RICS-SBE/XX/XX/S006/R02

Revised on: 24-05-2019

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN BUILT ENVIRONMENT –

Module 3 – Passive Design & Water Management

MBA CPM /CEQS

SEMESTER 1
MOEF DIRECTIVES FOR REAL ESTATE SITE DEVELOPMENT:
CLIMATE RESPONSE FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT
• Passive design of buildings responds to local climate and site conditions to maximise building users’ comfort and health
while minimising energy use by using the features of the building to condition and provide household heating, cooling,
ventilation and lighting, thereby reducing or removing the need for mechanical heating or cooling. Using passive design
one can reduce temperature fluctuations, improve indoor air quality and make a building better ventilated etc. to make it
more enjoyable to inhabit.
• It can also reduce energy use and environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions.
• Key features of passive design
• The key elements of passive design are: building location and orientation on the site; building layout; window design;
insulation (including window insulation); thermal mass; shading; and ventilation. Each of these elements works with
others to achieve comfortable temperatures and good indoor air quality.
• The first step is to achieve the right amount of solar access – enough to provide warmth during cooler months but prevent
overheating in summer. This is done through a combination of location and orientation, room layout, window design and
shading.
• Insulation and thermal mass help to maintain even temperatures, while ventilation provides passive cooling as well as
improving indoor air quality.
• Alongside passive design features, designers should also consider other factors such as views, covenants and local
authority restrictions, and building owners’ preferences.
CLIMATE RESPONSIVE ARCHITECTURE:
CLIMATIC ZONES IN INDIA
 CLIMATE RESPONSIVE ARCHITECTURE:
DESIGN STRATEGY FOR HOT, DRY CLIMATE
BUILDING DESIGN BUILDING ORIENTATION
• North /south orientation. East/west shading of walls. • Place building to leeward side or in wide valleys if possible
• Embed building in ground to lessen solar heat gain from sides. to avoid hot, dry winds
• Radiation barriers such as fins, chajjas, canopies provided
•Daylighting through reflected light • Provide water bodies for evaporative cooling
•Long verandahs to windward side on west • Narrow streets for mutual shading
•Surface to volume ratio minimal for building
• Open central courtyards with water-bodies for air movement
•Large roof surface area e.g. vaults,
and buffer. Size courtyard to avoid mid-morning and mid-
•Flat roofs are usable at night for sleeping and day for activities. afternoon sun
•Roof insulation and reflective roof surface provision. Evaporative
cooling provision (14 kg water per day per sqm) EXTERNAL FACTORS
•False ceiling provision • Provide deciduous trees for summer shading and winter sun
•Low u value for walls. Textured walls for self shading. Thick walls to access
absorb heat during day and radiate at night.
• Indoor plants near windows reduce solar radiation
•Insulating double wall to west
•Small window openings up to 10% of floor area. Recessed windows to • Grass outside to prevent reflected heat gain
prevent heat and glare. High sills to prevent dust ingress.
•Ventilators at roof level. Jallis preferred to screen sun and allow
ventilation
•Light coloured building exterior
 CLIMATE RESPONSIVE ARCHITECTURE:
DESIGN STRATEGY FOR HOT, HUMID CLIMATE
BUILDING DESIGN
• Spread out building form to facilitate air movement within
• Large surface to volume ratio of building
• Stilts ensure air flow below reducing heat
• Long narrow form for cross ventilation
• Provide wide eaves for shielding building form from the sun
• Provide balconies, porches, verandahs as buffer zones
• Roof can have openings to let hot air out
• Double roof provision and insulation
• Mud plaster or exposed brick walls absorb humidity
• Light low u value materials for walls
• Use baffle walls to reflect solar radiation
• Use high vent openings to let out hot air
• Provide tall windows facing verandahs, louvres to direct
ventilation flow, light shelves to avoid direct light
• Smaller windows to windward side and larger windows to
leeward side to direct air flow within
• Light reflective materials on external finish , reflective roofing
ORIENTATION
• Building to windward side to encourage air flow within
• Streets aligned to wind direction. Street width designed to
avoid late morning and early afternoon sun
EXTERNAL DESIGN
• Shady trees to shield building
 CLIMATE RESPONSIVE ARCHITECTURE:
