Green Building Congress 2015 Going Green holds the Future of Development

While IGBC is successfully making the green building movement visible across the nation, stakeholders are trying their best to comply with the Council's steps, reports Syed E. Hasan.

It's more than a decade now that the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) – a part of Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), is continuously on its objective to make people of India aware about the GREEN concept, in the context of building construction through various initiatives, of which, International Green Building Conference & Exhibition tops the list. Held at Gandhinagar in Gujarat, during 19-21 Nov 2015, the 13th edition of the conference & exhibition was aptly placed as the building construction activities are on the upswing in this part of the country, with noticeable efforts on green constriction practices so as to help ease the pressure on the resource demand - like energy, water, building materials, etc.

The exhibition of green building products was a consortia of over 100 exhibitors from India and abroad with their respective latest. The three-day event was a success both from the point of view of networking activities and exploring new business avenues for all the industry stakeholders as the enriching product pool was befitting the contemporary Indian requirements. Although, the highlight of the show was the latest green technology products from HVAC industry, also on the anvil were the architectural takeaways comprising sustainable flooring, water-saving bathroom fixtures, roofing & waterproofing products, uPVC doors & windows, paints & coatings, pumping solutions, energy-efficient LED lighting, and light-pipes.


Apart from the green products' exhibition, the other highlight of the event was a series of conferences and seminars–a knowledge platform that welcomed not less than 2,000 delegates, who were appreciative of the organisers' efforts. The conference also witnessed the launch of IGBC Green Rating Systems for Green Cities, Green Metros-Ver 1.0, and Green Residential Society to facilitate the targeted 10 billion sq.ft. by 2022. Going forward, IGBC and the Gujarat Institute of Housing & Estate Developers (GIHED) have pledged to promote Green Buildings in Gujarat wherein both the organizations aspire to facilitate construction of 10 million sq. ft. of Green Building footprint in the next 3 years.

Addressing at the inaugural session on the day one of the conference, Mr. Punamchand Parmar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Forest & Environment Department, Government of Gujarat, said, "With rapid urbanisation, there is increased stress on resources. We should be more sensitive to our fellow citizens and work together to create designs that in a way contribute towards creating a Green City. Green is about improving the quality of life," he underlined.

Ms. D Thara, IAS, Municipal Commissioner, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, said, "Ahmedabad is one of the few cities that abide by a master plan. The city has opted for more vertical and very little horizontal space. AMC is working towards having a sustainable & efficient power and water management system without compromising on city's growth. The implementation of proper planning leads to the development of a smart green city."

Mr. Hari Sankaran, Vice Chairman & MD, IL&FS, highlighted that a Green city has to a Smart City. "The need of the hour is to focus on various aspects of green and in the process address ecological issues & concerns. Green Cities will offer new employment opportunities and enable employees to appreciate the value of finite resources, he said. GIFT City will create about 80,000 direct employment opportunities and similar number of indirect employment opportunities," he said.

Being the keynote speaker, Dr. Prem C Jain, Chairman, IGBC underscored that IGBC envisions facilitating 10 billion sq. ft. of registered green building footprint by the year 2022. "Green Building Movement has achieved significant milestone. With 3,400 projects, amounting to registered green building footprint of over 3.14 billion sq.ft., today, India is the second country in the world with largest registered green building footprint. What's more, the market potential for the country's green building products & technologies is estimated to be about USD 300 billion in a decade from now," he highlighted adding that IGBC has 19 local chapters to promote Green Building concepts across the country.


Mr. Sameer Sinha, Chairman, IGBC Ahmedabad Chapter, noted that Green Building Conference is one of the key initiatives of IGBC to promote sustainable best practices and infrastructure development in the country and in the process facilitate India emerge as one of the global leaders in green buildings. "The State of Gujarat, with over 60 million sq.ft. of green building footprint is doing well in the Green Building movement and, in days to come, will witness more green buildings and green cities. The Ahmedabad Chapter will work closely with the stakeholders in taking forward the green building movement in the State," he added.

Mr. Jayesh Hariyani, Co-chair, IGBC Ahmedabad Chapter delivered the concluding remarks. "Green Building Congress 2015 will provide a knowledge sharing platform about optimal utilization of smart building strategies to encourage reduced environmental impact, ensuring occupant satisfaction, and driving better business outcome and maximize asset value. The event was also marked by inaugural of international exhibition, where over 100 innovative & futuristic Green technologies were displayed.

Needless to say that Green Building Congress 2015 successfully provided a knowledge sharing platform about optimal utilisation of smart building strategies to encourage reduced environmental impact, ensuring occupant satisfaction, and driving better business outcome and maximise asset value.

Adding to the significance of 'Smart Cities', the theme of this year's Show was: 'Green, Smart & Healthy Cities' – making it imperative that the smart cities should also address the health of their citizen. Partnered with Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Government of India and Forests & Environment Department, Government of Gujarat, the annual event was supported by Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City) along with various other associations such as CREDAI, AIGMF, ISHRAE, ASHRAE – India Chapter, Good Governance India Foundation, ICCTAS, ISLE, and IPA.

