The firm's latest contribution to the medical industry and perhaps Mother Nature is Kohinoor Hospital. Developed for Kohinoor Group at Kohinoor City in Kurla, this 227,500 sq.ft ground + five storey structure with two basements is the first LEED – Platinum rated Hospital in Asia and the 2nd in world.
Kohinoor Hospital has recently won an Artist in Concrete Award - Asia 2012.
Even before the plans were finalized, the thrust on developing a sustainable, green building is a passion with Mr. Unmesh Joshi – CMD Kohinoor Group. He says that the motivation to pursue LEED certification is "Being green has profound effect on the healing process and what's good for the environment will be good for our patients."
LEED certified buildings are designed to use resources more efficiently when compared to conventional buildings which are simply build to code.
Kohinoor Hospital is an environmentally sensitive design that not only conserves water and electricity, but also positively impacts the hospitals clinical environment by improving the air quality, natural sunlight and reducing a wide range of pollutants.
The LEED certification process was implemented from the conceptualization and the responsibility of intelligent planning was with the Architect to ensure that the intents are met.
The project was assessed on the following categories:
Sustainable Sites
The category's intent is to ensure that the development undertaken will not require additional infrastructure to be laid by the authorities and is in a densely populated area, with ample alternative sources of public transportation e.g., buses, rail etc.The parking capacity is designed to maximize the open space and the rainwater harvesting ensures that most of the rain received is channeled appropriately.
The use of high Solar Reflective Index (SRI) materials covers 80.33% of the surface area to ensure that the heat island effect is negated.
The project light power density both the interior & exterior are optimized and are less than those prescribed by international ASHRAE standards ensuring that the night life is not disturbed by the light leaving the site.
Water Efficiency
It is indeed a commendable achievement that all 6 points were achieved.
Water is scarce resource and should be used judiciously. The intelligent planning ensures that more than 41% of water is saved in this development when compared to the standard cases by using urinal sensors, fixtures with low flow rates at 80 psi, the landscape requires no irrigation and efficient grey water management. The Sewerage Treatment Plant of 130 KLD treats 100% waste water.
Energy and Atmosphere
The category deals with the conservation of energy to ensure that the development is sustainable.We have achieved more than 30% energy conservation as compared to a standard case.
This has been achieved through detailed study of the solar path of the sun and the climate, the building was oriented and façade designed in a manner to ensure optimization of the energy conserved.
The initial design was simulated to ensure that the climate responsive planning visualized by the architect is being achieved.
The building has excellent façade with double glazed units with high performance reflective glass of 1.2 "U" value to ensure that solar heat does not enter the building whilst ensuring that it is well lit by daylight.
Inside the hospital, the windows are placed on the cavity walls with insulation 75mm thick polystyrene insulation on the external wall, providing daylight 80% of the facility and to the patients and staff located with 32 ft. of the exterior wall.
Carefully thought HVAC system has achieved an overall load of 1TR / 500 sqft. that contributes to the facility's energy efficiency, which is 30% more than a standard case. A reduction in the use of energy has been achieved by use of solar panels heating water on the roof which generates 84% of hot water.
A major achievement was the lighting design and light fixtures proposed by the Architects which ensure that less than 0.54 W per Sq.ft. Light Power Density is achieved. The use of low wattage CFL's and LED add to the energy savings.
The windmill installed by Kohinoor whereby generating power offsite equivalent to 90% of total requirement and reducing the carbon footprint also added to this category.
A detailed analysis was done before crystalling the lighting design and finalizing the light fixtures.
Material Resources
The focus of this category during construction is to ensure that appropriate construction waste management practices are followed during construction, to ensure that is not diverted to land fills & recyclable waste generated is recycled.The materials crystallized are regionally obtained and have a high recycled content and we have also achieved an extremely challenging credit of resource reuse, where the scrap steel etc. has been sourced and used for the over head tank foundation etc.
The tiles, steel etc. procured are regionally manufactured that is within a radius of 800 Kms. from Mumbai.
Post construction appropriate collection bins are located in the building to ensure that recyclable material is properly segregated to be sent to the recycler.
The hospital has used more than 29% of recycled material and 72.05% of regional material.
Indoor Air Quality – Possible Credits 15
The hospital management has taken a policy decision of maintaining the building as a "NO SMOKING".The use of MERV 13 filters and CO2 sensors has increased the fresh air delivery by 30%.
Fresh and good quality air is extremely critical for a hospital building as it is crucial to the healing process of the patient.
During construction materials that have low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) content were identified in paints, sealants & adhesives. All HVAC ducts & vents were appropriately covered to ensure that no dust contamination enters the ducting system.
Post construction the commissioning agency will carry out a stringent flush out strategy over a span of 15 days to ensure that there is no contamination due to construction before the hospital is operational.
One of the leading commissioning agencies GODREJ has been appointed as commissioners for this building to ensure that the flush out and commissioning of all systems is appropriately conducted. They will also continue to monitor measure and verify that the water and energy savings are indeed being achieved.
Ar. Sandeep Shikre states, "We have been very particular about using chemical-free products; every material emits a certain kind of energy-it could be positive or negative-- this is a universal law. These emissions affect the respiratory system immediately. The hospital's walls & flooring emit no toxicity whatsoever… they are free of chemicals and do not cause any harm."
LEED certified buildings provide healthier work and living environment which contributes to fasten the healing process and improved health of the patients.
