cii sohrabji godrej green business centre-case study

© Confederation of Indian Industry

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Architectural Case StudyAugust 2012

by Sunanda SubramanianStudent of Architecture BMSCE, Bangalore


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The First LEED Platinum Rated Building in India –

CII Godrej GBC

It offers advisory services to the

Industry in the areas of :

• Green buildings

• Energy Efficiency

• Water Management

• Environmental management

• Renewable energy

• Green business incubation

• Climate change activities

About CII Godrej GBC


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Bhumi

(earth)

Jala

(water)

Agni

(fire) Vaayu

(air )

Aakash

(void)

Pancha Bhutas ancient belief states that life exists because of the presence and

balance of the five classical elements

� They are associated with the five senses

� They act as the gross medium for the experience of sensations

The Concept :What derives itself from nature returns to it.

This is applied in the practice of Architecture:

� a building gives back to nature even as it takes from it

� thus reducing the ecological footprint

An attempt to make a positive change in design by

Reducing the negative impact on the environment in terms of:

Use of materials Water Management

Energy Efficiency Sustainability

Natural Ventilation Reuse and Recycle

Renewable Energy Effective Land Use

Ecological footprint Carbon Footprint

Socio Cultural Response etc


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� Using processes that are environmentally responsible and

resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle:

from cradle to grave

� Expanding and complementing the classical building design in

matters of economy, utility, durability, and comfort

� Designing to reduce the overall impact of the built-up

environment on human health and the natural environment by:

1. Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources

2. Protecting occupants’ health and improving productivity

3. Reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation

4. Ensuring sustainability

5. Natural building - use of natural materials available locally.


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� Wind direction

Summer Winter

Annual

Mean

Temp

Monthly

Mean

Temp

Max Temp

Ever

Recorded

Min Temp

Ever

Recorded

26 ^C 21-32 ^C 45.5^C 8 ^ C

Combination of

tropical wet and

dry climate

- borders on a

hot semi-arid

climate


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Residential

Commercial


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MAIN

CAMPUS

• Located on the flattest zone on site- least

interference to site features during construction

•Easy access from Main Road

•Centrally located on site

•Scope to create buffers surrounding the building

for effective design according to site climate

•Less prone to pollution

Water

Located at the lowest

region of the site for

maximum accumulation

using existing site

drainage pattern


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AIR POLLUTION

NOISE POLLUTION

Max

MinMaximum exposure to

pollution- North and West

boundaries of the site,

along the main roads

Max

Min

ROUGH ESTIMATE-NOT

PLOTTED TO ACCURACY


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ValleyRidge

Natural Drainage

pattern utilized to

harvest rain water

at point of maximum

accumulation


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Warm breeze that picks

up heat from the vast

expanse of barren land in

the surroundings

Cooled by the presence

of Greenery and further

by the water body to the

North

Harsh west heat filtered and partially blocked by the landscape and the plantations in the west

Orientation of the buildings capitalize on

all favorable conditions on site and

measures have been taken to fix the

problems on site

WINTER


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Warm breeze from the

South West gets

filtered and cooled by

the presence of lush

greenery

Cooled air is retained

and circulated within

the site and prevented

from escaping by

landscape on all sides

There is circulation of

wind within the site

along the circular

exteriors of the

building- easy flow

SUMMER

CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN

(contd…)


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� Main entrance located at the main road� Surrounded by Medium Rise commercial buildings

(under construction)

TO MAIN GATE


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� The main building has direct access from the main road,

� But the entrance to it is from the inside to ensure privacy and security

Gate

The main gate opens to a long driveway with

lush greenery on both sides creating

EMPHASIS to the entrance

Security

Cabin


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•Bicycle riders are treated preferentially - convenient parking,

lockers, shower cleaning

•30 % of employee transportation: carpools, bicycles, and LPG

cars

•Use of battery operated vehicles encouraged - Charging

stations available

• The documented reduction of harmful emissions achieved is

62 %

•Encourage building occupants to minimize their reliance on

fossil fuel-based transportation.

