable for old buildings (generally for roof deck plastering) as well as new buildings. The extra sheet roof that affect the aesthetics of the building can now be avoided.

Properties of Sinicon PP Sinicon PP does not react to the heat and fire and hence the building Fire/Heat Resistance Test structure becomes fire resistant and safe since it has a melting point value of 1250 Deg. C. If plastered it also stops cracks appearing on the exterior walls due to thermal stresses on the wall panels. It has a very low water permeability and hence does not easily allow moisture enter into the structure hence the corrosion to the reinforcement is substantially reduced thus the life of the building is extended substantially. No effect on the structure due to frequent changes in the weather i.e. rain/ sun switching generally affects the conventional plastering like spalling but Measurement after 2 Hours has no effect on Sinicon PP plastered roof deck and wall. Being a light weight material the dead weight of a building can be considerably reduced and proportionately the structure loading could also be reduced resulting reduction in overall project cost. It gives the wall surface a very smooth finish thus the cost of applying putty can be substantially saved. Improves the acoustic properties of the room and you may better enjoy the music in interior plastered using Sinicon PP. Average temperature on cold Being an inorganic material it is vermin and termite resistant hence can not face of panel after 2 hours fire be rot, ensuring increased life of the structure and also the wooden fittings exposure = 70 Deg.C. attached to it. 93% heat has been blocked.

Product Packaging

The product comes in Jumbo bags are 3 times bigger than the standard cement bags. One Jumbo Bag (100Ltrs) can cover an area of Approx. 75 Sq. Ft if plastered in 12mm thickness at 4.5:1 (Sinicon PP : Cement).

Product Application The product application is extremely easy and it can be applied like conventional plastering by any Mason. It is recommended to use as little water as possible in plastering for better strength. Sinicon PP plaster is very easy to handle and hence the productivity per Mason can be atleast 30% more. The curing is very important and the Sinicon PP plastered roof and wall has to be kept moist for 14-21 days.

Product Cost The differential cost of Sinicon PP application at 12mm thickness is about Rs. 15-20 per square feet. However, there will be a recurring saving for those who use ACs thus the additional cost incurred may be recovered in months apart from enjoying a better controlled climate in side.

About Sinicon Sinicon Controls (P) Ltd, a unit of Sinicon UK Limited, is an enterprise of AGE Group which is involved in many diversified areas of activities such as Electronics, Information Technology, Medical Disposables, Chemicals and HR Management Solutions in the domestic arena and also into Engineering, Construction, Trading, higher end Bakeries and Coffee Shops chain in the Middle East. Sinicon manufactures and sells in the domestic and export market its Home Automation products such as Water Management, Power Management and Security Management products. Located in Kanjikode Industrial Development Area in Palakkad with offices in Coimbatore and Chennai and overseas operations in Doha, Dubai and South Africa, Sinicon is having over 300 distributors/dealers in the domestic as well as export market.

35

l e e d decoded Intent

Water Efficiency Credit 4: Water Use Reduction

Maximise water efficiency within buildings to reduce the burden on municipal water supply and wastewater systems.

Requirements Employ strategies that in aggregate use 20% (1 point) or 30% (2 points) less water than the water use baseline calculated for the building (not including irrigation) after meeting the following fixture performance.

Potential Technologies & Strategies Use high efficiency fixtures, dry fixtures such as composting toilet systems nonwater using urinals, and occupant sensors to reduce the potable water demand. Consider reuse of storm water and graywater for non-potable applications such as toiler and urinal flushing. The following fixtures will reduce the water consumption in a building: 1. Water Closets: Water efficient as well as dual flush fixtures are available from leading manufacturers like Parryware Roca, Hindware etc. The low flow fixtures are 2/4 litres per flush as compared to standard 6 litre flush 2. Urinals: Low flow urinals (0.5 litres) as well as waterless urinals are available in the market. 3. Low Flow fixtures like faucets, shower heads, kitchen sinks and Janitors sinks are also available.

Calculations Here are some of the basic calculations that need to be followed for this credit. • • • • • •

Fixture Flow Minimum Requirement

Water Closets (GPF) 1.6 Number of users is 50 / 50 male and female. Urinals (GPF) 1.0 A male is considered to use the WC once in a day, and urinal twice. Showerheads (GPM)* 2.5 A female uses the WC 3 times a day. Faucets (GPF)* 2.5 A shower (if applicable) would be used for 300 – 600 seconds. Janitor’s uses is project specific (same in base case and design case). All users will wash their hands in the sink ( 3 times a day per person) for a duration of 15 seconds.

The Base Case The base case is calculated using the number of users and number of frequency (calculated above) multiplied by the minimum flow / flush rates as defined by IGBC / USGBC. These numbers cannot be altered, even if standard practices may be different in that region. The total water consumption for base case if calculated and denotes the amount of fresh water (potable) being used per day for toilets / janitorial purposes only and will differ from the standard plumbing engineer’s calculations for system designs.

The Design Case The Design Case is calculated using exactly the same numbers, only changing the flow & flush rates of fixtures. Storm Water and Treated Water reuse can be calculated in this credit. The amount of reused /recycled water can be subtracted from flushing requirement only, as this water is not used for any purpose where it comes in human contact.

