1. The document discusses the importance and benefits of green building design as a way to promote sustainability and reduce environmental impacts from construction and building operations. 2. Key aspects of green building design discussed include efficient site planning, water and energy conservation, use of renewable energy sources like solar and wind, passive design principles, rainwater harvesting, and solid waste and wastewater management. 3. Green buildings are found to use 30-40% less water and energy compared to conventional buildings, while providing benefits like reduced costs, improved occupant health and productivity, and a smaller environmental footprint.

1. P.D. Aher, Dr. S.S.Pimplikar / International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications
(IJERA) ISSN: 2248-9622 www.ijera.com
Vol. 2, Issue 5, September- October 2012, pp.857-860
Green Building Design A Sustainable future
P.D. AHER*, DR. S.S.PIMPLIKAR**
*P.G. Student – M.E. (Construction & Management)
**Prof. & Head of Civil Engineering Dept.
MAEER‟S Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Pune-38
Abstract
In today’s age of urbanization the materials and construction practices; optimizes the
environment is being ignored by human beings. use of on –site sources and sinks by bio-climatic
Environmental imbalance is produced due to architectural practices; uses minimum energy to
different activities made by us. Construction power itself; uses efficient equipment to meet its
industry is doing a massive role in this. While lighting, air-conditioning, and other needs;
construction processes and after construction maximizes the use of renewable sources of energy;
due to faulty planning, pollution is created as uses minimum energy to power itself; uses efficient
well as lots of natural resources are wasted. waste and water management practices; and
Water scarcity is a major problem in front of provides comfortable and hygienic indoor working
society even though while using water for conditions. It is evolved through a design process
construction, gardening and other domestic that requires all concerned- the architect and
purposes proper care is not taken and water is landscape designer and the air conditioning,
wasted. In normal constructions proper care is electrical, plumbing, energy consultants –to work
not taken to save energy and energy is not as a team to address all aspects of building and
efficiently used. As demand of energy is system planning, design, construction and
increasing rapidly therefore there is excessive operation. They critically evaluate the impacts of
load on big thermal power projects, which adds each design decision on the environment and arrive
into the pollution. The water falling on the roof at viable design solutions to minimize the negative
top is not utilized in normal buildings. The impacts and enhance the positive impacts on the
waste produced in homes is also contributing to environment. In sum, the following aspects of the
pollution and in making un sanitary and building design are looked into in an integrated
unaesthetic atmosphere. A green building way in a green building
design provides solutions to all above-mentioned Following are the points that possess
problems and contributes in keeping the prime importance in design, construction and
environment clean and green. The study shows operations of a green building.
that Green Buildings are only way to a Proper site planning
sustainable future. Efficient use of water
Passive design of building
1. Introduction Rainwater harvesting
Green building is generally defined as a Use of Non-conventional energy.
building, which utilizes less external energy and is Saving energy
capable of producing ample amount of energy for Solid waste management
its intended use itself without causing harm to the Waste water management
environment. Green building is called energy
efficient building or eco-friendly building. 2. Site planning
These buildings are called green due to Site planning is the most important from
their similarity with trees…as trees generate their design point of view of green building. The site
food only by the use of sun light and air, these planning should be done by adopting the following
buildings are also capable of producing energy and techniques i.e. by preserving and protecting
utilizing it properly without damaging the landscape during construction, soil conservation
environment. and reduce air pollution during construction.[1]
A green building depletes the natural As per adopting the above techniques of proper site
resources to the minimum during its construction planning in green building design it will prevent
and operation. The aim of a green building design loss of soil during construction by storm
is to minimum during its construction and water runoff and/or wind erosion, including
operation. The aim of a green building design is to protecting topsoil by stockpiling reuse. Prevent
minimize the demand on non-renewable resources, sedimentation of storm sewer or receiving
maximize the utilization efficiency of these streams and/or air pollution with dust and
resources, when in use, and maximize the reuse, particulate matter. Hence fertility of the soil can
recycling, and the utilization of renewable maintained at site even after construction.