BUS

STOP

•Building located near a public

transport station.

Charging

Station


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Separation of

Pedestrian and

Vehicular movement

for easy circulation

Emphasis of the

Entrance by a

large projected

overhang/

portico


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BUILT VS UNBUILT AREA

• Site Area : 5 acres

Built Up Area : 20000 sq ft

• Building footprint: Only 9.2% of site

• Minimum disturbance to the existing

site features

• Large area for landscape to enhance

micro climate and for visual delight


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� Zoning done by HIERARCHY in terms of PRIVACY

� PUBLIC- Reception, Library� SEMI PUBLIC – Administration,

Office for employees� SEMI PRIVATE – Seminar hall� PRIVATE - Conference rooms,

Cabins for Senior Executives� COMMON AREAS – for

circulation and gathering

Linear AccessUnity

Convergence Central

Organization


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Arrows indicate Circulation

within the building,

surrounding the Central

Courtyard along colonnaded

corridors

Circulation Scheme

encourages

interaction

Recessed

Staircase to first

floor


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•Arrangement of spaces according to size to

create balance

•Courtyard as central Focal Point

•Use of green spaces to fill in voids between

solidsConvergence of individual spaces to the

Central Court, binding them together

Everything acquires rounded edges, soft forms,

and thus forms a closer association


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� Minimal damage during construction and occupancy, to the natural elements of water flow, air quality, vegetation, and topography

� The built form responds to the rocky site. � Small footprint, design retains site contours and

existing boulders. � "Contour trenching" adopted to avoid erosion and

sedimentation.� During construction, barricades were installed to

prevent contaminants from spreading to surrounding areas.

� Care has been taken not to disturb the activities of a temple nearby


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� The spatial and formal elements around a courtyard create

introverted blueprint.

� Courtyard space was not rigidly fixed but could be adaptable depending on the time of day, season

� Its mood changed with varying degrees of light and shade, and

with them the ambience

� Centrally located, serves as visual anchor.. It was the spatial,

social, and environment control center of the home.

� By building them around a central open space ensured

close relationships between separate units

� Brought in an additional usable space within the living space.

In history : Haveli, Wada, Deori , Nalukettu, Totti mane. etc

Traditional gathering

place for intellectual

encounters and cultural

functions.


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Introverted courtyard

The axis mundi -

the axis of creation

Inside Yet

outside

Stay connected

to nature

Court yard acts as the

energy centre, also the

communication

centre

Centre creates a centrifugal effect,

Parts of the design spring apart, try

to escape from the centre, but

are caught and held together again

by a bracket, a round canopy over

the connecting route.

Exploded

geometry


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NIGHT

NIGHT DAY

A PATTERN OF SOLIDS AND VOIDS

As the courts progress in and out from the exterior structure, they

form a pattern of negative and positive spaces

MECHANICS OF A COURTYARD

Courtyard functions as a convective thermostat and gives protection from extremes of

weather. The total number of courtyards in one residence could sometimes be five to six.

The courtyards act as

"light wells,"

illuminating adjacent

work areas


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Colonnaded corridors

surrounding the courtyard

convey a sense of Rhythm

and Movement


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SHADE

Shade


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� Like most olden systems of construction, structures are

kept ground hugging ensuring natural modulation of

microclimate and creating more interaction with nature

� Gives a sense of being close to nature

vs


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Extremely Well Lit

Great collection of

books for reference

during non office

hours!