Exemplary Performance A project would qualify for Exemplary performance under Innovation in Design if the project achieves 40% or greater potable water use reduction.

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The Savings, Quantified

In this article, we shall focus on water conserving fixtures that can help us reduce the intake of fresh water for domestic purposes. The “baseline” or standard flow and flush fixtures are compared to more efficient fixtures available in the market. It is obvious that simple choices of fixtures, and at no additional cost, can result in substantial savings in fresh water use, reduction in sewage generation and a reduced impact on the environment. The following calculations have been done to show the water use reduction in buildings for domestic purposes. The Building use is assumed as office of 200 people, 100 male & 100 female The following basic usage assumptions have been taken for both cases: Fixture Water Closet Urinal Faucet Shower

Men / Uses per day 1 2 3 (15 seconds) 1 (300 seconds)

Women / Uses per day 3 0 3 (15 seconds) 1 (300 seconds)

Base Case Fixture

Daily Uses

Male Water 1 Closet Urinal 2 Faucets 3 Shower 1 Female Water 3 Closet Faucets 3 Shower 1 Total Water Used

Flow Rate GPF

Occupant Users

Duration

Sewage Generation Gal / day

1.6

100

1

160

1 2.5 2.5

100 100 10

1 15 sec 300 sec

200 150 125

1.6

100

1

480

2.5 2.5

100 10

15 sec 300 sec

150 125 1390

Flow Rate GPF

Occupant Users

Duration

Sewage Generation Gal / day

1.2

100

1

120

0.5 1.8 1.8

100 100 10

1 15 sec 300 sec

100 135 90

1.2

100

1

360

1.8 1.8

100 10

15 sec 300 sec

135 90 1030

Design Case Fixture

Daily Uses

Male Water 1 Closet Urinal 2 Faucets 3 Shower 1 Female Water 3 Closet Faucets 3 Shower 1 Total Water Used

Points to Note • Changes to occupancy, uses and frequency is not allowed from base case to optimized case. • The installed fixtures rate at flow / flush rate at 80 psi would be considered even if the pressure used in project may be different.

Water Use Reduction = 360 litres on 1390 litres = 25.8% If the project was to meet 100% of the requirements of flushing using Storm water or Recycled water, the reduction would be 480 and the water use reduction would be 60% and the project would be awarded 2 points in Water Efficiency category as well as 1 point in Innovation category. Fixture Images Courtesy : Parryware Roca Pvt Ltd / www.eparryware.com, www.roca.com

Dakshina Chitra

A celebration of Culture through Art, Architecture & Crafts of South India

India has a rich heritage in architecture. There is, however, a major shift in focus from traditional methods and forms to industrial and synthetic materials which follow international trends in building and form. They are replacing India’s own distinct philosophy and systems of building. We have become followers and not creators. Not enough thought has been given to the consequences of these trends to the nation and its housing and architectural needs. Architectural students today need to be well informed about India’s traditional vernaculars and methods of building and materials in order to reflect and innovate solutions which are pertinent to India and which may create trends internationally in the future. Architects with a sound knowledge of materials and conservation techniques are necessary to conserve even the most important buildings and neighborhoods representing India’s architectural heritage. Reuse of heritage buildings is almost nonexistent in India, but is a highly developed field elsewhere in the world employing thousands of talented architects.

The beginning of Dakshina Chitra It began as an effort to bring the hidden wealth of South India to light – to set up an institution to celebrate the myriad cultures of the numerous people of Southern India. In an era when the old and traditional are vulnerable and challenged, this nucleus of an idea triggered a cultural journey. Inspired by the artisans and fold artists of the villages, Dr. Deborah Thiagrajan, set out to form the Madras Craft Foundation (MCF) in 1984. Laurie Baker - the renowned architect, graciously donated his services to the foundation. The spatial conceptualization at Dakshina Chitra and his building techniques and process breathe his philosophy of empowering masons and crafts people in the building process. Architect Benny Kuriakose who designed the public buildings and supervises the conservation and reconstruction of the heritage buildings, has also provided continued service in the construction and conservation of the center. Today Dakshina Chitra successfully showcases the rich cultural heritage of South India. It reflects the beauty, traditions, innovations and the continuing evolution of South Indian arts and culture.

What has been done at Dakshina Chitra? Preserve, promote and communicate the rich cultural heritage of South India in the following ways:

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Through the heritage houses purchased, dismantled and relocated at Dakshina Chitra and the craft exhibited contextually in each house. The simple hands-on craft and performance activities visitors can try at the center. Education based special activities for students and children Hosting regular folk performances at Dakshina Chitra and by involving the performers in interactive programs and workshops Library and archives and their activities we encourage research by students, staff and the public. International seminars held appropriately once in two years to strive to raise the consciousness of the cultures of India.

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The Architecture Dakshina Chitra is a showcase of traditional architecture of South India. The architecture of each of the states, namely, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh have been carefully relocated to this site. The journey to understanding the blend of culture, lifestyle, profession and architecture is clearly visible through the buildings of each region. Let us explore the magnificence of our heritage and buildings and understanding the genius of our past. Let us do this, not only to be amazed by their understanding of the science of building, but also for us to think and act with the same values of respect and conservation for our future buildings.