resources. It maximizes the use of efficient building
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2. P.D. Aher, Dr. S.S.Pimplikar / International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications
(IJERA) ISSN: 2248-9622 www.ijera.com
Vol. 2, Issue 5, September- October 2012, pp.857-860
3. Saving water Passive heating can be done by
Water is one of the essential following ways:-
requirement of human being. Saving water o Orientation for passive solar
is important principle of green building heating
design. As per TERI- GRIHA following o Passive solar shading
techniques should be adopted to save the o Locating heaters
water i.e. a) Reduction landscape water o Locating thermal mass
requirement by xeriscaping, drip irrigation o Air movement and comfort
and sprinkler irrigation. b) Reduce the
water use by the building with water 5. Rain water harvesting
efficient fixtures. [1] Rainwater harvesting is the
c) Efficient water use during construction. collection and storage of rain from roofs
As per saving water techniques or from a surface catchments for future
will help in maximizing water efficiency use. The water is generally stored in
within buildings to reduce the burden on rainwater tanks or directed into
municipal water supply and wastewater mechanisms, which recharge groundwater.
systems .Hence it will avoid wastage of This is appropriate in many parts of the
water contributing towards one of the world, such as western Britain, China,
principle of green building design. Brazil, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Germany,
Australia and India, where there is enough
4. Passive design rain for collection and conventional water
Passive design is design that does resources either do not exist or are at risk
not require mechanical heating or cooling. of being over-used to supply a large
Homes that are passively designed take population. [1]
advantage of natural energy flows to Rainwater harvesting
maintain thermal comfort. Passive design can provide lifeline water for human
consist of two types passive cooling and consumption, reduce water bills and the need
passive heating. [2] to build reservoirs, which may require the
use of valuable land.
4.1 Passive cooling:
Passive cooling maximizes the 6. Use of non-conventional energy
efficiency of the building envelope by 6.1 Solar energy
minimizing heat gain from the external Solar power is the technology of
environment and facilitating heat loss to obtaining usable energy from the light of
the following natural sources of cooling: the sun. Solar energy has been used in
 Evaporative cooling many traditional technologies for centuries
 Radiative cooling and has come into widespread use where
 Ground cooling other power supplies are absent, such as in
 Ventilation remote locations and in space. Switching
to solar helps protect florida‟s beautiful
and delicate environment, and reduceour
4.2 Passive solar heating dependence on fossil fuels. [1]
Passive solar heating is the direct  Solar energy can be currently used in a
use of sunlight for space heating. The number of applications:
concept is simple, but creating a 1) Heat (hot water, building heat, cooking)
successful installation may be complex. 2) Electricitygeneration (photovoltaic, heat
Passive solar heating is not a concept for engines)
casual experimentation, because failure is The solar photovoltaic (PV) systems
almost certain to leave a big mess. In are at work converting the suns radiation
general, the larger the fraction of the directly to electricity. They provide
building‟s heating that is provided by electricity to homeowners, ranchers, and
passive solar, the more complex the design farmers for TV, VCR, stereo, lighting,
must be to avoid adverse effects. Passive pumps, electric fences, and livestock
heating should include day lighting feeders, without connection to the power
wherever possible, since both involve the company. Hence it will prove free
controlled intake of solar energy through Inexhaustible Power, simplicity, low
glazing. maintenance, energy efficient, economical
and environmentally sound.
