LEED Gold for Netmagic Data Centre, Chennai

Netmagic Solutions Pvt. Ltd., a managed IT hosting service provider contributed to the dream of a Greener India by earning a LEED Gold for Commercial Interiors (CI) for its Chennai data centre from the US Green Building Council (USGBC). This is India’s first data centre to have received this coveted rating.

Netmagic’s Chennai data centre has embraced several green features to make the premise truly energy-efficient. The additional cost of incorporating these much-needed features was less than 10%.

Green Attributes

This consists of a long list that includes site ecology, water conservation, smart energy meters and equipment, reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, recycled content, effective waste management, eco-friendly interiors and so on.

• Site ecology has been maintained by reusing the evacuated top soil for landscaping.
• There is a rain water harvesting system that collects rain water for landscape irrigation and toilet flushing; and a 50% reduction in potable water consumption has been achieved by using water efficient fittings and water meters.
• Dependence on fossil fuels has been reduced by providing carpool facilities, bicycles and alternate fuel options through provision of electric vehicle charging points.
• The lighting system has a lighting power density of 0.69 W/Sqft as against 1 W/Sqft for office space.
• The roof has been treated with high reflective paint to minimize heat ingress and has brought about a 3-4 Degree Centigrade reduction in temperature in the indoor spaces.
• The furniture, seating, carpet, glass, composite wood, aluminium, false ceiling, etc is made of recyclable material.
• All paints, adhesives, furniture, carpets and housekeeping chemicals are eco-friendly and free of harmful components.
• Waste bins for different categories of waste have been provided.
• It is a ‘No Smoking’ premise with several operable windows to facilitate cross ventilation.
• Occupants have been provided with task lighting and lighting control to ensure better comfort and high productivity.
• Energy meters have been installed to measure and monitor energy consumption of the building. An overall 20% higher energy efficiency has been achieved through these innovative energy efficiency measures integrated right at the design stage.

LEED Platinum for ConAgra Foods

ConAgra Foods' Lamb Weston sweet potato processing facility in Delhi, Louisiana, received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification from the US Green Building Council (USGBC).

The plant, started in September 2010, primarily processes sweet potatoes from Louisiana and the surrounding states’ prime sweet potato-growing regions, and was built from the ground up using the latest and best processing and packaging technologies.

The ConAgra says that this Lamb Weston Delhi facility is the first frozen food manufacturing plant in the world to be conferred LEED Platinum. To earn a LEED certification, a building is evaluated by the USGBC on a number of criteria: sustainable sites (protecting the environment), water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and the innovation and design process.

Notable green features of the Lamb Weston plant include:

• The entire plant is climate controlled to increase worker productivity, safety and comfort. Climate control in such a hot, humid environment includes reduction of condensation build up and water on the floors, reducing slip and fall and hazards.


• Materials low in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) are used, such as in carpeting, cleaning products and paints. This brings down occupant exposure to airborne pollutants.


• Energy-saving equipment is projected to save 40% of the annual energy consumed at a comparable plant. By identifying and recovering potential wasted energy within the building systems and processes, energy demand is greatly reduced.


• Biogas, produced by treating waste water, is piped back to the plant boilers to produce steam. This process is expected to offset approximately 20% of the annual natural gas requirement of the plant, and prevents methane, a harmful greenhouse gas, from entering the atmosphere.


• More than 100 acres of the property will be maintained as open space, including protected wetlands, ponds and restored native vegetation. Water is conserved outside the building through landscaping with native plant species that require no irrigation once established.


• Priority parking is provided for the low-emission and fuel efficient vehicles like hybrids and electric cars.

ACREX India 2011 by ISHRAE

ACREX India is the largest biannual International Exhibition and Conference catering to the Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, Ventilation and Building Services' Industries. Following the success wings of ACREX India 2010 with 300 exhibitors and 20,000 visitors and delegates, ACREX India 2011 is scheduled to be held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India from 24th to 26th Feb 2011.

In its 12th edition, ACREX India 2011 will surpass all previous performances and is set to offer a perfect stage for industry get-together with a focus on future trends. ACREX INDIA will provide an ideal platform for exchange of ideas among professionals and an opportunity to showcase latest products, trends & innovations in the industry.

