The Inside Track January 2014

Volume 8. Issue 01. January 2014 Rs. 25/-

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INSIDE TRACK CONNECTING THE DESIGN COMMUNITY Now view our web edition at www.theinsidetrack.in

Green Special

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he burgeoning importance of constructing buildings that are less detrimental to the environment has never been more pronounced than now. There is a worldwide trend towards building sustainably and reducing a building’s ecological impact not just in its construction phase, but throughout its lifecycle.

Developing economies are investing in the green building industry and India too has found traction in this global upsurge - with 1.8 billion sq.ft, India has one of the largest green building footprints in the world. Historically speaking, India’s construction methods were always green; rural typologies, clay, bamboo or straw houses, forts and palaces, British colonial architecture,

India’s Impetus Towards Sustainability

India is witnessing a paradigm shift in green building design and construction. BY REHANA PENWALA etc., they all had excellent design sensibilities, with meticulous planning and admirable use of local resources.

However, with the onset of urban sprawl, Indian cities have today become like concrete jungles. It was only in 2001 when the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) formed the

The basic prerequisites of an ideal green home

Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) that things started to perk up. In fact, the headquarters of CII in Hyderabad is the first LEED Platinum Rated Building outside the US. Thus, CII and IGBC are the pioneer organisations in promoting green concepts in India.

IGBC holds seminars, training programs and publishes guides to impart knowledge about green building concepts and technologies.

It annually organises the Green Building Congress, one of Asia’s largest green building conferences and exhibitions. The Green Building Congress is held in different parts of the country to facilitate the spread of the concept across India. The event provides a unique platform for stakeholders to share, network and explore newer opportunities, which in turn will facilitate the spread of the green building movement in the country.

Due to IGBC’s endeavours, some state governments have even come up with incentives for green development - such as providing fast track approval of building plans, subsidies for using renewable energy, etc. In the case of Maharashtra, the government offers fast track clearances to green buildings from the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Yet, there is a lot more that can be done. Governments need to be far more pro-active and offer plenty of encouragement for the widespread adoption and promotion of green buildings throughout the country. This is a win-win for all stakeholders.

To create a benchmark for all green buildings in India, rating systems such as LEED, GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) and BREEAM continued on page 2

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THE INSIDE TRACK January 2014

THE

INSIDE TRACK

CONTENTS (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) have been introduced.

IGBC has been licensed to provide LEED India certifications which targets new constructions and rented or leased properties. IGBC also has different rating systems for different kinds of buildings like residential homes, SEZs, factories, townships, existing buildings and landscapes.

Also, GRIHA has developed a rating system specific to suit the variable climatic zones of India.

The general attitude of Indians t ow a rd s a s u s t a i n a b l y b u i l t environment has now evolved; we have realised the benefits of going green; myths related to green buildings have been busted. Architects, designers, builders and developers are increasingly incorporating green

building materials and systems into their projects. A majority of the people no longer think that green buildings are expensive and complicated, or that this is a passing fad.

This new found momentum in green building design and construction has created a new market for green materials, products and technologies. Around a decade ago, India imported these materials which raised the cost of construction. But now since we can locally manufacture a lot of these products, it has led to a price reduction which in turn makes construction cheaper.

IGBC claims that the Indian green building market is expected to grow to over $100 billion by 2015. The rate at which things are progressing currently, this figure doesn’t seem to be too far-fetched.

JANUARY 2014

COVER India’s Impetus Towards STORY Sustainability 1 Materials For A Greener Tomorrow 4 A Breath Of Fresh Air 6 The Right Kind of Waterworks 8 Energise The Way You Live 10 The Latest On Recent Launches And Products 12 Get Certified Green 16 Green Islands For The Cityscape 18 Sustainable Innovation 20 Raising The Bar 22 Office On Wheels 24 A Friend In Green 26 A New Way To Fly 27 Owner, Publisher & Printer Mr. Anish R. Bajaj for Marvel Infomedia Pvt. Ltd. Printed at Marvel Infomedia Pvt. Ltd., B 62, 1st Floor, Cotton Exchange Building, Cotton Green Road, Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033. Published at B 62, 1st Floor, Cotton Exchange Building, Cotton Green Road, Mumbai 400 033 Tel (022) 23736133/1 Editor Mr. Anish R. Bajaj THE INSIDE TRACK Volume 8. Issue 01. January 2014. English - Monthly. This issue contains 28 pages including both covers.

Creative Director Natalie Pedder-Bajaj Assistant Editor Shweta Salvi, Sub-Editors Vikas Bhadra, Ulka Vartak, Rehana Penwala Layout Design Asif Shayannawar, Snigdha Hodarkar, Vikas Sawant Marketing: Mumbai Rakesh Kini (Digital), Ganesh Gurav, Vivek Jadhav B 62, Cotton Exchange Bldg, Cotton Green, Mumbai 400 033 Tel: (022) 32656823, 23736133, 32958501 Fax: (022) 23743069 Email:response@marvelinfomedia.com Delhi Ms. Sumita Prakash, Flat F 304, Rajasthan C.G.H.S. Ltd,Plot No. 36, Sector 4, Dwarka, New Delhi Tel: 9899179540 Email: s_biswas1203@ yahoo.com Chennai Mr. S. Venkataraaman, Flat No. 2, 3rd Flr, E Block, Hansa Garden, 30 Madampakkam Main Rd, Rajakilpakkam, Chennai 600 073 Tel: (044) 22281128 Mob: 9444021128 Email: svenkat@marvelinfomedia.com Kolkata Mr. Subrata Mazumder, 2, Nabapalli (Bidhanpalli). Kolkata 700084 Tel: (033) 2410 4296 Mob: 9831131395 Email: subrata22@rediffmail.com Europe 282, Rue du Noyer, bt 16, 1030 Bruxelles, Belgium.

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THE INSIDE TRACK January 2014

Green Special

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he popularity of sustainable building has increased in recent years in response to growing concerns about climate change as well as the declining supply of renewable resources. By selecting green building materials we make a conscious decision to think beyond the project and consider the environment as a whole.

To evaluate a green product, determining its lifecycle is essential.

What is the source of the product and its extraction/manufacturing effects? How and from what distance will it be transported to the building site? How long will the product last and how can it be used afterwards?

The materials also have to be compliant in energy efficiency, water conservation and treatment, waste reduction, and are non-toxic and renewable. All these factors taken as a whole determine the material’s environmental impact. We list a few key sustainable materials that are available to make for a greener tomorrow.

Foundation, Structural Framing and Building Envelopes Recycled Concrete: Recycled concrete aggregates can substitute for concrete avoiding the extraction and transportation impact of quarrying.

A permanent formwork can be developed using rigid plastic foam or aluminium instead of using wood that is discarded after the concrete sets.

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete: This process traps air within the concrete and creates a product that insulates, is lightweight, is more workable than conventional concrete and reduces the overall cement content while offering a high strength to weight ratio. Today, autoclaved aerated concrete blocks are being used even more as compared to common bricks.

Fly Ash: Fly ash, a common byproduct of thermal power plants, can substitute for 15 to 60% of Portland cement in a mixture depending on the intended use. Mixtures that contain fly ash can be slower to cure, are stronger and smoother, more durable, water resistant and less permeable.

Compressed Earth Blocks: The compressed earth block process involves compacting moistened earth in specially designed portable presses to form building blocks which are low cost, non-toxic, offer

Materials For A Greener Tomorrow Selecting the right materials is integral to a

green building. We highlight a few key materials that are growing in popularity and rank high on the sustainability chart. BY REHANA PENWALA foundation systems.

Straw: An alternative to woodbased exterior sheathing is straw panelling, assembled with waterbased adhesives and fibreglass tape.

It’s non-toxic, biodegradable, energy efficient and long-lived.

Oriented Strand Board (OSB): OSB makes use of smaller, fast growing farm trees. This product can be used in place of plywood in sheathing and subfloor applications.

Lifecycle assessment of a building material

high-thermal performance and are usually created using material excavated directly from the site.

Reclaimed Materials: By reusing materials recovered from demolished or renovated buildings, developers may dramatically increase sustainability by preventing unnecessary production of new raw materials and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.

expanded polystyrene) insulation sandwiched between two sheets of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) thus combining insulation and structure. These offer significant waste reduction, energy efficiency, time and labour savings and ensure longevity. They can be used for exterior walls, roofs, flooring and

Roofing Terra Cotta Tile and Slate Shingles: They are durable materials, have very good fire resistance and can be easily recycled, although slate is expensive.

Imitation Slate Materials: These tiles are produced from 100% recycled, re-engineered materials, including

Recycled Lumber and Steel: Steel contains up to 95% recycled content. Thus it reduces the need for wood and provides strong interior walls. Open-web joist and truss systems, using fabricated lumber or a combination of dimensional lumber and steel are feasible for construction.

Lumber recovered from demolition reduces landfill waste, is non-toxic, recyclable and of better quality than virgin lumber.