REC

SEAT

LIB

E LIB

CAFE

Reception desk and library

Library, e library and admin

Seating at the reception

Easy access from main

entrance


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OFFICE

SPACELEISURE

OFFICE

SPACE

COURT

YARD

COURT

YARD

COURT

YARD

EXHIBITION

CONFER

ENCE

A

H

U

WIND

TOWER

NORTH

LIGHT

GLAZED

ROOF

Grid like arrangement of desk

spaces

Easy circulation in block organization

Sufficient Diffused Daylight for all areas through

recessed courtyards and North light Glazing


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All workstations

organized

around a central

court

ROOF GARDENCENTRAL COURT

TO ROOF

GARDEN

Naturally lit

throughout

the day


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INFORMAL

GATHERING

SPACE

PARTITION

WALL-

RETRACTABLE

Can be divided

using partition

walls to create

smaller meeting

rooms – flexibility

of spaces

Gathering space

outside for interactive

discussions before and

after seminars

May also be used as

dining space


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� Spaces located in the overlap between inside and

outside create informal spaces for interaction

Transition

Out

In


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� Easy navigation - use of

ramps for circulation

� Wheelchair friendly

washrooms


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� Building layout ensures that 90 % of spaces have daylight

access and views to the outside.

� North facades are glazed for efficient diffused light

� Low heat transmitting glass used

� Double glass to further reduce heat gain

� Natural lighting - no lights are used until late in the evening

� Minimum lux levels for all work stations have been ensured

� Light captured from as many sides possible - the use of courtyards


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North light roof used to naturally light

the entire green technology centre

Natural light ensured in dark

corners by the use of full length

slits for maximum light

All work stations have

ample natural light


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Fully glazed windows help to

light the entire technology

centre

Light may been filtered in meeting

rooms and offices by the use of

shutter curtain panels


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� Allow controlled passage of air and light into the interior space.

� throw patterns of light and shadow on the floor enhancing aesthetics

� Ensure constant flow of breeze into the interior -occupant comfort cools the interiors

� An alternative to costly window construction

� Diffuse the glare of direct sunlight.

Jali walls

at GBC

Traditional Islamic Jali

work

Passage to

washrooms

Courtyard

Exterior wall

of washrooms


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RECEPTION GREEN

TECHNOLOGY

CENTRE

MEETING

ROOMS

Each individual space

within the building

supplied with minimum

standard requirements

of illumination for

various activities

MAX( > 300LUX)

ALMOST NIL

(50 - 100 LUX)

MIN ( > 250 LUX)


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MAX( > 300LUX)

ALMOST NIL

(50 - 100 LUX)

MIN ( > 250 LUX)

OFFICE BLOCKSEMINAR HALL

WASHROOMS

Where natural light un

available- washrooms-

sensor lights have been

used to save power

Since the seminar hall is

generally air conditioned

and lit mechanically, only

optimum level of natural

light has been ensured

The office block on the first floor receives

sufficient natural light within even on dull

days by the presence of internal courtyard

and glass windows along all exterior walls


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The outside brought

in -COURTYARDS

Greenery and Landscape is proven to be

therapeutic and a stress buster

Influences microclimate and

hence human comfort

Defines and

articulates space

Contributes colour and is a

visual delight


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Green cover acts

as modifier of

micro climate


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CANOPY TREES

� Create mass from the outside, for a canopied space from the inside

� Trunks imply but do not enclose space � Spaces formed have ceiling, no walls,

only columns � Fairly open at eye level � Tree trunks act as landscape columns

and give architectural character to the site� Modify the natural light quality

Penetrating sunlight adds to the dynamism of the space � Extend lines or rhythm of architecture into exterior

space

Landscaping by

sequential arrangement

of different sizes of

plants for various

effects


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Large Trees Provide Bulk To Plant Mass


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UNDERSTOREY TREES

� Suitable for small, intimate courtyards

� Provide colour, shade without

overpowering the space

� Used as accent plants or focal plants

� Are effective in screening mid or low

angle sun

Frangipani tree

Bamboo

Canon

ball treeThe Buddha Belly

Bamboo tree


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SHRUBS� Define and separate spaces

without blocking vision

� Shrubs can effectively unify

a composition


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GROUND COVER• Unify groups of plants into a composition

