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Property Plus
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Green is
the way to be
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Apart
from carpets of landscaping that welcome visitors in green building
offices, the concept now travels right inside for the employees to live
out an experience. Two certified green offices in the city — Grundfos and
Vestas Wind Energy — even have horticulturists on their payroll, says PRINCE
FREDERICK
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GREEN, ALL THE WAY: Application of green concepts in buildings is not
just for certification, the payback is seen in the soothing effect it has
on employees. The photos show the green takeover at Grundfos and Vestas Wind Energy.
Chennai did not have a `certified'
green building until recently. Grundfos, a Danish company manufacturing
centrifugal pumps, has remedied the situation. Last month, the United
States Green Building Council certified the company's Thoraipakkam unit a
green building. It finds itself in the 'Gold' category, which is between
two others — silver and platinum.
Truth be told, the
first-green-building-in-Chennai honour should go to Vestas Wind Energy, a
manufacturer of wind turbines. But, as luck would have it, the company's
Sholinganallur unit "was constructed much before the certification
norms came into force". Although the building has passed scrutiny and
qualified for a `Gold' rating, certification is yet to come. But then, a
bit of delay in certification is not unusual for existing buildings. That's
about the only difference between the two companies.
Call it coincidence or what you will, both have a Danish
connection, a common architect
and are located on the IT Express Highway (also known as Old Mahabalipuram
Road). And, what's more, the two companies went green for almost the same
reason. "We've always felt green is the way to be. Believe me, we were
not aiming at certification or ratings." That's one reason why Ranganath
N. Krishna, Chief Executive Officer, Grundfos Pumps India Pvt. Ltd., is
against pushing the envelope — and reaching for 'Platinum'.
Green building norms were the last
thing on his mind, when Ramesh Kymal, Managing Director, Vestas Wind Energy India
Pvt. Ltd. was planning the Sholinganallur unit with his architects.
According to Kymal, the building is much ahead of the certification norms.
A visit tells you it's no empty boast. Structured in the shape of a wind
turbine, the building itself is arresting. A central formation crowned by a
dome represents the hub of a wind turbine. Three rectangular structures
branch out, giving the picture of a wind turbine. While the "hub"
is the reception room, the "wings" house the different
departments.
The icing on the cake, however, is the
green concepts that come alive in room after room. These rooms are
brightened by natural light streaming in through broad windows. Heat is
arrested by thick foams that sit in walls. They also cut down on energy
consumption by ensuring minimal use of air-conditioning. Insulated glass
windows and heat-reflective tiles supplement the foams.
Although installation of
"green" material jacked up construction costs by seven to eight
per cent, Kymal was not a bit perturbed by the additional expenditure.
"The payback was fast". Ranganathan cannot agree with Kymal more.
The combined experience: "We save 25 to 30 per cent energy".
However, their "green" or non-conventional energy comes from
different sources. Vestas Wind Energy gets it from its wind turbines and Grundfos
banks on solar energy. The other `green' activity — recycling natural
resources — also cuts down on costs. But going `green' is not about cutting
costs; and payback is not measured by operating costs. Kymal says "our
employees are living out an experience". He says, the green that
carpets the landscape around the building, the trees that dot the place and
the potted plants that plonk themselves beside computers have a soothing
effect on his team. Both Grundfos and Vestas Wind Energy have horticulturists on
their payroll.
Kymal sees a palpable change in his
team, since `green' ideas were implemented. "Productivity has gone up.
The team is unruffled and poised even during demanding times."
Ranganathan gauges how special his office is by the "oohs and
aahs" they evoke from visitors. "And, of course, we find it
uplifting to work in such an ambience."
Interestingly, these companies are
still pushing the limits by taking new `green' measures.
Although they insist that they are not
eyeing the coveted `Platinum' rating, they are probably moving towards it.
Unknowingly.
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