DESIGN STRATEGY FOR COMPOSITE CLIMATE
BUILDING ORIENTATION
• Place building to leeward side or in wide valleys if possible to avoid hot, dry
winds
• Provide water bodies for evaporative cooling near building on windward side
or within courtyard.
• Encourage mutual shading of buildings
• Open central courtyards with water-bodies for air movement and buffer. Size
the courtyard to avoid mid-morning and mid-afternoon sun
EXTERNAL FACTORS
• Provide deciduous trees for summer shading and winter sun access
• Indoor plants near windows reduce solar radiation
• Grass outside to prevent reflected heat gain
BUILDING DESIGN
• North east /south west orientation.
• Radiation barriers such as fins, chajjas, canopies provided
• Daylighting provided by through reflected light
• Long verandahs to windward side on west
Contd… BUILDING DESIGN
• Surface to volume ratio minimal for building to prevent heat gain
• Large roof surface area e.g. vaults to aid heat loss by radiation of heat to sky at
night
• Flat roofs are usable at night for sleeping and day for activities. A double roof can
provide additional buffer from heat.
• Roof insulation and reflective roof surface provision to prevent heat gain.
• False ceiling provision creating a buffer between roof and living space
• Low u value for walls. Textured walls for self shading.
• Thick walls of high thermal resistance to absorb heat slowly during day and radiate
at night.
• Insulating double wall to western side
• Reflective window glazing with fully openable shutters for ventilation in rainy
season.
• Window openings with maximum area up to 10% of floor area. Recessed windows
to prevent heat and glare. High sills to prevent dust and reflected solar radiation
from ground ingress.
• Ventilators at roof level. Jallis preferred to screen sun and allow ventilation
• Light coloured building exterior to reflect solar rays.
CLIMATE RESPONSIVE ARCHITECTURE:
DESIGN STRATEGY FOR MODERATE CLIMATE
BUILDING ORIENTATION
• Encourage mutual shading through built form
BUILDING DESIGN
• North/South or North east /south west orientation.
• Radiation barriers such as fins, chajjas, canopies provided
• Day-lighting through reflected light
• Long verandahs to windward side on west
• Surface to volume ratio higher for building due to higher humidity.
Added room heght.
• Large roof surface area e.g. vaults or double roofs with high thermal
resistance for slow heat gain during day and radiation loss of heat to
night sky.
• Roof insulation and reflective roof surface provision.
• False ceiling provision for buffer between roof and building interior.
• Low u value for walls. Textured walls for self shading. Thick walls with
high thermal resistance for slow temperature rise during day and to
radiate heat to sky at night.
Contd….BUILDING DESIGN
• Insulating double wall to west or avoid west wall in building
• Minimal windows to west and east. Maximum windows to north
and south.
• High visual transmittance window glazing with fully openable
shutters for ventilation in night and rainy season.
• High window to wall ratio. Recessed windows with transoms to
prevent heat and glare.
• Ventilators at roof level. Louvres and Jallis preferred to screen
sun and allow ventilation
• Light coloured building exterior
EXTERNAL FACTORS
• Place vegetation to east and west and longer sides
• Indoor plants near windows reduce solar radiation
• Grass outside to prevent reflected heat gain
CLIMATE RESPONSIVE ARCHITECTURE:
DESIGN STRATEGY FOR COLD CLIMATE
ORIENTATION
• Building oriented at 45 degrees to north.
• Increase south façade for heat gain.
BUILDING DESIGN
• Compact form with low surface to volume ratio to conserve heat within
• South heat collecting walls e.g trombe walls. Insulated walls to north and west to prevent heat loss
• Utilise solar heat in winter for heating water and indoor air.
• Provide shading devices to reduce solar glare
• Provide light wells, punched windows, light shelves and louvres to increase day lighting through reflected light. Wall window ratio about
60% to north and south and 30% to east and west.
• Openable transom windows or recessed windows provided. More windows to north and south. Windows openable to south and closed to
north.
• Maximise north light as it is reflected light
• Reduce air infiltration to prevent cold air entry and heat loss
• Stack ventilaton promoted through roof openings
• Double roof insulation to prevent heat loss
• Dark exterior colours for heat retention
• High u value materials for walls to south and low for walls to north
EXTERNAL FEATURES
• Use vegetation to shield from high winds
CLIMATE RESPONSIVE ARCHITECTURE:
MICRO CLIMATE OR MODIFICATION OF CLIMATE

