Green Building

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 GREEN BUILDING

Green building (also known as green construction or sustainable building) refers to a structure and using process that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition. This requires close cooperation of the design team, the architects, the engineers, and the client at all project stages. The Green Building practice expands and complements the classical building design concerns of economy, utility, durability, and comfort.

Although new technologies are constantly being developed to complement current practices in creating greener structures, the common objective is that green buildings are designed to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment by:

Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources Protecting occupant health and improving employee productivity Reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation

A similar concept is natural building, which is usually on a smaller scale and tends to focus on the use of natural materials that are available locally. Other related topics include sustainable design and green architecture. Sustainability may be defined as meeting the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Green building does not specifically address the issue of the retrofitting existing homes.

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1.2 HISTORY OF GREEN BUILDING

The history of building green and using local and green building materials and things such as solar design date back millennia, the Anasazi Indian tribe of the Southwest built whole villages so the houses all received solar heat in the winter to cut down on wood usage. The modern day history of green building movement came from the need for more energy efficient and environmentally friendly construction practices.

Over the years people began to replace natural building material with synthetic materials due to cost and availability. In the midst of the industrial revolution that Henri Becquerel first witnessed the transformation of solar energy into electrical energy, known as photovoltaic power. Around this time, the late 1800's to early 1900's, a number of solar power plants were built to utilize the sun's energy for steam power. Then, in the 1950's, solar energy was used on an extremely small-scale, making way for the solar panel solution twenty years later.

In 1960 and 1970, energy crisis has occurs. In this period the major industrial countries of the world, particularly the United States, faced substantial shortages, both perceived and real, of petroleum. The two worst crises of this period were the 1973 oil crisis, caused by the Arab Oil Embargo of OAPEC, and the 1979 energy crisis, caused by the Iranian Revolution. To counter these crisis governments of the major industrial countries make a few regulation to reduce the usage of fossil fuel. Green building moved from research and development to reality. Solar panels were used to make more environmentally friendly homes, although only in small numbers due to high initial costs.

Since then Green building ratings began to be developed in the 1990s with BREEAM (UK, 1990) and later LEED (USA, 1996) being the better known ones. This was the result of the realization that buildings and the built environment contributes significantly to green house gas emissions and thus they needed to be re-designed to reduce their negative impact to the environment. The notion of buildings being “machines for living” is proven true as buildings do last a long time and over that lifetime they do play a part in adding to the destruction of the environment. Green rating tools were conceived to be able to assist architects, designers, builders, government bodies, building owners, developers and end users to understand the impact of each design choice and solution. By so doing, the final built product would perform better in its location whilst also reducing its harmful impact on the surroundings.

Green rating tools by its nature and role is very dependent upon location and environment and thus climate. A quick survey of existing Green Rating tools available in the world today will show all of them concentrated within the temperate climate zones. Some better known ones include UK’s BREEAM, USA’s LEED, Japan’s CASBEE and Australia’s GREENSTAR.

Malaysia’ Green Building Index or GBI will be the only rating tool for the tropical zones other than Singapore Government’s GREENMARK. GREENMARK was first launched in 2005. In April 2008, it became mandatory for all new buildings or works on existing buildings

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exceeding 2,000sq.m in floor area to achieve a minimum GREENMARK Certified rating in Singapore. Whilst GREENMARK’s operationalparameters are within the tropical climate, its scoring priorities are very much customized for the current state of Singapore where a lot of priority is given to energy and water efficiency scores. In addition its public transport network is also already in place and thus little priority is given to this in the ratings. Malaysia differs markedly in these areas and thus understandably our rating priorities should be likewise customized to suit both to our climate and also the current state of our country’s development and existing resources.

1.3 GREEN BUILDING IN MALAYSIA

PAM (Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia)’s Architects have over the years been developing and working towards a more sustainable and green architecture. In 2008, the need for a localized Green Building rating tool became more evident especially in the light of increasing demand from building end-users for Green rated buildings that would not overly and adversely contribute to the destruction of the environment. This was also in-line with the objectives of many companies today where good corporate social responsibility (CSR) calls for them to only support environmentally friendly initiatives including their office premises.

In August 2008, PAM Council endorsed and approved the formation of the new Sustainability Committee who was tasked primarily to develop and set-up the Green Building Index Malaysia and the accompanying Panel for certifying and accreditation of Green rated buildings. A target deadline of April/May 2009 was set to launch this Green rating.

At first, the company initiated discussion and presentation of the proposal to all the stakeholders of the building industry via the members of the Building Industry Presidents Council (BIPC). This was done in August 2008 and full support was obtained from members of the BIPC (REHDA, MBAM, ACEM, IEM, MIP, ISM, etc). The company invited the Association of Consulting Engineers of Malaysia (ACEM) to jointly work with PAM. Presidents of PAM and ACEM met and agreed on the joint co-operation. Ir TL Chen and Ir HP Looi were invited to join the Committee. In September/October 2008, PAM carried out comparative studies on better known green rating models such as BREEAM, LEED, GREENMARK and GREENSTAR to establish criteria. PAM also visited Singapore to study GREENMARK and discussions with the Building Construction Authority (BCA) Singapore as well as the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) in the same month. Hosted by Mr Tan Tian Chong, BCA’s director for GREENMARK and Ar. Tai Lee Siang, President SIA.

In the early November 2008, PAM attend ARCASIA Sustainability Meeting in Busan, South Korea to network and exchange information with regional Asian countries. Met and reported to Ar Kazuo Iwamura, Director of World Green Building Council, Union of International Architects (UIA) Chair for Sustainability and ARCASIA Chair for Sustainability

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on the plan to set up Malaysia’s own Green Building rating tool. Later in mid-November 2008, Pam makes a study visit to Green Building Council of Australia’s GREENSTAR and Site visits to GREENSTAR rated buildings – CH2, 500 Collins Street, The Gauge @ Victoria Harbour, Automotive Excellence College, Chadstone Shopping Centre New Wing and Aurora, Epping North by VicUrban. Hosted by Ms Trudy-Ann King of the Green Building Council Australia (GBCA). PAM also have a discussions and technical exchange with Prof. Emeritus Allan Rodger (University of Melbourne) and Prof. Roger Fay (University of Tasmania). Prof. Roger Fay co-authored the NABERS rating tool currently in use by New South Wales government.

In 28th November 2008, PAM makes networking and information exchange on alternative renewable energies with Pusat Tenaga Malaysia (PTM) in Bangi hosted by Ir Ahmad Hadri. Later on December 2008, the Final drafting of both the Residential and Non-Residential rating tools being made. Name of tools established as Green Building Index Malaysia. Drafting of the Residential tool is headed by Ar Chan Seong Aun and the Non-Residential tool by Ir TL Chen. The Green Building Index Malaysia (GBI Malaysia) was introduced on 3rd January 2009 at the Green Design Forum held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Keynote speaker was the Minister of Climate Change and Water, Australia, the Hon. Senator Penny Wong. Other speakers were Ar Chan Seong Aun and Ir TL Chen who presented the salient points on GBI Malaysia. The session was moderated by Ar Dr Tan Loke Mun. The website greenbuildingindex.org was also launched to disseminate information.

A steering committee workshop was held on the afternoon of 3rd January where the Committee met with prominent green proponents to fine-tune the GBI. Steering committee members included Mr Tan Tian Chong from BCA’s GREENMARK, Ms Trudy-Ann King of GBCA’s GREENSTAR, Ir Ahmad Hadri of PTM, Prof. Emeritus Allan Rodger (University of Melbourne), Prof. Roger Fay (University of Tasmania), Assoc Professor Dr Faridah Shafii of Institute Sultan Iskandar, UTM (Pro-tem Chair of the MBGC) and Dato’ Professor Dr Elias Salleh of University Putra Malaysia (UPM). On 16th January 2009, PAM Council approved the setting up of the GBI Malaysia assessment and accreditation framework including the terms of reference for the GBI Accreditation Panel (GBIAP), GBI Certifiers and GBI Facilitators. GBI Malaysia will be managed by Green building index Sdn. Bhd. Seven senior members of the profession were elected by PAM and ACEM to form the inaugural GBIAP. They were Ar Lee Chor Wah, Ar Chan Seong Aun, Ar Serina Hijjas, Ar Dr Tan Loke Mun and Ir Dr Abdul Majid, Ir TL Chen and Ir HP Looi.

