A Green Office – An Energy Efficient Office Building

Text-Suvarna Deshpande/Lele
The use of local materials with consideration to local climate and
participation leads to A Holistic Design Approach – LAURIE BAKER
All built up areas must provide a good and healthy living environment.
Building designs and their locations must be pertaining to environmental principles.
The resources as land, water renewable and non renewable sources must be totally
used.
There is close connection between use of energy in a building and
environmental damage as Architects tend to use 'energy intensive' as well as
'monetarily expensive solutions’. The use of various energy resources for heating,
cooling, ventilation and lighting can cause depletion of the natural resources.
The idea of 'Green Design' is to modulate the climatic conditions which are
comfortable by use of several parameters of design such as site, landscape, built
form, building envelope, materials and other control measures.Its main aim is to
meet occupants need for thermal and visual comfort.
All these design principles are closely followed in a structure built by
'Chaugule Patil Pvt. Ltd.' For its own office.The office is designed by Ar. Pramod
Chaugule who effortlessly incorporates all these parameters in his design.

Fusion of Post Modern and Ancient Architecture is reflected in façade design

The use of environment friendly, natural and cheap materials is the specialty
of this structure where the cost of structure is reduced due to usage of several
affordable materials and technologies.The structure pertains to an eco a friendly
principle which was the motto of the firm from its inception. Design depicts the ethos
of the surroundings, its culture and traditions. It is a perfect blend of Vernacular,
Traditional and Historical aspects of the locality and the result is a harmonious and
an energy efficient structure.
 Not only the people related to construction business should study this building
for its different approach but even a common man can observe it considering its
different treatment and an environment friendly approach as it is the need of hour.
Office building is located at Local Board colony, Near Udyog Bhavan at
Sangli.The site is a rectangular plot admeasuring 4000 sq.m. situated in a residential
area of Sangli.

Combination of Creamish white Gokak and yellow Rabkavi stones seen over this facade
Façade shows a fusion of Post Modern and Ancient architecture. The same
characters are observed in interiors, also reflecting a flair for vernacular Architecture.
The shapes and forms reflect diverse aesthetics with harmonious collision of styles
adopted for its own sake. The staircase block tilting in glass and ACP reflects the
post modern character of the structure which forms a back ground to the main
structure in foreground. It is constructed of Robust and tough stone work of creamish
white Gokak stone and black sundressed pointed Basalt stone. It is a combination
of bold ,earthy and solid foreground against a small, delicate and dreamy
background. The resources consumed are as less as possible.
Architect has taken a great effort to follow the principle of 'Green Architecture'
and 'Affordable Architecture' in each of his design. Some of his well known projects
include a design of eco friendly neighborhood 'Whispering woods', an energy
efficient campus of Police Training Center at Tasgaon, various well designed and
energy efficient bungalows as bungalows for Mr. Rajeev Kulkarni, Mr. Shahajirao
Jagdale, Mr. Magdum, Farm House for Mr. G.T. Shah and several others. He has
also designed varied industrial structures with same principles. He has also actively
participated in several social works. A beautiful building called 'Karna' is out come of
these efforts which is designed for destitute children. His structures follow all
environmental principles, it is needless to say that his own office acts as the epitome
of the all.
His office is celebrating its first birthday hence this is a simple introduction to a
Unique structure .
 To incorporate sustainable design principles the easiest way is to select
environment friendly materials and to use local technologies. To reduce the cost of
construction, local men and waste materials play a significance role. The
architecture should be seen in relation with energy and environment.

Ply planks fitted over MS square brass fitted by MS straps

The office plan reflects a simplicity, open-ness and freshness in character.

Ground floor has a reception counter at the entrance for reception officer. It
also is provided with the spaces for conference and multimedia presentation. South
west corner of the space is occupied by a space for accountants who look after
banking, taxing, billings and budgets.
The external elevation from road shows a beautiful compound wall
constructed of waste materials, where several stones are placed in interesting
patterns along with colorful MS pipes.

Compound wall constructed out of waste material

Two granites are placed on both side of gate. Also an eye catching monolith stone
slab stands near the gate. Focal point of the elevation is 2 yellow 'Rabkavi' stone
pillars provided in front of entrance. They are topped by two pine wood horizontal
planks fixed by steel pipes to the pillar.

composite wall of red ’ILLKAL’ granite and black basalt

Harmonious compositions of several stones is seen on external elevations
such as construction of external wall with creamish 'Gokak', end walls with sun
pointed black Basalts and window frames with 'grey Granites'.
An extremely beautiful wall acts as a partition between two adjacent sites
which is a composite wall of red Illkal, Granite and black Basalt. The wall is topped
over by a flat stone of marble resting on a concrete sphere.
Upper floor is designed as a complete technical area with spaces allocated to
three directors, of whom two are Engineers and one is an Architect.
The interior space of the office is interesting with a harmonious combination of
several materials which are mostly re used from the wastages picked up from their
other sites. A strong cohesion of several materials with different characters is seen
on façade as well in the interiors where the potential of each material is exposed to
its best.
A stone wall of finely dressed black basalt stone welcomes you at the
entrance which is treated with two niches for placing the lamps, similar to that in a
temple creating a serene atmosphere.