Kerala

The architecture, environment and culture of Kerala stand in marked contrast to that of Tamil Nadu. Kerala is blessed with abundant water, verdant forests and rich lands. Unlike the Tamilian, the Keralite prefers to live isolated from neighbours in the middle of a plot of land, with privacy and beautiful tropical vegetation. In Kerala houses, technique, form and materials are basically the same for all classes and economic levels. Only size or the addition of more buildings to a compound separates the rich from the poor. Kerala’s domestic architecture is punctuated in form by the religious architecture of its three communities - the Hindus, Christians and Muslims. While the domestic architecture of the three communities is similar, small details such as a cross or a gable distinguish one type from another. Within Kerala, there is a clear division of style of architecture between Malabar in northern Kerala and Travancore in southern Kerala. Just north of Cochin, extending all the way up north, are large deposits of laterite. These are used throughout the Malabar region for the walls and foundations of both houses and temples. This enabled the Keralite to build double storeyed homes with the sloped roof in North Kerala. In southern Kerala, wood was the primary building material and homes remained primarily single-storeyed until the end of the 19th century. The most distinctive visual form of Kerala architecture is the long, steep sloping roof built to protect the house’s walls and to withstand the heavy monsoon

Karnataka

The architecture of Karnataka is as varied as its geography, with its verdant coastal areas to the west; the richly wooded hills of Chikmagalore and Shimoga; the bamboo forests and plantations of Coorg; the fertile farm land of the south, the semi-arid zones of the east and central districts and the vast stony, dry areas of the north. The name of one of the main districts, Gulbarga, is said to have come from kalbargi, which means ‘stony land’ or a ‘heap of stones’. Where the Deccan plateau joins the Nilgiris in the southwestern region of the state, timber is in abundance. The domestic architecture of Mangalore, Udipi, Coorg and Malnad is mainly of wood. Bangalore, the state capital reflects the colonial influence in its civic buildings and domestic architecture, the most significant being the British bungalows. Stone is the major building material for most of North Karnataka. Mortar is generally mud. A major feature of Northern Karnataka agricultural homes is the inclusion of a space for their cows and goats within the home itself.

Tamil Nadu

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Tamil Nadu has a long sandy seacoast and a vast expanse of semi-arid plains, once covered with scrub forests, grass and groves of bamboo. Water was scarce and wells per village were few in number. Families clustered together, to be close to each other and to the sources of water. Wood was never in abundance, but was used for columns and beams. Rafters and reapers were usually of bamboo. The pride of each house was the front door and this was carved and decorated to be as welcoming and auspicious as could be. Trees were felled from nearby, preferably from the house owner’s own compound. The village set rules where trees could and could not be felled. The carpenters made the bullock carts and the ploughs and all that was necessary for agriculture and house building in the village. They were helped by the blacksmiths who made the hinges and the nails, the locks for the doors and the special fixtures for the carts. The potters made the terracotta roofing tiles. Floors were most often made of rammed mud, finished with a red oxide coating or cow dung slurry. Walls were made of sun-dried or baked brick or mud which were also regularly treated with a cow dung slurry, which kept the bugs away with its antiseptic properties. Few people could afford the roofing tiles, and for centuries, a tiled roof required a royal permission accorded only to the rich. Most people had thatch roofs, even wealthy people. The thatch kept the house cool. Palmyra trees grew in abundance and grasses and reeds, or even dried paddy stalk was used. Families used what was most convenient and abundant in their area. Bamboo was treated and sliced and woven into mats which were sometimes even used as walls. Mats were woven from reeds for sleeping on or to spread on the cowdung floors for guests to sit on. Lime plaster became the keystone of decoration on Tamil houses. The wealthy merchants and the royal families let the masons who specialised in lime plaster use their imagination to create stories, florid capitals and ceilings and homage to patrons in plaster. Most Tamil houses have an inner courtyard which is used for drying grains, shelling pods and for functions. There is a raised verandah or small seating area in the front of the house, called a tinnai.

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh consists of three distinct regions : Rayalseema, Telangana and Coastal Andhra. The Rayalseema area is part of the Deccan plateau and for the most part consists of dry and stony land. Cuddapah, a black slate used for flooring, shelving and even roofing, derives its name from the town of Cuddapah from where it is mined. Stone and mud are the main building materials in this area. Thatch is the most prevalent roofing material. The Nizam’s region or Telangana comprises of Adilabad, Nalgonda, Warangal, Medak, Mahboobnagar, Nizamabad, Karimnagar and Bidar. The Muslim rule of the kingdoms here had a major influence on the architectural forms. The most elegant Muslim homes and cenotaphs are characterized by beautiful, intricate, stone-cut screens, delicate fluted arches and fine stucco work. Agricultural communities built with the materials at hand in simple forms, which are convenient to their lifestyles, for the protection of their livestock, for storage and for security. The skills of the builders and crafts people are evidenced in the meticulous workmanship of stone buildings.

Architecture Examples

Merchants House Chettinad, Tamil Nadu

The merchants house is a good example of architecture from Tamil Nadu and shows the relationship of architecture, response to climate and social status & lifestyle. The basic floor plan of a Chettinad house consists of an outside verandah (thinnai) for guests, with a room for conducting business on one or both ends; an interior courtyard to be used in ceremonies, with a raised seating area at one or both ends; a series of small double rooms opening off the main courtyard, for storage, prayer and sleeping and a small courtyard behind for cooking and for the women to socialize. The Chettinad houses were originally single-storeyed buildings made of sundried brick of mud and bamboo and thatch. They evolved to become tile-roofed with a small two-storeyed tower at both ends of the front elevation, The Nattukottai Chettiar traders followed the expansion of the British Empire into Southeast Asia for their business. The homes were luxurious and expensive wood carvings, detailing and materials were used.