On 16th January 2009, PAM Council also approved the one-year joint-cooperation to field-test the GBI tools with tertiary higher education institutions. University of Tasmania (UTAS), University Putra Malaysia (UPM) and University Sains Malaysia (USM) were selected. A further overseas university will be added at a later date.GBIAP held its inaugural meeting with full attendance on Friday, 6th February 2009 and confirmed the terms of reference for GBI Certifiers and Facilitators. On 23rd February 2009 ACEM confirmed that they would join PAM as shareholders of Greenbuilding index Sdn. Bhd. The following are the founding directors; Ar

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Tan Pei Ing, Ar Chee SooTeng, Ar Boon Che Wee, Ir Dr Abdul Majid (ACEM President) and Ir Bruce Chang (ACEM Hon. Treasurer)

Later on Ar Chan Seong Aun and Ar Michael Ching attended the GREENMARK Manager course in Singapore. The training curriculum for GBI Facilitators is currently being developed concurrently and will be ready by end April 2009.A competition was called by PAM to select a winning design for the GBI logo. The competition closed on 28th February 2009 with more than 100 entries received. Two designs were short-listed and the winning design was adopted as the new logo for GBI. Lunch meeting on 12th February 2009 with the BIPC to brief and update all parties and stakeholders on the development and progress of the GBI. The lunch meeting was hosted by PAM President, Ar Lee Chor Wah. Members at the meeting were PAM (Ar Dr Tan Loke Mun, Zarina Ibrahim), ACEM (Ir. Dr Abdul Majid, Ir TL Chen, Ir HP Looi), IEM (IrDatoKeizrul Abdullah), ISM (Sr Wan Maimun Wan Abdullah), MBAM (Kwan Foh Kwai), REHDA (Dato’ Chan Sau Lai) and MIP (Norliza Hashim).

PAM commenced one-day training sessions for Architects and Engineers on the MS1525: Code for Energy Efficiency in Non-Residential Buildings. First session was held on the 14th February and the second repeat session was held on the 28th February. Speakers were Ar Serina Hijjas, Ar Chan Seong Aun, Ir TL Chen and Ir HP Looi. Two sessions will be held each month until June 2009 to ensure that all professionals understand the workings of the code that forms the baseline benchmark for the GBI. From March through to April 2009, GBI Malaysia will commence assessment and accreditation of several pilot projects.

The Malaysian Construction Development Board (CIDB) wrote to confirm their support for GBI Malaysia. A meeting was hosted by CIDB and chaired by Ir Elias Ismail on 2nd March 2009 to be briefed on GBI and further discuss how CIDB could assist in the promotion and development of GBI. PAM President, Ar Lee Chor Wah, Ar Dr Tan Loke Mun, ACEM President Ir Dr Abdul Majid and Ir TL Chen attended. CIDB offered their assistance to document the GBI to form part of their series of Construction Industry Standards (CIS). Options for incentives from CIDB were also discussed including also the part that QLASSIC plays in the GBI. PAM/ACEM to work together with CIDB to develop common incentives to encourage the use of GBI.

On 6th March 2009, Ar Dr Tan Loke Mun and Ir TL Chen briefed staff and students from the School of Architecture, USM on the role and workings of GBI. In the joint cooperation, USM will incorporate the GBI into their curriculum for students to apply and test. After that On 7th March 2009, Ir TL Chen, Ir Gurmeet Singh, Ar Chan Seong Aun and Dr Abdul Malek of USM presented the GBI to PAM Northern Chapter in Penang. On12th March 2009, ArDr Tan LokeMun, Ar Chan SeongAun and Ir TL Chen briefed staff and 4th Year students from the School of Architecture, UPM on the role and workings of GBI. In the joint cooperation, UPM will incorporate the GBI into their curriculum for students to apply and test.

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On 18th March 2009, presentation of GBI Malaysia to Kementerian Tenaga, Air dan Komunikasi (KTAK) in Putrajaya was held by Pam. KTAK confirmed their support for GBI Malaysia and requested for joint co-operation to further develop incentives, promotion and also inclusion into the overall Energy Efficiency Master plan. In the next day, the presentation of GBI Malaysia to Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) was held in KL Sentral. MIDA confirmed their support for GBI Malaysia and would like to work with PAM/ACEM on capacity building for professionals in the construction industry including the training of GBI facilitators and other related outreach programs. MIDA advised PAM/ACEM to apply for funding of the GBI initiatives under the Service Sector Capacity Development Fund available at MIDA through the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI)

On 23rd March 2009, Pam makes presentation to Local Authority Majlis Perbandaran Petaling Jaya (MBPJ) on GBI Malaysia. MBPJ confirmed their support for GBI and requested for a working group to be formed to see how to implement it. Councilor Derek Fernandez was appointed to be the MBPJ contact person for this work group. On 24th March 2009, information on GBI Malaysia was disseminated at the World Class Sustainable Cities 2009 conference (WCSC 09) held in Kuala Lumpur. Datuk Bandar Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL) confirmed DBKL’s.

On 28th March 2009, PAM makes presentation of GBI Malaysia to architects and the building industry at the Design Forum in Kuching, Sarawak. Information on GBI Malaysia was disseminated at the Building Trade Show 2009 (BTS 09).On 31st March 2009, Ar Chan Seong Aun and Ir TL Chen presented at a seminar conducted to brief professional engineers of IEM and ACEM on the detailed workings of GBI Malaysia at Armada Hotel, Petaling Jaya. Then in the next month 1st April 2009, Ir. TL Chen presented GBI at the Fiabci monthly talks where some 70+ people attended. On 7th April 2009, first media information full page colour advertisement

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in Star sponsored by Sime Darby group with the support of the following bodies and agencies – Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM), Lembaga Jurutera Malaysia (LJM), Lembaga Juruukur Bahan Malaysia (LJBM), Institute of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), Institute of Surveyors Malaysia (ISM), Master Builders Association of Malaysia (MBAM), Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP), Real Estate and Housing Developers Association (REHDA), Chartered Institute of Builders (CIOB), Balai Ikhtisas Malaysia (BIM), Institute of Landscape Architects (ILAM), Institute Perekabentuk Dalaman (IPDM), Malaysian Society of Interior Designers (MSID), Pusat Tenaga Malaysia (PTM), Fiabci Malaysia and Professional Services Development Corporation (PSDC).

On 9th April 2009, the presentation of GBI Malaysia to JKR under Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia by Ar. Dr Tan Loke Mun, Ar. Serina Hijjas and Ir T.L Chen was held. JKR projects have already started to incorporate the inclusion of green features into their design briefs.On 17th April 2009, presentation of GBI Malaysia to Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA)also being held by him. Briefing to YB Elizabeth Wong’s office, Selangor State Government was held on 20 April 2009. YB Edward Lee and YB Tuan Iskandar also attended. Ar Boon Che Wee, Ar Dr Tan Loke Mun and Ir TL Chen gave the briefing. At the end April and May 2009, GBI awareness campaign with full page adverts in the Star to commence with the support of the following bodies and agencies – Lembaga Arkitek Malaysia (LAM), LembagaJurutera Malaysia (LJM), Lembaga Juruukur Bahan Malaysia (LJBM), Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), Institute of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), Institute of Surveyors Malaysia (ISM), Master Builders Association of Malaysia (MBAM), Malaysian Institute of Planners (MIP), Real Estate and Housing Developers Association (REHDA), Chartered Institute of Builders (CIOB), Balai Ikhtisas Malaysia (BIM), Institute of Landscape Architects (ILAM), Institute PerekabentukDalaman (IPDM),

On the 7th, 8th and 16th May 2009, the first intake for the GBI Facilitator’s Course starts with a target of 100 participants to be held at PAM Centre. GBI Malaysia is scheduled to be officially launched on 21st May 2009.

The first green builing in Malaysia is GTower which incorporate both office and hotel. This building being marked as green building due to:-

Energy Savings of 23% from energy efficient air-conditioning and centralized chilled water

Double glazing glass for lower heat transmission

Glass to Floor ratio (1: 3.8)

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Toxic-Free building materials with Low Volatile Organic Content (VOC) A land area to Green Planting ratio if 1:4 with ‘Green Walls’ and Green Roof System Carbon Dioxide detectors for air quality control Carbon Monoxide detectors on car parking floors 30% reduction in water outflow & rainwater harvesting system Extensive use of recycled materials

1.4 GREEN BUILDING TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

Floor

Bamboo and cork floors are becoming popular choices because of their resemblance to traditional hardwood floors. The main problem with traditional hard woods like pine, mapleand oak is time which they need to grow. Oak can take up to 120 years to fully mature. But bamboo and cork are fast-growing: Bamboo (which isactually a grass) generally regenerates in about four to six years, and cork plants regrow in about nine years. Both get extra green points because their installation processes don'trequire toxic adhesives and produce less air-polluting fumes. They're also comparable in price to other wood floors, but there are more than a thousand varieties of bamboo andcork, so quality, color and price can vary widely. The Consumer Reports 2008 Buying Guide reported that bamboo and cork floors are susceptible to UV-ray discoloration, and sometypes require special cleaning products.