. ‘ Konada’ in temples provided

Dressed basalt provided with the niches for lamps at the entrance
 A wide range of project photographs cover the ceiling giving an idea of wide
variety and challenging projects done by this firm.Very basic materials with
simplest modes of construction are found in interiors.
Ceilings provided with photos of actual project work

The office space is free flowing without any full sized partitions which give a
feel of one-ness and open-ness to the total space.Architects space is made
interesting by a table made up of wastages of 'Gokak' and 'Marble' stone along with
Green ply. A divan made-up of wooden wastages is placed at the corner serving as
resting area for the Architect.

Architects working space with a table made up of wastages of Gokak and Marble stone along
with green ply.
Technical areas are separated by half partitions made up of Green ply resting
on 'M.S. pipe' structure. Jute pin up boards are mounted on the ply for display of the
drawings. Table tops are made up of ceramic Jaisalmere stone.
Table tops made up of Ceramic Jaisalmer stone Wooden partitions also used for storage

Two white units made up of 'Siporex blocks' stand as library units at the focal point
of technical area. A colourful design of China mosaic tiles is cast between these two
units.Studio flooring is laid from polished grey Granite.

Library units carved in siporex conc. Blocks mural made up of foam concrete block

Architect’s area displays a very eye catching mural made up of foam concrete
with a theme of 'creation' created by artist Suresh Pandit.
An another aspect of this interesting design is a landscape which maintains a
natural tone by preserving the existing trees like yellow flowering Cassia, Karanji and
Eucalyptus trees and planting an additional 145 number of trees. Nearly 78 sq.m. of
the area is landscaped. Stone paving is laid out of wastages of Granite stones used
in construction. A beautiful yellow flowering cassia is seen from a wide glazing
provided on North Eastern face of the studio.
 PROVISION
OF
WINDMILL

ENERGY
RAINWATE
EFFICIENT
R
LIGTING
HARVESTI
AND ENERGY NG
VENTILATI
EFFICIENT
ON
CONSTRUCTI
ON

USE OF USE OF
LANDSCAP CAVITY
E WALLS

Stone paving is laid out of wastages Preservation of existing trees

of Granite stones
Reduction in energy demand is achieved by use of solar passive strategies
combined with site resources. Energy demands are reduced by energy efficient
lighting and control devices. Renewable forms of energies like application of wind
mills rain water harvesting, air conditioning by earth tunnel provision of SIBF system,
recycling of wastes is used in design.
Waste management is achieved by reduction of water use by efficient water
harvesting for storage and reuse.
A very significant aspect of this Design is the use of waste or recycled
materials from other sites which achieves cost saving along with reduction in energy
demands.
Two windmills – One of 3 KW and other of 1 KW are provided on the terrace
which generate total 3833 Kwh per year. They take care of all domestic lighting and
battery charging for inverter.
Rainwater collection KW wind mill
and purification

Due to the exact amount of the glazing area provided, no artificial lighting and
cooling measures are used in daytime reducing the energy consumption by 3185
KW and also reducing CO2 generation by 2708 Kg.
The innovative feature of this project is provision of SIBF system which treats
1000 liters of domestic used water and gives back 900 liters of reusable clear water.
The treatment plant merges with the surrounding landscape.
The rainwater harvesting system makes ground water recharge of 200000
liters/year. An earth tunnel is provided for cooling effect. A wind catcher from tunnel
helps the reduction of south west heat while protecting that side of structures.
Moreover cavity walls are used at the west side of the structure to protect from
extensive heat.
Office has reduced the paper waste by 25% by implementing the reuse of
printed papers and green diaries. The organic waste of office campus is treated by
composting, the by product is a manure which is used for garden.
North side of the structure is fully exposed to diffuse north light by means of a
full glazing. The floor to opening ratio is nearly 80% providing a feel of airiness and
open-ness to the space. The sufficient amount of light penetrates inside without
giving a glare. Design of the structure takes care of western wind.
Every structure stands apart with its own characters. A successful Architect
takes care of an occupant’s need of visual and thermal comfort and makes it most
pleasing as well as sustainable.
Grasping the natural characteristics of an environment and imparting them to
a structure to make it comfortable is an Architect job. Structure with such character
becomes the pride of its surroundings. So not only to observe this 'Green office' but
to use its principles in his own structure or his lifestyle a common man as well as the
experts can study and observe this structure.
The success of this structure lies in creating a comfortable and a natural
environment to its users providing a real 'Sustainable Habitat'.