Weaver’s Houses Ikal, Karnataka This cluster from Ilkal, Bagalkote district represents an urban settlement pattern and is typical of weavers’ houses in the northern region of Karnataka. The wooden elements have been taken from similar houses near Bagalkote from a village which was due to be flooded by the new dam. The wooden gateway, stone and wooden window which mark the entrance to the Karnataka section are the remnants of a house which was built in the 18th century and belonged to one of the oldest known families in the town. Almost all houses in northern Karnataka are built of stone. Each area has its distinctive stone. In Bagalkote, it is pink sandstone, in some areas it is yellow sandstone and in others shabha stone or pure calcium carbonate shale. The colours vary from area to area as does the way the stone is quarried and the preferred shapes and sizes used for construction. In Ilkal, the stone is granite. Roof structures are traditionally flat with stone slabs packed on top with mud. Terracotta pots, like the ones used for soaking indigo, in the Ilkal compound, but without a bottom, are inserted in the roof to provide for ventilation and sunlight. Terracotta plates are placed on them as lids during rains; otherwise they are kept open.

Syrian Christian House Kottayam, Kerala This house from Kuttattukulam, near Kottayam represents the culture of Kerala’s Christians, who make up 23% of the State’s population. This house (circa 1850) is representative of many 19th century homes found in and around Kottayam and its backwaters. The Syrian Christians were traders by tradition, dealing in Kerala’s commodities such as timber and spices, and later on, tea and rubber. They controlled the trade from the nearby mountains and the coast up to Cochin. The distinctive feature of the Syrian Christian house is its layout, with the entrance of the house leading directly into the granary. Prayers are conducted in front of the granary, identified by the small cross above the door, and not in a separate room for prayers as in a Hindu house. The addition of a masonry structure, in 1910, which includes a living room, separate dining room and kitchen, is a sign of the early westernisation of the community and the social trend of entertaining guests in the family home. The original house was west facing with the kitchen in the northeast. The basic features of the house are the wood craft and joinery, using jackfruit and palmyra wood; the underground storage and general emphasis on storage of food items; the well in the kitchen; living around a single room; and the deep verandah. All these features are common to houses of all communities from the Travancore section of Kerala in the mid 19th century. To replace the damaged timber of the present house a similar house from Puttupally was purchased.

Weaver’s Houses Nalgonda, Andhra Pradesh Most weavers’ houses and other village houses in Nalgonda and Warangal district follow a style locally known as bhawanti. The plan used commonly is the chitra sala, with three bays or sections and a small courtyard in the middle. The building materials include bamboo reapers, palmyra beams and semi-circular roof tiles. If the owner can afford it, the house will have an outside garden, bathroom and utility area enclosed by walls and a separate entrance. The plinth is made of stone blocks with mud mortar and the walls are either mud or sundried bricks. The weavers’ house plan is an adaptation of an agricultural house. The outer enclosed area for animals is absent in the weavers’ house. The small rooms which would have been on the left side of the house by the courtyard have been omitted by the weavers to give space for a loom and for working space. The weavers have also chosen a smaller courtyard to minimise the effects of the monsoon on their weaving. The weavers’ houses have very limited decorations and all the materials used are commonly obtained and have a limited life span.

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Inspired to be Green Solar Series

PhotoVoltaic 101 What is Solar India ? As pointed out in the National Action Plan on climate change “India is a tropical country, where sunshine is available for longer hours per day and in great intensity. Solar energy, therefore, has great potential as future energy source. It also has the advantage of permitting the decentralized distribution of energy, thereby empowering people at the grassroots level”. Based on the vision set out above, a National Solar Mission is being launched under the brand name “Solar India”.

Are solar power systems good for the environment? Yes! Energy created through solar electric system produces no pollutants. A smallest system typically cuts greenhouse gas emissions as effectively as 50 trees.

Are solar electric systems safe? Yes. Solar cells are mostly silicon, the primary component of sand. There is no exhaust and no toxic materials to leak out of the system. The electricity coming through the inverter is just like the electricity coming from household wall sockets; you should use the same care you would with utility power. All components are approved for utility interconnection and are installed according to standard construction practices.

What is a PV array? An interconnected system of PV modules that function as a single electricity-producing unit. The modules are assembled as a discrete structure, with common support or mounting. In smaller systems, an array can consist of a single module.

What is a PV system? A PV system is a complete set of components for converting sunlight into electricity by the photovoltaic process, including the array and the balance of system components. The BoS components consists of Cables, Structural steel, controller switch battery, inverter as appropriate.

What does photovoltaic (PV) mean? The direct conversion of light into electricity.

What is PV conversion efficiency? The ratio of the electric power produced by a PV device to the power of the sunlight shining on the device. Typically between 10 to 20%.

