The concept of green buildings was prevalent in India from
the time of our ancestors who revered the five elements of nature. Today, India
can boast of Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)-certified
green buildings ranging from residential complexes, exhibition centers,
hospitals, and educational institutions to laboratories, IT parks, airports,
government buildings and corporate offices. This list of top 10 green buildings
in India gives special mention to those extraordinary structures that have left
an indelible mark in the green construction industry.
Suzlon
Energy Limited (SEL),Pune
image source: robaid.com
Suzlon Energy Limited (SEL),Pune
Suzlon Energy Limited (SEL), India’s largest wind turbine
manufacturer, received LEED Platinum award for their new corporate headquarters
in Pune, Maharashtra, India.
BCIL, Bangalore
Biodiversity Conservation India Ltd (BCIL) - Bangalore
BCIL's TZed homes in Whitefield, Bangalore has been certified as the first residential apartment in the world to be rated ‘Platinum’ under LEED.
Olympia Technology Park - Chennai
Olympia Technology Park - Chennai
The world’s largest LEED ‘Gold’ rated green building.. Built on an area of 1.8 million sq. ft., this futuristic
masterpiece features three mighty towers on 8.4 acre greenery.
ITC Green Centre - Gurgaon
ITC Green Centre - Gurgaon
The ITC Green Centre was the first 'Platinum' rated building in India and has
endeavored to adopt green practices that go beyond recycled waste and day-lit
offices.
The Druk White Lotus School - Ladakh
The Druk White Lotus School - Ladakh
A modest school that is adjudged as an
outstanding example of sustainable, green, cost effective building development.
This multi-award winning structure is the recipient of the Best Asian Building,
Best Education Building and Best Green Building awards.
La Cuisine Solaire - Auroville
La Cuisine Solaire - Auroville
The solar kitchen at Auroville is perhaps the best example of demonstrating the use of solar energy
to produce steam. This 1700 sq. m. kitchen is named thus because of the huge 15
diameter solar bowl that has been fixed at the top of the structure to harvest
solar energy.
Doon School - Dehradun
Doon School - Dehradun
This one is India's first green school campus that opted for recycling measures
and successfully achieved cent per cent self-sufficiency in energy, water and
organic fertilizer. Several old building blocks that were part of the 69 acre
school were redesigned and solar thermal systems, waste management processes as
well as biomass gasification systems were introduced as part of its green
initiatives.
Raintree Hotels - Chennai
Raintree Hotels - Chennai
Here is an eco-sensitive hotel for the eco-savvy traveler.
The entire chain of Raintree business hotels across Chennai city are the first
eco-sensitive hotels in South India.
Rajiv Gandhi
International Airport - Hyderabad
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport - Hyderabad
India’s first Greenfield airport is undeniably among the top
10 green buildings in India and the first airport in Asia to be awarded the
LEED ‘Silver’ rating certification by US Green Building Council. Featuring
100,005 sq. m. of glass encased terminal, this green building ensures optimal
use of natural light and minimal wastage of electricity or energy consumption.
Nokia - Gurgaon
Nokia - Gurgaon
Among India’s most sustainable buildings is the corporate
office of Nokia in Gurgaon which has been granted accreditation as one of the
world’s leading green buildings by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
This is the first time that a commercial interior fit-out project in India is
being awarded the Green Building Award and prestigious LEED ‘Gold’ rating.