Passive Design

Approach to
Sustainable Buildings
Jit Kumar Gupta
Former Chairman, Chandigarh Chapter, IGBC, Chandigarh
jit.kumar1944@[Link]
 Buildings- Context, Role and
Importance
• Buildings-- integral part of human history,
growth, development
• Buildings --continue to define future
journey of human growth
• Buildings-- manmade environment
• Buildings-- vital for human growth
• Buildings – are living organism
• Buildings – are structures catering to all
human activities
•
Buildings- Built Environment
Operational domain of Architects /Engineers revolves around:
• -- Siting,
• -- designing,
• --construction,
• --operation,
• -- maintenance
• --Demolition and
• -Reconstruction
• -creating state of art built environment.
• Professionals-- have critical role and responsibility to;
• --make value addition to resources ,environment ,ecology
• -- by creating sustainable built environment.
• Considering implications of Buildings-- resources,
environment and ecology
-- Going green
-- a necessity - to ensure sustainable tomorrow
-Each building unique--requires different options to make it green
 BUILDINGS --AS CONSUMERS OF RESOURCES

•Built environment– significantly impact environment /consumption of

resources/generators of waste/climate change/rising temperature:

16% of world’s fresh water withdrawal.

25% of wood harvested.
30% of consumption of raw material.
50% of global energy consumption.
35% of world's CO2 emission
40% of Municipal solid waste.
50% of Ozone depleting CFC’s still in use.
30% of residents having sick building syndrome
• --70% of global warming outcome of ;
•--built environment & transportation
-- Majority of existing buildings
--- low concern for energy conservation.
Implications of Built Environment

•
Need for Sustainable Buildings
Annual addition of 700-900 msqm- built space ;
---global energy/ environment implications critical.
Buildings--must be designed with utmost care/
considerations for—
-- energy/ sustainability/ resources/pollution.
 Large reduction of-- energy consumption/ water/
resources/ green house gas emission possible by;
 Adopting integrated approach to creating built environment.
 Evolving climatic responsive building designs
 Using Energy efficient equipment/technologies.
 Retro fitting existing buildings
• -- To make buildings sustainable –
• -- a new field -- "green building" -- gaining momentum
• --SDG calls for
• --Promoting Energy efficient buildings,
• ----Net Zero energy buildings and
• -- Green Rated Buildings
SDG 11- Make cities / human settlements-
inclusive ,safe, resilient and sustainable
Defining- Green Buildings
 Tangible Benefits
• Reduce operating costs
• Optimize life cycle
economic performance
– Sustained savings

HPCL-Admin Building, Vizag

 Energy savings: up to 50 %
 Water savings: up to 40 %
 In-tangible Benefits of Green Design
• Environmental benefits
– Reduce impact on environment

• Health and Safety benefits

– Enhance occupant comfort

• Improve Productivity of occupants

ISRO-NRSC, Shadnagar, Hyderabad

Advantages of Green Buildings
 Green Buildings-
life cycle costs
Initial Cost
Maintenance/ 10%
Consumables 1%

Operating Cost 89%

Cost of Green Buildings-Indian Experience
Building Year Built-in Area Rating % Payback
awarded ([Link]) Achieved Increase (Yrs)
in cost
CII-Godrej GBC, 2003 20,000 Platinum 18 % 7 years
Hyderabad