Tankless water heaters

Tankless water heaters produce heat only when a hot water tap is turned on, so they don't waste energy in "standby" mode. The water moves directly through the heater as it isneeded and it isn't stored in a tank. Tankless heaters can be electric or gas-powered (gas usually provides a higher water flow) and they come in various sizes. They are more expensive than conventional water heaters, but will help in saving money for electric bill every month.

Insulation

Consumer Reports says that heating and cooling costs comprise 45 percent of the average homeowner's utility bills According to the government'sEnergy Star site, extra insulation can cut those costs by 15 to 20 percent.But installation of traditional fiberglass insulation requires a mask and gloves, which brings up a problem: If the fiberglass is so toxic that it can't be inhaled or touched, why are wesealing ourselves into the house with it? Recycled denim and shredded newsprint are quickly becoming the hottest green alternatives for insulation. Traditional fiberglass insulationhas been refined over the years, but recycled materials don't contain as many chemicals (and they keep trash out of landfills). Recycled material is pricier, but it typically rates betterthan traditional fiberglass in insulation tests.

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Solar panels

Going solar is definitely pricey, but you can expect to spend a lot less than just a few decades ago as much as 90 percent less, by someestimates (and some states offer tax incentives and rebates). Plus, many states now require utility companies to charge homeowners for only the energy they consume beyond their solar production. And some solar panels produce enough electricity to allow users to sell energy backto the utility company. The amount of time it takes to break even depends on a number of factors like energy usage, thenumber of panels needed, and the amount of sun the panels get over time.

Compact fluorescent bulbs

Compact fluorescent bulbs are getting plenty of attention these days as the light bulb of the future. But in fact, they're not a new idea at all,they're based on regular fluorescent bulbs, which cut energy costs during the 1970s oil crisis. Compact fluorescents are reshaped to fit moststandard lamps, and some are even housed in traditional-looking bulb casings that are designed to counter the bluish tint that many peopledislike about fluorescent lights. Compact fluorescents use a quarter of the electricity of incandescent bulbs and can last 10,000 hours (versus800 to 1,000 for regular bulbs), which sounds great. Convert slowly to avoid one big investment, or you can buy in bulk to lower the cost per bulb.

Ventilation

Green buildings are designed to utilise natural convective air currents to circulate air and heat throughout the entire building. As a consequence, individual office air conditioning (HVAC) must be examined as part of the whole building ventilation as opposed to conventional commercial office spaces which are self-contained. The green building, shown below,

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consisted of four floors of offices each overlooking a central atrium with variable roof louvers to control ventilation. The environmental conditions of a third floor office were examined during typical summer and winter conditions by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods.Depending on the time of the year, the building atrium chimney is either open or closed to provide natural ventilation with the outside air.

Window

Double glazing glass is made up of 2 or more pieces of glass with hollow aluminium tube inserted inside; the hollow aluminium pipes are filled with desiccant and drying gases, or inert gases and the tube are undergone air-proof processing with butyl, assembly-sulfur or structural silicon.This glass are good heat insulation performance so as to keep the room comfort and reduce the bad phenomenon resulted from the temperature difference between the inside and outside.Also low energy consumption - especially when Low-E and Solar-E glass are used for insulating.The heat and sound insulating effects could be further improved if argon or other inertia gases are filled between the glasses.

Rain water harvesting System

Rainwater harvesting is the accumulating and storing of rainwater for reuse before it reaches the aquifer. It has been used to provide drinking water, water for livestock, water for irrigation, as well as other typical uses. Rainwater collected from the roofs of houses and local institutions can make an important contribution to the availability of drinking water. It can supplement the subsoil water level and increase urban greenery. Water collected from the ground, sometimes from areas that are especially prepared for this purpose, is called Stormwater harvesting. In some cases, rainwater may be the only available, or economical, water source. Rainwater harvesting systems can be simple to construct from inexpensive local materials, and are potentially successful in most habitable locations. Roof rainwater may not be potable and may require treatment before consumption. As rainwater rushes from your roof it may carry pollutants, such as mercury from coal burning buildings, or bird faeces. Although some rooftop materials may produce rainwater that would be harmful to human health as drinking water, it can be useful in flushing toilets, washing clothes, watering the garden, and washing cars; these uses alone have the amount of water used by a typical home. Household rainfall catchment systems are appropriate in areas with an average rainfall greater than 200 mm (7.9 in) per year, and no other accessible water sources (Skinner and Cotton, 1992). Overflow from rainwater harvesting

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tank systems can be used to refill aquifers in a process called groundwater recharge; though this is a related process, it must not be confused with rainwater harvesting.

Carbon Monoxide Detector

A carbon monoxide detector or CO detector is a device that detects the presence of the carbon monoxide (CO) gas in order to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. CO is a colorless and odorless compound produced by incomplete combustion. It is often referred to as the "silent killer" because it is virtually undetectable without

using detection technology and most do not realise they are being poisoned. Elevated levels of CO can be dangerous to humans depending on the amount present and length of exposure. Smaller concentrations can be harmful over longer periods of time while increasing concentrations require diminishing exposure times to be harmful.

CO detectors are designed to measure CO levels over time and sound an alarm before dangerous levels of CO accumulate in an environment, giving people adequate warning to safely ventilate the area or evacuate. Some system-connected detectors also alert a monitoring service that can dispatch emergency services if necessary.

Carbon Dioxide sensor

A carbon dioxide sensor or CO2 sensor is an instrument for the measurement of carbon dioxide gas. The most common principles for CO2 sensors are infrared gas sensors (NDIR) and chemical gas sensors. Measuring carbon dioxide is important in monitoring indoor air quality and many industrial processes.

NDIR sensors are spectroscopic sensors to detect CO2 in a gaseous environment by its characteristic absorption. The key components are an infrared source, a light tube, an interference (wavelength) filter, and an infrared detector. The gas is pumped or diffuses into the light tube, and the electronics measures the absorption of the characteristic wavelength of light. NDIR sensors are most often used for measuring carbon dioxide.[1] The best of these have sensitivities of 20-50 PPM. New developments include using Microelectromechanical systems to bring down the costs of this sensor and to create smaller devices (for example for use in air conditioning applications). NDIR CO2 sensors are also used for dissolved CO2 for applications such as beverage carbonation, pharmeceutical fermentation and CO2 sequestration applications. In this case they are mated to an ATR (attenuated total reflection) optic and measure the gas insitu.

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2.0 CRITERIA OF GREEN BUILDING

Green building is refers to a structure and using process that is environmentally

responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle. The aspects that we must

count in build the green building is from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance,

renovation, and demolition. Beside that green buildings are designed to meet certain objectives

such as protecting occupant health,improving employee productivity, using energy, water, and

other resources more efficiently, and reducing the overall impact to the environment. This green

building also we can call it as sustainable building. In other word it also as known as is a

structure that is designed, built, renovated,

operated, or reused in an ecological and resource-

efficient manner.Green building actually has an

objective to reduce the environmental impact of

buildings, and the most important rule is, do not

build in spreading or disordered fashion. No matter

how much grass you put on your roof, no matter

how many energy-efficient windows, you use, if

you build in sprawl, so the objective cannot be

achieved. Duethis it requires close cooperation of

the design team, the architects, the engineers, and

the client at all project stages. Although new

technologies are constantly being developed to

complement current practices in creating greener

structures, the common objective is that green buildings are designed to reduce the overall

impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment by.

The concept of sustainable development can be traced to the energy crisis and the

environment pollution concern in the 1970s. The green building movement in the U.S. originated

from the need and desire for more energy efficient and environmentally friendly construction

practices. There are a number of motives to building green, including environmental, economic,

and social benefits. In other wordthe building of the green building only because of this factors.

It is also from green mandates, increased public pressure, and rising energy costs are driving the

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demand to build green. In Malaysia, administrative capital of Putrajaya will have its first

commercial green building in the commercial

precinct of Precinct 2 by the end of 2012.The

development on Plot 2C2 will comprise 4-

storey podium buildings below a tower

building of eight storeys. The buildings will be

energy efficient with environmentally

sustainable design. A 3-storey basement with

retail outlets will face the promenade at the

waterfront. The total gross floor area of the

development is approximately 54,000 square

meters and is expected to be completed by the

end of 2012. In addition the buildings on Plot

2C2 are designed to achieve the Gold Rating

under Malaysia’s Green Building Index (GBI).

The GBI Non-Residential Rating tool evaluates

the sustainable aspects of buildings with

emphasis on energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality as these have the greatest

impact in the areas of energy use and well-being of the occupants and users of the building. Gold

Rating is calculated based on the six criteria which are energy efficiency, indoor environmental

quality, sustainable site planning and management, material and resources and water efficiency.