Organizer

This exhibition is being organized by Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air Conditioning Engineers (ISHRAE), the largest national body of Engineering Professionals connected with the Indian HVAC&R industry and supported by a large number of professional societies from India and abroad.

Highlights

• ACREX India 2011 will be the largest ACREX India show held so far, showcased over an area of 30,000 sq.m. at Pragati Maidan, and intends to attract more than 50,000 business visitors.
• It will host series of technical workshops covering a spectrum of technology, opportunities, challenges and concerns facing the HVAC&R industry.
• International participation is expected from Germany, Denmark, France, U.K., Italy, Turkey, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, USA, UAE, Japan, China and Malaysia.
• This event has also attracted a number of sponsors and partners, which include several leading companies from the industry like Carrier, Blue Star, Schneider, DAIKIN, Notifier, Danfoss, Norfolk, SPC Heat Pipes, Tomkins, Armacell, UP Twiga, Easyflex, Cooper Safety, K-FLEX and JCI.

ACREX India 2011 – Workshop

ACREX India 2011 includes workshops in parallel sessions at Hall 7 & Hall 8 of Pragati Maidan. These workshops will be very useful and cover the following topics.

• Low Carbon Communities: Design & Applications
• Healthcare facilities design
• Design Approach to Net Zero Energy Buildings
• Cold Chain: from farm to display
• Harnessing Geothermal Energy
• Smoke Management in tall buildings
• Data centre design and best practices
• Emerging HVAC Technologies - Chilled Beam, Underfloor, Displacement, DOAS
• High Performance Building Design - Basic
• High Performance Building Design - Advanced

Target Visitors

• Architects
• Interior Designers and Consultants
• Engineering Companies
• Project Managers
• Facility Managers
• Developers of Buildings and Infrastructure
• End Users from the private and public sector for Residential, Commercial and Industrial buildings
• Plumbers
• Electricians
• Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers
• Heating & Ventilation Engineers / Contractors
• Wholesalers
• Distributors
• After Sales and Maintenance Contractors

Exhibitors’ Profiles

• Building automation
• Cabling systems
• Heating and domestic hot water
• Air-conditioning & air treatment
• Quality of energy
• Power supply
• Lighting management
• Renewable energies
• Facilities management operation and maintenance
• Energy suppliers and distributors
• Refrigeration
• Building management systems
• Measurement-monitoring
• Voice-Data-Image Networks
• Safety
• Security
• Fire safety & access control
• Ventilation

Green Buildings Asia - 2011

The second chapter of Green Buildings Asia, an annual conference on design and construction strategies for Green Buildings of the future, will be held from 22nd to 25th February 2011, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Singapore. This green conference will be organized by IBC Asia (S) Pte Ltd.

This conference will focus on critical issues, global trends and cutting edge solutions associated with Green Buildings and Sustainable Architecture in Asia. It will provide an update on latest government policies and initiatives driving the growing Green Building industry while examining related sustainability products, technologies and practices in green roofing, mobility systems and energy-efficient building systems.

This conference paves the way to meet regional authorities, industry leaders as well as experts who will share their sustainability strategies and award-winning designs that contribute to the betterment of the built environment.

Pre-Conference Workshop [Day-1]

The pre-conference workshop will be conducted on 22nd Feb, 2011, as a day-long event. This workshop will set the focus on strategies for the transformation of existing buildings into Green Buildings within shorter time frames and with less investment when compared to demolition and re-building.

This workshop will equip attendees with the following know-how.

• The cost benefit of retrofitting existing buildings


• An in-depth understanding of the retrofit assessment models for different infrastructures


• Preparing the groundwork for retrofit work


• A look at green retrofit processes.

Day Two

Rani Virdee will open day two (23rd Feb) of the conference with a session on ‘Enhancing Green Buildings Materials with Carbon Neutral Profiling’, discussing:

• The role of green building materials in reducing the carbon footprint of a green building


• The requirements to complete LCA of buildings materials


• The percentage reductions in overall carbon emissions that can be achieved during construction by using Carbon-neutral Green concrete?

Case studies of several green and sustainable buildings will be discussed in this conference.

Post-Conference Workshop [Day-4]

A post-conference workshop will be conducted on 25th Feb., 2011, highlights of which will be the following.

