Take the LEED and go green
The Hindu : Though not widely popular, green homesare increasingly in vogue in the country now. Although one talks of the concept as a necessity, architects are divided in their opinion, for it is the economic feasibility that hits you hard.Studies say that a home fitted with CFL lamps, solar water heaters and recycling facilities will save around Rs. 2.56 lakh over six years, roughly coming to Rs. 3,500 a month, with solar heaters alone contributing to Rs. 71,000 in the saved amount!But architect Sharukh Mistry, chairman, Indian Green Building Council, Bangalore chapter, has been advocating principles with a shift in the ”concrete jungle and brick and mortar” thinking of architects, corporates and house builders in India. While international companies did start off with glass as used the world over today, multinational companies now value buildings with high green ratings.Why copy?“Just where are we heading by copying these unromantic, energy-guzzling glass structures,” questions K. Jaisim, Chairman, Indian Institute of Architects, Karnataka Chapter. “Are we building for just staying under a roof, or are we thinking of a sustainable society? If we lose our priorities to copying glamour, we will soon meet doomsday,” warns the architect who brought in all aspects of an eco-friendly dwelling at his residence 25 years ago in Jayanagar.Buildings are by far the greatest producers of harmful gases such as CO2 and this ‘eco-footprint’ can only increase with the large population growth. Pollution associated with the construction industry include dust and noise pollution, water pollution and toxicity. Fifty per cent of all global warming gas emissions and CFC use is related to buildings.According to A.R. Santhakumar, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, IIT, Madras, the approach from the construction industry towards sustainability for development must include a thought on using renewable energy and alternative technology; re-using and recycling materials during design, manufacture, construction and maintenance; producing less waste and recycling more; producing less toxicity, noise and…More