Glass: Windows constructed of layered panes separated by sealed, gas-filled compartments provide insulation that conserves energy. Also, low-E glass acts as a radiation mirror, reflecting infrared rays back and helps regulate indoor temperatures.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPS): SIPS are composed of foam (recycled

A six brick module is laid in staggered courses that create twirling vertical stacks at the South Asian Human Rights Documentation Centre, New Delhi

THE INSIDE TRACK January 2014

Flooring Bamboo: Bamboo is long lasting, rapidly renewable and easy to install.

It is finding increasing applications in flooring as well as furniture.

Bamboo is a very sustainable building material and an excellent option to using virgin wood.

Cork: Cork, which is removed from the outside of a living tree at intervals, is attractive, natural, very renewable and embodies a distinct character.

Fly ash blocks at a construction site are a common sight today

rubber and cellulose; are lightweight, add insulating value and have a 100 year life span.

Aluminium/Steel Panels/Shingles: Weatherproof shingles manufactured from recycled aluminium or steel combine the look of wood with the durability of metal. They’re recyclable, lightweight, fire resistant,

low maintenance and reflect radiant heat.

Green Roofs: Green roofs can help to moderate interior environments, improve air quality and are an innovative storm water management solution. These roofs may improve the microclimate by cooling and humidifying the surrounding air.

Jute Carpeting: Jute is a renewable crop material, with very little energy required in the growth and manufacturing process. It has a long life, biodegrades upon disposal and can be recycled.

Other green flooring options include sisal, eucalyptus, recycled carpet tiles, recycled rubber, linoleum and reclaimed wood.

Interior Finishes Low VOC Paints: Low VOC paints

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are usually odourless and have no chemical solvents, which will improve indoor air quality. For eg. Casein paint is made from natural pigments, milk solids, lime, talcum, and salt.

Sisal: Sisal wall coverings offer a natural, durable, soundabsorbent alternative to paper and vinyl coverings. They are a renewable resource without any toxic pigments.

Thus, these and many more sustainable building materials can be incorporated into present construction techniques that can carve a greener way of life. It’s only the careful selection of environmentally sustainable building materials that is the easiest way for architects to begin incorporating sustainable design principles in buildings.

Though the off-the-shelf price of a building component can be slightly intimidating, but it represents only the manufacturing and transportation costs. If the social and environmental costs were taken into consideration, the repercussions would be unrivalled.

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THE INSIDE TRACK January 2014

Green Special

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t is generally believed that the air we breathe in an indoor space hardly poses any threat. Nothing could be more contradictory. Indoor air quality refers to the air quality within and around buildings that can affect a person’s health, comfort and ability to work. It depends on temperature, humidity, ventilation, mould from water damage and exposure to chemicals and gases.

The main causes of indoor air contaminants include carbon monoxide from tobacco smoke, automobile exhaust; carbon dioxide from building occupants; dust, fibreglass, asbestos from building materials; volatile organic compounds from furniture, paints, cleaning supplies, pesticides, office equipment. Fungi, bacteria from damp areas and ozone from high voltage electric devices also pose a threat.

Among several considerations for a sustainable building, the issue of indoor air quality through the design, construction and

A Breath Of Fresh Air A look at indoor air pollutants and the ways to tackle them to improve indoor air quality. BY REHANA PENWALA humidifier, dehumidifier, ventilator and CO2 sensor. Here we look at the different ways to improve indoor air quality.

Air Filter An air filter provides clean dustfree air to the occupants; via simple low-MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) pleated media, HEPA (high efficiency particulate absorbing), electrostatic, or a combination of techniques. It removes solid particulates from dust, pollen, mould and bacteria to VOCs and viruses. There are different types of filters like electronic cleaners, UV treatment

A Honeywell CO2 sensor

amount of moisture. It’s useful in both summer and winter, especially when the air turns dry. There are portable humidifiers for a single room or whole-house humidifiers, which connect to a home’s HVAC system to provide humidity to the entire house. Maintaining an ideal humidity level prevents the breeding of viruses that cause respiratory diseases, removes static electricity, avoids the shrinkage or loose joints in wooden furniture, cracking of books, paper, etc.

Ventilator A ventilator replaces stale, contaminated indoor air with fresher outside air, enhancing the overall indoor air quality.

It is one of the most important factors for maintaining acceptable indoor air quality in buildings.

Excess humidity, odours and contaminants can be controlled via proper ventilation, thus leading to a healthier living condition.

Exhaust fans within the bathroom and kitchen, dryer vents keep the mould, dust, pollen, pesticides a n d o t h e r p o l l u t a n t s a w a y.

Clever architecture and design can also help improve ventilation substantially.

CO2 Sensor CO2 sensors measure carbon dioxide, which is important in monitoring indoor air quality and the tailored need for fresh air, respectively.

Measuring CO 2 levels indirectly determines how many people are in a room, and ventilation can be adjusted accordingly.

TrueEASE Advanced Fan-Powered Humidifier by Honeywell

occupation stages of a building is essential to manage. A healthy indoor environment is necessary as we spend most of our lives indoors.

Indoor air quality has become a health and safety concern since there’s an increase in the number of building occupants and time spent indoors. Improper or inadequately maintained heating and ventilation systems and contamination by construction materials further add to the woes of poor indoor air quality.

An air handling unit is used to condition and circulate air as part of an HVAC system. The major types of components of an AHU are - an air filter, air purifier,

systems, carbon air filters, HDPE filters and more.

Air Purifier An air purifier sanitises the air and kills airborne pathogens that cause allergies and sickness, odours from cooking. The best air purifiers are those that quietly and effectively lower the airborne particle count with a high Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR). The air changes per hour of an air purifier is also an important characteristic.

Humidifier A humidifier alleviates dry air conditions that aggravate asthma or allergies, thus finding the right

Panasonic Nano-e Nano Care Air Cleaner

Contact web: www.spectrumfiltration.com web: www.windsorairfilters.com web: www.honeywell.com web: www.zecoaircon.com

web: www.panasonic.com/in web: www.aircreationsindia.in web: www.siemens-home.com/in web: www.drirotors.com www.creativeconceptsozair.com

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THE INSIDE TRACK January 2014

Green Special

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t’s no revelation to say that water is the most important resource of this century. We know of all kinds of alternatives to fossil fuels, but there is simply no substitute for water. It occurs on Earth in a fixed quantity, so we must continue to find ways to use it more sparingly and efficiently. The need for effectively designed waterworks has never been greater.

Buildings must be designed for maximum water efficiency -

The Right Kind of Waterworks With the growing scarcity of water and

deteriorating quality, water resource management is becoming imperative and more challenging with the passage of time. BY ULKA VARTAK

Delta Faucets offer novel and distinctive solutions for efficient water usage and personal delight

making use of features like captured rainwater, roof gardens, breathable spaces, high efficiency fixtures, use of grey water, etc. One can promote the infiltration, storing and recycling of water and limit the use of valuable potable water for landscapes. Rainwater gardens and local sustainable water recycling and drip irrigation systems can all be used to efficiently conserve water.

Homeowners can use these systems to recycle and reuse greywater for landscape maintenance, toilet flushing, etc.

Reducing water consumption and protecting water quality are key objectives in a sustainable building.

To the maximum extent feasible, facilities should increase their dependence on water that is collected, used, purified, and reused on-site.

The protection and conservation of water throughout the life of a building may be accomplished by designing plumbing that recycles water in toilet flushing. Wastewater may be minimised by utilising water conserving fixtures such as ultra-low flush toilets and low-flow shower heads. Bidets help eliminate the use of toilet paper, reducing sewer traffic and increasing possibilities of re-using water on-site.

With the growing need for water efficiency, various stakeholders of

the industry have come forward in a significant way to create innovative technologies and fixtures for saving water. With water conservation high on the agenda, Delta Faucet’s fittings meet the U.S. WaterSense label requirements and use between 20 and 40% less water than the industry standard (1.5 or 2.0 gpm versus the standard of 2.5 gpm), while their lavatory faucets that meet WaterSense requirements use 32% less (1.5 gpm versus the standard of 2.2gpm). Another innovation by

Delta has been its H2Okinetic feature.

Using proprietary technology, the larger droplets formed in a Delta H 2 Okinetic shower move in a unique wave pattern, helping them retain their heat better and creating a warmer showering experience that feels like more water, without using more water.

Duravit takes the lead when it comes to offering innovative technology and sustainable solutions for better bathrooms of tomorrow.

In the 1980s, Duravit introduced water-efficient toilets by reducing the amount of water consumed by its toilets to six litres as opposed to the nine or more litres that were standard at the time. Further to the development, Duravit is today able to offer toilets that flush hygienically using just 4.5 litres or even less water. Duravit’s innovative urinal technology includes its McDry and Architec Dry urinals.

The McDry urinal operates without any water whatsoever. A purely plant-based and thus biodegradable sealing liquid effectively prevents unpleasant odours. The Utronic urinal with individual flushing and service programmes guarantees both a high level of hygiene and low water consumption. The automatic

Duravit’s Utronic urinal guarantees a high level of hygiene and low water consumption

infrared sensor control triggers the economical 1-litre flush as soon as the user has moved away. Duravit also offers intelligent solutions for taking a guilt-free bath with its Starck and D-Code range of bathtubs with low filling volume.