The climate of a place may be modified by

1. Landform-altitude, wind pattern, hydrology
2. Vegetation-plants promote shading, wind control, control solar
radiation, precipitation
3. Water bodies-ponds, lakes, rivers, seas
4. Street width-shading
5. Open spaces and built form-passive conditioning
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT
BROWNFIELD DEVELOPMENT-Definition

Brownfield sites are "previously developed land" with the

potential for being redeveloped. Usually this is land that
has been used for industrial and commercial purposes
and is now derelict and contaminated. Contaminants
may include a range of toxins, such as petroleum, metals,
asbestos, pesticides, PCBs and solvents. When
abandoned brownfield lands are left neglected,
contaminants may migrate off-site, creating hazards for
others nearby.

All brownfield sites need to be assessed by an

environmental specialist before they can be redeveloped.
The soil, groundwater and surface water are tested for
hazardous compounds, and suitable measures are taken
to reduce identified risks and liabilities. Special licenses
are required to reclaim brownfield sites.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT
BROWNFIELD DEVELOPMENT-Reclamation Process

Remediation of a brownfield site is the clearance of all contaminants to levels considered safe
for human health. Redevelopment can take place once environmental health risks have been
removed.
• Bioremediation uses the natural processes of indigenous bacteria, microorganisms, plants,
enzymes and fungi to destroy or neutralise toxins and contaminants.
• Phytoremediation uses plants to store contaminants in their leaves and stems
(bioaccumulation). Some contaminants such as heavy metals can be harvested and mined for
reuse (phytomining). With phytoremediation, it is critical that contaminants do not enter the
food chain.
• In-Situ Chemical Oxidation injects oxygen or chemical oxidants into the contaminated soil or
water to destroy harmful compounds.
Brownfield redevelopment cleans up environmental health hazards and eyesores, and is also a
catalyst for community regeneration and participation in site identification and restoration.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT
BROWNFIELD DEVELOPMENT-Benefits
• Eradicates actual and potential sources of land, water and air contamination
• Redevelops desirable locations, ensuring smarter growth through urban intensification
• Replaces or renovates abandoned and dilapidated buildings, decreasing the risk of injury, vandalism
etc.
• Preserves historical landmarks and heritage architecture
• Beautifies urban landscapes and helps revives older urban communities and surrounding areas
• Locates new development in areas where better use can be made of existing municipal infrastructure
and services such as connectivity
• Increases property assessment values and the resulting tax base, leading to increased revenue for
governments
• Reduces urban sprawl
• Preserves productive land, which may be fertile farmland or other productive land.
 SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT
WATER MANAGEMENT
• By 2025 India will be among the most water stressed nations in the world.
• Average requirement is calculated at 135 L per person per day
• In 1990 per capita water consumption was 2464m3 per person per annum and by 2025 the
expected availability is 1700m3 per person per annum.

SOURCE: MOEF Manual

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT
WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

1. Minimise demand
2. Recycle/Reuse
3. Harvest water through rain water harvesting
4. Maintain water quality to usable standards

14
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Water Requirement as per the National Building Code
Table 2.1: Water requirements for different types of buildings
Serial No. Type of Building Consumption (litres/day/head)
• i) Factories with bath rooms 45 per head
• ii) Factories without bath rooms 30 per head
• iii) Hospital (including laundry):
• a) Number of beds not exceeding 100 340 per head
• b) Number of beds exceeding 100 450 per head
• iv) Nurses’ homes and medical quarters 135 per head
• v) Hostels 135 per head
• vi) Hotel (up to 4 star) 180 per head
• vii) Hotel (5 star and above) 320 per head
• viii) Offices 45 per head
• ix) Restaurants 70 per seat
• x) Cinemas, concert halls and theaters 15 per seat
• Schools
• xi) a) Day schools 45 per head
• b) Boarding schools 135 per head
• In addition, water demand of visitors to these building is considered as 15 LPCD
Source: National Building Code, 2005
 SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT
WATER MANAGEMENT: STRATEGY 1-Minimise Demand

• Minimisation saves water and energy. Limit the use of potable water.
• 135 litres per capita per day is usually the standard water demand for residential purposes. This
demand varies as per climate, cultural habits, activity, distribution systems, metering and costs.
• TOTAL DEMAND=SPECIFIED QUANTITY PER CAPITA (L/D) X OCCUPANCY OF PREMISES

Consumption of water can

be reduced in areas of
flushing, washing and
other miscellaneous uses.
Bringing the usage down to
about 86 litres per capita
per day.

SOURCE: MOEF Manual

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT
WATER MANAGEMENT: STRATEGY 1-Minimise Demand

HOW CAN WE MINIMISE WATER USAGE?