• Attendees can become part of the committee setting the practical agenda for the next wave of leadership for 2011


• There will be scope for collaboration to re-invent businesses and unlock opportunities


• A chance to establish strategic industry linkages through shared projects and strategies

Attendees of Green Buildings Asia

• Architects
• Property Developers
• Real Estate Companies
• Urban Planners
• Building and Property Owners
• Government Officials and Authorities
• Construction and Engineering Companies
• Facilities and Property Management Companies
• Energy and Green Technology Solution Providers
• Venture Capitalists
• Banks and Finance Companies
• Real Estate and Property Consultants

Another Green Wonder in Glass: Mudra House

The Mudra Group, one of India’s leading advertising and media agencies, recently unveiled its new office complex, another architectural marvel in glass.

This new Mudra House is located opposite the Grand Hyatt in Mumbai. And as a manner of exemplifying its philosophy of creative collaboration across units, this new office building has been constructed to provide workspaces to over 450 Mudra employees under a single roof. And with a LEED Gold certification form the IGBC, the building has a lot more to be proud of than just dimension.

The 8-storeyed office complex of the Mudra Group sports a combination of glass and red brick tiles on the exterior, giving it unmatched aesthetic appeal. There are two levels of valet parking in the basement, with a capacity of 120 cars. The parking area has been fitted with numerous electrical points as a provision for recharging battery-operated cars.

The Mudra Complex embraces modern architectural design through the generous use of glass on its exteriors, and remains in sync with tradition through artwork displays in the interiors.

The lobby of the building illustrates a description of life in contemporary times, using traditional ‘Warli’ art. This style of art can be seen on each floor of the Complex, in different forms. The Warli art on each floor gives a feel of the ambience within that particular space. Or instance, the workspace is depicted by simple triangle-and-dots figures that vividly capture day-to-day workstation activities. Warli art is also seen on the upholstery, on signage and floor coverings of every floor. The art infuses the ‘Spirit of Community’ throughout the building.

The eighth floor at Mudra House is worth a special mention. This floor that houses Executive Board Members represents exceptional sophistication in its interior design and provides each cabin with a bird’s eye view of Mumbai city. The conference room located on the same floor can accommodate 25 people and has an automatic foldable door that opens up into the adjacent room to create more space when required.

Mudra House is equipped with 1 gigabit IP Telephony, a full blown Unified Communications (UC) system, Video Conferencing (VC) and Audio Visual (AV) facilities, an access control system, a CCTV network and Intelligent Building Management System (IBMS), where the control system is a computerized, intelligent network of electronics, designed to monitor and control the mechanical and lighting systems of the building. In addition, the architecture has incorporated several energy efficient features into the complex.

In addition to the work areas, Mudra House has a recreation area with facilities for table tennis, billiards, and a gymnasium in addition to a cafeteria and a library.

Best Green Building MIPIM Asia Award 2010 - Parkview Green

The MIPIM Asia Awards are given to real estate projects in the Asia-Pacific region that stand out for innovation in design and excellence in energy performance, among other criteria. There are eight categories of awards that are given away, and the 2010 awards were given away at Hong Kong, on November 10th.

Honours for Parkview Green

Parkview Green was one of three awardees under the Green Building Category. This is the first time a Chinese project has won this Green Building honour. This exemplifies China’s active participation in building a green future. Parkview Green also has the pre-certified LEED® Platinum for core and shell from the USGBC. On completion, it is all set China’s first LEED® Platinum certified urban mixed-use development.

Parkview Green

Parkview Green FangCaoDi is a building that houses world-class shopping centres, Grade-A office complexes and a boutique hotel. Located in Beijing, China, it was designed by Integrated Design Associates (IDA) and given life by developers Beijing Chyau Fwu Properties Ltd.

Parkview Green assumes a unique pyramidal structure with both aesthetic and functional appeal. The building comprises four towers - two 9-storey & two 18-storey towers. Four of these towers are meant primarily for Grade-A office space. There is 82000sq m of office space in total for multiple tenants, connected by air bridges. There is also a commercial business space, a 100 room boutique hotel and 50,000m2 of luxury retail.