Grohe too takes water efficiency very seriously. Grohe EcoJoy’s singlelever basin mixers feature a flowlimiting mousseur with aerator, reducing water consumption without compromising experience. The result is a satisfying, voluminous flow that

The larger droplets formed in a Delta H2Okinetic shower move in a unique wave pattern, helping them retain their heat better

THE INSIDE TRACK January 2014

never exceeds 5.8 litres per minute, which is as kind to your pocket as it is to the environment. For showers, Grohe has also received WELL classification A** - the highest classification possible for showers for its New Tempesta EcoJoy and New Tempesta Cosmopolitan EcoJoy products.

Reclaimed water or water recycled from human use, can also be a sustainable source of water supply.

It is an important solution to reduce stress on primary water resources such as surface and groundwater.

Reclaimed water must be treated to provide the appropriate quality for a given application (irrigation, industry use, etc.). It is often most efficient to separate greywater from blackwater, thereby using the two water streams for different uses.

Recycled water is highly treated domestic wastewater that can be used for landscapes. There are multiple grades of wastewater - greywater is domestic wastewater from kitchen sinks, dishwashers, and washing machines. Greywater may include household cleaning products and food particles. Blackwater refers

Xylem, one of the leading global water technology providers, brings broad applications expertise on finding local solutions to the world’s most challenging water and wastewater problems

to water used in toilets - water that contains human excrement.

In total, 50 to 80% of water used in homes is recyclable. Greywater (and even blackwater) can be diverted and treated through a filter system and then further used to irrigate landscapes.

Depending on the extent of treatment, recycled water can be

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cleaner and safer to use than tap water. Using recycled water can significantly reduce residential water waste.

Xylem is a leading global water technology provider, enabling customers to transport, treat, test and efficiently use water for public utility, residential and commercial building services, industrial and agricultural

settings. They specialise in providing equipment and services for water and wastewater applications, from collection, distribution and the return of water to the environment.

Water and wastewater treatment solutions must travel a full circle from nature to usable water to wastewater and back to nature. This is the challenge that must be met.

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THE INSIDE TRACK January 2014

Green Special

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reating a green building is a complex process which involves coalescing fundamentals such as the site location, material, energy, water, indoor air quality and much more.

It is a process in which every element of design is first optimised and then the impact and interrelationship of various different elements are re-evaluated, integrated

Energise The Way You Live Moving towards energy sustainability

requires a paradigm shift - not only in the way energy is produced, but also in the way it is used and conserved. BY ULKA VARTAK

The Lumiblade OLED by Philips is extremely thin, making it flat, lightweight and potentially flexible

and improved as part of a whole building solution.

For example, inter-relationships between the building site, site features, the path of the sun and the location and orientation of the building with elements such as windows and external shading devices have a significant impact on the quality and effectiveness of natural daylighting. These elements also affect direct energy loads and the overall energy performance.

As the interest in sustainability grows, India is seeing a whole new way in which buildings are built.

Energy efficiency over the entire life cycle of a building is one of

the primary goals of sustainable architecture. The essential green design principles of sustainable energy include alternative energy sources, energy conservation and reuse of materials.

While alternative energy sources including solar and wind energy are fast gaining acceptance, energy conservation and the reuse of materials can be achieved through the thoughtful application of products and solutions related to lighting, insulation, home automation, HVAC, etc.

LEDs (light-emitting diodes) have revolutionised the way the world looks at light. When you compare them to

other energy-saving illumination methods available in the market you will find that LED lighting is by far the most power-saving and smartest solution. The life of a high-power white LED is projected to be 35,000 to 50,000 hours, compared to 750 to 2,000 hours for an incandescent bulb. LEDs use only 10% of power compared to a similar incandescent bulb, and about 50% less power when compared to a CFL. LED lights contain no toxic materials and are 100% recyclable, helping you reduce your carbon footprint by up to a third. In India, Philips, GE Lighting, Anchor Panasonic, Havells, Osram, etc are

leading the way with their LED innovations. To add to this, advanced version of LEDs, called OLEDs are already lighting the road ahead.

OLED is an acronym for Organic Light Emitting Diode. It is a twodimensional light source that provides a soft light that is largely glare-free with no harsh shadows. The active, organic and mostly transparent layers of OLEDs are extremely thin, making the complete OLED itself extremely flat, lightweight and potentially flexible.

This lighting system can therefore be ultra-low-profile, transparent and flexible and can cover a large area.

OLEDs are surface lights, LEDs are

Weinerberger’s Porotherm Thermo Brick is a unique walling material that keeps the interiors cool in summer and warm in winter!

The Anchor Panasonic LED lighting solutions lasts for nearly 40,000 burning hours preserving optimum brightness up to 70% even then

point light sources. Thus the two technologies have been designed for different areas of application. OLEDs can open up new applications such as light tiles, light partitions or transparent light sources, which only emit light at night and can serve as a window by day.

Ho m e a u t o m a t i o n i s y e t another sustainable trend in energy conser vation. Through home automation consumers can reduce energy consumption and costs by automatically turning lights on when you enter a space and off when you leave. This system can also regulate your cooling and heating needs to maintain an optimum standard fit for human comfort. Home automation allows you to control appliances,

THE INSIDE TRACK January 2014

Supreme’s INSUboard offers energy savings, comfort for occupants of the building and durability to the water proofing system deployed

elevators, lighting, security and various other applications through easy to use interfaces like tablets and smart phones - saving plenty of energy while also making life easy!

Sustainability today has become an overarching and important project driver. The desire to construct high-performance green buildings has led to the adoption of best practices in construction materials and methods. Among them is the use of more efficient insulation systems, air barriers and sustainable roofing systems.

Optimum level of building insulation not only helps lower monthly energy bills, but also adds to the overall comfort. With the advent of green technologies and practices, today the potential to save energy by design can be as high as 40-50%. Insulation in buildings is assuming tremendous importance and has a potential to reduce energy consumption to an extent of 5-8%.

A range of insulation materials can be installed in a building. Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) blocks are far superior to the common clay brick variety and are produced from materials like fly-ash (a by-product of thermal plants). These blocks demonstrate excellent construction properties such as thermal insulation, structural strength, density and fire resistance.

Glass wool is another insulation material which gives efficient thermal insulation. It is light in weight and provides good acoustic insulation too. Air is also an excellent insulator.

Many buildings (also from the past) are constructed with brick/block walls with an air gap of 20 to 30 mm, which provides good insulation.

Porotherm Thermo Brick by Weinerberger has borrowed the principle of thermal insulation from nature, to become a unique walling material - one that keeps the interiors cool in summer and warm in winter!

It is a 100% natural clay product with natural additives like coal ash, rice

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Trane, Desiccant Rotors International (DRI), Daikin, BlueStar, LG, etc. are some of the top companies that work in the HVAC sector.

Sustainable architecture uses different innovative techniques to reduce the energy needs of buildings and increase their ability to capture or generate their own energy. A shining example is the solar air conditioning system used in Turbo Energy Systems building in Chennai. This system uses solar power to condition or control the air in the building by passive solar, solar thermal energy conversion and photovoltaic conversion in which sunlight is converted to electricity.

Another cutting edge example is the Earth Tunnel Air Conditioning system also known as passive air conditioning installed in Aqualmall Water Solutions in Dehradun. This system sucks air from the atmosphere and with the help of geothermal cooling the treated cooled air is sent back into the interiors.

Suzlon One Earth in Pune uses a wind hybrid solar charger, has facilities to recycle all the water it uses, has roof gardens and generates 154 KW of energy on site through a combination of windmills and photovoltaic panels

Maestro sensors by Lutron automatically turn lights on when you enter a space and off when you leave, making them a convenient way to save energy

husk and granite slurry.

HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) helps maintain good indoor air quality. HVAC is a very important criteria in the design of large industrial and office buildings where safety, health and comfort are regulated with respect to temperature, humidity and the introduction of fresh air. The choice and design of the HVAC system can also affect many other performance goals, including water consumption (water cooled air conditioning equipment) and acoustics.

The most important and costeffective element of an efficient HVAC system is a well-insulated building. A more efficient building requires less heat generating or dissipating power.

Buildings like the Hotel Leela Palace, New Delhi and CII- Godrej GBC in Hyderabad have created artificially altered roof surfaces that can deliver high solar reflectance (the ability to reflect the visible, infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths of the sun, reducing heat transfer to the surface). Suzlon One Earth in Pune and Delta Power in Rudrapur use a wind hybrid solar charger - a solar/wind hybrid system where solar and wind power production is used together. Suzlon One Earth in Pune also has facilities to recycle all the water it uses, has roof gardens and generates 154 KW of energy on site through the combination of windmills and photovoltaic panels.

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THE INSIDE TRACK January 2014

It Products Interface Participates In Healthy Seas Initiative Interface, a leading carpet tile manufacturer and environmental pioneer, has announced its participation in the ‘Healthy Seas, a Journey from Waste to Wear’ programme - a new initiative designed to address the growing environmental problem of marine waste.

There are approximately 640,000 tons of abandoned fishing nets in the oceans, accounting for one-tenth of all marine litter. These discarded nets can remain in the sea for centuries continuing to catch or injure marine life such as fish, dolphins, turtles and marine birds (known as ghost fishing.