• Creates edges

• Lead the eye to focal points, building

entries

• Can create lines of visual character

overlapping with paving

• Beneficial in stabilizing slopes,

preventing erosion Large expanse

of ground

cover used to

create focus on

Local craftwork

as landscape

elements

Tree trunks

and columns

lined with

gravel stone

– attention

to detail -

aesthetics

Bio degradable

plastic grass crates

used to hold grass–

easy removal and

maintenance

Defined pathways in

landscape to reduce

disturbance to plant species


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A Responsibility Towards

The Environment Creating Awareness –

About green architecture

About the building

About construction

And material, flora and fauna


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Existing rocks used as

sculptural features

Water Has Sensual Value:

• It triggers the mind

• It augments meaning

• It reinforces communication

• It calms the mind and relieves stress

Water is also used

to modify site

climate by

evaporative

cooling


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Ashoka Tree Saraca asoca

� Ashoka is one of the most legendary and sacred trees of India

� Ashok means without grief or that which gives no grief

Coral Jasmine

Nycthanthes arbortistis

•Tree of Sorrow

•The tree flowers only at night and sheds them like

tear drops before the sun rises

•Leaf is rough and the abrasive nature of the leaf

is employed to scrub metallic vessel, to give them

a shine.

•Has medicinal properties and is used in Ayurveda


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The Sensitive Plant/ Touch-me-notMimosa pudica

� A prickly plant spreading on the ground or on the herbs

� the plant uses its ability to shrink as a defense from predators.

� It is used to reduce toxicity of venoms and fixes nitrogen in soil for plans to utilize

Joy perfume tree/ChampaMagnolia champaca

� This tree is regarded to be the personification of

Goddess Lakshmi

� Increases the wealth of the family

� Its timber is used in urban landscaping

� Flowers are used to make the world's most

expensive perfume 'Joy' in America

� Used as an ornamental tree


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Bottle Gourd or Calabash

Lagenaria siceraria

� Dried Calabash is used as bottle, Utensil or Pipe.

� Used to Prevent chicken pox

� Popular vegetable in many world cuisines,

� In parts of India, the dried, unpunctured gourd is used as a

float for swimming

� Indian instruments, such as the tanpura, sitar and rudra veena, are

constructed from dried calabash gourds

� Used as a utensil for water or drinks in many countries

Spear mint

Mentha spicata

� Mint is a symbol of hospitality

� Often cultivated for its aromatic and carminative oil, referred to

as oil of spearmint.

� Has medicinal properties

� Ingredient in several mixed drinks and teas

� Also used in flavouring


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Basil Ocimum basilicum

� Culinary herb� A full, fresh leaf, in a cash register or wallet, is said to

draw money� Very characteristic smell� Basil seeds used in Asian drinks and desserts such

as faluda and sherbet� Used for their medicinal properties

in Ayurveda, Siddha medicine

Sarpagandha Rauvolfia serpentina

� Mahatma Gandhi was said to have ‘Snake root tea’on a regular basis

� Used to treat high blood pressure and mental disorders including schizophrenia,

� It has been used for millennia as an antidote against bites of venomous reptiles.


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CANNA

CORAL FLOWER

BLACK MAGIC

PLANT

HIBISCUS

RUFFLED FAN PALMMONDO GRASS GOLDEN DURANTA SCREW PALM

CROSSANDRABOUGAINVILLEA MarigoldMARIGOLD GUAVA


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� Bagasse Board – by product of

sugarcane industry-a good

substitute for plywood or Particle

Board

� It has wide usage for making

partitions, furniture etc.

� Eco-friendly method - does not

involve any harm to the timbers,

unlike plywood.

� Used for furniture in interiors of the

building •An impressive 77 % of the building materials use

recycled content in the form of fly ash, broken

glass, broken tiles, recycled paper, recycled

aluminum, cinder from industrial furnaces,

bagasse, mineral fibers, cellulose fibers, and

quarry dust.

