GRIHA
NEWSLETTER
 
July, 2021
 
 
         
  Message from CEO
Mr. Sanjay Seth, CEO GRIHA Council
 
As we move into the second half of 2021, we are once again starting to see visible improvement on the pandemic situation with a drop in new cases and an impressive vaccination effort. However, we must be cognizant of the fact that COVID-19 is here to stay and work toward adapting our lifestyles and workplaces. We must learn to live in a world where the virus continues to be a real and persistent threat.

As version 2019 of the GRIHA rating system continues to gain momentum, we are working toward phasing out older versions and ramping up efforts to ensure that the green building fraternity develops familiarity with the updated requirements. To this end, the first Certified Professional examination for version 2019 was conducted in June and we are pleased to report an overwhelming and heartening response from the community. Over the years, GRIHA Council has also received numerous requests for a training program based around preparing documentation for a green rating. We are therefore pleased to introduce a dedicated program for green building consultants starting from 22nd July, 2021. The sessions are designed to provide participants with in-depth instruction on compiling documents against each appraisal of every criterion. I have no doubt that it will be an insightful experience for those aspiring to work in the green building sector, and also prove useful to consultants already in the field.

25th June 2021 marked the 6th Anniversary of Amrut, Smart Cities Mission and the Pradhan Mantri AwasYojna (Urban). We look eagerly forward to the continued shift toward smarter, safer and more sustainable cities. Amidst the ongoing uncertainties of the pandemic, it is essential that we avoid participating in phenomenon such as “revenge tourism”, and congregation at sporting events. GRIHA Council encourages the entire green building fraternity to continue to observe safety protocols and maintain vigilance in the days ahead.
 
  E-course on GRIHA Version 2019
 
Design, development and propagation of the 'green infrastructure' demand a large pool of qualified professionals in all parts of the country. To enable the active dissemination of knowledge and skills necessary for designing green buildings, GRIHA Council has switched its training programmes to the e-learning platform. The primary aim of the learning centre is to enhance the outreach and to ensure that it is easily accessible to every individual across the nation. Our own team of professionals is hosting the course on GRIHA v.2019 and is sharing their first hand experiences while disseminating the knowledge on complex concepts of sustainability. The course will be elaborating on criteria requirements of the GRIHA v.2019 through interactive sessions and thought provoking quizzes.
 
  Training Programme on The DOs and DONTs of GRIHA Version 2015 Documentation
 
A 6-Day intensive training programme is being conducted by GRIHA Council on the DOs and DON'Ts of GRIHA Version 2015 documentation. The training programme will be conducted for six days (two days per week). The programme intends to have a resource pool of consultants who would be trained in preparing the requisite documentation of project to be eligible to achieve a GRIHA rating.
 
  Integrated Daylight Systems & Thermal Comfort for Cooling dominated Indian Residential Buildings
 
The Mahindra TERI Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Sustainable Habitat, a joint research initiative of Mahindra Lifespaces and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), is conducting an online survey pertinent to a project sub-activity focused on Integrated Daylight Systems & Thermal Comfort for Cooling dominated Indian Residential Buildings. The objective of survey is to ascertain the approach followed by building designers; practitioners on a day-to-day basis, and identify the gaps in design of residential buildings for occupant thermal comfort and daylight. This will help in establishing the predominant design practices and considerations that significantly impact the occupant thermal comfort and energy consumption in residential buildings.
 
  GRIHA Four Star Provisional Rating awarded to New Academic Complex and Canteen Building at IIT Madras
 
The project has demonstrated 50.21% reduction in energy consumption compared to GRIHA benchmark. 45.73% of building water demand has been reduced by installing low flow plumbing fixtures and 39.45% of water savings was achieved in landscape water requirement through use of highly irrigation system. Furthermore, 77% of the habitable spaces are day lit and meet the daylight factors prescribed by the National Building Code of India.
 
