Critical questions to assess the green building status ..

Some basic aspects of green buildings ..

As part of an assignment that I have given my students to assess the green building certification requirements and to record their observations on the same, I have prepared these set of questions.

A ‘green’ building is a building that, in its design, construction or operation, reduces or eliminates negative impacts, and can create positive impacts, on our climate and natural environment. Green buildings preserve precious natural resources and improve our quality of life.

There are a number of features which can make a building ‘green’. These include:

• Efficient use of energy, water and other resources
• Use of renewable energy, such as solar energy
• Pollution and waste reduction measures, and the enabling of re-use and recycling
• Good indoor environmental air quality
• Use of materials that are non-toxic, ethical and sustainable
• Consideration of the environment in design, construction and operation
• Consideration of the quality of life of occupants in design, construction and operation
• A design that enables adaptation to a changing environment - World Green Building Council 

How can we make our buildings green ? (click here ..)

A good set of questions to ask as part of the assignment ..

1. Intent - Why have you gone for Green Building certification ?
2. Initial preparations - What were the steps you took at the time of building the structure ?
3. RM procurement - From where were raw materials procured ? Locally available ?
4. Ventilation design for better air quality - How is the ventilation design of the building ?
5. Optimal lighting system making use of natural lighting - What are the lighting systems used in the building ?
6. Have you made use of natural lighting by giving enough windows, glass panels ?
7. Green coverage - What percentage of your total area is built-up , ie. what is the greenery coverage ?
8. Sewage water treatment plant - How is sewage water treated ?
9. Collecting rain water - Is there rainwater harvesting in the building ?
10. Electrc transportation  - Do you use any electric vehicles for transportation on the campus ?
11. Advanced green technology augmentation  - Do you use any smart / AI system / IoT equipments to control usage of energy ?
12. Air quality - What steps are taken to improve the interior air quality and environment in the rooms ?
13. Solar energy / other renewable sources - have solar panels been deployed for electrical energy ?
14. Energy use - are equipments having Energy Star ratings ?
15. Painting - are walls painted with light colours enabling maximum reflection and less absorption ?

Here is a link to a set of green homes in Bangalore ..

Here is a list of Green Corporate offices in Bangalore  ..

Link to Public Affairs Centre Jigani, Bangalore - India;s first Carbon neutral campus ..

George..