What are the different types of solar technologies? The four types of solar technologies are: Photovoltaic: Photovoltaic solar cells, which directly convert sunlight into electricity, are made of semiconductor materials. This can include very simple cells that power calculators and watches, and complex systems that can light houses. Passive solar heating: Buildings designed for passive solar and day lighting combine building materials that absorb and slowly release the sun’s heat with design features such as large south-facing windows. No mechanical means are employed. Concentrating solar power: This technology uses reflective materials such as mirrors to concentrate the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity. Solar hot water and space heating and cooling: Solar hot water heaters use the sun to heat either water or a heat-transfer fluid in collectors.

What is a solar cell and a solar module? A solar cell or a PV (photovoltaic) cell, has the characteristics to convert sunlight into electrical energy. Each cell is made of silicon like a computer chip. The silicon is treated so that it generates a flow of electricity when light shines on it. Solar modules are series of solar cells wired together. A module can be made in many sizes and capacities to suit a user need.

Do solar cells store energy? No. Solar cells just convert sunlight into an electric current that must be used immediately or stored in batteries to be used later.

Are solar cells a new technology? Modern solar cells with practical efficiency were invented in the early 1950s, and have been used to power satellites since 1959. They became popular for terrestrial applications in the mid-1970s, mostly for remote telecommunications, navigational aids and other rugged, remote industrial uses including microwave, TV, radio and cellular repeater stations. They have been powering urban applications such as roadside emergency telephones and traffic sign boards since the mid-1980s. With prices dropping steadily, they are now becoming affordable for urban homes and businesses.

How well do solar modules withstand & work in, inclement weather? In cloudy weather, solar modules work, although they produce less electricity than on a sunny day. Under a light overcast, the modules might produce about half as much as under full sun, ranging down to as little as five to ten percent under a dark overcast day. If the modules become covered with snow, they stop producing power, but snow generally melts quickly when the sun strikes the modules; if you brush the snow off, they resume operation immediately. For Indian climatic conditions, where dust and airborne particles are prevalent, with little dusting the optimum out can be achieved. Generally, good quality modules can withstand one inch (2.5 cm) hailstones at 50 mph (80.5 kph).

Information & Images courtesy of MoserBaer, the experts in photovoltaic,.

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Artwork : Pascal LESOING f YDEO - Illustration : CALOU

ORIGINAL SCORE ARMAND AMAR WITH THE VOICE OF GLENN CLOSE SCREENPLAY ISABELLE DELANNOY YANN ARTHUS-BERTRAND DENIS CAROT YEN LE VAN COMMENTARY ISABELLE DELANNOY TEWFIK FARES YANN ARTHUS-BERTRAND EDITOR YEN LE VAN FIRST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR DOROTHEE MARTIN CINEFLEX CAMERA OPERATOR TANGUY THUAUD PRODUCTION MANAGER JEAN DE TREGOMAIN COORDINATOR CAMILLE COURAU PRODUCED BY DENIS CAROT AND LUC BESSON © 2009 - EUROPACORP - ELZEVIR FILMS

www.home-2009.com

www.youtube.com/homeproject

A ELZEVIR FILMS - EUROPACORP production

“Fuel” begins by showing us we only only began using oil 150 years ago. It points out that nearly everything we do requires oil. The problems with oil are introduced, and Bush is shown saying “America is addicted to oil”. Enter Josh Tickell. Environmental science student, activist, author, film buff, and more than anything, a man with a score to settle. We follow Josh through his formative years, his first science fair project, his education in Germany, and his personal discovery of biodiesel. Josh travels the country in his “Veggie Van”, a diesel Winnebago he runs on bildiesel he makes on the road from used fryer oil. He encounters some minor publicity and recognition, and is seen more as an oddity than as a prophet. We learn how Rudolph Diesel, Henry Ford, and John D Rockefeller worked against each other in the early days of the automotive industry to secure their places in the world. We meet Josh’s mother. She’s sick, as are many others living in places like Louisiana, where oil is refined. Josh interviews a slew of experts, learns that reproductive problems, cancer, and a host of other ailments affect those living in oil producing areas. Josh’s travels around the world to talk to oil and foreign policy experts are cut short by news that his family in Louisiana have fallen prey to Hurricane Katrina. He learns that his anger at the oil companies is getting him nowhere, so he goes back on the road and tries to learn more and make new partners.

French photogrpaher Yann Arthus-Bertrand is best known for his aerial photographs of the Earth. His latest project , the movie HOME, was released on June 5, 2009 to coincie with World Environment Day. As he has already proved, Arthus-Betrand is a master at identifying colors, angles and paaterns that show the Earth at its most beautiful. These could be the shadows cast by a train of camels walking through a desert, the myriad shades of blue and white in glacier in the North pole, or the symmetrical patterns formed by brightly dyed peices of cloth laid out to dry in India. These same skills are brought to bear in HOME, but this time the images are moving and have a clear message: the Earth, the place we call home is in trouble and we are largely responsible. The movie starts by tsking the viewer back to the beginning of time, and explains how and when life on Earth came about. We learn, for example, that the world is four billion years old, whereas umans are only 200,000 years old. In the relatively short time we have been around, however, we have had more impact than any other species. In the last 50 years alone, the movie says, the Earth has been more radically changed than by all previous generations of humanity. The majority of curent environmental hot-button issues are touched upon, including industrial farming and food-production methods, global (fresh) watter shortages, climate change and rising sea levels and on the dependency on fossil fuels.

