Page 12 - GRIHA Manual Volume III - Introduction to National Rating System
P. 12
Building and system design optimization 5
CRIteRIon 13
optIMIze buIldInG desIGn
to ReduCe ConventIonAl
eneRGy deMAnd
Introduction
Design is the most important factor in ensuring energy efficiency in buildings. The design
of an existing building cannot be altered without demolition. Thus, it is imperative to pay
attention to the crucial aspect of energy efficiency at the design stage itself. Buildings with climate-
responsive design can consume around 10%–15% less energy as compared to conventional
buildings, and that, too, without incurring any incremental cost. Thus, climate-responsive design
of buildings becomes an extremely important aspect in the process of constructing an energy-
efficient building.
Currently, the construction sector consists of buildings, which are designed with full glass walls.
The building designs do not respond to macro- or micro-climatic parameters, urban context, and so
on. The windows do not have shading devices to reduce direct sunlight. Ill-designed openings force
building occupants to close the blinds/curtains even during the day, and turn on artificial lights.
This substantially increases the heat gain inside the building. Such buildings require utilization of
energy-intensive mechanical systems for providing visual and thermal comfort to the occupants.
Since the buildings have not been designed to reduce their energy requirements, the consumption
of energy and impacts on natural resources are massive.
Solutions
In India, climate-responsive design has been the traditional method of designing buildings.
The objective of Criterion 13 is to facilitate integration of solar-passive design principles with
modern building design, and evolve an energy-efficient building. The entire history of building
architecture and engineering reveals a consistent effort to achieve a high degree of indoor
comfort. There are several examples of ancient buildings, which have passive design features
to provide comfortable living conditions without depending on artificial methods of cooling
or lighting.
In solar-passive building design, architects and engineers primarily focus on utilization of
solar-energy and wind for free heating, cooling, ventilating, and lighting indoor spaces. Solar-passive
design can substantially reduce end-energy use in buildings. It can cut down or even eliminate
the use of mechanical cooling and heating systems, and the use of daytime artificial lighting. The
principles of passive-solar design are compatible with diverse architectural styles and building
techniques.
CRIteRIon 13
optIMIze buIldInG desIGn
to ReduCe ConventIonAl
eneRGy deMAnd
Introduction
Design is the most important factor in ensuring energy efficiency in buildings. The design
of an existing building cannot be altered without demolition. Thus, it is imperative to pay
attention to the crucial aspect of energy efficiency at the design stage itself. Buildings with climate-
responsive design can consume around 10%–15% less energy as compared to conventional
buildings, and that, too, without incurring any incremental cost. Thus, climate-responsive design
of buildings becomes an extremely important aspect in the process of constructing an energy-
efficient building.
Currently, the construction sector consists of buildings, which are designed with full glass walls.
The building designs do not respond to macro- or micro-climatic parameters, urban context, and so
on. The windows do not have shading devices to reduce direct sunlight. Ill-designed openings force
building occupants to close the blinds/curtains even during the day, and turn on artificial lights.
This substantially increases the heat gain inside the building. Such buildings require utilization of
energy-intensive mechanical systems for providing visual and thermal comfort to the occupants.
Since the buildings have not been designed to reduce their energy requirements, the consumption
of energy and impacts on natural resources are massive.
Solutions
In India, climate-responsive design has been the traditional method of designing buildings.
The objective of Criterion 13 is to facilitate integration of solar-passive design principles with
modern building design, and evolve an energy-efficient building. The entire history of building
architecture and engineering reveals a consistent effort to achieve a high degree of indoor
comfort. There are several examples of ancient buildings, which have passive design features
to provide comfortable living conditions without depending on artificial methods of cooling
or lighting.
In solar-passive building design, architects and engineers primarily focus on utilization of
solar-energy and wind for free heating, cooling, ventilating, and lighting indoor spaces. Solar-passive
design can substantially reduce end-energy use in buildings. It can cut down or even eliminate
the use of mechanical cooling and heating systems, and the use of daytime artificial lighting. The
principles of passive-solar design are compatible with diverse architectural styles and building
techniques.
