Ecological Concepts in Buildings- A Case Study in Bangalore

Kiran Kumar D E V S and Malvika Sharan,

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Southern Regional Centre, Bangalore

1. Introduction

Development today is associated only with sustainability. Sustainable development has become
the top concern of any institution, government or policy maker. In keeping with the same, the
newly elected Indian government has launched the ‘The ‘100 Smart cities’ plan recently. The
term encompasses a vision of an urban space that is ecologically friendly, technologically
integrated and meticulously planned, with a particular reliance on the use of information
technology to improve efficiency. These cities will see the use of energy-efficient technologies
that will focus on using the renewable resources curbing the exploitation of non-renewable
resources.

The global contribution from buildings towards energy consumption, both residential and
commercial, has steadily increased reaching figures between 20% and 40% in developed
countries, and has exceeded the other major sectors: industrial and transportation, with a
subsequent pressure on availability of resources1. Thus, constructing energy efficient and
environmentally friendly buildings is the need of the hour.

In view of the above, and with an overall objective to reduce resource consumption, reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and enhance the use of renewable and recycled resources by the
building sector, TERI has played a crucial role in convergence of various initiatives, essential for
effective implementation and mainstreaming of sustainable habitats in India. With over two
decades of experience on green and energy efficient buildings, TERI has developed GRIHA
(Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment), which was adopted as the national rating
system for green buildings by the Government of India in 2007. GRIHA has successfully rated 46
buildings (as of June 2014). The split up being – 15 as 5 star buildings, 15 as 4 star buildings, 10
3 star rated buildings and 6 as 2 star. The reduction in energy consumption would possibly be
50%, 40% and 30% for 5 star, 4star and 3 star buildings respectively when compared to
conventional building of similar types located in the same climate. It is also estimated that 1

1 A review on buildings energy consumption information,

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378778807001016 (as retrieved on
10/09/2014)
million sq.m. of GRIHA 5 star certified built up space is sufficient to supply enough electricity to
power about 10,000 urban homes and enough water to meet the needs of 3000 urban homes.

TERI’s commitment towards sustainable development is also reflected in its’ buildings

construction. TERI RETREAT (Resource Efficient TERI Retreat for Environmental Awareness and
Training), Gurgaon, demonstrates the integration of energy-conscious features so as to practice
near-total energy autonomy and minimal resource depletion while providing a comfortable
lifestyle. One unique feature worth mentioning is the integration of the smart mini grid into its
design. A Smart Mini-Grid (SMG) is an intelligent electricity distribution network, operating at
or below 11 KV, where the energy demand is effectively and intelligently managed by diverse
range of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) such as solar PV, micro-hydro power plants, wind
turbines, biomass, small conventional generators such as diesel gensets etc. in combination
with each other through smart control techniques. RETREAT, the residential complex of TERI
Gram, Gual Pahari, hosts the first-of-its-kind Smart Mini-Grid in India.

The TERI Smart Mini-Grid facility combines the following distributed generation resources--3.3
kWp wind generator, 1 kWp thin-film solar PV, 12.5 kW solar PV, 100 kWe biomass gasifier, 600
Ah, 48 V storage battery, and a diesel generator. The diesel generator has been added to the
system to meet the intermittency of the renewable resources and hence ensure reliable power
supply. 2

Figure 1. Illustration on Smart mini grid system and status of the GRIHA rating

2 Smart Mini-Grid: An intelligent way to distribute clean energy,

http://www.teriin.org/index.php?option=com_ongoing&task=about_project&pcode=2008DG0
6 (As retrieved on 10/09/2014)
 2. Case Study of TERI Office, Bangalore3

The TERI office building is known to be the first complex in the city to integrate energy efficient
features making it an energy-efficient, eco-friendly sustainable space. The building with a built
up area of 2450 sq.m. is located in Domlur. The building was completed and occupied in 2001.
Some important building features have been highlighted below:

2.1. Site Planning

During the construction of any project, it is important to retain the native vegetation. The rating
systems also allot points based on the population of the native plants on the site. This is done
because these native species can survive just with the rainfall available in the city and don’t
demand for any additional water for landscaping. TERI’s building site shows conscious efforts
at retaining and planting of native species of plants and trees and keeping the lawn area smaller
(lawns consist of grass which in turn implies destruction of native species and consume more
water).

