In sustainability, specifically net zero buildings, is the efficient way forward for New India? To create a resilient and carbon-neutral future, net zero buildings and projects offer a self-sustainable solution. The building sector, responsible for 38% of global energy consumption and 35% of greenhouse gas emissions, underscores the need for stakeholder collaboration to achieve a net zero building life cycle. Net zero buildings are defined by the total amount of energy and water consumed annually being equal to the amount of renewable energy and water produced on-site.
In India, while there are currently few net zero buildings, the Indian community is making significant efforts to create noteworthy examples. This blog will highlight some of the large-scale and other net zero energy and water buildings that serve as benchmarks in India.
Architects: Auroville Design ConsultantYear: 2018Coordinates: 12° N, 79° EOccupancy Type: Community housingClimate Type: Warm and HumidProject Area: 1,680 sqmGrid Connectivity: Connected
The project aims to create a sustainable built environment using solar-passive envelopes, efficient planning, and materials with low embodied carbon. It comprises integrated environmental planning for water, energy, and waste, as well as zero-discharge water and waste reduction. The notion of “cohousing” emphasizes inclusive social development as well as economic and environmental benefits. It also creates a collaborative network named ‘SustaiNet’ to facilitate inter-institutional information sharing and inclusive learning opportunities.
Architects: Edifice Consultants Pvt. LtdYear: 2021Coordinates: 28°35’20.0″N 77°13’48.3″EOccupancy Type: OfficeClimate Type: CompositeProject Area: 38147 sqmEPI: 47 kWh/m2/yrGrid Connectivity: Connected
Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan, a net-positive energy building, currently houses the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy’s (MNRE) headquarters. GRIHA acknowledges this structure as an exceptional government office building. It demonstrates the Ministry’s objective to promote sustainable development by incorporating renewable energy systems into buildings. The passive strategies include north-south axis orientation, GFRC jalis, 90% daylight in regularly occupied spaces, and ACC for thermal insulation. The active strategies include cooling, lighting, and building management systems. The PVC panels on the roof and the south wall generate 1100 kW, creating 19 lakh units per year.
Architects: Diana Kellogg ArchitectsYear: 2021Coordinates: 26° N, 70° EOccupancy Type: Academic CampusClimate Type: Hot and DryProject Area: 35,600 sqmGrid Connectivity: Connected
The Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls School is the first structure of the Gyaan Centre, which houses a women’s cooperative, an exhibition and performance hall, and a textile museum—traditional water harvesting techniques to maximize rainwater and wastewater recycling. Using local materials for the structures helps to cut carbon emissions, and Kellogg chose to build a solar panel canopy on the roof. Moreover, it acts as a cooling system when temperatures reach 120 degrees.
Architects: Zero Energy Design LabYear: 2020Coordinates: 28° N, 76° EOccupancy Type: HostelClimate Type: Hot and DryProject Area: 2,322 sqmGrid Connectivity: Connected
The hostel provides shelter to 130 students with dorms across four levels. The other spaces include recreational and social spaces. It features a double-skin façade that reduces radiation by 70% and mechanical cooling loads by 35%. It also consists of planters as seaters, shaded courtyards with diverse plant species, bamboo screens, and Champa trees for shaded seating. The outdoor landscaped court allows groundwater penetration, and wastewater from washrooms is reused for horticulture.
Architects: MorphogenesisYear: 2019Coordinates: 30° N, 78° EOccupancy Type: OfficeClimate Type: ColdProject Area: 929 sqmEPI: 35 KWh/m2/yearGrid Connectivity: Connected
This facility design aims to be net-zero and energy-efficient, integrating sustainable planning to minimize the structure’s footprint. However, the site’s location necessitates adhering to budgetary constraints and minimizing landscape alteration. The community design is inspired by traditional Garwahli ‘kholi’ architecture, with the built form oriented along an east-west axis. Additionally, it is designed to achieve 80% natural daylight in regularly occupied spaces.
Passive design strategies, such as façade shading, window-to-wall ratio (WWR), and the use of sustainable building materials, help regulate high thermal mass façades. On-site renewable sources, like solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems, contribute to achieving net-zero energy and water usage. The solar roof, generating 50 kWp, not only enhances the facility’s resilience but also provides surplus energy to the grid. Waste produced during construction is repurposed to reclaim wooden rafters and other materials. The facility also supports local animal husbandry by creating jobs for 65 people and benefiting 75% of local families.