• Low VOC paints have also been applied

66% (by cost)

of the material

was sourced

within a radius

of 800 km

Of this, 95 % of the

raw material was

extracted or

harvested locally.


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SECTIONS

PORTICO

RECEPTION

AND OFFICE

COURTYARD

MEETING

ROOM

WIND

TOWER

SEMINAR

HALL

COURTYARD

OFFICE BLOCK GREEN TECHNOLOGY

CENTRE

WIND

TOWER

SEMINAR HALL

COURTYARD

GREEN TECHNOLOGY

CENTRE


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� All of the new wood used was sustainably harvested, as certified by

the Forest Stewardship Council.

� Reuse of a significant amount of material salvaged from other

construction sites like toilet doors, interlocking pavement blocks,

stone slabs, scrap steel, scrap glazed tiles, shuttering material and,

the furniture in the cafeteria.

A waste management plan ensured that 96 %

of construction waste was recycled.

Furniture in the canteen

with local Tandur stone

flooring

Clay tile paving

in the gardens

Use of bamboo

as landscape

elements

Stone grid pavers

used on roads for

easy drainage of

water Reuse of construction

waste stone in paving

the gardens


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FLY ASH BRICK

•Manufacturing method saves energy, reduces mercury pollution,

•costs 20% less than traditional clay brick manufacturing.

•Low embodied energy, High recycled content, low CO2 emission

•Lighter than clay bricks.

•High strength, practically no breakage during transport

•Uniform size of bricks reduces mortar required for joints and plaster by 50%.

•Lower water penetration, considerably reducing seepage of water through

bricks

• Gypsum plaster (plaster of Paris) can be directly applied on these bricks

without a backing coat of lime plaster.

65% walls in GBC are

constructed with this

material


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� Use of Solar photovoltaic cells on the rooftop grid provides about

24 kilowatts, or 16 % of the building's electricity needs.

� Placed appropriately on the roof facing South and West to capture

maximum heat gain


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A Windcatcher, Windscoop or Badgir is a

traditional Persian architectural element to

create natural ventilation in buildings.

•Energy savings are achieved by the GBCs two

wind towers

•Air, cooled by upto 8 ^C, is supplied to the AHUs,

substantially reducing the load on the air

conditioning system.

• A heavily insulated roof further reduces the

cooling load.

GBC

wind towers

Wind towers in Persia


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� Earth sheltering is a an ancient architectural practice of

using earth against building walls/ roofs for external thermal

mass, to reduce heat loss, and to easily maintain a steady

indoor air temperature.

� Roof Gardens cover 55 % of the exposed roof area of the

building – high reduction of heat gain


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Rain Water Harvest :� Some rainwater goes into the soil by the use of

permeable grid pavers.

� The remaining rainwater follows existing flow

patterns and is collected in a water pond-

another traditional method of rain water

harvesting, constructed at a lower end of the

site.

� In addition, the building achieves a 35 %

reduction of municipally supplied potable water,

in part through the use of low-flush toilets and

waterless urinals.

Root Zone Treatment Artificially prepared wetlands

comprising of clay or plastic lined

excavation and emergent vegetation

growing on gravel/sand mixtures

• All wastewater generated - recycled by "root zone treatment" -

simultaneously irrigates the vegetation.

•Low operating cost , less energy requirement and ease of maintenance

•Attractive alternative for wastewater management

•Enhances the Landscape

Waste Water Treatment


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Campus Address:CII - Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre

Survey # 64, Kothaguda Post

R R District, Hyderabad – 500084, India

Tel: +91 40-44185111 (B)

Fax: +91 40 23112837

www.igbc.in

cii sohrabji godrej green business centre-case study

Documents

natural building

site features

natural environment

classical building design

water body

site climateless prone

effective design

natural materials available