  New products have been enlisted in the GRIHA product catalogue
Company name: Knauf Ceiling Solutions (India) Pvt Ltd
Product name: Classic Max RH99, Fine Fissured Hi-NRC RH99, Bioguard RH95, Dune RH99, Dune Max RH99, Fine Fissured RH99, Classic Lite RH99, ANF RH95
Product typology: Insulation
Company name: Gujarat Guardian Limited
Product name: Guardian® SunGuard® HD Series (6mm SGU), Guardian® SunGuard® HD Series (6-12-6 DGU), Guardian® SunGuard® Solar Series (6mm SGU), Guardian® SunGuard® Solar Series (6-12-6 DGU), Guardian® SunGuard® High Performance Series (6-12-6 DGU), Guardian® SunGuard® DS Series (6-12-6 DGU)
Product typology: External Glazing
  Editor's choice
 
HVAC Trends To Look For In 2021
New, green, and eco-friendly technology is one trend – that is sure to do wonders in 2021. Much of the water, energy and cost that go into running an HVAC system is lost. With a green Product Strategy, the HVAC industry can reduce environmental impacts throughout the life cycle of products, through the reduction of resource consumption, increased energy efficiency, substituting chemicals, and reducing carbon emissions. This could mean heating being fueled by electricity or hydrogen, or myriad smart inventions to provide cleaner solutions, like SBR Cooling Tower water treatment – that has the chance to be at the vanguard of water sustainability. With the growth in green technologies, this HVAC trend of energy and water saving technologies, have a big part to play in the rise of sustainable technologies for cooling systems.
Satellites Show How Earth's Water Cycle Is Ramping Up as Climate Warms
The rate at which plants and the land surface release moisture into the air has increased on a global scale between 2003 and 2019. These processes are collectively known as evapotranspiration, and a new NASA study has calculated its increase by using observations from gravity satellites. By gauging the mass change of water between the oceans and the continents, the researchers determined that evapotranspiration’s rate of increase is up to two times higher than previous estimates. This is important because evapotranspiration represents a critical branch of the global water cycle – a cycle that creates the conditions for life on land. While it is known that a warming climate should increase the rate of evapotranspiration, accurate global measurements have, until now, been elusive.
How monsoon is calling attention to climate change
Monsoon is coming. Monsoon will hit mainland India in Kerala on June 3 — arriving late by two days compared to its normal onset. Monsoon forecast has always been an intriguing business. In an unusual pattern, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on May 30 issued two onset dates — the weather department initially said monsoon would arrive by May 31 before revising it to June 3. For decades, monsoon has typically hit the Kerala coasts on June 1. The IMD model has a standard deviation of a week. In recent years, the IMD has been predicting different dates for the onset of monsoon before settling for a revised date. Following years of analysis, the IMD revised the monsoon calendar in 2020 for arrival and departure of the rain-bearing seasonal winds.
  GREEN BUILDINGS -THE GRIHA WAY
 
GREEN BUILDINGS- The GRIHA Way was held from 31st May to 4th June 2021. It was a 15-hour training and awareness online program spread over 5 days, which included sessions on all aspects of building design, construction, and engineering that form part of GRIHA and sustainable habitats at large such as - Sustainable site planning, Water and wastewater management, Building design optimization, Energy performance optimization, Renewable energy utilization, Solid waste management, Sustainable building material and construction technology, and Health, wellbeing, and environmental quality, etc.

The aim of the program was to empower the participants through a comprehensive understanding of the GRIHA rating system and to enable them to use GRIHA as a tool to ensure easy and effective integrated design and planning solutions.

This online event, a first-of-a-kind collaboration between the Council of Architecture Training & Research Centre and the GRIHA Council, was well-received. With over 200 participants, this successful workshop included interactive presentations, a demonstration of daylight simulation software, a quiz, and a design-based assignment.
 
  GRIHA awareness program in collaboration with MIT World Peace University, Pune​
 
This year GRIHA Council conducted an awareness programme in association with MIT World Peace University, Pune, Maharashtra on 5th June 2021. The session focussed on Sustainable site planning, Water and wastewater management, Building design optimisation, Energy performance optimisation, Renewable energy utilisation, Solid waste management, Sustainable building material and construction technology and Health, wellbeing and environmental quality etc. The programme received an overwhelming response and was attended by more than 100 students.
 
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