Source : www.imdb.com. Written by Rebecca Harrel

Written by : Cecily Layzell (www.film-festival-releases.suite101.com)

An Inconvenient Truth focuses on Al Gore and his travels in support of his efforts to educate the public about the severity of the climate crisis. Gore says, "I've been trying to tell this story for a long time and I feel as if I've failed to get the message accross." The film closely follows a Keynote presentation (dubbed "the slide show") that Gore presented throughout the world. It interperses Gore's exploration of data and predictions regarding climate change and its potential for disaster with this own life story. It weaves in events that changed his world view, incluing his college education with early climate expert Roger Revelle at Harvard University, his sister's death from lung cancer and his young son's near -fatal car accident. For comic effect, Gore also uses a clip from the Futurama episode "Crimes of the Hot" to explain global warming. Gore refers to his loss to George W.Bush in the 2000 United States presidential election as "hard blow" yet subsequently "brought into clear focus, the mission (he) had been pursuing for all these years. In the slide show, Gore reviews the scientific opinion on climate change, discusses the politics and economics of global warming, and describes the consequences he believes global climate change will produce if the amount of human-generated greenhouse gases is not significantly reduced in the very near future. A center point of the film is his examination of the annual temperature and CO2 levels for the past 650,000 years in Antarctic ice core samples.

The Great Global Warming Swindle is a documentary film that argues against the scientific consensus that global warming is “very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic (man-made) greenhouse gas concentrations”.It has been described by both its original broadcaster Channel 4 and the British regulator Ofcom as “a polemic”. The film, made by British television producer Martin Durkin, showcases scientists, economists, politicians, writers, and others who are sceptical about the scientific theory of anthropogenic global warming. The programme’s publicity materials assert that man-made global warming is “a lie” and “the biggest scam of modern times.” Although the documentary was welcomed by global warming sceptics, it was criticised heavily by many scientific organisations and individual scientists (including two of the film’s contributors. The film’s critics argued that it had misused and fabricated data, relied on out-of-date research, employed misleading arguments, and misrepresented the position of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Channel 4 and Wag TV (the production company) accepted some of the criticism, correcting a few errors in subsequent releases. However according to Bob Ward (former spokesman for the Royal Society), this still left five out of seven of the errors and misleading arguments which had been previously attacked by him and 36 other scientists in an open letter.

Source : Yahoo Movies

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Larsen & Toubro Limited At the Forefront of the Green Building Movement in India At the headquarters in Chennai, L&T has designed and constructed three buildings, of which one is LEED Certified. The entire L&T campus is planned with many enviro-friendly concepts such as green belts, water recycling systems, rain water harvesting structures and energy efficient buildings. L&T is also a vanguard campaigning the green building concept to customers and educating them that green buildings may have an initial higher cost of ownership but results in efficient savings in the long run thereby resulting in quick pay back periods. Presently, L&T is involved in the design and construction of three buildings- Technology Center III for L&T Info-tech at Chennai; IT Campus for Cognizant Technology at Chennai and Kolkata- all in accordance to the compliance of green concept.

EDRC, L&T ECC, Chennai

cts, KOLKATA

cts MEPZ, CHENNAI

Below are a brief of the credits and their implementation in our projects.

Sustainable Sites The intent of the prerequisite and credits in this category is to encourage the reuse of existing buildings and sites, protect the land use and reduce the adverse environmental impact of new developments. To obtain many of these credits, these features need to be incorporated in the design development and during construction.

Erosion & Sedimentation Control: Temporary and permanent seeding, De-silting Chambers, Filtration chambers, Grass turfing along excavated portions were some of the measures adopted resulting in control over erosion and thereby reducing negative impacts on water and air quality. They also conform to the best management practices highlighted in the National Building Code of India (NBC).

“It is our ability to anticipate the future and react accordingly that will determine our success.”” Mr.Henning Holck Larsen, Co-founder & Chairman

Grass Turfing @ TC III De Silting Chambers, CTS Kolkatta

Alternative Transportation Provision of alternative-fuel refueling stations, preferred car parking spaces for Carpools and alternate fuel / low emitting vehicles reduced pollution and land development impacts from automobile use.

Parking for Alternate Fuel Vehicles @ EDRC

Charging Stations @ TC II

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Reducing site disturbance - Protecting open spaces Conservation of existing natural areas and promote biodiversity was accomplished through excavations within prescribed limits, placing of buildings at appropriate location within the site and by minimizing the development foot print.

Storm water management Vegetated roofs, Pervious paving, Turf pavers for surface parking, rain water recycling for flushing/irrigation purpose were incorporated in design to limit disruption of natural water hydrology and to reduce surface run off and increase on site infiltration. Sediment & oil on surface Concrete block permeable paving Sediment trapped in laying course and upper geotextile (if present) Sub-base Oil biodegradable Lower geo-textile Subgrade (ground)

Typical C/S through Pervious Paver

Heat Island Effect – Roof and Non-roof High Albedo coating (reflective coating) on terrace surface and provision of more than 50% parking under covered surface reduces Heat islands to minimize impact on microclimate and human and wildlife habitat. Use of Turf pavers for parking reduces the percentage of site’s hardscape area which is main cause for heat island effect.

