Green Building - A Net Zero Revolution at Luthra Corporate Building

-Mr. Girish Luthra, Chairman, Luthra Group

Our Company is keenly employed in shaping “Green India” and has started “Green Building” project for lessening carbon footprint. Green building is basically associated with creating an eco-friendly infrastructure by adopting strategies for reducing total energy consumption and carbon emission. 

Facade of our two-storey corporate building is constructed using Nexion Tiles which improves the overall performance of building by balancing the heat gain and external noise. Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) with capacities of 800, 1000, and 2000 CMH (cubic meters per hour) makes the premises cooler by recovering moisture and heat from the exhaust air and cooling the incoming fresh air. Moreover, split AC are placed at all over the steadily occupied areas which maintains 22-26°C temperature and 40-60% of relative humidity. All ERVs are distant at least 8 meter or 25 feet away from each other. ERVs also minimizes load on split AC systems.

Sufficient care was taken while selecting LED to make the interiors energy efficient reducing proposed lightening power density (L.D.P) from 10.8 W/sq.m. to 6.5 W/sq.m. Occupancy sensor-based lighting system allows turning on of the light only when area is occupied which minimizes the usage of electricity. Central courtyard has a sky light and is made up of glass, permitting visualization of outdoor view in more than 80% regularly occupied areas. Luminescence level of 300 lux is maintained by allowing entry of 30%, 32% and 41% of daylight on ground, first and second floor respectively.

Building Management System (BMS) is set up to control and monitor AC systems, lighting systems, speakers, CCTV and fire alarms. A scheduled timings are set in BMS for lighting and AC system where it gets switched on at 8.30 am every morning and switched off at 6.15 pm every evening in all areas except cabins and meeting rooms.

Office infrastructure such as workstations, cabin furniture, over-head storage units, chairs etc. are designed as per ergonomic standard- ISO TC159. Ninety percent of the internal furniture of the building is eco-certified, purchased either from Herman Miller or Sunon. Old furniture like wooden table and lounge chair are bought from Alang shipyard or old premises and was reused after refurbishing. Even, old paintings from Alang site are purchased, re-furbished and reutilized. Considering the importance of environmental sustainability, company has decided to retain interior fits-out for 5 years which will reduce the magnitude of material consumption. Moreover, plastic free interior fit outs are used.

Conductive heat gain from the roof area is also minimized by employing china mosaic tiles and elevated solar PV system. Construction planning of the building is beautifully executed allowing 70.64% space of the total carpet area of ground, first as well as second floor for movement of the individuals. 

Installation of efficient water fixture such as sensor flush valve for urinal, sensor faucet for wash basin with water saving aerator, minimizes dependence on municipal and bore water, ensuring 44.67% baseline water consumption. 

Installation of variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) HVAC technology of 264 HP equipped with R410 eco-friendly refrigerants which is non-CFC (Chloro Fluoro Carbons) and non- HCFC (Hydro Chloro Fluoro Carbons) based refrigerants, in the entire building further lessens environmental impact. Even the fire suppression system employed are free from halons or any other ozone depleting substances.

On the ground floor isolated dining area is constructed to prevent contamination from indoor working space. Ample of indoor plants are planted which improves the quality of internal air. Ekam Eco greenpro certified housekeeping chemicals as well as recyclable papers are used. To control the movement of indoor and outdoor pollutants, rolling mats are placed at the entrance of the building. Entire waste generated in the building is collected centrally at ground floor and hand-over to the recycler as per the agreement. Dry waste dustbins are provided in each cabin and workstations whereas wet waste dustbins are kept at the washroom and the dining areas. Plastic waste is collected in the dustbin near the pantry whereas E-waste is collected in the store room on 2nd floor. 

Employees further contribute to cutting environmental impact linked with automobile as around 82% of the individuals comes either by bus or by carpool. Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) has certified us with Platinum Certificate for creating net-zero carbon infrastructure.

Installation of efficient water fixture such as sensor flush valve for urinal, sensor faucet for wash basin with water saving aerator, minimizes dependence on municipal and bore water, ensuring 44.67% baseline water consumption. 

Installation of variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) HVAC technology of 264 HP equipped with R410 eco-friendly refrigerants which is non-CFC (Chloro Fluoro Carbons) and non- HCFC (Hydro Chloro Fluoro Carbons) based refrigerants, in the entire building further lessens environmental impact. Even the fire suppression system employed are free from halons or any other ozone depleting substances.

On the ground floor isolated dining area is constructed to prevent contamination from indoor working space. Ample of indoor plants are planted which improves the quality of internal air. Ekam Eco greenpro certified housekeeping chemicals as well as recyclable papers are used. To control the movement of indoor and outdoor pollutants, rolling mats are placed at the entrance of the building. Entire waste generated in the building is collected centrally at ground floor and hand-over to the recycler as per the agreement. Dry waste dustbins are provided in each cabin and workstations whereas wet waste dustbins are kept at the washroom and the dining areas. Plastic waste is collected in the dustbin near the pantry whereas E-waste is collected in the store room on 2nd floor. 

Employees further contribute to cutting environmental impact linked with automobile as around 82% of the individuals comes either by bus or by carpool. Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) has certified us with Platinum Certificate for creating net-zero carbon infrastructure.