Architects: Midori ArchitectsYear: 2023Coordinates: 13°05’05.9″N 80°13’34.4″EOccupancy Type: ResidenceClimate Type: Warm and HumidProject Area: 330 sqmEPI: 0.77 KWh/m2/yrGrid Connectivity: Connected
Bhawar House in Chennai is a leading residential building that differentiates itself with net zero energy requirements and passive design principles. The three-story house can accommodate nine people and boasts an attractive atrium that connects the levels. Passive strategies include venturi effect ventilation, 99% daylight, and fenestration optimization. Active strategies include HVAC and artificial lighting with less health impact. The building uses energy-efficient lighting, occupancy sensors, and a home automation system for visitor management. The terrace features 62 solar panels, generating 39.17 MWh annually, totaling 25 kW. It results in an excess of 5183.3 kWh supplied to the grid.
Architects: Case DesignYear: 2020Coordinates: 18° N, 73° EOccupancy Type: AcademicClimate Type: Warm and HumidProject Area: 14200 sqmGrid Connectivity: Grid Connected
Establishing economically disadvantaged young women, this residential school is located in the fringe area of Pune city. Comprising concrete structures along with bamboo, Avasara’s design is economically efficient and flexible for future adaptation. Factors like climate, landscape, materials, routines, traditions, and memory create a sanctuary for learning. Case Design uses natural ventilation, utilizing pre-cooled outdoor air in earth shafts and solar chimneys to circulate air freely in the buildings’ interiors. Photovoltaic solar panels power classrooms with electricity and ceiling ventilators, while roof-mounted solar collectors supply hot water.
Year: 2020Coordinates: 23° N, 73° EOccupancy Type: Office & AcademicClimate Type: Hot and DryProject Area: 498 sqmEPI: 58 kWh/m2/yrGrid Connectivity: Grid Connected
The living laboratory is operated by CEPT University’s Center for Advanced Research in Building Science and Energy. It consists of 900 active sensors and generated 15% of the power grid’s surplus energy in 2015-16. The NZEB building utilizes a hybrid ventilation and cooling system that combines natural ventilation and radiant cooling to enhance air intake. Also mitigating peak temperature discomfort. The building is north-south oriented, with shading and light shelves providing diffused daylight. It has 90% daylight autonomy in all spaces and a 50% roof covered in 27 kW PV panels for on-site power.
Architects: Gayathri & Namith ArchitectsYear: 2016Coordinates: 28° N, 77° EOccupancy Type: Corporate and ManufacturingClimate Type: CompositeProject Area: 48,000 sqmGrid Connectivity: Grid Connected
The factory block and corporate headquarters were initially placed at opposite ends of the land, but the final design stacked them for a berm-shaped landscape with water features. The building’s staggered levels minimize artificial lighting and air conditioning, with a skylit atrium and zinc-coated façade.
The building includes a central air conditioning plant, a cooling system, radiant cooling, a heat pump, VRF indoor/outdoor units, and a ventilation mechanism. Energy savings are achieved by the use of multiple pumps and variable-frequency motors. The plant, which has a capacity of 40 KLD, uses municipal potable water as well as treated sewage water. At least half of the water is treated and recycled. All fixtures have dual valves, which cuts water usage by 46%. All lighting is LED, including automatic shut-offs in frequently occupied spaces and occupancy sensors in empty areas.
The total installed solar plant capacity is 971.4 kWp. The project generates 122% of its renewable electricity using solar photovoltaic panels. The panels are mounted on the warehouse terrace and above the parking lot.
Architects: Architecture ParadigmYear: 2021Coordinates: 13°36’45.8″N 74°40’19.3″EOccupancy Type: Place of WorshipClimate Type: Warm and HumidProject Area: 4552 sqmEPI: 3 kWh/m2/yrGrid Connectivity: Off-Grid
The Kodi Mosque, built in 2016 to be environmentally friendly, was the first to achieve the ‘IGBC Green Place of Worship’ Platinum Award. The mosque features an L-shaped form with an elevated prayer hall, an open façade, and over 60% cross ventilation. Its design incorporates sustainable architecture, local materials, and renewable energy.
The mosque is planted with native grasses, plants, and coconut trees and features a terrace floor covered in white China mosaic. The mosque also uses a hybrid renewable energy system, consisting of a wind turbine and solar photovoltaic panels, to generate energy and meet its energy needs. The system’s annual energy usage is 4408 kWh and 6022 kWh.
Net zero buildings have a positive impact on a variety of typologies, including multi-family dwellings, institutions, large-scale commercial and manufacturing facilities, and places of worship. Net zero buildings are an attempt to reduce negative environmental impact while also creating resilience at any moment. With its focus on balancing consumption and on-site generation, it achieves net-zero energy, water, and trash.
Moving forward, harmonizing standardization and regional architecture for net zero buildings presents a thrilling challenge for architects,
Content Writing And Research By: Ar. Baarat Krishna