The Healthy Seas initiative aims to recover the fishing nets and recycle them into Econyl (r) yarn that can be used for a

wide range of textile products, including carpets, swimwear, underwear, high-tech clothing and sportswear. Interface sees this as a natural extension of the work they already do to convert waste into valuable raw materials for new products.

Other waste-to-value initiatives Interface is working on include the like-for-like recycling of old carpet tiles into new carpet products through its breakthrough ReEntry 2.0 process, and the creation of a community-based supply chain for discarded fishing nets in partnership with The Zoological Society of London. Called NetWorks, this innovative project delivers socio-economic benefits in poor coastal communities while providing recycled content for new Interface carpet tiles.

Contact web: www.interfaceflor.in

Cera Is Amongst Asia’s Most Promising Brand Cera, one of India’s fastest growing bathroom solutions providers is now amongst Asia’s most promising brands. At a ceremony held in Dubai, Cera was conferred ‘Asia’s Most Promising Brand’ award by World Consulting & Research Corporation (WCRC). The selection was done based on exhaustive research of brands in various Asian countries.

Cera, which grew over 50% in the last fiscal, had a topline growth of around 40% this year.

Well-known for novel products

since its inception in 1980, the brand has actively promoted its brand identity which is driven by class and style with the recent induction of India’s fashion and style icon, Sonam Kapoor.

The year 2013 has been particularly significant for Cera, since the company has also won the prestigious ‘Power Brand Award’ for the second time in a row and the ‘Product of the Year’ award for the third time.

Contact web: www.cera-india.com

Greenlam Sturdo Introduces Restroom Cubicles For Kids

Greenlam Sturdo recently launched restroom cubicles especially designed for kids. This interesting concept catering only to kids will now give a fresh option to interior designers and architects who plan the restroom interiors of malls, schools, playschools, etc. where kids are the target.

The range will offer three new models - Kiddie World, Crazy Balls and Picket Fence. These are offered in colours and sizes best suited for kids keeping in mind durability.

The range under Kiddie World

caters to the artistic side of kids adding a lively and colourful twist to the restroom.

Crazy Balls is designed keeping in mind the love that kids have for games. The round shaped design under this category helps give a sporty look to the restroom. The range under Picket Fence adds an entire world of colourful fences, interspersed with other forms and icons which help add a vibrant look to the restroom.

Contact web: www.greenlam.co.in

Duravit On Award Winning Spree

We discover the lasting value of a bathroom when we are still able to enjoy the design we chose many years earlier. The forwardlooking interaction between useful design and intelligent technology is what ensures lasting enjoyment. And in 2013 Duravit AG managed to scoop no less than 14 prestigious design awards.

In addition to the new ranges, DuraStyle and Happy D.2, the SensoWash shower-toilet and Inipi B compact sauna, the St. Trop steam shower and the OpenSpace shower enclosure

were all prize winners. In fact OpenSpace, the innovative space-saving solution by EOOS, can now boast ten awards in all, including the iF Award in Gold (2013) and the Red Dot “Best of the Best” (2012). In addition to these awards, the manufacturer and outfitter of designer bathrooms once again received the Universal Design Award and the German Design Award.

The German Design Council’s Iconic Award was presented for the first time in 2013. This international award focuses on outstanding, holistic architecture and interior design. The jury of renowned experts in architecture, interior design, design and brand communication was impressed by the design concept behind the DuraStyle complete bathroom range and awarded it the highest honour, the ‘Best of Best’. Happy D.2 by Sieger Design also scored points with the jury and was presented an Iconic Award of its own.

Contact web: www.duravit.in

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THE INSIDE TRACK January 2014

It Products Polywood On Expansion Spree One of the largest manufacturers and retailers of PVC and uPVC products for institutional, commercial and residential applications, Dhabriya Agglomerates aims at increasing its pan India reach by launching more application centres. It aims to have 20 application centres in India by the end of

2015. Currently operating at 7 application centres at various locations, it aims to launch 13 more with an approximate investment of Rs.100 crores under the Polywood brand.

Polywood has developed a wide range of PVC sections with various designs to suit the complete fabrication requirement of doors, windows, partitions, false ceilings, wall paneling, pelmet, kitchen cabinets and other interior applications.

In the year 2003, Dhabriya Group diversified and launched its retail brand, Dynasty for manufacturing modular kitchens made out of wood substitute i.e. agricultural waste. Under this retail brand, the company merchandises various products like modular kitchens, executive tables, storage, work stations, kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, computer tables, etc.

The brand name Polywood is associated with eco-friendly products with a mission of ‘Save Trees’ since the last 20 years.

During the last five years, the company claims to have saved nearly 35 lacs trees. Polywood branded uPVC and PVC is an ideal alternative to wood, aluminum and steel.

Contact web: www.polywood.org

Switchable Glass By AIS Glasxperts

Asahi India Glass Limited, one of the largest integrated glass companies in India offering end to end solutions across the entire glass value chain, delivers the best in ‘glass experience’ to its customers at optimal costs.

Switchable Glass by AIS Glasxperts is used as a stunning and practical design feature in many homes, residences, corporate offices, hotels, retail outlets and salons. This intelligent glass can be used in a variety of applications.

Made using Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) film, this

special glass can be turned from transparent to translucent and vice versa with the press of a button.

It acts as an ideal privacy solution in health and beauty salons, conference rooms, personal cabins and changing room cabins in retail outlets. It can also be used as a rear projection screen for presentation purposes.

Switchable glass also performs as an anti-theft protection glass since the interlayer behaves as a security film resisting any kind of intrusion or impact.

Contact web: www.asahiindia.com

Hanita Coatings Receives Approval By GRIHA With the nation rapidly progressing towards green and sustainable development, GRIHA approved Hanita window films as one of the easiest, fastest and most economical solutions available today.

GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment), is India’s national rating system for green buildings. It is the rating tool that helps people assess the performance of their building against certain nationally acceptable benchmarks by providing definitive standards for “green buildings”.

The GRIHA approved Hanita Window Films meet the stringent standards and parameters required by architects, engineers, builders and other building professionals to get GRIHA certification for their green building projects.

The GRIHA approved range includes 20 products like interior films, exterior films,

security plus solar combination films, specialised products for poly carbonates, neutral colour tones and a variety of VLTs, etc.

Their features include a significant reduction in operating costs in new buildings and renovation projects, upto 20%-30% cost reduction in energy bills of buildings, reduction in solar heat gain by up to 80% and air conditioning that require 34% less time to reach desired temperature.

Contact web: www.hanitacoatings.com

Gesture: An Ergonomic Office Chair Designed For Today’s Worklife Steelcase, one of the global leaders in the office furniture industry unveiled Gesture, the world’s first ergonomic office chair designed to support one’s interactions with today’s technologies.

Steelcase researchers studied how the physiology of work has changed, how the human body interacts with new technologies and how it transitions as people shift from one device to another.

Each new activity caused people to change postures.

Gesture is designed in response to Steelcase’s global research

about changing postures in the workplace.

Based on this research Steelcase designed Gesture, which encourages motion rather than forcing the body to hold only a single posture. The upper limb interface allows people to draw closer to a work surface to avoid hunching over a screen and easily move close to the body to support texting postures. Unlike conventional chairs, Gesture’s core interface hugs the lower back when people recline to scroll on a tablet screen. The seat interface adjusts rapidly to help users avoid perching on the edge of their chair.

Gesture embraces a broad range of body sizes and easily adapts to meet the needs of each individual user, which is critical in an increasingly global business environment that has to support more workers than ever before. Gesture is a system of interconnected parts - inspired by the human body - designed to support every movement.

Contact web: www.steelcase.asia

THE INSIDE TRACK January 2014

It Products ELT’s Wonder Bio Wall The latest addition to ELT India’s product line is the simplest system for domestic green walls.

While working in the field of green walls, ELT India realised the need for a basic and simple

system for households and small installations. Though there are various products available for such needs, most of them are for short term use, as the pots are small they get root bound quickly.

ELT India decided to introduce its new module - a smaller version of its proposed module for commercial vertical farming to provide a versatile and wonderful product in this segment.

This system consists of a Module, Joinery, Vydro, Plants and Growth Medium.

The Module is made of Polypropylene and has great strength and life. There are 6 ways of installation and joinery to facilitate a variety of designs.

Vydro structural media provides sufficient moisture as well as space for absorbing roots for years to come. Plants of many types can be grown in this way, ground covers, small shrubs, climbers, leafy vegetables, small crops, wheat shoots, herbs and others. The module size is large enough to support ground covers and small shrubs permanently and can give one or both side greenery using the same module.

Contact web: www.eltindia.com

Herman Miller Shines With The Aeron Chair The iconic Herman Miller Aeron chair has been named as one of the 12 best designs of the past 100 years.

To mark World Industrial Design Day, CNN asked some of the world’s greatest designers to nominate what they believed to be the most iconic industrial designs from the past 100 years.