This criteria is very important to ensure that toachieved Gold Rating by obtaining between 76 to

85 points out of 100.

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2.1 ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Firstly is about the energy efficiency, which is the main criteria of the green building.

When we talk about the green buildings the main thing is often include measures to reduce

energy consumption which are both the embodied energy required to extract, process, transport

and install building materials and operating energy to provide services such as heating and power

for equipment. As high-performance buildings use less operating energy, embodied energy has

assumed much greater importance and may make up as much as 30% of the overall life cycle

energy consumption.For example, by installing the Energy Star® lighting systems and

appliances.Energy Star is an international standard for energy efficient consumer products

originated in the United States of America. It was first created as a United States government

program during the early 1990s, but Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan and the

European Union have also adopted the program. Devices carrying the Energy Star logo, such as

computer products and peripherals, kitchen appliances, buildings and other products, generally

use 20%–30% less energy than required by federal standards. To reduce operating energy use,

high-efficiency windows and insulation in walls, ceilings, and floors increase the efficiency of

the building envelope, (the barrier between conditioned and unconditioned space). In other word

we must to install energy performance windows and doors that exceed 2003 IECC standards.

What is mean with 2003 IECC standard is a code toprovide minimum safeguards for people at

home, at school and in the workplace. The codes are a complete set of comprehensive,

coordinated building safety and fire prevention codes. Building codes benefit public safety and

support the industry’s need for one set of codes without regional limitations. Beside that it also to

encourages energy conservation through efficiency in envelope design, mechanical systems,

lighting systems, and the use of new materials and techniques. Another strategy, passive solar

building design, is often implemented in low-energy homes. It is mean with Passive solar design

refers to the use of the sun’s energy for the heating and cooling of living spaces. In this approach,

the building itself or some element of it takes advantage of natural energy characteristics in

materials and air created by exposure to the sun. Passive systems are simple, have few moving

parts, and require minimal maintenance and require no mechanical systems.Operable windows,

thermal mass, and thermal chimneys are common elements found in passive design. Operable

windows are simply windows that can be opened. Thermal mass refers to materials such as

masonry and water that can store heat energy for extended time. Thermal mass will prevent rapid

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temperature fluctuations. Thermal chimneys create or reinforce the effect hot air rising to induce

air movement for cooling purposes. Wing walls are vertical exterior wall partitions placed

perpendicular to adjoining windows to enhance ventilation through windows.Beside that

designers orient windows and walls and place awnings, porches, and trees to shade windows and

roofs during the summer while maximizing solar gain in the winter. In addition, effective

window placement (daylighting) can provide more natural light and lessen the need for electric

lighting during the day and the most important by use minimal glass on east and west exposure.

It is because the position of sun will rise from the east and then sink at west.In addition it also

Provide proper shading with calculated roof overhangs or awnings in order to allow sunshine

into the interior during winter months and obstruct sunshine during the summer. Overhangs also

reduce needed maintenance of the building exterior.Other main use is using solar to heating the

water and also by using solar water heating further reduces energy costs. In using solar as a

source to heat a water we must remember to use a properly sized of tank of water and energy-

efficient heat or cooling system in conjunction with a thermally efficient building shell.

Maximize light colors for roofing and wall finish materials.Regardless of the particular design,

properly sizing the storage capacity of a solar hot water heater is important as well. In passive

solar water heater plans, sizing the storage can be as simple as referencing your existing system.

In active solar water heater designs, more times than not, a greater volume of storage is required.

The increase in storage is required in active solar hot water heater designs mainly to prevent the

system from overheating during peak hours. Overheating can cause serious safety concerns, and

it can also compromise the entire designs overall efficiency. A larger storage volume is required

to also ensure that there's an adequate back up supply when the sun's radiation is non-accessible.

In active designs, the solar hot water heaters' storage volume should always be greater than the

site's average daily use.Onsite generation of renewable energy through solar power, wind power,

hydro power, or biomass can significantly reduce the environmental impact of the building.

Power generation is generally the most expensive feature to add to a building.By conserving

energy tenants save money and enjoy increased comfort.

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2.2 INDOOR QUALITY ENVIRONMENTAL

Beside the green building need the efficient energy, indoor quality environmental also the

most important criteria in this process. The Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) category in

LEED standards is Indoor Air Quality seeks to reduce volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, and

other air impurities such as microbial contaminants. The idea of providing air quality in building

does not pertain exclusively to green building. This section presents a brief review of the major

issues related to building indoor air quality design and performance based on a discussion of

building design issues related to indoor air quality , Levin (1991). The main element in indoor air

quality issues is ventilation and climate control , which is refers to the provision of clean

outdoor air and properly conditioned supply air to the occupiable spaces of a building. Buildings

rely on a properly designed ventilation system to provide adequate ventilation of cleaner air from

outdoors or recirculated, filtered air as well as isolated operations from other occupancies.

Outdoor air can be provided to the building either mechanically or via operable window or vent.

This is what we mean with good ventilation system. When mechanically ventilation is to be

provided, relevant standard are typically referenced to determine design intake rates. Outdoor air

intakes should be located to avoid known outdoor pollutant source such as vehicular emission

and other building exhaust, and the strategies for providing special ventilation during

construction and early occupancy are sometimes suggested. Then we go through to the element

in ventilation system. Firstly is about filtration and air cleaning. The issues of particle filtration

and cleaning of gaseous contaminant in ventilation air involves both type of filtration or cleaning

as well as the scheduled inspection and replacement of the system. Then humidification element

are geared forward both preventing excessive indoor humidity level, to minimize the potential

for microbial contamination and providing thermal comfort to building occupant. In other word it

is also important to indoor air quality is the control of moisture accumulation (dampness) leading

to mold growth and the presence of bacteria and viruses as well as dust mites and other

organisms and microbiological concerns. Water intrusion through a building's envelope or water

condensing on cold surfaces on the building's interior can enhance and sustain microbial growth.

A well-insulated and tightly-sealed envelope will reduce moisture problems but adequate

ventilation is also necessary to eliminate moisture from sources indoors including human

metabolic processes, cooking, bathing, cleaning, and other activities. Beside the issues of

ventilation system personal temperature and airflow control over the HVAC system coupled with

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a properly designed building envelope is also become an issues because it will also aid in

increasing a building's thermal quality. Creating a high performance luminous environment

through the careful integration of daylight and electrical light sources will improve on the

lighting quality and energy performance of a structure.Lastly , to ensure there are always good

indoor environment is by using natural material for the all part of the building. The solid wood

products, particularly flooring, are often specified in environments where occupants are known

to have allergies to dust or other particulates. Wood itself is considered to be hypo-allergenic and

its smooth surfaces prevent the buildup of particles common in soft finishes like carpet. The

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American recommends hardwood, vinyl, linoleum tile or

slate flooring instead of carpet. The use of wood products can also improve air quality by

absorbing or releasing moisture in the air to moderate humidity.

2.3 SITE’S PLANNING AND IT’S MANAGEMENT

Nowadays to have a good indoor environmental ,the main criteria that can support good

indoor enviroment is how a site is planning and how its management. This criteria more than

process and this planning must be discuss before the build of the green building. What is mean

with the site planning is about the design of the building which is must approach which promotes

protected areas, energy-efficient buildings, wildlife corridors and distributed, rather than

centralized, power generation and waste water treatment. It is not like centralized power

generation and waste treatment is not important but when we see theNew Urbanism, it is more of

a social and aesthetic urban design movement than a green one, but it does emphasize diversity

of land use and population, as well as walkable communities which inherently reduce the need

for automotive travel. Actually the basic of any construction project is rooted in the concept and

design stages. The concept stage, in fact, is one of the major steps in a project life cycle, as it has

the largest impact on cost and performance. In this stage we must choose our concept which are

environmental, high building or glasses building. For example in green building construction

which is designing environmentally optimal buildings, the objective is to minimize the total

environmental impact associated with all life-cycle stages of the building project. However,

building as a process is not as streamlined as an industrial process, and varies from one building

to the other, never repeating itself identically. In addition, buildings are much more complex

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products, composed of a multitude of materials and components each constituting various design

variables to be decided at the design stage. A variation of every design variable may affect the

environment during all the building's relevant life-cycle stages. When we talk about the concept

what is the main idea is a new approach to save water, energy and material resources in the

construction and maintenance of the buildings and can reduce or eliminate the adverse impact of

buildings on the environment and occupants. By preferring Green Building over a conventional

building we help this planet earth and the people to retain nature to a maximum extent possible

in three ways with reference to the location of the buildings. Firstly is retain the external

environment at the location of the building. Suppose we propose a multistoried office complex to

accommodate thousands of officers and staff, it requires a vast area. Therefore selection of a site

for such a building complex should consider retention of local vegetation, wild life and natural

water courses. Either a site with biodiversity should be avoided or the building should be planned

to reduce site disturbance.

