According to Sachin Rastogi, founding partner and principal of the Zero Energy Design Lab, “a ‘net zero energy’ building is one where the total amount of energy the building consumes annually is roughly equal to the amount of renewable energy that is produced “. on the premises or nearby. Contrary to popular belief, a “near net zero building” (one that aims to minimize net energy; one that seeks to be net zero) need not be expensive to build and operate; such a building is designed to work with its climate and context; in addition to the important role of natural lighting and ventilation, a building like this relies on the application of passive design strategies, such as increasing solar heat gain by almost up to 60 ° C can reduce -70 percent. “
He adds: “In addition, the heat loads on the building can be significantly reduced by integrating heat sinks such as bodies of water and incorporating native vegetation; and the shapes and sizes of the windows can be designed to increase the supply of daylight indoors to as much as 100 per cent and lower the electricity load on the home. Such techniques can significantly reduce both the building’s construction and operating costs. “
Naveen Thomas, Vertical Head of Corporate Architecture at Edifice Consultants, says the design of Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan’s upcoming project in New Delhi sets an exemplary precedent in creating a landmark that embodies energy awareness in the urban fabric of the city.
“As the government actively supports energy efficiency in the country, public buildings are expected to lead the way in minimizing their ecological footprint. As the seat of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the draft demonstrates a new model of civic development that is combines iconicity with an interactive public interface. Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan is said to use electricity from solar panels and the use of energy-efficient materials for floors and ceilings, cavity walls to reduce HVAC loads and special low-power electrical appliances. “
Akshat Bhatt, Principal Architect at Architecture Discipline, New Delhi, recommends principles for the sustainable design of buildings.
* Orientation of the building to increase the penetration of daylight and fresh air and to design it with sufficient thermal mass to regulate the indoor temperatures. This limits the need for artificial lighting and air conditioning and thus reduces the building’s energy consumption.
* Modular and flexible structure that adapts to the future needs of its users. This reduces the need for costly conversions and eliminates the pollution caused by demolition or new construction.
* self-sufficient in terms of electricity and portable water, through renewable energy sources and rainwater harvesting. Areas for agriculture and the cultivation of food must also be integrated in the form of kitchen gardens or grow rooms.
* Treatment of all dry and wet waste generated on the construction site so that untreated waste is not released. Using locally sourced materials can also reduce the embodied energy and costs of the building.
The conversion of existing buildings is also a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to new construction – adaptive reuse and maintenance projects enable us to convert uninhabitable spaces into habitable ones and to preserve the architectural heritage.
The acquisition costs can be high, but environmentally friendly houses are significantly cheaper to operate in the long term and over the entire life cycle of the building, as they significantly reduce water and energy consumption through lighting and air conditioning. The maintenance costs of most green systems or fixtures are also low, so residents can amortize the initial cost in around 3-4 years.
(Siddhi Jain can be contacted at siddhi.j@ians.in)
–IANS
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