Green Building Initiative: A Case Study of the SJVN Corporate Headquarters, Shimla, India

Abstract

The world is becoming more environmentally conscious and adopting sustainable design practices, thus green building is the need of the hour. The green building is an eco-friendly built environment, as it is based on the fundamental principle of 'reduce, reuse and recycle'. Similarly, a green building rating system is a method that tests the environmental efficiency of a building through its lifecycle. The paper attempts to create awareness about various green building rating systems prevalent in India and further elaborates the evaluation criterion of most widely used and predominant green building rating systems in India. It has been further explained better with a case study. The Shakti Sadan building is the corporate headquarters of a leading government company and the flag bearer of green architecture and sustainability in the remote hill state of Himachal Pradesh in India. The company that owns this building creates sustainable architecture by adopting techniques like minimum ground coverage, adopting building orientation in a way which allows maximum natural light penetration and ventilation. Also, other green measures taken organisation wide in building construction are renewable energy utilisation, solid waste management, storm and rain water drainage provision, use of sustainable building materials, good air quality, access to daylight and views, pleasant acoustic conditions, low flow fixtures of water, sensor-based indoor lighting to save electricity. The case study has been evaluated on a number of criteria including site parameters, microclimate impact, maintenance and housekeeping, energy, renewable energy utilisation, human health, achieving indoor comfort requirements and social aspects. This is the only building to date in the state of Himachal Pradesh in India to be awarded a four star rating in the year 2022.