Significantly, the attendies/visitors' profile was quite rich and diversified, and included Architects, Builders & Developers, Corporates, Government Representatives, Educational Institutions, Engineers, Energy Modelers, Electrical Consultants, Green Building Facilitators, Contractors, Green Product / Equipment Manufacturers, HVAC Consultants, Interior Designers, International Agencies, Landscape Consultants, Lighting Consultants, Plumbing Consultants, Project Management Consultants, and Town Planners.

Green Rating for Residential Societies:
With increasing pollution and a large number of housing societies managed by resident welfare associations, it is necessary to ensure that all residents in such societies lead healthy lives in a green environment. Keeping this in view, IGBC launched a Green Residential Societies Rating System (perhaps the first of its kind in the country) for existing multi-dwelling communities (pilot version) at the Green Building Congress 2015 held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

Aiming to encourage more residential societies to go in for a green rating, the experts at the conference suggested that Green practices can be easily implemented in housing societies through simple, cost-effective steps such as a no-smoking policy in common areas, imparting green education to occupants, laying walking tracks, following rainwater harvesting practices, landscaping areas, including water efficient fixtures, segregating dry and wet waste, using solar power for common area lighting, and encouraging installation of electric charging points for vehicles in common areas.

According to IGBC, around 10 builder societies, mostly in Pune and Mumbai have signed up for the initiative since the launch of the system, which translates to 5,000 flats spread across 4.0 million sq.ft area. By the end of next year, as per conservative estimates, the council anticipates rating 60 to 75 societies/projects. As far as rating is concerned, any residential society (builder, cooperatives, decades-old DDA societies) operational for over and above a year can register for it. This includes both DDA societies spread across Delhi, cooperative societies across NCR and projects developed by private developers which meet specific criteria.

There are various levels of rating. For very basic certification, a society has to score 30-39 points on certain parameters. A silver certification is required for 40-49 points; for gold 50-64 points are needed and for a platinum rating, societies need to score 65 and above. The certification is valid for three years from the date of the certification. Societies can also upgrade their rating by appealing to the IGBC for a nominal fee in these three years. Thereafter, they can renew their rating.

According to IGBC, registration costs come to Rs.10,000 and the certificate fee is Rs.85,000 for up to 100 units, Rs.1,30,000 for over 101 to 500 units, Rs.1,75,000 for 501 to 1,000 units and Rs.2,20,000 for over 1000 residential units. Explaining the advantages of this rating system, Mr. V Suresh, chairman, policy and advocacy committee, IGBC, said, "Once the rating is acquired, it will help residents get a reasonable appreciation of 5% to 10% in property rates. In the long run, such ¬ratings will help residents avail property tax incentives."

In yet another development, after having roped in real estate developers, the IGBC also looks to make schools green, and has set a target of converting 1,000 schools across the country into 'green schools' by 2017. For this, IGBC will work closely with stakeholders for to make schools green under its green schools rating system. "Out of 1,000, around 50 schools will be in cities like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Surat. All these cities have IGBC regional chapters," said Dr. Chandrasekhar Hariharan, a core committee member of IGBC. "Green Schools will not only save energy and water but will also sensitize students to be environmentally responsible and become sensitive to Planet Earth," he added at the end of the conclave.

Exhibitors' Paradigm

Like previous editions, the one at this year also received a comparatively warm welcome by the exhibitors. In exclusive interactions with MGS Architecture, exhibitors acknowledged new avenues that Green Building Congress opened up for them, this edition. Quite a few found this space apt for the launch of new products while others were happy delineating the green features of their displays. Following are the excerpts:

Mr. Ankit Daga, Director with Galaxy Energy Solution was excited about Hydromx, a revolutionary heat transfer fluid that contains stably suspended nano-particles to increase the speed of heat transfer thus helps reduces the energy bills up to 35%. "It's a cutting edge nano-thermo European technology since eight years which has entered India for the first time only a few months ago," he said explaining that generally, in any closed loop or circle, people use water to transmit heat from point A to point B for chillers or boilers. "Despite being the most common medium, water is not the most efficient one to transfer heat from one point to another. Hydromx is the patented energy saving heat transfer nanofluid that works in 50:50-ratio with water in heating/cooling system. Not only does it reduce carbon emissions, and energy bills, it also prolongs the life of the boiler and protects 100% against frozen pipes," he averred. According to him, developed in Turkey, the Hydromx and nano-technology has the potential to reduce India's carbon footprint and help achieve sustainable industrial development.

Mr. Rahul Aeron, National Sales Manager – Energy Recovery with Desiccant Rotors International (DRI) Pvt Ltd – a Pahwa Group Company, was also present there with DRI's Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERV) and Energy Recovery Wheels (HRWs). "This ventilator allows the occupants to enjoy the fresh air feel of an open window, with virtually little or no heat or energy loss. The product is ideal for tightly sealed new commercial buildings and modern homes to help replace stale, polluted indoor air with fresher, healthier, and oxygen-rich outside air. Its compact unit size allows it to be used retrofitted with the existing system to enhance the indoor air quality. The heart of ERV is the EcoFresh desiccant coated energy recovery wheel, which rotates between its two sections.