ITC Green Centre, 2004 1,70,000 Platinum 15 % 6 years

Gurgaon

Wipro, 2005 1,75,000 Platinum 8% 5 years

Gurgaon
Technopolis, Kolkata 2006 72,000 Gold 6% 3 years

Spectral Services 2007 15,000 Platinum 8% 4 years

Consultants Office, Noida

Kalpataru Square 2008 3,00,000 Platinum 2% 2 years

Suzlon One Earth, Pune 2010 8,00,000 Platinum 2% 2 years

 Cost showing a decreasing trend over the years

 Incremental Cost lower-- if base design has already factored normal Green features
•DESIGNING GREEN
•BUILDINGS
 Designing Green Buildings
i Decision to Build Green - taken initially in design process for:
• --Maximizing green potential
• --Minimizing re-design
• --Assured overall success and
• --Achieving economic viability of Green Building Project
• Ii. Setting Green Goals/ Objectives for:
• -Energy Efficiency
• --Water consumption
• --On site treatment of rain/storm water
• --Material/ Resource management
• --Construction waste Management
iii. Building a Green Team-
• --Hiring a design team of-- Architect, Engineering Consultants with
expertise, knowledge, experience, understanding of Green Concept
• Iv Adopting an Integrated Approach to Design-
• v Key Principles /Strategies-
• i Sustainable built environment,
• Ii Water/waste management ,
• Iii Energy Management,
• Iv Material/ Resource Management and
• V Indoor air Quality
 Passive Design/ Green Building
• Passive Design/Green building design involves :
• i. Designing building in harmony with nature– using natural resources
ii. Optimizing use of site potential
• iii Specify 'green' building materials sourced locally
• Iv Reducing structural loads---
• V Optimize systems--- HVAC
• Vi Generating on-site renewable energy.
vii Finding balance between building and environment
viii Promoting energy reduction
• ix Preparing plans with energy as focus,
• x Making best use of sun and wind energy
xi Involving cooperation of design team at all stages– Architects,
Engineers, Promoters
• xii Minimizing water consumption
• xiii Using non-toxic, sustainable materials
• xiv Preserving/promoting environment in design, construction and operation
• xv Promoting quality of life-- of occupants in design, construction and operation
xvi Promoting re-use and recycling
xvii Ensuring Good indoor environmental air quality
Green Building practice expands/ complements
- economy,
-utility,
-durability,
-comfort.
 Passive Design/Designing Green Buildings
• 1. Adopting integrated approach to building design
• 2. Design based on Climate
• Macro Climate – Regional climate; Meso Climate– local climate
• Micro Climate--Site climate -- based on site characteristics,
• 3. Orientation -- to optimize light , heat gain/ heat loss

• 4. Sun movement-- to maximizes use of free solar energy for heating /lighting

• [Link] direction---using air movement for ventilation/ cooling

• 6. Planning of Building-- optimize site, size, shape, planning spaces, allocating

uses, placing rooms, circulation, promoting building efficiency, promoting natural
sunlight, air / ventilation

• [Link] Building Envelop--– Mass – space relationships/ solids/voids,

positioning –openings/projections, shading devices, height, shape of building, natural
lighting and ventilations etc

• 8. Materials- low embodied energy; locally ; natural form, lightweight

9.-Technology- cost effective/material efficient/speedier/energy efficient

• [Link] Air Quality-Creating optimum living conditions for occupants
Indian Way of approaching design
• Rediscovery of Indian ethos
– We worship 5 elements of Nature (Panchabhutas)
Prithvi (Earth) Sustainable Sites

Jal (Water) Water Efficiency

Agni (Energy) Energy Efficiency

Vayu (Air) Indoor Environmental Quality

Akash (Sky) Daylight

Water body Local materials Daylighting

Views
Focus Areas: Green Buildings
•Climatic Zones in
India
 CLIMATIC ZONES AND
THEIR CHARACTERISTICS
•
INDIAN CLIMATIC ZONES
 Integrated Design Process
 Five Climatic Zones In India-
 Hot and Dry
 Warm and Humid
 Moderate / Temperate
 Cold (Cloudy/Sunny)
 Composite
 All green buildings need not-- to be same
All zones have specific requirements regarding:
--light,
--heat,
--ventilation and
--thermal comfort
Different zones require different design strategies regarding --
building envelop,
 --HVAC,
 -- Lighting ,
 -- Fenestration,
 -- Performance standards
•Site
•Analysis
 Site Analysis- Factors considered