The Herman Miller Aeron chair came in at number 8, joining a list of esteemed designs from the Apple Mac to Piaggio’s Vespa, the Airbus A380 and Ford Model T. Aeron boasts imaginative design, fast-forward ergonomics and a look so distinctive that it’s

probably the only office chair that people can identify by name. It’s definitely the only office chair to have spawned a dedicated sport: Aeron Hockey. Adaptable to all sizes and shapes and all the motions you go through every day while seated, Aeron provides healthy comfort and balanced body support, thanks to innovative suspension and easy-to-use adjustment controls. 2014 will mark the 20th anniversary of this iconic design a chair that changed the office landscape forever.

Contact web: www.hermanmillerasia.com

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Recycled Paper Bricks

While recycling trash is preferable - its quite common to simply chuck refuse into the dump that creates tons of by-products that end up making their way to the landfill. Fortunately, Professors Rahul Ralegaonkar and Sachin Mandavgane of the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology in India (VNIT) have developed a way to create paper bricks from

recycled waste. Made from 90% recycled paper mill waste (RPMW) and 10% cement, the mixture is mechanically mixed and pressed into molds and then cured in the sun. This brilliant recycled building material is a low-cost means of eking more efficiency out of an already good practice.

Contact web: www.vnit.ac.in

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THE INSIDE TRACK January 2014

Green Special

S

ince the advent of India’s first LEED Platinum Green Building in 2003 - CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre in Hyderabad the green building movement in India has traversed a long way. Today, India has 427 certified green buildings, with 2285 registered buildings and a massive green building footprint of 1.8 billion sq.ft.

To achieve a green building

certification, there are three primary (and the most popular) rating systems - LEED India (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) and BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology). We take a look at the requirements and different certification levels these rating systems offer.

Get Certified Green From water harvesting to efficient landscaping the LEED, GRIHA and BREEAM certifications endorse the various facets of an exemplary green building. BY REHANA PENWALA LEED India T h e In d i a n Gre e n Bu i l d i n g Council (IGBC) has licensed the LEED Green Building Standard from the U.S. Green Building Council and currently is responsible for certifying LEEDNew Construction (where the design and operation is fully in the scope and control of the owner/ developer) and LEED-Core and Shell buildings (for leased or rented spaces) in India. LEED India certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building project meets the highest performance standards. Within each of the LEED credit categories mentioned, projects must satisfy pre-requisites and earn points.

The number of points the project earns determines its level of LEED certification.

Points add up for an appropriate s i t e s e l e c t i o n , re d u c i n g s i t e disturbance, effective dealing with storm water, alternative transportation, etc. that minimise

LEED India Green Building Rating System Points for Individual Credits Credits

New Construction

Core & Shell

7

7

Sustainable sites

13

14

Water efficiency

6

6

Energy and atmosphere

17

14

Materials and resources

13

11

Indoor environmental quality

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11

5

5

Prerequisites

Innovation in design

IIT Kanpur’s Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering (CESE) building has a 5-star GRIHA rating

the impact on ecosystems and water resources. Water efficiency credits promote smarter use of water by water efficient landscaping, innovative waste water technologies, water use reduction, etc.

Energy and atmosphere credits promote better building energy p e r f o r m a n c e t h ro u g h o n s i t e renewable energy, ozone depletion, green power, etc. Materials and resources credits encourage using sustainable, recyclable building materials and reducing waste.

Indoor environmental quality

credits promote better indoor air quality through low emitting materials, increased ventilation and access to daylight and views.

Innovation in design credits address sustainable building expertise as well as design measures not covered under the five LEED credit categories.

GRIHA GRIHA is a national rating system conceived by TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) and developed jointly with the Ministry

THE INSIDE TRACK January 2014

The LEED India New Construction ratings are awarded according to the following scale

Certification Level

Points

Certified

26 to 32

Silver

33 to 38

Gold

39 to 51

Platinum

of New and Renewable Energy, to suit buildings in different climatic zones of India. ADaRSH, Association for Development and Research of Sustainable Habitats, is an independent society mandated to promote GRIHA as a design and evaluation tool for green buildings and habitats. It carries out all activities related to issuance of GRIHA Rating.

It evaluates new buildings over their entire life cycle - from inception through operation - in the following stages: preconstruction, building planning and construction and building operation and maintenance stages.

All buildings more than 2,500 square metres which are in the predesign stage, can be registered with ADaRSH through the GRIHA website by filling in the registration form online.

52 or more

The parameters evaluated in the pre-construction stage are site selection, preservation and protection of landscape, soil conservation, optimisation of onsite circulation efficiency, health and safety of construction workers, etc. The building planning and construction stage looks at maximising resource (water, energy and materials) conservation and enhancing efficiency of the system and operations. The factors assessed are reduction of landscape water requirement, energy optimisation, use of low-energy materials, waste minimisation, etc.

The last stage of building operation and maintenance deals with validating and maintaining ‘green’ performance levels while adopting green practices and concepts. Four innovation points are also available for enhancing

GRIHA rating system

Points scored

Ratings

50-60

1 star

61-70

2 star

71-80

3 star

81-90

4 star

90-100

5 star

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Top-rated green buildings in India

Green Project

Certification

CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre, Hyderabad

LEED Platinum

RMZ Millenia Park, Chennai

India’s largest LEED Gold Core & Shell green building

CESE Building, IIT Kanpur

First 5 star rated GRIHA building

ITC Green Centre, Gurgaon

LEED Platinum

the green intent of a project like alternative transportation, environmental education, etc.

GRIHA has a 100 - point system, with each criterion having a number of points assigned to it.

BREEAM BREEAM sets the standard for best practice in sustainable building design, construction and operation.

It provides a set of environmental assessment methods that encompass all stages of a building’s lifecycle which include aspects related to energy and water use, the internal environment (health and well-being), pollution, transport, materials, waste, ecology, land use and management processes. A certificated BREEAM assessment is delivered by a licensed organisation, using assessors or independent assessors trained under UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation

Service) accredited competent person scheme, at various stages in a building’s life cycle.

It awards points or credits in each section; the total number of which is multiplied by an environmental weighing factor which takes into account the relative importance of each section. Section scores are then added together to produce a single overall score, which is translated into a rating on a scale of Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent and Outstanding. A one to five star rating is also provided.

BREEAM has country-specific s c h e m e s f o r s o m e Eu ro p e a n countries, while a BREEAM International scheme is applied to developments across the world.

BREEAM International provides assessment for the following categories: new construction, refurbishment, in-use and communities bespoke.

ITC Green Centre, Gurgaon is a LEED Platinum rated building

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THE INSIDE TRACK January 2014

Green Special

H

owever inimitable the concept of a living garden on a wall or roof of a building may be, this technology is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. It’s not just a fancy option, but a comprehensive, eco-friendly solution. Architects, builders and city planners in India too, are warming up to the idea since it’s feasible for our swarming urban

Green Islands For The Cityscape A smarter way to clad and cover our buildings also offering environmental and community benefits is here - green roofs and walls. BY REHANA PENWALA

Intensive roofs are like a conventional park or garden with a variety of plants and trees

environment and has numerous benefits to boot.

A green roof or living roof is a vegetative layer grown on a rooftop of a building - right from industrial complexes to residential buildings.

It’s composed of a waterproofing layer, a root barrier, a drainage system and growing medium for the plants.There are three types of green roofs: intensive roofs, extensive roofs and semi-intensive roofs. A green

wall on the other hand is a vertical garden, which can be indoors or outdoors, freestanding or attached to an existing wall and comes in various sizes.

The lightweight, extensive green roof system includes two to six inches of a growing medium and small plants, typically sedums succulent, hardy plants adapted to extreme climates, which are planted over a root barrier and waterproofing

An indoor living wall by ELT India

membrane. These require little maintenance and minimum added structural support, which makes them cost-effective. Intensive roofs are like a conventional park or garden with a variety of plants and trees. Being elaborate, they involve a higher initial investment with irrigation systems and regular maintenance. Semi-intensive roofs incorporate the characteristics of both, extensive and intensive.

A green-roofed promenade wraps the Vivanta Hotel, Bangalore

Green walls are often constructed of modular panels that hold a growing medium: loose, mat or structural. Loose medium systems have their soil packed into a shelf or bag and then are installed onto the wall, mat type systems are either thin coir fibre or felt mats, while structural media are growth medium blocks that incorporate the best features of loose and mat into a block that can be manufactured into various sizes, shapes and thicknesses.

Green roofs are beneficial to us as well as the environment. They provide shade and remove heat from the air through ‘evapotranspiration’ - whereby water is stored by the substrate, later used by the plants and then returned to the atmosphere thus reducing temperatures of the roof surface and the surrounding air. This in turn can improve indoor comfort and lower heat stress associated with heat waves. Since they absorb heat, green roofs act as insulators for buildings, reducing energy needed to provide cooling and heating.

Green roofs reduce and slow stormwater runoff in the urban environment by absorbing about 90% of rain while their layers filter

THE INSIDE TRACK January 2014

pollutants from rainfall. By delaying the rush of stormwater into sewers after a rainfall, widespread green roofs can also help prevent flooding and keep the city’s drainage system running for a longer time.

Green roofs also help absorb airborne toxins and carbon dioxide as they photosynthesise, and can provide a welcome habitat for birds as well as decrease the risk of asthma.

Moreover, green roofs help create natural habitats by providing a permanent resting haven for various birds, insects, etc.