Max. Candela doesn’t exit through Windows

Albedo Coating on terrace at CTS MEPZ

Light Pollution Reduction Lighting is one of the critical components of Green building design; accounting for 23% of a typical office building’s energy use. Lighting design is also an important factor in raising the productivity level of office workers. Over the years, recommended illumination levels have gradually come down, from the brightly lit fluorescent workplaces of the 1970s, where 100 foot-candles was the recommended luminance, to today’s standard Green building design of 30 foot-candles at the work surface. Provision of lighting only for places requiring safety and comfort, elimination of façade lighting & light trespassing from building interiors through transparent surfaces are some of the measures being adopted in our projects.

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Water Efficiency

This category of credits is aimed at water-use reduction and use of waste water technologies. No prerequisites exist for this category. Use of high-efficiency irrigation technology, rainwater use for irrigation and use of high efficiency plumbing fixture are some of the design strategies. All plumbing fixtures should meet or exceed the performance requirements of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Typical documentation and performance calculations involve calculating the total water demands of the facility and the level of water use reduction demonstrated by the design.

Recycling Site Water for Drip Irrigation

Water Efficient Landscaping Use of efficient irrigation systems like sprinkler, drip irrigation & timer controls, use of storm water/ recycled water and usage of Native species for landscape reduces or eliminate the usage of potable water for irrigation.

Innovative Wastewater Technologies Installation of sewage treatment plant to treat 100% waste water generated on site to tertiary standards and usage of this grey water for 100% sewage conveyance thereby reducing the generation of wastewater and potable water demand, helps in local aquifer recharge.

Water Use Reduction Strategies that in aggregate use less water than the water use baseline calculated for the building like high efficiency fixtures with sensors, low flow fixtures to reduce the potable water demand and to maximize water efficiency within buildings to reduce the burden on municipal water supply and wastewater systems.

Sensor Controlled Flushing @ EDRC

Low Flow WC

Sewage treatment Plant @ CTS MEPZ

Energy & Atmosphere Energy efficiency, renewable energy and ozone protection are the main goals of this category of credits. Most energy efficiency measures present an excellent rate of return.

Fundamental Building Systems Commissioning The commissioning process is a quality based process that is adopted by an owner to consistently achieve successful construction project. Installation, functional performance, training and operation and maintenance documentation should be verified. An area requiring careful coordination is the creation of operation and maintenance manual.

Minimum Energy Performance Building envelope and building systems were designed to maximize energy performance after a careful study on Break up of energy consumption by various systems and heat gain by various building components. The minimum level of energy efficiency for the base building and systems has to be established.

Breakup of Energy Consumption in a Building

Breakup of Heat Gain through various Building Components

CFC Reduction in HVAC&R Equipment Zero use of CFC/HCFC based refrigerants in new building HVAC&R base building systems & fire suppression systems that do not contain HCFC and Halons to reduce ozone depletion and support early compliance with the Montreal protocol.

Optimize Energy Performance Occupancy sensors for lighting control, Double Glazing with low U Value, Insulation, Albedo coating for roof, Wall/Glazing ratio, high efficient chiller systems are few design strategies adopted to achieve increasing levels of energy performance above the standard to reduce environmental impacts associated with excessive energy use. There should be reduction in the design energy cost budget for regulated energy components too.

Measurement and Verification M&V (sometimes called monitoring and verification) is the capability to track the performance of a piece of equipment, a mechanical system, or an entire building. Ideally, this tracking allows for adjustments that reduce resource use and operating costs.

Green Power It should be confirmed that the company has installed the Green power such as solar, wind, geothermal, biomass or low impact hydro services (off site) to minimum of 35% of the total energy requirement of the building or it could be done as on-site renewable energy generation.

Materials & Resources This category is aimed at reducing the life-cycle environmental impact of materials and provides credits for waste reduction, materials reuse and recycling. Building material choices are important in sustainable design because of the extensive network of extraction, processing and transportation steps required to process them.

Storage and Collection of Recyclables A dedicated area for separation, collection and storage of materials in an easily accessible area have been designed to serve the entire building, thereby reducing the waste generated by buildings occupants that is hauled to and disposed of in landfills.

Collection, Quantifying & Segregation of waste for Recycling at EDRC Construction Waste Management Construction wastes like concrete, masonry were reused for making of temporary road, infrastructure fill etc, where as Steel was reused in making of precast item, grade slab, drain etc, and other recyclables materials like wood, Cardboard were diverted back to the manufacturing process. Implementation of waste management plan, quantifying material diversion by weight and designation of specific area on the site for recycling were considered during construction phase.

Recycled Content Building products that have incorporated recycled content materials were generally used to reduce the impacts resulting from extraction and processing of new virgin materials.

Usage of Broken tiles for feature wall at CTS Kolkata

Material Resource Radius

Fly ash Bricks – 30% Recycled Content

Local / Regional Materials Materials were procured within a circle of 800km from project site to increase the demand for building products that is manufactured locally, thereby reducing the environmental impacts resulting from transportation and to support the local economy. LEED Demands- 20% of Total Material Cost to be manufactured within 800 Km from Project Site and 50% of above to be locally harvested/extracted. 53

Indoor Environmental Quality The credit requirements in this category are aimed at reducing indoor pollutants/ contaminants, improving the thermal comfort, indoor air and lighting quality. The results are increased market value for buildings and greater productivity for building occupants.