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3. P.D. Aher, Dr. S.S.Pimplikar / International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications
(IJERA) ISSN: 2248-9622 www.ijera.com
Vol. 2, Issue 5, September- October 2012, pp.857-860
6.2 Wind energy for it, and is not intended to be discharged
Wind power is the conversion of through a pipe. It does not normally
wind energy into more useful forms, include human excreta. It is generated by
usually electricity using wind turbines. domestic, commercial, industrial,
Most modern wind power is generated in healthcare, agricultural and mineral
the form of electricity by converting the extraction activities and accumulates in
rotation of turbine blades into electrical streets and public places. The words
current by means of an electrical “garbage”, “trash”, “refuse” and “rubbish”
generator. In windmills (a much older is used to refer to some forms of solid
technology) wind energy is used to turn waste. Compost is created by the
mechanical machinery to do physical decomposition of organic matter such as
work, like crushing grain or pumping yard waste. Compost systems confine
water. Wind energy is ample, renewable, compost so that it can receive air and
widely distributed, clean, and mitigates the create suitable temperatures for proper
greenhouse effect if used to replace fossil- decomposition into fertilizer.[1]
fuel-derived electricity. By adopting the above method of
 Use of small-scale wind turbines composting at domestic level will result in
This rooftop-mounted urban wind appropriate solid waste management due
turbine charges a 12 volt battery and runs which problem of collection and disposal
various 12 volt appliances within the of waste by Municipal corporation will be
building on which it is installed. Wind solved. Hence it will contribute towards
turbines can be used for household healthy and secure environment.
electricity generation in conjunction with
battery storage over many decades in 9. Grey water management
remote areas. Household generator units Greywater is defined as the
of more than 1 kW are now functioning in wastewater produced from baths and
several countries. showers, clothes washers, and lavatories.
Wind turbines can be used for The wastewater generated by toilets,
household electricity generation in kitchen sinks, and dishwashers are called
conjunction with battery storage black water. The primary method of
contributing towards green building greywater irrigation that will be discussed
design. As it has low noise levels, reliable is through sub-surface distribution.[4]
operation, value for money, minimized Types of Sub-surface distribution
visual intrusion compliance with all safety systems are
requirements both structural and electrical.  Evapotranspiration(ET) systems
 Shallow Trench
7. Saving energy  Shallow mound
The use of energy in a building
can be reduced by adopting some new As adopting the above method
techniques and equipments instead of reuse of water produced from bath, clothes
using old conventional equipments for washers except toilet for gardening
household works such as[2] purposes,etc.As using grey water for
 Solar water heater gardening will reduce the burden on
 Solar lantern Municipal water supply and wastewater
 Solar cooker systems .
 Use of biogas
As utilization of the above advanced 10. Green buildings Vs Conventional
equipment will definitely save Buildings
the energy and reduce the consumption of Externally, a green building and a
renewable resources such a gas, electricity, etc conventional building look alike. In terms
It proves to be economical and environment of functionality too, a green building is as
friendly. much functional as a normal building.
However the difference is the benefits that
8. Solid waste management a green building can provide.
Solid waste management includes
all activities that seek to minimize the
health, environmental and aesthetic
impacts of solid wastes. Solid waste can
be defined as material that no longer has
any value to the person who is responsible
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4. P.D. Aher, Dr. S.S.Pimplikar / International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications
(IJERA) ISSN: 2248-9622 www.ijera.com
Vol. 2, Issue 5, September- October 2012, pp.857-860
TANGIBLE BENEFITS:
 A green building consumes 30-
40% less water than a conventional
building.
 Energy consumption lesser by 40-50%.
o Enhanced productivity of occupants,
10-15% more than a conventional
building.
 Reduction in initial investments on equipment
and systems.
INTANGIBLE BENEFITS:
 Green corporate image.
 Health and safety of occupants.
 Enhanced occupant comfort.
Imbibe best operational practices from day-one.
Incremental cost of constructing a Green
building gets paid back in 3-5 years
Conclusion
In today‟s age where „Energy crisis‟ is
major problem. Green building gives brilliant
solution for this. These are designed to use
minimum energy. All the systems for cooling and
heating are designed such that they require very
less energy.
Green buildings are also capable of producing
electricity on domestic level with non-conventional
energy sources.
In today‟s era green buildings are essential as
environmental balance is very important for
survival and further development of human beings.
Green buildings are only way to a sustainable
future.
References:-
1. „TERI-GRIHA‟, (TERI–Green Rating for
Integrated Habitat Assessment), March
„LEED‟, (Green building rating system
version- 2, March 2000
2. “ ENERGY EFFICIENCY MANUAL”,
D. R. Wulfinghoff 1999
3. Article on “grey water gardening “,The
Horticultural Trades Association,
4. Horticulture House, 19 High Street, theale,
Reading Berkshire
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