Green walls too lead to cooler temperatures and are best suited for urban environments since they allow good use of available ve r t i c a l s u r f a c e s . T h e y a l s o provide a breath of fresh air by purifying pollutants and enhancing the inhabitants’ wellbeing.

By r e d u c i n g t e m p e r a t u r e fluctuations of the building envelope, green roofs and walls protect the building from cracks, fractures caused by the expansion and contraction of building materials. They reduce energy costs by up to 20% with natural insulation and dampen noise pollution as well. Moreover, urban

greening is viable for beautifying the built environment and increasing investment opportunities.

While the average cost of installing a green roof can run two or

three times more than a conventional roof, it’s cheaper in the long run, thanks to energy savings. Vegetation also shields the roof from ultraviolet radiation, extending its life.

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In India, if we embrace this greener way of living then viewing natural, green spaces instead of all the grey concrete or asphalt around us will be life-changing, won’t it?

Green walls lead to cooler temperatures and are best suited for urban environments since they allow good use of available vertical surfaces

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THE INSIDE TRACK January 2014

Green Special

I

nteriors are decked with materials, products and systems from a network of raw materials that stretch around the globe. Occupants of those interiors use energy and other resources in ways that are driven, at least in part, by the design of the space itself.

Sustainable design is a way of thinking that considers the impact of these issues on the environment.

Sustainable product design is one such powerful tool for change.

This change can be brought forth by examining the entire lifecycle of a product right from the conceptual design to its end of life. The intention of sustainable design is to eliminate negative environmental impact completely through skillful, sensitive design.

The principles of sustainable design are low-impact materials which are non-toxic, sustainably produced or recycled materials which require little energy to process. It also entails energy efficient, durable design by reducing consumption and waste of resources, design for reuse and recycling, renewability. Materials should ideally come from nearby (local or bioregional), sustainably managed renewable sources that can be composted when their usefulness has been exhausted.

Realising the importance of sustainability, designers in India are taking steps to promote green products through their innovative creations. The winner of the Time to Care Sustainable Award, Anurag Sarda’s ‘Leaf ’ is a low-maintenance, self-generating water source that uses solar power to produce 20 litres of drinkable water a day.

Leaf is inspired from its natural namesake that produces dew drops on it. Water is artificially generated on it through condensation. The electricity generated through solar energy, helps in cooling the metallic surface on the top of the unit and its temperature is monitored and varied

Sustainable Innovation Indian designers are leading the charge and creating sustainable products that enhance green living. BY ULKA VARTAK with the help of an electronic circuit.

Due to the change in temperature, due drops are generated on its surface and gets collected through the slope surface into an earthen pot. The water slowly trickles through a layer of sand, and what you get is a lowmaintenance water generating unit!

Materials play a major role when it comes to producing sustainable products. Bamboo is one such material which is the fastest growing plant material known to man (3-5 years). We need to learn to use it in new and improved ways to supplement our vast needs for materials across many areas of application. This is where product designers Sandeep Sangaru and Rebecca Ruebens have played a major role in crafting bamboo into myriad applications.

Sandeep Sangaru has achieved many milestones in making a distinct

mark for himself in the furniture industry. Through the process of exploring and experimenting with bamboo he went on to develop a range of furniture. His technique uses solid pole bamboo and split bamboo in a typical way and these laminated modules act like a truss, a very light load bearing structure.

He developed a range of functional products and furniture using this principle of construction. TrussMe is handcrafted, sustainable and the winner of the Red Dot Design Award - Best of the Best 2009.

Rebecca Ruebens believes that renewable materials crafted into contemporary designs are the route into holistically sustainable products. Her firm Rhizome strives to design products and systems that are socially, culturally, ecologically and economically interlinked and yet independent; that are sustainable

Through the process of exploring and experimenting with bamboo, Sandeep Sangaru developed Truss-Me, a handcrafted, sustainable range of furniture

Anurag Sarda’s ‘Leaf’ is a low-maintenance, self-generating water source that uses solar power to produce 20 litres of drinkable water a day

both as elements, and as part of a larger system. Rhizome develops various products related to lifestyle, furniture and fashion. Rebecca has also gone a step further and completed a new book focusing on the links between design, craft and sustainability.

Some materials are overtaken by better variants and the rest are lost in the sands of time, but clay pre-dates recorded history and has been used by indigenous peoples for millennia, all across the globe. Clay is one of the oldest, healthiest and most sustainable building materials on

Bamboo Furniture by Rebecca Ruebens

earth. Mr. Manshuk Lal Prajapati, a local from Gujarat adds simple scientific methods to create unique clay products under the brand name ‘Mitticool’ which are now famous across the globe.

One of his most exceptional products is a ‘Mitti Cool Refrigerator’ - this does not require any electricity or batteries. It works on the basic principle of evaporation - here water from the upper chambers drips down the sides and evaporates, taking with it the heat from the inside, leaving the chambers cool.

The upper chamber is used to store water and a clay lid covers the top of the refrigerator. A small faucet is also provided at the lower end of the chamber to draw water for drinking. Cool and affordable, this clay refrigerator is a very good option to keep food, vegetables and even milk naturally fresh for days.

By his simple scientific methods he has also created a conventional ‘Non Stick Tawa’ which is black in colour as it acts as a good heat The Mitti Cool Refrigerator

THE INSIDE TRACK January 2014

absorber and is ideal for cooking.

His clay ‘cooker’ has been made from special clay through which one can make tasty food which is also healthy and hygienic.

We have all read our chapters on the 3 R’s: recycle, reuse and reduce.

Green enthusiasts are always talking about recycling of resources and the effect it has on our ecosystem, similarly resellers like Olx or Quickr the ‘sab kuch bikta hai’ guys who encourage you to buy and sell old stuff indulge in an activity which is akin to recycling. But when it comes to recycling scrap you might have to think twice; childhood memories of making novel items out of scrap with your grandpa may ring a bell but in the later part of your life the best place for it tends to be the junkyard itself.

But then there are exceptions and Arjun Rathi is one such exception.

An architect and product designer by profession Rathi is a genius when it comes to making novelties out of scrap. One of his products, a desk lamp has been designed using an old Ambassador car headlight and recycled metal. The lamp is flexible at all three joints with a rotating base, allowing complete mobility and flexibility in usage.

He also has a similar desk lamp made with the headlight of a Royal Enfield motorcycle. His other creations include a table consisting of a vintage Kelvinator refrigerator door, its condenser coils and metal procured from various scrap markets, champagne bottle shelves made from MDF and supported by champagne bottles with a string of fairy lights that pass through them to illuminate the shelving system, and much more.

A few more exceptions include Nishi Chauhan, The Retyrement Plan, Workshop Q, Apartment Therapy and Alaya Design Studio.

Nishi Chauhan’s Animal Farm collection is a continuing series of explorations centered on the twin themes of craft revival and the repurposing of used objects. Nishi

Arjun Rathi’s recycled Ambassador Lamp

uses household glass bottles be it a beer bottle or a sauce or a pickle bottle to create upcycled bottled lamps which visualises animal forms featuring the wood and lac turnery craft.

Anu Tandon Vieira of The Retyrement Plan recycles industrial waste like automobile tyres, plastic wrappers, glass bottles, etc. to create colourful, unique and well detailed products. The Retyrement Plan’s collection includes various furniture items like pouffes, all weather ottomans, occasional chairs and tables made from welltravelled wheels, salvaged fabrics and reclaimed wood and bamboo.

The tyres are washed, sanitised and are then ready to be worked on. The ropes made of recycled tailoring waste or plastic wrapper waste are carefully coordinated to be woven in weaves that are durable and will come together in a cohesive manner. Combining crochet skills to upcycle saree scrap into home furnishings, using printing waste to make lamps, and converting political flex hoardings into bags and wallets are some of her other projects.

Wo r k s h o p Q i s a q u i r k y a n d i n n ova t i ve e c o - p ro d u c t manufacturing company driven

An upcycled pouf by The Retyrement Plan

its own business by using scrap paper for any documentation, keeping packaging to a minimum and using recycled or recyclable material wherever possible. The brand stands as an example that being eco-friendly can also mean lots of fun and all it requires is for you to do is just look at things differently.

Deepali Sakhare of ‘Apartment Therapy’ retails home decor products and customised furniture made using home grown eco-concepts, re-cycling waste and scrap and experimenting with the same. Here, old newspapers and magazines get transformed into multi-purpose baskets. String lamps are made using a bunch of different strings and glue; used wine bottles

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headed for the trash get transformed into charming vases with the help of jute string or scraps of wool with much more to offer.

Alaya Design Studio is a designled social enterprise which produces a series of eco-friendly products which are both timeless and nostalgic.

The founders Joshua and Richa Ghansiyal chose to put emphasis on sustainability and renewability and this is visible from the choice of raw materials as well as the kind of processes used in transforming them for a particular product.

Alaya Design Studio produces a range of handcrafted furniture; lighting and home accessories made from 100% natural and renewable materials such as bamboo, natural fibres, non-endangered wood and

Apartment Therapy’s recycled multi-purpose baskets

assorted recycled materials. Based in the Himalayas, they also work with locally available traditional craft skills such as handcrafted copper, Tibetan style wood carving, Kumaoni aipan painting, etc.