i) Understanding Site
ii) Location
iii) Orientation- rising sun- position of a building in relation to an east-west axis.
iv) Wind direction
v) Soil conditions
vi) Topography
vii) Vegetation and Natural Features
viii) Hydrology and Precipitation
ix) Infrastructures
x) Surrounding Land uses & Buildings
xi) Vision / Visual Linkages
Site Analysis
Orientation &
Buildings
Understanding/Valuing Sun
- NORTH, SOUTH, EAST,
WEST; SUN & WIND
patterns.
--Orientation – a
Technique for improving
thermal comfort inside
building.
Orientation- critical for
planning /Designing
Buildings
-Optimizes heating /
cooling needs throughout
building.
Planning for spaces in buildings
TOWER OF SHADOWS
 Energy
Implications of
buildings
Energy Efficiency
 Energy Efficiency
• Green buildings reduce energy consumption in two ways-
• i. Embodied energy- extract, process, transport and install building materials and
• Ii. Operating energy-- to provide services to make buildings operational-- such as
heating, lighting, air conditioning, ventilation and power for equipment.
• High-performance buildings use less operating energy,
• Embodied Energy importance – upto 15.7 % of total energy consumption.
• For reducing Embodied energy –Use local materials/ materials in natural form- which
consume less energy for manufacturing --buildings made of wood have lower
embodied energy than steel/concrete
• For reducing Operating energy –--reduce air leakage through building envelop
• --Specify high-performance windows
• --Provide extra insulation in walls, ceilings, and floors.
• -- use Passive solar building design
• -- Orient windows and walls rationally ,
• -- Use trees shade windows /roofs during summer for cutting sun- in hot areas/zones
• - while ensuring maximizing solar gain in winter- in cold areas
• -- effective window placement (day lighting)-- to provide more natural light /reduce need
for electric lighting during day.
• -- Solar water heating reduces energy costs.
• --Onsite generation of renewable energy through solar power wind power, hydro power
or biomass significantly reduce environmental impact Of building
Energy efficiency- Embodied energy
Building Envelop-
Heat Loss/Gain,
Cooling
Natural Light,
Ventilation
Building Envelope
 Building Envelope
• Building envelope;
• -Divides – natural / Manmade Environment
--First line of defense- against natural forces – rain , heat,
cold, storm
• -- Barrier between interior/exterior of a building
• - controls exchange of air/water/heating/ cooling in
interior.
• -Components constituting Envelope; Roof, Walls, Doors,
Windows, Foundations, Projections, Recesses, Louvers;
shading devices
• --Envelop- Involves structural loads , air, heat, moisture
loads.
• Colour/texture- contributes to heat gain/loss within
Efficiency of Building Envelope
 Solar Shading
• Solar control / shading --directly impact -- energy efficiency

• --cooling load minimized to one-fourth of building’s load.

• -Shading devices – fins/ chajjas (overhangs) designed

• --to get a minimum exposure of sun in summer

• -- while allowing winter sun inside the space.

• -- helps in regulating /reducing electrical load on building.

• -- Solar orientation important -- while designing an effective

shading device.

• -- Some solar shading elements -- trees, hedges, overhangs,

vertical fins, low-shading coefficient glass, blinds, and
louvers
 Solar shading
• .
Planning with
wind
•Designing
with Regional
Climate
•Hot & Dry
Climate
 Hot and Dry Climate Zone-
Comfort requirements and
Physical manifestations in Buildings
Thermal Requirements Physical Manifestation
Reduce Heat Gain
Decrease exposed surface area Orientation and shape of building
Increase thermal resistance Insulation of building envelope/roof/walls
Increase thermal capacity (Time lag) Massive structure
Decrease air exchange rate Smaller windows openings, night ventilation
(ventilation during the day)
Increase buffer spaces Air locks/lobbies/balconies/verandahs
Increase shading External surfaces protected-overhangs, fins, trees

Increase surface reflectivity Pale colour, glazed china mosaic tiles etc.
Reduce solar heat gain Use glazing with lower Solar Heat Gain Co-
efficient-SHGC and provide shading for windows.
Minimize glazing in East and West
Promote Heat Loss
Increase air exchange rate Courtyards/wind tower/arrangement of openings
(ventilation during night-time)
 Hot and Dry Climate Zone-
Comfort requirements and Physical manifestations in Buildings
Cavity Walls
Understanding Orientation
 INDIGENOUS HUMAN HABITAT INDIA
A Product of evolution in response to ecological context

Jaiselmer (Hot dry desert India)

( Max. +52 C )
Wind Towers
•HOT& HUMID
•ZONE
Warm and Humid Climate
Zone
 Warm and Humid
Climate Zone
Thermal Requirements Physical Manifestation
Reduce Heat Gain
Decrease exposed surface area Orientation and shape of building
Increase thermal resistance insulation of Roof and wall
Reflective surface of roof
Increase buffer spaces Balconies and verandahs
Increase shading Walls, glass surfaces protected by overhangs,
fins and trees
Increase surface reflectivity Pale colour, glazed china mosaic tiles etc.
Reduce solar heat gain Use glazing with lower SHGC and provide
shading for windows. Minimize glazing in East
and West
Promote Heat Loss
Increase air exchange rate (ventilation during Ventilated roof construction, courtyards/
night-time) wind tower and arrangement of openings
Decrease humidity levels Dehumidifiers/desiccant cooling
Warm and Humid Climate Zone
Comfort requirements and Physical manifestations in
Buildings
•MODERATE
•CLIMATE
 Moderate/Temperate Climate Zone
Comfort requirements and Physical
manifestations in Buildings
Thermal Requirements Physical Manifestation

Reduce Heat Gain

Decrease exposed surface area Orientation and shape of building

Increase thermal resistance Roof insulation and East and West wall
insulation

Increase shading East and West

Walls, glass surfaces protected by overhangs,
fins and trees

Increase surface reflectivity Pale colour, glazed china mosaic tiles etc.