Figure 2. Site Plan of TERI office showing longer facades oriented towards the North and South

2.2. Passive Design

The design development of the building was dictated majorly by the open drain located on the
southern side of the site. The wind direction being south to north, the foul smelling breeze
hitting the site was a major problem that the architects had to resolve.

3
Mili Majumdar (ed.),2002, Energy-Efficient Buildings in India, New Delhi, India
To deal with this, the architects had to allow for a continuous reverse wind circulation system
for the structure. Thus the building was sited with longer facades orienting towards the North
and South to reduce the heat gain from East and West and benefit the glare free sunlight
available on the North. On the south, a two layered wall with a cavity serves as insulation from
the southern sun and heats the air within the cavity. The hot air in the cavity rises up, known as
chimney action, pulling in fresh air from the north. Another feature “Breeze wall” forces
predominant wind to the space and create air changes due to pressure difference. These
buoyancy driven techniques are very effective means of keeping the building well-ventilated.

Figure 3. Section through the office space showing Skylights and solar chimney

The entire fenestration of the building has been designed to lower dependence on artificial
lighting systems. Intermediate courtyards and skylight running through the center of the
building illuminates the heart of the building with natural light. The skylights were made of
tinted glass which reduces glare and make the environment visually comfortable. The lighting
fixtures, in the building are all energy-efficient luminaries. In addition to this, the north wall has
continuous strip windows which add to the natural light for reading in the library area.

The front façade (north wall) of the building with concrete louvers shade the wall and help in
maintain lower indoor temperatures. The eastern wall is a tall blank wall that cuts the noise
from the busy road on that side of the building. The roof was designed to be a roof garden
utilizing the ground cover that was disturbed during construction. This reduces solar radiation
and serves as insulation to the building. Also there exists a roof shed covering the open terrace
on the first floor which hosts the PV panels and the rain water collection pipes. This cover limits
the amount of direct radiation falling over the building, thus helping maintain comfortable
outdoor spaces on the terrace.

Figure 4. Shading for the North wall and lawns on the roof

2.3. Materials

The walls were constructed of fly ash concrete bricks, utilizing waste from the Steel Industry.
Coffered slabs were used instead of conventional ones to save concrete in terms of structural
columns. Locally available Sadarahalli granite was used to make the paved area outdoor.

2.4. Energy Efficiency:

The electrical features installed in the building are all highly energy efficient. The fans consist of
magnetic regulators and are highly efficient. Even the motors and the outdoor lamps consume
low energy contributing to the energy efficiency of the building.

Some other low energy techniques employed in the building design are solar chimney and earth
berming. As described earlier solar chimney action is a simple and a very effective passive
concept that plays an important role in keeping the building well-ventilated. Earth Berming was
done to the auditorium, where the soil was filled over the wall to keep the space cooler than
outside.

One of the features that made the building a highly energy efficient is integration of renewable
energy systems into the building. 2kWp solar photovoltaic panels have been installed on the
terrace roof shed generates electricity and serves as a source for lighting and fans. Solar water
heating panels with a capacity of 100l each placed on the roof are used to meet the hot water
demands of the kitchen and the guest rooms.
 2.5. Water Efficiency

Increasing global water crisis demands to use water resources smartly and efficiently. TERI
complex has an efficient rainwater harvesting scheme to ensure high water efficiency. A series
of open pipes running on the terrace roof shed collect the rain water which is then directed into
an underground tank (capacity=50,000 litres) through a system of pipes and drains. The run-off
water from the paved areas also flows into these drains and eventually into the tank. This water
is used for landscaping.

Figure 5. Solar PV installed on the roof shed and the rain water collection sump

2.6. Waste management

The daily waste generated is segregated at source level into dry and wet and is treated on site
to obtain manure which is then used for the plants on the site. This makes many fruit species
planted on site grow in an organic manner and be an integral part of ecological building.