Concept cross section of a Green Building

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Beside that in planning the site and determination of the concept that should measure, there are

also many elements that should be measure:

1. Land

The landscaping and the exterior design in a green building shall be in such a way

that there is more shaded area, the light trespass is eliminated and local species of

plants are grown.

2. Water

The green building by its design and shape shall not disrupt the natural water

flows, it should orient and stand just like a tree. Rain falling over the whole area

of the complex shall be harvested in full either to replenish the ground water table

in and around the building or to be utilized in the services of the building. The

toilets shall be fitted with low flesh fixtures. The plumbing system should have

separate lines for drinking and flushing. Grey water from kitchenette, bath and

laundry shall be treated and reused for gardening or in cooling towers of air

conditioning.

3. Energy

The solar energy at the top of a green building is harvested to supplement the

conventional energy,. The natural light is harvested in the intermediate floors to

minimize the usage of electricity. Sunlight is restricted by the high grown trees

outside the lower floors of the building. High efficiency light fixtures make a

pleasant lighting apart from saving the energy. High-efficiency windows and

insulation in walls, ceilings, and floors are used for the benefit of better

temperature control.

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Secondly is about to improve internal environment for the

occupants.In order to stick with the concept of

environmental building there many element in this building

we should take it as serious. Moreover a comfortable

atmosphere at work stations improve the attendance of the

staff and increase the productivity. The element is ;

1. Light

In a designed green building the occupants shall feel as if they are in outdoor

location. The interior and exterior designs shall go hand in hand by blending the

natural and artificial lighting and presenting transparent views wherever possible.

2. Air

In the air conditioned environment, a green building shall be specially equipped to

ensure the Indoor Air Quality for a healthy atmosphere. Even the nasal feelings

shall be pleasant free from the odor of paints and furnishings.

Then for last but not less is green building also can preserve the environment at places far away

from the building. We all know that a building is constructed using cement, sand, steel, stones,

bricks, and a lot of finishing materials. These materials are quarried or procured from far way

from the location of the buildings. Building materials are responsible for about 20 percent of the

greenhouse gasses emitted by a building during its lifetime. Green buildings shall use the

products that are non-toxic, reusable, renewable, and/or recyclable wherever possible. Locally

manufactured products are preferred so that the collective material environment of the locality

remains a constant and moreover the fuel for the transport of materials is saved. As we see, our

food and domestic products are tagged with green as a fashion of eco friendlypractices, building

materials are also going green. The futuristic green buildings are to use green materials which are

in research stage now. The green material that mean are ;

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1. Green wood

A Stanford team has done a research for wood alternate. Hemp fibers and

biodegradable plastic when pressed together and heated form layers and this

material is as strong as wood. When buried in land fill, it degrades faster. This

wood creates more raw materials when it breaks down. Microbes produce

methane gas when they decompose this wood substitute and other debris thrown

into landfills. Another type of bacteria absorbs this gas and turns it into plastic

that can be used to create a new wooden plank. By this cycle, there is a

continuous source of raw material for this wood. When this material at research

comes to market, it may help to control deforestation and promote the rainfall.

2. Green Cement

Bruce Constantz at Calera, based in Los Gatos, has developed a green method to

produce both cement and aggregate, another component of Concrete. Their

method sequesters Carbon Di Oxide from power plant flues and mixes the gas

with sea water to produce the mineral raw materials of concrete. For every ton of

green cement Calera manufactures half a ton of fly ash from coal plants is used

apart from preventing production and emission of Corbon Di Oxide.

3. Other Green Building materials

Renewable plant materials like bamboo (because bamboo grows quickly) and

straw, lumber from forests ecology blocks, dimension stone.recycled stone,

recycled metal are some of the other materials used in a Green Building.

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Plan of G-Tower

After that we go to how the site is manages. There are many management that should be

taken to ensure this building is sustainable. In this management there are many criteria that

should be taken, which are :

1. To make efficient use of solar exposure. A building’s materials can reflect, transmit or

absorb solar radiation making it important to choose design elements and materials that

utilize solar energy in the most efficient way.

Orient the building on an east-west axis with the common living spaces facing

south or within fifteen degrees. (New Construction)

Provide proper shading by preserving and/or planting trees on the East and West

perimeters of the building.

Provide proper shading with calculated roof overhangs or awnings in order to

allow sunshine into the interior during winter months and obstruct sunshine

during the summer. Overhangs also reduce needed maintenance of the building

exterior.

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2. To reduce heat gain through roof exposure while reducing the energy load on cooling

systems.

Properly install a radiant barrier between the roof surface and attic floor. Must be

installed in conjunction with an air space making sure the radiant barrier is not in

direct contact with another building material such as, insulation or roofing

shingles.

Install a light colored roof to reduce the absorption of heat

Use a metal roofing material.

3. To make use of renewable energies to reduce both utility costs and environmental

impacts of energy production.

Utilize active solar energy by installing Photovoltaic Panels that provide a

minimum of 10 percent of a project’s electrical demand

Install solar water heating system for common hot water needs.

4. In low traffic areas use porous paved surfaces to assist on-site stormwaterinfiltration and

reduce erosion.

Porous surfaces are well suited to use for footpaths, patios, and other common

areas. For example, permeable concrete/pavement, brick, stone, gravel, other

manufactured products.

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2.4 EFFICIENCY OF THE MATERIAL

Beside the management and planning the site, efficiency of the material also can

influence in the criteria in build of the green building. Without an efficient type of material the

management of the site cannot success. In order word type of material will support the

management and also other criteria that have mention like energy efficient and indoor

environment quality. Green building materials are composed of renewable, rather than

nonrenewable resources. Green materials are environmentally responsible because impacts are

considered over the life of the product (Spiegel and Meadows, 1999). Depending upon project-

specific goals, an assessment of green materials may involve an evaluation of one or more of the

criteria listed below. Before we go through to the type of material that use and how it affect the

green building, there are three step in determination of material in order to maintain the

efficiency of the material. Material selection can begin after the establishment of project-specific

environmental goals. The environmental assessment process for building products involves three

basic steps. (Froeschle, 1999). The three simple steps are ;

1. Research

This step involves gathering all technical information to be evaluated, including

manufacturers' information such as Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), Indoor

Air Quality (IAQ) test data, product warranties, source material characteristics,

recycled content data, environmental statements, and durability information. In

addition, this step may involve researching other environmental issues, building

codes, government regulations, building industry articles, model green building

product specifications, and other sources of product data. Research helps identify

the full range of the project’s building material options.

2. Evaluation.

This step involves confirmation of the technical information, as well as filling in

information gaps. For example, the evaluator may request product certifications

from manufacturers to help sort out possible exaggerated environmental product

claims. Evaluation and assessment is relatively simple when comparing similar

types of building materials using the environmental criteria. For example, a

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recycled content assessment between various manufacturers of medium density

fiberboard is a relatively straightforward "apples to apples" comparison. However,

the evaluation process is more complex when comparing different products with

the same function. Then it may become necessary to process both descriptive and

quantitative forms of data. A life cycle assessment (LCA) is an evaluation of the

relative "greenness" of building materials and products. LCA addresses the

impacts of a product through all of its life stages. Although rather simple in

principle, this approach has been difficult and expensive in actual practice. One

tool that uses the LCA methodology is BEES (Building for Environmental and

Economic Sustainability) software. It allows users to balance the environmental

and economic performance of building products.

3. Selection

This step often involves the use of an evaluation matrix for scoring the project-

specific environmental criteria. The total score of each product evaluation will

indicate the product with the highest environmental attributes. Individual criteria

included in the rating system can be weighted to accommodate project-specific

goals and objectives.

First of all, building materials typically considered to be 'green' include lumber from forests that

have been certified to a third-party forest standard,

rapidly renewable plant materials like bamboo and

straw, dimension stone, recycled stone, recycled metal,

and other products that are non-toxic, reusable,

renewable and recyclable such asTrass, Linoleum,

sheep wool, panels made from paper flakes,

compressed earth block, adobe, baked earth, rammed

earth, clay, vermiculite, flax linen, sisal, seagrass, cork, Duralite as thermal

insulatorexpanded clay grains, coconut, wood fibre plates, calcium sand stone, concrete (high

and ultra high performance, roman self-healing concrete). The EPA (Environmental Protection

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Agency) also suggests using recycled industrial goods, such as coal combustion products,

foundry sand, and demolition debris in construction projects . Building materials should be

extracted and manufactured locally to the building site to minimize the energy embedded in their

transportation. Where possible, building elements should be manufactured off-site and delivered

to site, to maximise benefits of off-site manufacture including minimizing waste, maximizing

recycling high quality elements, better OHS management, less noise and dust. Overall the

material selection must be fulfill this criteria;

1. Resource Efficiency can be accomplished by utilizing materials that meet the following

criteria:

Recycled Content: Products with identifiable recycled content, including

postindustrial content with a preference for postconsumer content.