1. WATER SAVING IN THE BUILDING
a. Water metering to check water loss in
distribution and due to theft.
b. Efficient devices such as low flush
cisterns/faucets/showers, sensor operated
fixtures, waterless fixtures, aerators, pressure
reducing devices, dual flush flushing cisterns,
horizontal washing machines, dual pipe
plumbing. Up to 40% of water can be saved
through such measures.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT
WATER MANAGEMENT: STRATEGY 1-Minimise Demand
2. WATER SAVING IN THE LANDSCAPE
a. Plant native species which require less water
b. Choose plants as per plant density and microclimate.
Minimise lawn area and maximise trees. Group plants
in the landscape according to water usage.
c. Xeriscape-use plants of desert climate in soft landscape
to minimise water
d. add organic matter (mulch) to the soil,
e. Efficient irrigation systems-drip/sprinkler can reduce
water usage for irrigation
f. Adjust time and frequency of watering
g. Use rain water or recycled water for irrigation
h. Minimise use of water bodies in landscape

SOURCE: MOEF Manual

SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT
WATER MANAGEMENT: STRATEGY 1-Minimise Demand

3. WATER SAVING IN THE SERVICES

a. Use efficient systems of air-conditioning
resulting in low energy and water needs.
Evaporative cooling is one such method
where the use of natural processes saves
water.
4. WATER SAVING IN CONSTRUCTION
a. Water is largely used for curing. Water saving is
effected through
b. Use of curing chemicals
c. Gunny bags during curing
d. Ponding
e. Accelerators to reduce setting time of concrete
f. Membrane curing techniques
g. Using fly ash to replace cement in concrete thus
reducing setting time
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT
WATER MANAGEMENT: STRATEGY 2-Recycle
WATER RECYCLING
a. Treat waste water
80% of water used is recyclable. It can be used for irrigation, flushing, ground wash, car wash etc.
1. Aerobic Treatment:
Biological treatment in the presence of oxygen. CO2 is a bye-product along with sludge. Waste water is passed through
cutting chamber and retreated. While 100% treatment is provided, a lot of land area is required and energy needs are high.
2. Anaerobic Treatment
Biological treatment without O2. While time for treatment is shorter, nutrient requirements are low, less sludge is generated
it needs skilled operation and incurs higher costs.
3. Rootzone is a combination of aerobic and anaerobic treatment. Contaminants are treated through rootzone in the
presence of O2, bacteria, water and soil through natural processes. Advantages include lower costs, lower operation and
maintenance costs, no chemicals or by products, low skill utilisation. But disadvantage lies in high land area requirement.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT
WATER MANAGEMENT: STRATEGY 2-Recycle
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT
WATER MANAGEMENT: STRATEGY 2-Recycle

4. Decentralised Water Treatment System

Sedimentation and flotation followed by anaerobic and aerobic treatment. The system is low cost
and low maintenance and can be operated in varying flow of waste water.
5. Soil Biotechnology
Uses HDPE membrane and floor mounted bio reactors. Low energy needs with full coliform
removal.
6. Indian membrane bio-reactor
Micro and ultra filtration membranes are used. Needs less land area and is of modular size.
7. AKAR Waste Treatment Plant
Ready to use system with varying capacity from 10 KLD to 1000 KLD. Less time needed for operation
 TYPICAL WATER BALANCE DIAGRAM

Total Water Demand

213 cu.m (approx)

Total Waste Water

Domestic
generated including STP
Water
Flushing
Requirement
0.8x( 126+67)= 154.4 cu.m
126 cu.m
90% of w/w
Fresh Water recycled
Demand
127 cu.m
Swimming pool Treated waste
requirement Water
0.62 cu.m 138.96 cu.m
(68 cu.m)
Flushing Water Requirement
68cu.m
(16 cu.m)

Landscape Irrigation 16 cu.m

(2.88 cu.m)
HVAC Tower Make up 2.88
cu.m

(52.08 cu.m to Municipal Sewer)

 SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT
WATER MANAGEMENT: STRATEGY 3-WATER HARVESTING

WATER AUGMENTATION THROUGH RAIN WATER HARVESTING

Site assessment through techno-social and economic assessment is needed prior to harvesting to
assess:
• Existing regulations
• Water logging and diseases
• Low water table
• Poor water quality
• Potential for capture of rain water

The water may be stored for future use or used to recharge ground aquifer.
Recharge instruments are recharge pits, recharge shaft, recharge wells, injection well, percolation
tank, check dam, trench with recharge well, shaft with recharge well, recharge through abandoned
handpumps, recharge through abandoned tubewells.
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT
WATER MANAGEMENT: STRATEGY 3-WATER HARVESTING
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT
WATER MANAGEMENT: STRATEGY 3-WATER HARVESTING
Rain water harvesting system
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES FOR BUILT ENVIRONMENT
WATER MANAGEMENT: STRATEGY 4-Maintaining Water Quality

MAINTAINING WATER QUALITY FOR CONSUMPTION

Clean non-toxic roofs
Ensure Gutter ends filled with wire mesh
No mixing drains and sewers
No mixing water with oil and pollutants
Subsurface tanks need rigorous and regular cleaning