"In one section, the stale, conditioned air is passed through the wheel, and exhausted to the atmosphere. During this process, the wheel absorbs sensible and latent energy from the conditioned air, which is used to pre-condition the incoming fresh air in the other section during the second half of its rotation cycle. It thus allows more fresh air besides lowering energy costs inside the conditioned space," explained Mr. Aeron, adding that as of now, these products are very popular in IT offices to minimise ever growing cooling loads and are looking for technologies where they can save on energy. "We have done quite a few projects in Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore, etc. wherein we are using these alternate technologies. We are focusing more on air side thus reducing the power consumption thereby improving the indoor air quality," he reinstated.

Bathroom solutions majors Hindware was also having a good feel being a part of this dynamic green building exhibition setup where it had put its water-saving green products on the display with a few new designs to be highlighted in the green building arena. The display also entails products from its Italian collection that Hindware has in its bouquet for people with special choice for beautifying bathrooms by adding aesthetics along with the quality.


Somany Ceramics, a ceramic tile major that lately entered the bathroom segment, had also brought forward a few of its eye-catching designs in bathroom fittings besides its regular products. While the company was highlighting its patented VC shield Tiles, the display from Somany also included tiles with digital prints in varied designs replicating laminated wooden planks and marbles among the other natural imprints. According to the company, the market is opening up now in this part of the country, when it comes to bathroom solutions. A large portion of the business is expected from specifiers including architects, interior designers and consultants that the company is vying for. As far as flooring solution is concerned, Somany is already an established name in the segment.

Also present was the roofing shingles supplier, Petroguard Canopy Systems. According to Mr. Jose Sebastian, the company's proprietor, "The shingles are made using at least 25-30% of the recycled contents like fibre-glass sheet, asphalts, ceramic granules, etc. Copper granules are also used as one of the raw materials that help in waterproofing thus eliminating the use of a separate system for the purpose. These shingles come with 20-years manufacturer's guaranty against any weathering to the product, while warranty is given against algae and leakage. The shingles are fire-resistant and bear some level of acoustic feature too thus minimising the noise if it's raining outside. It is ideally suitable for monsoons, heat, as well as cold waves. It can take winds up to 70 miles as patented by the manufacturing company. Overall, it adds aesthetics to the exterior of the building," he said.

Mr. Girish Kulkarni, Country Manager at SWEP India Division of Dover India Pvt Ltd, was enthusiastic about the new compact heat exchanger that the company had put on display for the pool of visitors at the IGBC 2015. "If you are looking for the additional security of third-party verified performance, SWEP is the choice. As the first brazed plate heat exchangers to be certified by AHRI, they are well suited for HVAC, district heating, and district cooling applications. The product's compact size, versatility, and excellent heat transfer attribute make it a perfect choice for both single-phase and refrigerant applications," said Mr. Kulkarni. Explaining the attributes, he added, "It saves energy up to 30% and takes only half of the space when compared to the conventional system. The system is suitable for OEMs of chillers, HVAC consultants, contractors, and end-users." According to him, SWEP optimises the use of energy, material, and space in heating and cooling systems. "We take pride in contributing to a comfortable and sustainable living for people around the world, besides, proving a competitive edge for our customers."

Mr. R. S. Chaitanya Kumar, Manager-Business Development with Skyshade Daylights Pvt Ltd, a day-lighting and shading solutions-major from Hyderabad found this platform big enough to promote its day-lighting and shading system in this part of the country. "We displayed a host of products including tensile fabric shading systems suitable for walkway, rooftops, car parking, etc. For day-lighting, we have Lightpipe, Norikool, Anshu, Ventilight, and Skyshelves – all LED-based. For Lightpipe and Norikool, the system is designed to collect light from the sun, which then travel all through the pipe to reach its destination using specially designed optics. It is used to brighten difficult areas where day light doesn't reach. It is a zero-energy product, doesn't consume electricity, and helps acquiring LEED rating for the building. We are getting good response from across the country," said Mr. Kumar.

All these are the testimonies of the fact that India has been witnessing tremendous growth for the past few years when it comes to GREEN building & construction sector. Not only the policy makers, but also the manufacturers/suppliers and the end-users are taking note of the rapidly deteriorating environmental dynamics, which is not really safe even for our immediate next generation. Also, slowly but steadily increasing awareness on the subject is helping to ease the pressure on the resource demand - like energy, water, materials etc. IGBC, through its annual Green Building Congress, keeps doing its bit by reminding its stakeholders (Architects, Builders & Developers, Corporate, Designers, Facility managers, Government, Institutions, Nodal agencies, Product manufacturers & suppliers, Service Consultants, etc.) to remain on the right track if we fear future and care for our Gen-X.