Natural, plentiful or renewable: Materials harvested from sustainably managed

sources and preferably have an independent certification (e.g., certified wood) and

are certified by an independent third party.

Resource efficient manufacturing process: Products manufactured with resource-

efficient processes including reducing energy consumption, minimizing waste

(recycled, recyclable and or source reduced product packaging), and reducing

greenhouse gases.

Locally available: Building materials, components, and systems found locally or

regionally saving energy and resources in transportation to the project site.

Salvaged, refurbished, or remanufactured: Includes saving a material from

disposal and renovating, repairing, restoring, or generally improving the

appearance, performance, quality, functionality, or value of a product.

Reusable or recyclable: Select materials that can be easily dismantled and reused

or recycled at the end of their useful life.

Recycled or recyclable product packaging: Products enclosed in recycled content

or recyclable packaging.

Durable: Materials that are longer lasting or are comparable to conventional

products with long life expectancies.

2. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is enhanced by utilizing materials that meet the following

criteria:

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Low or non-toxic: Materials that emit few

or no carcinogens, reproductive toxicants,

or irritants as demonstrated by the

manufacturer through appropriate testing.

Minimal chemical emissions: Products

that have minimal emissions of Volatile

Organic Compounds (VOCs). Products

that also maximize resource and energy

efficiency while reducing chemical

emissions.

Eurotiles - Compressed Concrete Slap

Low-VOC assembly: Materials installed with minimal VOC-producing

compounds, or no-VOC mechanical attachment methods and minimal hazards.

Moisture resistant: Products and systems that resist moisture or inhibit the

growth of biological contaminants in buildings.

Healthfully maintained: Materials, components, and systems that require only

simple, non-toxic, or low-VOC methods of cleaning.

Systems or equipment: Products that promote healthy IAQ by identifying indoor

air pollutants or enhancing the air quality.

3. Energy Efficiency can be maximized by utilizing materials and systems that meet the

following criteria:

Materials, components, and systems that help reduce energy consumption in

buildings and facilities.

4. Water Conservation can be obtained by utilizing materials and systems that meet the

following criteria:

Products and systems that help reduce water consumption in buildings and

conserve water in landscaped areas.

5. Affordability can be considered when building product life-cycle costs are comparable to

conventional materials or as a whole, are within a project-defined percentage of the

overall budget.

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Typical wood-frame building methods are wasteful, inefficient, and far from eco-friendly.

Several natural construction methods offer greener alternatives to using wood and may be the

best choice for your green dream home. The most important thing is we must Check with our

local building department before beginning a natural construction project. The building codes

favor wood, steel, and concrete, and if you want to use something else, you may need special

approval from the building department.

2.5 WATER EFFICIENCY AND WATER CONSERVATION

The last criteria that had been mention is about the water efficiency and water

conservation. Among green building professionals, the relative importance of water conservation

has increased as a topic of concern during the past two years. As energy-efficiency measures

have become more widely adopted in new construction, the green building industry has shifted

more of its focus to water conservation.Reducing water consumption and protecting water

quality are key objectives in sustainable building. One critical issue of water consumption is that

in many areas, the demands on the supplying aquifer exceed its ability to replenish itself. To the

maximum extent feasible, facilities should increase their dependence on water that is collected,

used, purified, and reused on-site. The protection and conservation of water throughout the life

of a building may be accomplished by designing for dual plumbing that recycles water in toilet

flushing. Waste-water may be minimized by utilizing water conserving fixtures such as ultra-low

flush toilets and low-flow shower heads. Bidets help eliminate the use of toilet paper, reducing

sewer traffic and increasing possibilities of re-using water on-site. Beside that Point of use water

treatment and heating improves both water quality and energy efficiency while reducing the

amount of water in circulation. The use of non-sewage and greywater for on-site use such as site-

irrigation will minimize demands on the local aquifer. In the LEED 2009 rating system, for

example, certification requires that buildings reduce water use by at least 20 percent from a

baseline or “code” building. A 2008 survey found that 85 percent of real estate professionals

believed that water efficiency would be a very important aspect of green building in 2013,

compared to 69 percent who said that it was in 2008. The same survey found that early adopters

of new water-conservation technologies are building owners or occupiers, with 42 percent of

owners reporting in the same survey that more than three-quarters of their projects have water-

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efficient practices incorporated in the design. This compares with only 28 percent of architecture

and design firms and 20 percent of contractors who reported that they used water-efficient

technologies in their projects. One possible explanation is that owner or occupiers have likely

inflated their own adoption figures owing to the utility cost saving they have already decided to

pursue.From the definition and the importance of water will lead to exist of the new efficient

technology in the green building. There are many technologies had been invented in order to

increase of the efficiency of the water uses and directly lead to some inventor involve in creating

new water supplies from desalting saline or brackish water; others derive from buying “saved

water” from investing in irrigation water efficiencies, and still others rely on reusing fully treated

municipal wastewater. The methods are;

Technology or System Uses Benefits or Drawbacks

Rain water harvesting Toilet / urinal flushing cooling

tower makeup and site

irrigation

Need same treatment as

drinking water due to code

requirement, seasonal supply,

need onsite storage, hard to re-

plumb existing building

Graywater reuse Toilet / urinal flushing , site

irrigation

Higher level of treatment

required, constant supply

source, hard to re-plumb

existing building

Water free or ultra flow urinal Replaces conventional urinals Possible drainline carry

problem in older buildings,

save 87.5 % to 100% of urinal

water use

High efficiency toilets (HET)

typically 1.28 gpf or 1.12 gpf

Replaces conventional toiletsls Save 10% to 20% of water use

for toilet flushing , easy to

retrofit

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Low flow faucets and shower

head

Replaces conventional faucets Cost effective, easy to retrofit

Water sub metering Establish actual use pattern May be costly to retrofit ,

benfit in many building

Commercial buildings have many

opportunities to reduce water use, as well as

to recycle and reuse currently wasted water.

From the function of criteria of the water

efficiency and management many water

experts distinguish between water-efficiency

devices and systems, which lower the water

use per activity (such as a flush), and water

conservation, which includes issues such as

behavior and economics and can also reduce water consumption, from whatever source. In some

cases, a low-flow or high-efficiency toilet could end up using more water if people feel they have

to flush twice to get the bowl clean. Hence, the result is “efficiency but not “conservation!” John

Koeller, an engineer and water expert, speaks to this point:

“Efficiency versus conservation is an

important distinction because people

incorrectly use the terms

interchangeably. In LEED, for

example, the term that’s used is “water

efficiency” not “water conservation,”

because it’s about designing green

buildings, and among other things,

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efficiency is what you design into those buildings. You cannot design conservation into the

building; perhaps you design that into the building managers through education and other

means.”Sustainable building takes most of us back to the classroom for a refresher on the

physical properties of energy, air, and water. Green building practices, as well the selection of

the appropriate building materials, revolve around a few basic principles of science. Science is

what sustainable building relies on, principles that once understood can guide you every step of

the way

3.0 ADVANTAGES OF GREEN BUILDING

3.1 ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Emissions Reduction. Due to high demand of electrical energy, fossil-fuel power stations are commonly used for countries to fulfill their energy demand. A fossil-fuel power station is a power station that burns fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas or petroleum (oil) to produce electricity. Central station fossil-fuel power plants are designed on a large scale for continuous operation. In many countries, such plants provide most of the electrical energy used.

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Fossil fuel power stations have some kind of rotating machinery to convert the heat energy of combustion into mechanical energy, which then operate an electrical generator. The prime mover may be a steam turbine, a gas turbine or, in small isolated plants, a reciprocating internal combustion engine. All plants use the drop between the high pressure and temperature of the steam or combusting fuel and the lower pressure of the atmosphere or condensing vapour in the steam turbine.

Byproducts of power thermal plant operation need to be considered in both the design and operation. Waste heat due to the finite efficiency of the power cycle must be released to the atmosphere, using a cooling tower, or river or lake water as a cooling medium. The flue gas from combustion of the fossil fuels is discharged to the air; this contains carbon dioxide and water vapour, as well as other substances such as nitrogen, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and (in the case of coal-fired plants) fly ash, mercury and traces of other metals. Solid waste ash from coal-fired boilers must also be removed. Some coal ash can be recycled for building materials.

Fossil fueled power stations are major emitters of CO2 which is a contributor to global warming, global climate change, cause air quality issues such as acid rain and smog, and pose risks to human health.

