Green buildings can save money, ecology
GO green was a dominant theme at the seminar, with panelists deliberating on the spinoff and economics of environment-friendly and energy-efficient structures.
Everon Project Consultants MD BK Bassi was of the view that nonconventional sources of energy can be used to lower the adverse impact of pollution near the
Everon Project Consultants MD BK Bassi was of the view that nonconventional sources of energy can be used to lower the adverse impact of pollution near the
surroundings.
He said, Power needs to be judiciously used in such projects, especially by companies in India where there is an acute shortage in the supply of power.
L&T joint general manager D Gnanasekar concurred with Bassi and held that the use of such materials could reduce steel consumption, thereby, saving energy.
He referred to the construction practices adopted in building the Hyderabad International Airport and said the model could be implemented easily. Preparation and design, resource and energy efficiency, water conservation, occupancy comfort and maintenance and builder education were the themes dealt at length by the industry experts.
As the discussion gained momentum, some of the other panelists aired their views on the need for sound planning right from the design stage. SHL Ventures COO Ravi Kiran gave examples of various ecofriendly materials that can be substituted for the regular ones. Wire-cut mud bricks can be used instead of hollow bricks. This would bring down the amount of heat generated, he said. Structural engineers and contractors present at the seminar dissected the cost issues as well. Tata Projects COO AK Mishra said, Many contractors do not opt for a green building as the initial investment would have to be upped by 20% to 30% compared to the normal buildings, he said.