Today, people are becoming aware of various environmental issues like, global warming and playing an active role in reducing carbon footprints. This has resulted in the demand for environment-friendly or sustainable residential complexes. But, these complexes mean a lot more than just segregating the waste and calling it a day.
True eco-friendly buildings are made of several facets, from the use of renewable energy to building materials and so on. Yes, this does mean added costs of implementing eco-friendly construction principles and designs. But, fortunately, such costs can be quickly recovered by attracted admirers and staunch believers of green living.
Premier developers of the country have already started building sustainable residential complexes. If you want to go green, here’s a quick guide as suggested by Sanjay Jhunjhunwala, CEO of Mani Group.
You can also think of incorporating retail shops, grocery stores, gymnasiums, and cafes into your residential complex so that the residents can get everything they need in the complex itself. These can be built on the ground floor so that occupants of the building can reach by foot. As an added bonus, this will help to foster a sense of community amongst the occupants of the building.
You can use green construction materials like natural stones, bamboo for flooring and hardwood. These materials are not just durable, but also easy to maintain and aesthetically pleasing. Furthermore, you can use low-emission or non-toxic materials, such as formaldehyde-free flooring and VOC paint to decrease the number of contaminants that you are releasing to the indoor environment.
Also, starting a complex-wide composting and recycling program is a good idea so that the impact of waste on the environment can be reduced and managed even after construction is complete.
You can also use spray foam insulation and appliances with a high Energy Star rating, as well as, environment-friendly plumbing fixtures. For the lighting of your residential complex, you can invest in energy-efficient LEDs or CFLs and also energy-efficient HVAC units and other such household products.
A complex that is powered completely by solar and wind energy is the next big step. You can install solar panels and wind turbines between each floor to generate electricity. However, for that, you need to check if the location and design of your complex support the installation of solar panels and wind turbines, and whether it is feasible.
Just like energy, water is another natural resource that needs to be saved and now. In order to save water, you can install water-efficient showerheads, faucets, washing machines and dishwashers, and design dual-flush toilets. They will optimize the water consumption levels without making any compromises on the water pressure.
You can even add a greywater system and water tanks. The construction of a wetland can further limit the use of water. You can also have in place rainwater harvesting, which is a very common sight in most new residential complexes.
Sanjay Jhunjhunwala, CEO of Mani Group believes that little steps can lead to bigger results. So, if you join the bandwagon of environment-friendly developers, you can significantly reduce the impact on your environment.
Moreover, you can save vital resources for the future generations. Building green also means that you are providing potential residents with a cleaner and better place to live.
Premier developers of the country have already started building sustainable residential complexes. If you want to go green, here’s a quick guide as suggested by Sanjay Jhunjhunwala, CEO of Mani Group.
Think about the location and transport facilities
According to industry experts, the first thing that you have to find is a good location for your residential complex, that is close to public transport and local amenities like, schools, shops, post offices and so on, are within cycling or walking distance. This way residents will not have to depend on their carbon-emitting vehicles to get from one point to the other. This will not just reduce carbon emissions, but also help the residents save money on fuel.You can also think of incorporating retail shops, grocery stores, gymnasiums, and cafes into your residential complex so that the residents can get everything they need in the complex itself. These can be built on the ground floor so that occupants of the building can reach by foot. As an added bonus, this will help to foster a sense of community amongst the occupants of the building.
Choose green materials and with emphasis on recycling capabilities
Being a champion of sustainability, Mani Group uses eco-friendly materials for its buildings that can be easily recycled. Even the waste materials during construction are recycled by them so that the amount of waste generated can be significantly reduced.You can use green construction materials like natural stones, bamboo for flooring and hardwood. These materials are not just durable, but also easy to maintain and aesthetically pleasing. Furthermore, you can use low-emission or non-toxic materials, such as formaldehyde-free flooring and VOC paint to decrease the number of contaminants that you are releasing to the indoor environment.
Also, starting a complex-wide composting and recycling program is a good idea so that the impact of waste on the environment can be reduced and managed even after construction is complete.
Energy and water efficiency considerations
Sanjay Jhunjhunwala, CEO of Mani Group states that energy-efficient residential complexes are not just good for the environment, but also help to reduce utility bills of the residents. He suggests the use of double-glazed windows for your building, which will offer optimal insulation and help to control the indoor temperature.You can also use spray foam insulation and appliances with a high Energy Star rating, as well as, environment-friendly plumbing fixtures. For the lighting of your residential complex, you can invest in energy-efficient LEDs or CFLs and also energy-efficient HVAC units and other such household products.
A complex that is powered completely by solar and wind energy is the next big step. You can install solar panels and wind turbines between each floor to generate electricity. However, for that, you need to check if the location and design of your complex support the installation of solar panels and wind turbines, and whether it is feasible.
Just like energy, water is another natural resource that needs to be saved and now. In order to save water, you can install water-efficient showerheads, faucets, washing machines and dishwashers, and design dual-flush toilets. They will optimize the water consumption levels without making any compromises on the water pressure.
You can even add a greywater system and water tanks. The construction of a wetland can further limit the use of water. You can also have in place rainwater harvesting, which is a very common sight in most new residential complexes.
Lush green gardens
The best way to cut down carbon footprint is by planting more trees. So, you can make your complex green by having a beautiful garden. Residents will be able to breathe fresh air, thanks to the abundance of trees in the complex. You can also encourage the residents to grow plants in the garden plots.Sanjay Jhunjhunwala, CEO of Mani Group believes that little steps can lead to bigger results. So, if you join the bandwagon of environment-friendly developers, you can significantly reduce the impact on your environment.
Moreover, you can save vital resources for the future generations. Building green also means that you are providing potential residents with a cleaner and better place to live.
Ashutosh Jha
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