Green building techniques like solar powering, daylighting, and facilitation of public transport increase energy efficiency and reduce harmful emissions.

Water Conservation. When we are talking about the incorporation of various design features that would make the building green, it is not just the expensive materials that consume less energy or are less energy intensive. Earlier we discussed various Active and Passive features to be incorporated to make the building green without increasing the cost of

infrastructure by purchasing expensive green materials.

Following green principles and design features that would make the building energy efficient and green also results in Sustainable Development which has become the prime need of the time.

Rainwater Harvesting is one such design feature that is to be incorporated in any kind of building; be it a commercial or residential complex.

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Rainwater Harvesting is a technology in which individual building or a group of buildings collect and utilize rainwater during the rainy season. This water can be stored in storage tanks and used for non-domestic purposes.

The builder and the Architects are now becoming aware of the need for water conservation are making provisions for harvesting rainwater to increase the underground water table. Provisions have also been made for the recycling process of water thus helping conserve precious water and reuse it in an efficient way.

In a rainwater harvesting system, a storage tank is required which can be a part of the underground water tank or separate tank on the surface. This tank collects water falling on the building terraces. The main purpose of rainwater harvesting system to collect and store rainwater falling on the ground which can be further be used in the future.

Stormwater Management. Stormwater is rainfall that flows over the land surface to the nearest water body, instead of soaking into the ground. In urban areas, much of the land is covered by hard surfaces such as streets, buildings, and parking lots.  These hard surfaces do not absorb rainwater.  In contrast, undeveloped areas such as forests and meadows soak up most of the rain that falls on the ground. Therefore, there is much more stormwater runoff in areas with large amounts of impervious surface. Rain that falls on your house,

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apartment building, business, or office building almost immediately becomes stormwater runoff. This runoff flows down roof gutters and combines with stormwater runoff from driveways, lawns, streets, and parking lots. Most of this water then flows into a nearby storm drain, and into the storm sewer system. Stormwater runoff can cause waterway erosion, flooding, and carry pollutants into water sources. Harvesting and redirecting stormwater, green building surfaces with permeable materials, and using green roofs can control and utilize overflow.

Temperature Moderation. The buildings, concrete, asphalt, and the human and industrial activity of urban areas have caused cities to maintain higher temperatures than their surrounding countryside. This increased heat is known as an urban heat island. The air in an urban heat island can be as much as 20°F (11°C) higher than rural areas surrounding the city.

The increased heat of our cities increases discomfort for everyone, requires an increase in the amount of energy used for cooling purposes, and increases pollution. Each city's urban heat island varies based on the city structure and thus the ranges of temperatures within the island vary as well.

Various environmental and governmental agencies are working to decrease the temperatures of urban heat islands. This can be accomplished in several ways, most prominent are switching dark surfaces to light reflective surfaces and by planting trees. Dark surfaces, such as black roofs on buildings, absorb much more heat than light surfaces, which reflect sunlight. Black surfaces can be up to 70°F (21°C) hotter than light surfaces and that excess heat is transferred to the building itself, creating an increased need for cooling. By switching to light colored roofs, buildings can use 40% less energy.

Planting trees not only helps to shade cities from incoming solar radiation, they also increase evapotranspiration, which decreases the air temperature. Trees can reduce energy costs by 10-

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20%. The concrete and asphalt of our cities increases runoff, which decreases the evaporation rate and thus also increases temperature.

Waste Reduction. Construction and demolition (C&D) materials consist of the debris generated during the construction, renovation, and demolition of buildings, roads, and bridges. C&D materials often contain bulky, heavy materials, such as concrete, wood, metals, glass, and salvaged building components.

Reducing and recycling C&D materials conserves landfill space, reduces the environmental impact of producing new materials, creates jobs, and can reduce overall building project expenses through avoided purchase/disposal costs. This section provides information on EPA’s efforts and other opportunities to reduce C&D materials

Industrial materials recycling, also referred to as beneficial use, means reusing or recycling byproduct materials generated from industrial processes. These materials can be used as substitutions for raw materials in the manufacture of consumer products, roads, bridges, buildings, and other construction projects. Thousands of manufacturing and industrial processes and electric utility generators create hundreds of millions of tons of non-hazardous industrial materials that are often wasted.

Non-hazardous industrial materials, such as coal ash, foundry sand, construction and demolition materials, slags, and gypsum, are valuable products of industrial processes. Each material may be recycled in a variety of diverse applications. These materials have many of the same chemical and physical properties as the virgin materials they replace and they can even improve the quality of a product. For example, the use of coal fly ash can enhance the strength and durability

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of concrete. Putting these commodities into productive use saves resources and energy, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and contributes to a sustainable future.

Industrial materials recycling:

Preserves our natural resources by decreasing the demand for virgin materials;

Conserves energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by decreasing the demand for products made from energy intensive manufacturing processes; and

Saves money by decreasing disposal costs for the generator and decreasing materials costs for end users.

Building deconstruction as an alternative to full-scale demolition results in massive decreases of waste production.

3.2 ECONOMIC BENEFITS

A common impression about green building is that the green premium is too expensive to be considered economically feasible. However, studies have shown that the costs of green buildings are not substantially higher than regular development projects. Higher construction costs can generally be avoided by the inclusion of green design from the outset of the project. Additionally, green buildings provide an assortment of economic advantages.

Energy and Water Savings. Green buildings often include measures to reduce energy consumption – both the embodied energy required to extract, process, transport and install building materials and operating energy to provide services such as heating and power for equipment.

As high-performance buildings use less operating energy, embodied energy has assumed much greater importance – and may make up as much as 30% of the

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overall life cycle energy consumption. Studies show buildings built primarily with wood will have a lower embodied energy than those built primarily with brick, concrete or steel.

To reduce operating energy use, high-efficiency windows and insulation in walls, ceilings, and floors increase the efficiency of the building envelope, (the barrier between conditioned and unconditioned space). Another strategy, passive solar building design, is often implemented in low-energy homes. Designers orient windows and walls and place awnings, porches, and trees to shade windows and roofs during the summer while maximizing solar gain in the winter. In addition, effective window placement (daylighting) can provide more natural light and lessen the need for electric lighting during the day. Solar water heating further reduces energy costs.

Onsite generation of renewable energy through solar power, wind power, hydro power, or biomass can significantly reduce the environmental impact of the building. Power generation is generally the most expensive feature to add to a building.

Reducing water consumption and protecting water quality are key objectives in sustainable building. One critical issue of water consumption is that in many areas, the demands on the supplying aquifer exceed its ability to replenish itself. To the maximum extent feasible, facilities should increase their dependence on water that is collected, used, purified, and reused on-site. The protection and conservation of water throughout the life of a building may be accomplished by designing for dual plumbing that recycles water in toilet flushing. Waste-water may be minimized by utilizing water conserving fixtures such as ultra-low flush toilets and low-flow shower heads. Bidets help eliminate the use of toilet paper, reducing sewer traffic and increasing possibilities of re-using water on-site. Point of use water treatment and heating improves both water quality and energy efficiency while reducing the amount of water in circulation. The use of non-sewage and greywater for on-site use such as site-irrigation will minimize demands on the local aquifer

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Increased Property Values. Not only are green buildings good for the environment, provide healthier places to live and more productive places to work, they can command higher rents and prices, attract tenants more quickly, reduce tenant turnover and cost less to operate and maintain. With energy costs on the rise, the low operating costs and easy maintenance of green buildings make for lower vacancy rates and higher property values.

Dual flush toilets conserve water

Decreased Infrastructure Strain. Efficient buildings exert less demand on the local power grid and water supply, stretching the capacity of local infrastructure.

Improved Employee Attendance. A new study finds that employees who move from buildings with poor indoor environmental quality to more healthful "green" buildings may reap some benefits, including less absenteeism and higher productivity.

The green building movement isn't just concerned with constructing buildings that are more energy efficient and environmentally responsible, they're

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supposed to improve indoor surroundings as well, making it more healthful and pleasant for those who work there, via lighting, ventilation, acoustics and ergonomic design.

Increased Employee Productivity. Employee productivity has been positively correlated to indoor environmental conditions, and shows improvements where green principles have been applied.

Sales Improvements. Studies show better sales in stores that utilize natural light. Retailers are increasingly using daylighting in an effort to harvest the associated sales benefits.

Development of Local Talent Pool. With increased attention being paid to global climate change and the need for renewable energy sources, the field of building design and construction is moving toward sustainability as a permanent objective. As of July 2007, 23 states and more than 80 cities have legislated green standards for municipal buildings. Building green in Bloomington is an investment in the local economy, helping to foster a local talent pool: designers and builders experienced with green projects able to accommodate the growing market demand for sustainable development.