Minimum IAQ performance LEED demands enhancement in indoor air quality of buildings, thus contributing to the comfort and well- being of the occupants.

Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) Control Prohibition of smoking in the building except in designated smoking areas and location of designated smoking rooms.

Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring Permanent CO2 sensors are provided at return air duct to monitor the Carbon dioxide levels in the occupied spaces to control the outdoor air flow by the ventilation system, which helps to sustain occupant comfort and well being.

Construction IAQ Management Plan Design Approaches of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Contractors Association were incorporated to protect stored on-site or installed absorptive materials from moisture damage. After construction ends and prior to occupancy a minimum two-week building flush-out with 100% outside air is conducted. Protection of moisture Absorbing Materials

CO2 Sensor at Return Air Duct, EDRC Chennai

Thermal Comfort Design and Verification Provision of comfortable thermal environment by incorporating comfort criteria that support the productivity and well being of building occupants and assessment of building thermal comfort over time.

Low-Emitting Materials Materials were chosen with utmost care having least/No VOC- Volatile Organic Compound to reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants that are odorous or potentially irritating harmful to the comfort and well-being of installer and building occupants. Openable Windows capable to suit user Conditions at CTS MEPZ

Permanent Entry Way Systems at CTS MEPZ

Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control To minimize exposure of building occupants to potentially hazardous particulates and chemicals. Installation of permanent entryway systems of six feet long in the primary direction of travel to capture dirt and particulates from entering the building.

LEED Accredited Professional L&T has in-house LEED Accredited Professional and a Green team who supports towards the Certification process of the Building.

Conclusion The environmental impact of the construction industry is very significant. Urbanization shifts land usage away from natural, biologically-diverse habitats to hardscapes that are impervious and devoid of biodiversity. The far reaching influence of the built environment necessitates action to reduce its impact. There is a study that buildings annually consume more than 20% of the electricity used in India. So it is imperative to include energy efficient ideas right from the design stage of the buildings. Green building practices can substantially reduce or eliminate negative environmental impacts and improve existing unsustainable design, construction and operational practices. In short, green building design benefits all spectrums such as environmental, economic, and social (including owners, occupants and the general public). And L&T shall be a torch-bearer for all.

GREEN BUILDING MOVEMENT Today, India is becoming a developed nation. She is heading towards the Golden Age. L&T ECC has been in the forefront in every facet of her development. The vision of a “Young and Green India” has always been part of our system. Green Movement has been part of our designs in all our projects from the beginning- always giving only the best to the people, the country and world at large. Our buildings have always had Green Features though the certification processes came into existence few years ago. As a responsible corporate citizen, L&T has implemented many green initiatives and wherever possible tried to construct buildings as a contribution towards sustainable environmental concern. We have always been foresighted in this regard. To quote the words of Sri.A.M.Naik, Chairman & Managing Director, L&T, “Given the nature of business, L&T’s own operations have a minimal impact on the environment. Many of our business activities exhibit our sensitivity towards environment.” We facilitate the adaption of clean fuel technologies in refineries, enable petrochemical projects and process plants to reduce emission levels. We proactively introduce environment-friendly technologies before they become a regulatory requirement and facilitate the use of cleaner alternative energy sources through our association with nuclear power program. We are focusing on the challenging segment of super critical boilers and turbines that enhance operational efficiencies and minimize carbon emission. We have ventured into the construction of “Green buildings”.

Our Thanks to Ar.Nagalingam(LEED AP), Ar.S.Vasuki, Ar.K.Sundararaman EDRC, L&T ECC, Chennai the authors of this article.

55

The Importance of

Windows in Buildings Windows are a critical component of a green building ‘s envelope system. The same way that our skin helps to protect us from the environment, the building envelope should be able to protect the spaces from the harsh climatic conditions of the exterior environment. The building envelope should perform basic functions like 1. Prevent loss / gain of heat energy 2. Be air / water tight to prevent infiltration 3. Allow natural daylight and permit views Selecting the right windows is a critical aspect of designing an energy-efficient building. Windows provide important solar heat gain, but they are also the least insulating part of the building envelope. For example, a highly insulated wall may have an R-value of 30, while a typical low-E window may only be R4. It is therefore important to understand the ‘net’ energy flows through a window, and how best to select the right window for the application. Types of Frames:

Types of Windows:

1. Wood frames 2. Aluminum Frames 3. U PVC

1. 2. 3. 4.

Casements Siders Tilt up / Down Combinations

Advantages of U PVC Windows: • Durability: U-PVC frames do not rot, rust or corrode and as they do not absorb moisture - they will not warp, twist or split. • Insulation and savings: U-PVC profiles have high thermal and acoustic insulation performance. It can save upto 35% of your energy requirement. • Combustion Resistant: U-PVC frames will only burn when subjected to an external heat source and once the source is removed, the flames will self extinguish. • Weather Performance: Correctly manufactured and installed U-PVC windows and doors have excellent weather resistance and will comply with the requirements of all relevant BS standards. • Design Capabilities: U-PVC window designs reproduce most existing and traditional styles. • Minimal Maintenance: Easy to maintain by occasional cleaning with a mild detergent, such as soapy water.

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(to be Green)

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