We are smack in the middle of World Green Building Week (Sept 26 to Oct 2 2016), when green building councils from around the world showcase their contributions to delivering green buildings. It is the time to celebrate the positive impact they have on their communities. The theme for the week is “Change Your Perspective” an update to the previous “Better Build Green” which was introduced at the 21st annual Conference of Parties in Paris last year.
According to a press release from the World Green Building Council: “There are so many interesting and often untold facts and figures that can genuinely change how people think about buildings, and specifically green buildings. We need them to understand the impact and benefits that green buildings can have on global emissions, energy, water, health and wellbeing, the economy and beyond. By combining these statistics with striking new visuals and images of buildings from unique angles – and sharing them widely across social media and other digital platforms — we can change their perspective, and demonstrate that Better Build Green is the answer.”
I work out of a building that is a rated by IGBC as “LEED NC Platinum.” This means that by ‘green standards’ our office building scores very high against parameters that measure its performance in various aspects of sustainability. Apart from this, our studios have designed about 15 Lakh SF of certified green spaces in the last year alone.
During times of celebrations the positive impact design professionals have on the real estate industry must be recounted. The first positive outcome of their design interventions is of course reflected on energy consumption. Most green buildings combine new technologies, renewables and passive architectural design solutions which combine to achieve as high as 30% savings in the cooling of a building. The major focus of urban planners is the creation of spaces that encourage sustainable solid waste management.
Design programs include efficient management of waste, so that general public and building occupants can segregate and combine wastes from their neighborhoods. Such designs reduce waste generation, divert waste for reuse and effectively reduce the quantity of wastes reaching landfills.
Designers conserve potable water by including sewage treatment plants in infrastructure design. Waste water is reused for flushing toilets, in cooling towers of AC plants or for landscape irrigation. Specifying the rightfittings and materials at every design decision point goes towards protecting the environment. Similarly ingenious inclusion of landscapes with swales and rainwater harvesting systems can capture all the rainwater run-offs and be directed to charge underground water aquifers.
Stakeholders are busy this week promoting awareness and creating a buzz about Green Buildings. From car-free days to photo contests and special lectures to tree-planting schemes, there is a lot of activity this week to help spread the sustainable building movement.
So address climate change and create a sustainable home, office, school or community. You too can achieve an environmental or economic goal by greening your surroundings for people to have better environments to live, work or play. Go Green!