Contact Anurag Sarda www.anuragsarda.in Sandeep Sangaru www.sangaru.com Rebecca Ruebens www.rhizomedesign.co.in Nishi Chauhan’s Animal Farm collection is centered on the twin themes of craft revival and the repurposing of used objects

by the passion of two like-minded entrepreneurs. While making their products, Madhvi and Radhika use anything and everything they can lay their hands upon. Acrylic, wood, aluminium, plastic, rubber, jute, fabric, faux leatherette, tyre tubes, vinyl records, CDs, cork, wood fibre, industrial felt, cables and wires, etc. can be found in abundance in their workshop, but all scrap of course.

WorkshopQ converts these waste materials or useless things into stunning lifestyle home accessories of better quality and of a higher environmental value WorkshopQ goes a step further and strives to reduce the impact of

Manshuk Lal Prajapati www.mitticool.in Arjun Rathi arjunrathi.wordpress.com Nishi Chauhan www.nishichauhan.com Anu Tandon Vieira anu.tandonvieira@gmail.com WorkshopQ www.workshopq.com Deepali Sakhare www.apartment-therapy.net

The upcycled accessories by WorkshopQ

Alaya Design Studio www.studioalaya.com

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THE INSIDE TRACK January 2014

Green Special

G

reen building design and construction is moving at a fast pace worldwide.

We bring you some of the most innovative and sustainable projects

Raising The Bar These cutting edge international projects prove that everything green need not be boring. BY REHANA PENWALA

Recycled wooden pallets cladding the home’s exterior not only give the house a stylish look and feel, but they also provide natural cooling via shade and ventilation. This modern recycled home features spacious, air y interiors separated from the outdoors by sliding floor-to-ceiling windows and geo-thermal heat pumps for heating and cooling.

HALO, a social and environmentally conscious home powered by the sun

from across the world that have raised the standards in the field of green architecture.

HALO, Sweden HALO, a social and environmentally conscious home designed by 25 scholars from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, is a curvy passive dwelling powered by the sun. The 645 square feet circular design was intended to foster group

living by providing smaller private rooms and larger communal areas.

The contemporary concept was constructed with renewable materials, including Swedish spruce used to form the main structure, and wood fibre used for interior insulation. Its curvilinear roof is made from monocrystalline silicon photovoltaic solar cells on acrylic covered with a high strength polymer. This was mounted

The Manifesto House in Chile is made of two repurposed shipping containers. (Photo Courtesy Antonio Corcuera)

on a thin waterproof polycarbonate membrane and shaped into a canopy with indoor and outdoor spaces.

Manifesto House, Chile Manifesto House in Chile is built using pre-made materials to allow for quick, cost-effective and sustainable construction. This eco home is made of two 40 ft. and two 20 ft. repurposed shipping containers.

Pixel, Australia Pixel is Australia’s first carbon neutral office building, generating all its own power and water on site.

Pixel’s colourful facade, an intricate assembly of zero waste, recycled colour panels comprises living edge perimeter planters, fixed shading louvers, double glazed window walls and solar panel shading.

This allows daylight to enter the office space while giving protection from glare and heat gain in the summer.

An extensive photovoltaic array on the roof, improve outputs by 40%, and combined with the first commercial application of the most efficient 1kW wind turbines, allows Pixel to generate more electricity than it requires. Any carbon emissions as a result of the building’s ongoing operation are offset by renewable energy.

Pixel is Australia’s first carbon neutral office building, generating all its own power and water on site

THE INSIDE TRACK January 2014

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together they have the capacity to hold 480 big and medium size trees, 250 small size trees, 11,000 ground-cover plants and 5,000 shrubs - the equivalent of 2.5 acres of forest.

The trees and vegetation aid in the creation of a micro-climate, help capture CO2 and dust in the air, sustain life at all scales, from birds and insects to the human occupants, reduce the need to mechanically heat and cool the tower’s apartments and help mitigate the area’s urban heat island effect.

Fincube in Germany is comprised of thin horizontal ‘ledges’ of locally grown wood enclosing a transparent, glass wall structure

Pixel includes a native-planted green roof that har vests and collects rainwater. The office building designed by Studio505 is an amazing example of what is possible in terms of energy efficiency, renewable energy, water collection, waste reduction and green roofs.

Fincube, Germany ‘ Mo d u l a r’ , ‘s u s t a i n a b l e’ a n d ‘transportable’ - just three words can be used to describe this sustainable architectural design from Germany’s Studio Aisslinger.

The low energy house, named ‘Fincube’, is comprised of thin

Chausseestrasse 43, Berlin In December 2013, American

horizontal ‘ledges’ of locally grown wood enclosing a transparent, glass wall structure.

This second facade layer provides privacy for the inhabitants and fuses the man-made structure with its natural surroundings. The home provides 47 sq.mt. of living space with a minimal CO2 footprint, and can also be easily dismantled and rebuilt on a different site.

The supporting structure is made of local larch and the interior is a combination of larch and stone-pine. The 3m-high space is organised in a helical structure: the entrance area blends into a generous open kitchen with an adjacent sofa

Set to complete in 2015, this angular, metallic apartment complex by Daniel Libeskind in Berlin features large asymmetric windows to maximise natural light

living space and around the corner rests the bedroom space.

Bosco Verticale - the world’s first vertical forest in the city of Milan

Bosco Verticale, Italy Bosco Verticale - the world’s first vertical forest is a model of vertical densification of nature within the city of Milan. The design is made up of two high-density tower blocks with integrated photovoltaic energy systems and trees and vegetation planted on the facade.

The two towers measure 260 feet and 367 feet tall respectively, and

architect Daniel Libeskind unveiled plans for an angular, metallic apartment complex in Berlin. Set to complete in 2015, the eight-story tall building will feature large asymmetric windows to maximize natural light and a shining ceramic facade etched with a striking geometric pattern.

The facade cladding is in a specially developed stoneware tile with a reflective metallic coating, which the Libeskind studio claims, possesses self-cleaning and air-purifying properties.

24

THE INSIDE TRACK January 2014

Interview

I

nterface is one of the global leaders in the design and production of carpet tiles. Its products combine style and innovation with functionality and environmental credentials to help

Office On Wheels Interface launches an innovative initiative in Bangalore to showcase its latest modular carpet collection - Net Effect. BY ULKA VARTAK

The ‘Office on Wheels’ initiative used a mobile vehicle which would be parked near the offices of prominent architects and designers to better showcase the latest collection - Net Effect

customers bring their design vision to life. Interface was one of the first companies to publicly commit to sustainability, when it made a pledge in the mid-nineties to eliminate its impact on the environment by 2020.

Interface commenced business in India in 2001 and initially marketed their products through a channel partnership model. Subsequently, a subsidiary, InterfaceFlor India Pvt. Ltd. was set up to look after the business in India. In India, Interface has its headquarters in Bangalore and offices in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Hyderabad. In the last 12 years, it has sold more than six million square metres of carpet tiles to several hundreds of customers across the country.

Interface makes and sells the industry’s most diverse range of carpet tiles, suitable for every kind of commercial installation.

In all its ranges, Interface offers specifiers, architects and interior designers an almost infinite variety of colour combinations, textures and patterns.

The carpet tile manufacturer recently launched its new initiative ‘Office on Wheels’ at Bangalore.

In a recent interview with The Inside Track, Deepti Somasekaran, Head - Marketing, Inter face India shared some insights about this initiative.

What is the thought process behind the initiative ‘Office OnWheels’?

Interface has always been in the forefront when it comes to

innovative initiatives to reach out to our customers. This was yet another unique initiative by Interface to bring our path breaking products literally at the doorsteps of our main target group comprising of architects and designers. The objective of this innovative initiative was to make the target group of architects and interior designers in Bangalore aware of the company’s latest modular

manufacturing products. Visitors to the Interface ‘Office on Wheels’ can see the various new patterns and designs and decide which would be best suited for their needs.

carpet collection, ‘Net Effect’.

the sea on its surface, with a design reminiscent of swirling currents.

Created by David Oakey, an exclusive designer for Interface, the collection of six modular carpet tile options embraces sustainability in construction and concept.

Net Effect One is a collection of three textures in 50 cm squares that, when placed side by side, describes the precise moment when the sea foams into the shore. Net Effect Two is a collection of three products in a new 25cm x 1m skinny plank

How was this initiative advantageous for Interface?

We reached more than 300 architects and designers in over 30 firms. This initiative allowed Interface to engage directly with their target group of architects and designers thereby making them aware of this stunning collection from Interface and in the process creating awareness of Interface’s sustainable approach to

What is the design philosophy behind the Net Effect collection?

The Net Effect product collection provides a subtle visual reminder of

format that captures the fluidity of water even in linear patterns with expanding and contracting rhythms.

The shared palette was drawn from the deepest parts of the ocean to the sun and salt bleached wood and stones of the shore. Net Effect captures the positivity of the NetWorks partnership and the beauty of the waters it’s so closely tied to.