Promote Heat Loss

Increase air exchange rate (ventilation) Courtyards and arrangement of openings

Moderate/Temperate Climate Zone
Comfort requirements and Physical
manifestations in Buildings
•COMPOSITE
•CLIMATE
 Composite Climate Zone-
Comfort requirements and Physical
manifestations in Buildings
Thermal Requirements Physical Manifestation
Reduce Heat Gain in Summer and Reduce Heat Loss in Winter
Decrease exposed surface area Orientation and shape of building. Use of trees as wind
barriers.
Increase thermal resistance Roof insulation, wall insulation
Increase thermal capacity (Time Lag) Thicker walls
Increase buffer spaces Air locks/Balconies
Decrease air exchange rate Weather stripping (
Increase shading Walls, glass surfaces protected by overhangs, fins and
trees
Increase surface reflectivity Pale color, glazed chins mosaic tiles, etc.
Reduce solar heat gain Use glazing with lower SHGC and provide shading for
windows. Minimize glazing in East and West

Promote Heat Loss in Summer/Monsoon

Increase air exchange rate (Ventilation) Courtyards/wind towers/arrangement of openings
Increase humidity levels in dry summer Trees and water ponds for evaporative cooling
Decrease humidity in monsoon Dehumidifiers/desiccant cooling
Composite Climate Zone-
•COLD
•CLIMATE
 Cold (Cloudy/Sunny) Climate
Zone- Comfort requirements and
Physical manifestations in Buildings
Thermal Requirements Physical Manifestation
Reduce Heat Loss
Decrease exposed surface area Orientation and shape of building. Use of
trees as wind barriers.
Increase thermal resistance Roof insulation, wall insulation and double
glazing
Increase thermal capacity (Time Lag) Thicker walls
Increase buffer spaces Air locks/Lobbies
Decrease air exchange rate Weather stripping and reducing air
leakage.
Increase surface absorption Darker colours
Promote Heat Gain
Reduce shading Wall and glass surfaces

Trapping heat Sun spaces/green houses/trombe walls

etc.
Cold (Cloudy/Sunny) Climate
Zone- Comfort requirements and
Physical manifestations in Buildings
Cold (Cloudy/Sunny) Climate Zone
LADHAKH MONASTRIES
LOCATION OF CITY
TROMBE WALL
Case Studies
Low Impact Design
COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE
VICTORIA HALL KOLKATA

SECRETARIAT
 Bahrain World Trade Center -
Bahrain

• Generating 15% energy from windmills

• Two 240 meter twin sky scrapers joined by
three windmill--, each 3 meters wide, attached to
walkways
PEARL RIVER TOWER- GUANGZHOU, CHINA
NET ZERO ENERGY BUILDING

YEAR OF COMPLETION- 2011

SITE AREA-10635SQ.M.
PROJECT AREA- 214,100SQ.M.
(2.3MILLION [Link].)
NO. OF STORIES- 71
HEIGHT OF BUILDING-309 M
ENERGY EFFICIENCY ACHIEVED
THROUGH
SOLAR PANELS
PHOTO VOLTAIC CELLS
WIND TURBINES
DAY LIGHT HARVESTING
DOUBLE SKIN CURTAIN WALLS
CHILLED CEILING WATER
UNDER FLOOR VENTILATION
Godrej Sohrab ji Building- Hyderabad-
India’s first platinum rated building
ELEMENTS OF ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDING DESIGN - 1
 ‘A Green building makes you
Happy, Healthy and More Productive
-Provides highest quality of indoor environment
-Optimizes Resources, , Reduces Waste,
- Reduces Carbon Footprints
-makes building operations cost effective and energy efficient-
create win-win situation for owner; occupant; user; tenant
- – ‘Natural Capitalism’
 Stay Healthy
Stay Safe

Go Green!
Visit [Link]
Jit.kumar1944@[Link]