The Shield

All four towers are enclosed by a transparent environmental shield. This shield is made of steel, glass walls and an ETFE membrane system roof, and is controlled by an automated Building Management System. The double-glass skin creates an air chamber that stores the thermal energy and reduces energy footprint. It also forms a natural ventilation system that circulates fresh air between the ceilings and floors, allowing the building to “breathe” easily and naturally.

The climate inside the shield is relatively uniform. The shield increases thermal insulation, thus reducing energy consumption. It limits the need for air conditioning in summer and reduces heat loss during winter.

Ventilation louvers are installed at the top of the envelope. These act as chimneys, allowing the warmest air to escape and creating an upward flow of air. As the air escapes, cooler air is drawn up from the bottom of the building, allowing for air movement and natural ventilation.

With its sustainable architectural design, Parkview Green FangCaoDi saves up to 44% in energy consumption and 48% in water consumption. Parkview Green can also recycle 81% of its construction waste material. Moreover, 25% of its total building construction material is made up of recycled content.

More on Parkview

Parkview sports a 236-metre pedestrian bridge that spans the complex, offering a bird’s-eye view of shops and the public plaza. A series of lifts and 18 six-meter-long escalators have been installed. The premium shopping centre offers luxury merchandise on four levels. Boutique Cinema, a mini-spa and a gym on a terraced garden sky lounge on the 18th floor are some other perks the building offers. Fashion shows, car launches, art exhibitions and other attention-grabbing events will be hosted here.

Green Homes - Net Zero Energy, Solar Powered Home

South India is now home to an iconic “zero energy and solar powered home”, a masterpiece in Green architecture that is set to start a welcome trend in controlled energy consumption in residences.

This zero energy space project was exhibited at the Indian Green Building Congress (IGBC) 2010, held at Chennai from 6th to 9th October last year. The IGBC is Asia’s largest Green building conference. The project was also showcased at the Economic Times’ ACEtech - Mumbai as well as Delhi chapters. These are Asia’s largest construction related expos.

About 60% of this home’s energy requirements are met by the conventional sources, while solar power supplies the remaining 40%. Nevertheless, there is no compromise on performance and comfort.

The chief sponsors of this Green initiative are Aluplast Windows, Breezair, Everest Industries, Nippon Paints, Supreme Pertochem and Roca.

EVEREST FIBRE CEMENT BOARDS

The drywall construction with fibre cement boards from Everest creates a strong, light weight, water resistant and energy efficient building envelope which supports a variety of finishes. 55% of the raw materials used to prepare these boards are recycled.

BREEZAIR FRESH AIR

Air conditioning is known to be the largest consumer of energy in a building. The Breezair system works through an evaporative cooling cycle and consumes 1/10th of the energy of a conventional air conditioning device, apart from providing 100% fresh air ventilation.

PHOTO-VOLTAIC BY TEAM SUSTAIN

This energy-efficient residence sports photo-voltaic solar panels on the rooftop. An inverter and a battery storage device are used for uninterrupted power-supply.

SUPREME INSUBOARD & BEARDSELL

Insulation of the walls and the roof is a vital element of the building envelope, meant to prevent the transfer of heat in both directions. This product reduces heat ingress through the walls/roof and hence cuts down on energy consumption for air conditioning. INSBOARD offers one the highest insulation values for XPS insulation.

ALUPLAST WINDOWS

High performance double glazed units and energy-saving UPVC frames are used to reduce energy consumption as well as sound transmission. This is a German product, which saves energy by reducing infiltration and the frames are provided with thermal breaks to prevent heat ingress.

ROCA BATHROOM

Water efficient fixtures for toilets and taps reduce the fresh water consumption in the building and also help score points for the LEED rating system.

SURABHI BAMBOO

Bamboo improves the sustainability of the building as it grows rapidly and can be harvested in much shorter period compared to hardwoods. With the help of the modern production techniques bamboo is transformed into an excellent materials for flooring, furniture and other interior design works.

NIPPON PAINTS

Low-Voc Paints are used on the interiors to create healthy indoor environment and keep away toxins which could be lead to respiratory problems. Solar Reflective paints are used on the exteriors, which facilitate reflection of sunlight and reduction in solar heat gain.

Source: www.inspiredGreen.in