This collection connects people with the emotions and memories associated with the beach, but their enjoyment is its most superficial benefit. What’s beneath the surface, including the product’s ties to the good work Net-Works is doing, is what makes this collection extraordinary.

What is the linkage behind Net Effect and sustainability?

The ‘Net Effect’ collection is inspired both by the ocean’s life-giving power and its plight - marine life and habitats that are endangered by discarded fishing nets, acidification, ov e r - f i s h i n g , p o l l u t i o n a n d climate change.

The collection was born of NetWorks, an innovative global business and conservation partnership between Interface and the conservation charity, The Zoological Society of London (ZSL). Net-Works was launched in the Danajon Bank area of the Philippines in 2012 to tackle two distinct issues: first, to address the growing environmental problem of discarded fishing nets in some of the world’s poorest coastal communities, and second, to help solve the problem of finding a viable waste stream to feed the company’s ambitious post-consumer nylon recycling goals.

Working closely with Aquafil, a key Interface supplier that has refined the technology to recycle nylon waste into new nylon carpet fibre, and NGO Project Seahorse Foundation for Marine Conservation Inc, Net-Works is advancing the company’s goal of closed-loop manufacturing. End of life fishing nets recovered from the fishing industry supply chain represent some of the world’s cleanest and most abundant supply of post-consumer nylon, the same raw material as carpet yarn.

Can you share with us the pricing

THE INSIDE TRACK January 2014

25

to really establish the modular carpet flooring industry in India and today this industry in India is seeing rapid growth and that is extremely encouraging for us. Even more importantly, the increasing awareness among organisations to ensure high quality work space augurs well for a company like ours. Interface is a very dynamic and innovative company.

We have products that lead the way in quality and design; it is, therefore, natural that we are optimistic about our future prospects.

Deepti Somasekaran, Head - Marketing, Interface India

What are the company’s plans for 2014?

of the Net Effect collection?

The pricing always varies from project to project and depends on the scope and size. Just to give you an idea, it works out to approximately Rs.180 per sq.ft. onwards, depending on the scale of the project.

How do you foresee Interface’s future in the Indian market?

As a company, we are focused on sustainability but it is equally important for us to remain focused on our business. We were the first

We shall continue to expand our market and grow our business.

The Net Effect range has been very well accepted by customers and in keeping with our tradition, we shall continue to launch new collections at regular intervals.

Contact: Deepti Somasekaran Interface India tel: +91 80 30589356 Deepti.Somasekaran@interface.com web: www.interfaceflor.in

The Net Effect collection provides a subtle visual reminder of the sea on its surface, with a design reminiscent of swirling currents

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26

THE INSIDE TRACK January 2014

Green Special

T

he way a sapling can grow into a blossoming tree with the right elements involved; green building consultants play a

A Friend In Green Environmental protection becomes easier with green building consultants who provide a variety of sustainable solutions. BY REHANA PENWALA

Green building consultants provide consultancy services to help achieve green certifications, building simulation and commissioning services, HVAC engineering design, daylight, visibility and other kinds of energy analysis

similar role to help create a sustainable building of the future.Green building consultants (GBCs) are there with you from the conception of the building plan, to its design, construction and final completion.

They provide consultancy services to help achieve green certifications, building simulation and commissioning services, HVAC engineering design, daylight, visibility and other kinds of energy analysis, etc. that cover each stage of the sustainable design and construction process.

The process starts with an initial assessment of the project by reviewing the building design and identifying opportunities for improvement and charting out a plan to obtain the best

possible certification. Here, they are able to create a clear strategy on how the development can be built green by addressing all aspects related to energy, water, waste, materials, indoor environment and site.

Then there are interactions with the project owner, developer and other stakeholders such as architect, contractor, HVAC consultant, electrical consultant, etc. This facilitates in-depth understanding of the functional and operational requirement and implementation strategy. GBCs provide design inputs in-line with the certification re q u i re m e n t s , s u s t a i n a b i l i t y methodology, tracking the project throughout the certification process and ensuring all design parameters

meet the requirements of the rating systems. Thus, a strategy is formed on how the development can be built green by addressing all aspects related to energy, water, waste, materials, indoor environment and site.

The building energy and lighting simulation is undertaken to optimise design, building envelope, suggest energy conservation measures and cost effective strategies. It involves simulating the building model through a dynamic buildingmodelling software that encompasses building geometry, spatial relationships, geographic information and quantities and properties of building components. Its advantages include comparing energy alternatives, evaluating the energy savings of

buildings and coming up with solutions to minimisethe load on HVAC systems.

Building commissioning is an all inclusive process for planning, delivery, verification and managing risks by facilities like HVAC, electrical, plumbing, energy conservation systems, renewable energy systems, lighting, etc. This is to ensure that the building is operating as per design requirements to meet various green building certification norms. The main goal of building commissioning is to improve a project from the design phase through post construction and occupancy and to lower the cost of operations by addressing issues early on.

GBCs also undertake different kinds of audits such as indoor air quality, safety, water, fireor energy audits. These audits evaluate the current practices pursued and suggest improvements. Climate analysis is another important aspect in design and construction. GBCs can guide to enhance daylight, determine sun shading, envelope elevations and ensure natural ventilation through wind analysis.

GBCS provide plenty of other services to help in achieving green certifications or construct an energyefficient, sustainable building with increased productivity. Some of these services are: design of net zero energy buildings, solar photovoltaic system design, solar rooftop design, renewable energy integration, documents submission for certifications... the list goes on.

THE INSIDE TRACK January 2014

Spot Light

T

en years ago, Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport welcomed six million passengers; today it serves nearly five times that number. With the existing infrastructure becoming archaic, Terminal 2 will now add 450,000 square metres of new space to accommodate 40 million passengers per year, operating 24 hours a day.

By orchestrating a complex web of passengers and planes into

A New Way To Fly The recently inaugurated (and yet to be

opened) Mumbai airport terminal promises a departure and arrival experience that is poles apart from what passengers currently have to put up with. running the construction of the airport - that’s one of the reasons we think that the results are so great.

We spent a lot of time here co-ordinating with the owner and about half way through the process they brought on L&T who is the constructor. L&T gathered an architectural engineering group who became in a sense a part of our team and we transitioned and worked very closely with their architectural group during the

construction documents phase.

So what was the experience like working with L&T and Indian teams?

Overall it was good. The way the client MIAL/GVK organised the project we gathered a team pretty much internationally. We did some early transitions on the MEP to continued on page 28

Exterior rendering of head house from approach roadway Image courtesy SOM / © Crystal CG

a design that feels intuitive and responds to the region’s rocketing growth, the architects at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) give Mumbai an airport terminal that underscores the country’s status as an international economic power. The Inside Track catches up with the team behind this phenomenal transformation in a free wheeling chat.

How much of a different experience is the new airport terminal going to be compared to the arrivals and departures that we currently enjoy at the old terminal?

Not comparable! So not to say

anything about the existing terminal, but the new terminal will be of the highest standard of any airport in the world. On the departure and arrival sequence there will be nothing better out there. This is the best, the top, the highest level of service; we also think that the terminal is very distinguished in the context of global airports - it is the best of breed. But it’s also unmistakably of this place - like it belongs here; it has residence with this particular culture. This was an aspiration of the client, it is something we worked very hard on and we are proud of that.

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How long did the design process actually take?

Fr o m t h e b e g i n n i n g o f o u r engagement in early 2007, till the opening of this terminal it’s been a full six years.

How long has the team been in India?

Roger Duffy, the SOM Partner who led the new terminal’s design

27

There were many trips but no one actually lived here, although a gentleman that worked in our team during the construction documents was hired by L&T to run the construction of the airport. So that was a very good turn of events because this was an SOM person that was on the ground, living here,

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28

THE INSIDE TRACK January 2014

Rendering of Terminal 2 at dawn Image courtesy SOM / Š Crystal CG

continued on page 28 engage L&T engineers. We had a very strong early set of documents that then transitioned to the L&T team. I think that overall it was very positive - the Indian teams were really engaged in what the design was and following through on it.

What were some of the obstacles faced at the design stage as well as during the actual construction of the building?

The land of the site was very constrained so there was a big challenge there. There is an existing runaway we had to build the building around and the existing terminal had to be kept operational during the construction of the new terminal. There was also a river to deal with. It was a very tight site given the capacity that was required.

The program had to fit all that in and required a new diagram that’s never been done before at an airport of this size.

We had to rebuild the new terminal on top of the existing terminal basically, while it was operational - it has been a challenge not only in our design but also in its execution. We had to pack in more than twice the number of gates that are in the existing international terminal and in order to create the utilisation of those gates during the 24 hour operational day we devised a plan so that they can be operated either domestically or internationally keeping the appropriate segregation and separation of passengers.

Contact: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP 14 Wall Street New York, NY 10005 email: elizabeth.kubany@som.com

Architectural team responsible for Terminal 2

Roger Duffy

Design Partner

Anthony Vacchione

Managing Partner

Laura Ettelman

Project Manager, Director

Scott Duncan

Senior Design Architect

Derek Moore

Senior Aviation Planner

Peter Lefkovits

Design Architect

Narin Gobindranauth

Technical Architect

Preetam Biswas

Structural Engineer