The building has zero water discharge, with all waste water in the building biologically treated through a process called the ‘Root Zone Treatment System’. There is a 50 percent saving in overall energy consumption when compared to a normal building, as well as an 88 percent reduction in lighting consumption. This is achieved through the use of aerated concrete blocks for facades that reduce 15 to 20 percent load on air conditioning, as well as double glazed glass with thermal properties. The building also harvests solar energy, so that 20 percent of its energy requirement is catered to by solar photovoltaic cells, which directly convert sunlight into electricity.

Eighty percent of the materials used to construct CII-Godrej GBC are either recycled or recyclable, for example, materials used include recycled wood, fly ash based bricks, as well recycled glass, aluminium and ceramic tiles. More than 50 percent of construction waste was recycled within the building or sent to other sites.



ITC Green Centre, Gurgaon
With a built-in area of 180,000 sqf, this corporate office building is the largest Platinum rated building in the world. The facility houses several key businesses of ITC Ltd and the Welcome Group Management Institute.

Over the past decade, in its endeavour to adopt practices that go beyond mere compliance with ecological guidelines, ITC Ltd has “committed itself to conducting its business with a passionate respect for the environment”, says HS Kumaraswamy, Chief Engineer, ITC.

At the time of construction Kumaraswamy was General Manager of Projects at ITC. As part of this role he was responsible for managing the entire process from design to construction of the ITC Green Centre. He says some of the issues that arise on a ‘green’ build include selection of land to meet the green criteria, a location to meet zonal density, need for rationalisation of green products and service costs, onsite green power generation and purchase of green power from the state electricity grid.

Kumaraswamy says organisations such as CII, have taken “very proactive steps in promoting and practicing the ‘green’ movement and sustainability in India”. However, he adds that although an increasing number of architects, designers and project managers “are showing interest in taking this initiative forward, there is a lot that is needed, especially in both urban and rural India”.

As a ‘Green Building’ they use only eco-friendly housekeeping products and practices – this means that all housekeeping staff must have the appropriate training.

Grundfos Pumps, Chennai
‘The overall goal at Grundfos is that this generation should deliver planet earth to the next generation, a better, cleaner place, than the one which we inherited”, says Ranganath N. Krishna, CEO, Grundfos Pumps India Pvt. Ltd, which is a part of the Grundfos Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of pumps

.It was a proud moment for Krishna personally, as well as for Grundfos, to be one of the five buildings in India to be awarded an LEED rating, as well as the first to be awarded a Gold rating. He says Grundfos employees “feel a sense of pride to be working in such an environment”.



Construction methods on a ‘green’ build are not that different to a ‘normal’ build, says Krishna, except that a lot of documentation had to be done from the time of choosing the site to commissioning the building. In terms of materials used, they differed when compared to a ‘normal’ build, in that Grundfos had to use some recycled materials and materials with a low VOC (volatile organic compounds) content.

With a built-in area of 32,000 sqf, Krishna says there is no real difference in the facility management of a ‘green’ building, apart from the fact that there are certain areas where they need to ensure that they do not violate ‘green’ practices. For example, as a ‘Green Building’ they use only eco-friendly housekeeping products and practices – this means that all housekeeping staff must have the appropriate training.

Some of the main benefits of going ‘green’ according to Krishna are a 25 to 50 percent reduction in energy consumption, the consumption of 30 to 40 percent less potable water than a conventional building and the enhanced productivity of occupants – 10 to 15 percent more than a conventional building.

Wipro Technologies, Gurgaon
The basic design of the Wipro building is inspired by the traditional inward looking haveli, a typical Indian rural home with a central courtyard that uses ancient architectural wisdom to build a comfortable, environmentally friendly edifice. The central courtyard acts as a microclimate generator that reduces energy consumption, an important factor to consider when constructing energy efficient buildings.



With a built-in area of 185,000 sqf, this corporate office building has been awarded the Platinum rating by the USGBC. The facility houses various software development divisions of Wipro, which is a global provider of integrated business, technology and process solutions.

Ramesh S Srinivasan, General Manager of Civil Infrastructure, Wipro Technologies, says the paramount benefits in going green are water and energy conservation and with “India being deficient in both water and energy availability, going green is a necessity”. Water efficiency at Wipro is maintained by providing for rain harvesting, efficient landscaping with native plants, high efficiency irrigation systems and innovative waste water recovery and usage, which includes a modern sewage treatment plant.

Although an increasing number of architects, designers, and project managers "are showing interest in taking this initiative forward, there is a lot that is needed, especially in both urban and rural India".

While there were no major concerns involved with this ‘green’ build, there was however a small issue of procurement of FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood. As there are no FSC certified forests in India, the wood had to be imported from South Africa.

Srinivasan says a ‘Green Building’ not only costs less to maintain, but is also easier to maintain in terms of facility management due to reduced maintenance requirements, such as use of natural light, reduction of heat gains and the use of energy efficient, reliable fixtures.



NEG-Micon, Chennai
After two years of operation and with a built in area of 18,000 sqf, NEG-Micon, is the first building in India to receive a Gold LEED rating under the existing building category.

Ravi Chandran, General Manager of Manufacturing, NEG-Micon, says that when construction of the building first began they were not aware of the LEED certification system, ‘but as a promoter of green products (wind turbines), we do everything in a green way’, and a building with green features was in fact planned from the design stage itself, without actually knowing about the existence of the LEED system. However, once they became aware of the system they regularised through LEED-EB certification.



Some of the unique ‘green’ features of NEG-Micon are 100 percent day lighting, wind energy, insulated walls, green lawns, waste recycling, as well as building maintenance through green products and consumables.

There is a 50 percent saving in overall energy consumption when compared to a normal building, as well as an 88 percent reduction in lighting consumption.

Despite the initial investment of approximately 15 percent more, operating costs at NEG-Micon are now considerably lower, at around 25 percent less, and the incremental cost of constructing a ‘Green Building’ gets paid back within two to five years. Apart from the obvious benefits of going ‘green’, such as less pollution and reduced water consumption, Chandran also says that enhanced employee health and increased productivity can be witnessed.

the future of ‘Green Buildings’ in IndiaWith awareness being generated only in the last two years, the ‘green’ building phenomena is relatively new to India. However, Ranganath N. Krishna, CEO, Grundfos Pumps India Pvt. Ltd, believes the concept has captured market attention, garnering growing popularity and recognition. He says “India certainly has taken a great liking to this green concept and in the future this ‘Green Building’ movement will flourish here”. Ramesh S Srinivasan, GM of Civil Infrastructure, Wipro Technologies, agrees, saying that “what started as a trickle will surely end in a flood”. RFP

Indian industry is now recognising the role of environmental management as a tool to enhance competitiveness.

The enhanced productivity of occupants - 10 to 15 percent more than a conventional building.

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