3.3 SOCIAL BENEFITS

Improved Health. The Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) category in LEED standards, one of the five environmental categories, was created to provide comfort, well-being, and productivity of occupants. The LEED IEQ category addresses design and construction guidelines especially: indoor air quality (IAQ), thermal quality, and lighting quality.

Indoor Air Quality seeks to reduce volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, and other air

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impurities such as microbial contaminants. Buildings rely on a properly designed ventilation system (passively/naturally or mechanically-powered) to provide adequate ventilation of cleaner air from outdoors or recirculated, filtered air as well as isolated operations (kitchens, dry cleaners, etc.) from other occupancies. During the design and construction process choosing construction materials and interior finish products with zero or low VOC emissions will improve IAQ. Most building materials and cleaning/maintenance products emit gases, some of them toxic, such as many VOCs including formaldehyde. These gases can have a detrimental impact on occupants' health, comfort, and productivity. Avoiding these products will increase a building's IEQ. LEED, HQE and Green Star contain specifications on use of low-emitting interior.

Also important to indoor air quality is the control of moisture accumulation (dampness) leading to mold growth and the presence of bacteria and viruses as well as dust mites and other organisms and microbiological concerns. Water intrusion through a building's envelope or water condensing on cold surfaces on the building's interior can enhance and sustain microbial growth. A well-insulated and tightly-sealed envelope will reduce moisture problems but adequate ventilation is also necessary to eliminate moisture from sources

indoors including human metabolic processes, cooking, bathing, cleaning, and other activities.

Personal temperature and airflow control over the HVAC system coupled with a properly designed building envelope will also aid in increasing a building's thermal quality. Creating a high performance luminous environment through the careful integration of daylight and electrical light sources will improve on the lighting quality and energy performance of a structure.

Solid wood products, particularly flooring, are often specified in environments where occupants are known to have allergies to dust or other particulates. Wood itself is considered to be hypo-allergenic and its smooth surfaces prevent the buildup of particles common in soft finishes like carpet. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American recommends hardwood, vinyl, linoleum tile or slate flooring instead of carpet. The use of wood products can also improve air quality by absorbing or releasing moisture in the air to moderate humidity.

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Poor indoor environmental quality (IEQ) resulting from insufficient air circulation, poor lighting, mold build up, temperature variances, carpeting and furniture materials, pesticides, toxic adhesives and paints, and high concentration of pollutants (typically 10 to 100 times higher than outdoors) contribute widely to respiratory problems, allergies, nausea, headaches, and skin rashes. Green building emphasizes ventilation and non-toxic, low emitting materials that create healthier and more comfortable living and working environments.

Improved Schools. "Building green" is an umbrella phrase that encompasses numerous small but interconnected decisions we can make about materials, design, and building methods that collectively reduce energy use, improve health, and achieve other environmental goals. In educational buildings, green builders pay particular attention to natural daylight, air quality, and improved acoustics, which leads to reduced

sick days for both teachers (strained vocal chords are a primary reason for absenteeism) and students.

If there is one overriding reason to go green, it is the proven effect of natural light on students. The Heschong Mahone Group, a green-building consulting firm, has conducted numerous studies over the last decade that indicate that lighting and other aspects of physical comfort can lead to improved test scores. Researchers have found similar results for retail and office environments, where natural light from skylights, windows, and other sources also bolstered wakefulness and productivity.

Green schools can also become a way to connect learning to the outside world and to bring environmental issues to life in the classroom. "It's teaching lessons we've historically left out of curricula," says Rachel Gutter, who oversees the Green Building Council's schools sector. "You're up on the roof measuring the solar-panel generation. You're in the organic garden on the roof getting vegetables for lunch, or in the adjacent wetlands studying bees. It's one big teaching tool."

An estimated 40% of schools in the United States are subject to poor environmental conditions that compromise the health and

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learning of students. The healthier environment and atmosphere in school buildings utilizing green design and construction principles is shown to lead to significant reductions in student absenteeism and improvements in test scores.

Healthier Lifestyles and Recreation. A key element of sustainable design is the preservation of natural environments, which afford a variety of recreation and exercise opportunities. Green buildings also seek to facilitate alternatives to driving, such as bicycling and public transport, which eases local traffic while encouraging personal health and fitness.

4.0 DISADVANTAGES OF GREEN BUILDING

As we knows that, all the things and the human creation in this world have it weakness or in other words we can said as the advantages. So in this part, will be explain about the disadvantages of the green building. The disadvantages of the green building is including first,

4.1 ENVIRONMENTAL DISADVANTAGES

Air Cooling Features

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Second, the disadvantages of the Green Buildings are involving its air cooling features. When utilizing green building cooling components, such as natural ventilation, consumers do not have a precise mechanism to increase or decrease exact temperatures. This is a difficult hurdle for many green building occupants to overcome. This is the weakness of the green building and this will burden the people inside the buildings.

Structural Orientation

Then the other weakness of green building is involving its structural orientation. In order to best optimize sun exposure, green building may demand structural positioning opposite of other neighborhood homes, causing friction among neighbors. In addition, differences in structural orientation will affect how natural daylight enters the building structure. With this in mind

there may be a need to install more overhangs, blinds, or shades.

Indoor Air Pollution

Everyone knows that green buildings do not pollute the environment and are much more energy-efficient than the traditional buildings. However, there is one area which most green buildings ignore and that is the poor indoor air quality that is often seen in such buildings. Green buildings are so covered and sealed, that they lead to indoor pollution. This can prove to be detrimental to the health of the inhabitants of such buildings. The indoor air quality may further suffer if the builder uses a recycled product which contains some harmful chemicals that emit toxins in the indoor air. In case the builder replaces the bulbs in the green building with fluorescent lights, the same are capable of emitting radiation, which can cause many health problems in people.

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The picture above shows the pollution that may produce inside the green buildings. So the pollutant is harmful and dangerous to the people inside the building. This is one of the weaknesses of green buildings.

Green Roof

In general, green roofs in green buildings are comprised of multiple layers including a vegetation layer, growing medium, drainage or water storage, insulation, a waterproofing membrane, and roof support. Since they are usually heavier than a traditional roof, builders need to improve upon the existing roof’s strength in order to install a green roof.

Location

Certain green buildings have to be constructed in such a way that to optimally utilize sunlight, they need to be structurally positioned in the opposite direction to the other neighborhood buildings. This can lead to two problems. Firstly, such a house would require more blinds and shades than a traditional house, to stop the sun's rays from entering the house. Secondly, such a house might cause problems between the home owner and his neighbors. Another technical drawback of a green building is that the inhabitants cannot increase or decrease the inside temperature, as air cooling components like natural ventilation cannot be controlled. As for the legal issues, certain places in America have specific laws, which all builders have to follow when

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constructing a building. Sometimes, eco-friendly buildings use some materials or technology, which are against these laws, thus making green buildings a strict no at such places.

4.2 ECONOMICAL DISADVANTAGES

High Cost

For sure that to build a green buildings in Malaysia needed a lot of expenditure. Government needs to spend a large amount of money. Our country still in rank of poor country with the GDP below RM1000. The government can save the money to help poor citizen rather than spend it to build a buildings that are green building. We knows that green building give more benefit to human health, but the citizen welfare must be the priority of the government. Apart from that the costing from build the green buildings can risk the government being bankrupts because government need to borrow money from the world bank to lunch this project and this will rise the percentage debt of our country. Now the debt percentage of our country is 53% and the country will being bankrupts when the debt percentages exactly 54%. So the different form the dangerous level is too close about 1% only.

Availability of Materials

While homeowners in who live close to larger cities may have no difficulty finding green building materials, the selection may be scarce in other areas. Many materials may require special ordering, which could increase the cost. In addition, some materials may only be available through Internet orders, which will include a cost for shipping and

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handling.So theplanning to build the green buildings is too complex and our country Malaysia are lack of specialist and mostly material to build the buildings need to export form other countries, so the maintenance for green building is too expensive.

Time Frame

In some cases, green buildings might take a lot more time in getting ready, thus, putting the builders or home owners in a spot, who want the building to be ready in a specific time frame. For instance, if the materials used in its construction are ordered on the Internet and are being shipped from some faraway place, it can take days for them to reach the site. Or, in case recycled materials are being used in its construction, the builder might have to stop work on the project, if the same are not available immediately.

4.3 SOCIAL DISADVANTAGES

Labor Laws

Labor law compliance requirements, in regards to green building, have not fully solidified. For this reason, it is advisable to seek experienced legal counsel in order to avoid costly liabilities.

We have known the disadvantages of green buildings that have mentioned above, so we can conclude that every human creation in this world are not perfect, there must some weakness or limitation of that creation. It different from god, all

of his creation is totally awesome and almost no weakness, for example we are human that have been created by god.

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