Green buildings rapidly evolving as best design standard

A green building, by definition, is one which conserves natural resources, is energy efficient, and a healthier space for its occupants as compared to a conventional building. In India, the green building movement has been pioneered by CII which set up the Indian Green Building Council in 2001 at the behest of then US President Bill Clinton. India has since rapidly moved up the ladder with the ITC and Patni structures ranking as two of the largest Platinum certified structures globally. At last count, India had a total of 52 certified green buildings and 428 green projects.

While some tend to argue that the cost of setting up a green building tends to be higher than a conventional one, the converts point out the energy savings that kick in along with reduced operating costs mean that the difference in costs can be recovered within the first three years of the building lifecycle. At the ITC Green Centre for instance, energy usage is pegged at 1,30,000 units instead of 6,30,000 units if this building was made with business as usual approach. ITC is now in the process of extending its green initiatives to all upcoming, and existing hotel properties, with the latest one, ITC Royal Gardenia in Bangalore aiming to be carbon positive by next year.

While most large real estate developers too have climbed onto the green bandwagon proclaiming that their future projects will be green, there has been some amount of reluctance since the cost benefits that kick in would be beneficial to the end consumer and not the developer. While green may cost marginally more than conventional spaces, it’s almost certain that as it grows in popularity, going green will provide a very compelling cost equation that few smart businesses will be able to resist.

Indian Vastu Sashtra

India is considered the mother of Vastu as the ancient saints have formulated various principles of it. It was written nearly thousand years ago where the sages kept in their minds the results of sunlight and energyand stabilizing all the nature's five elements in such a way to get the maximum advantage out of it. In India, it evolved around 5000 years ago and is considered a super science where as the origin of Chinese Feng Shui was 3500-4500 years ago.

Basically, Vastu Shastra deals with the exercise of architecture and construction or building science and in fact it gives a fair touch in every aspects of life on the earth as well as the universe. The basic theme remains a link that is ever-present between the man and cosmos. The word 'Vastu' was originated from the term 'VASTOSHPATI' which had its usage in the Rig Veda and is said to render happiness, prosperity and protection in life and after death too. However, Vastu Shastra truly conceives in the presence of Vastu Purush, who is considered the main deity of a building.

Vastu Shastra is a science of directions and is a study that acquires an entire command over the cognition of directions. In fact, there are actually eight directions namely, northeast, north, southeast, east, southwest, south, northwest and west. It is entirely an Indian science of architecture and space and how environments and spaces are created supporting the spiritual and physical prosperity and health. This had evolved in India during the Vedic times and the concepts of Vastu Shastra were transmitted to South East Asia, Tibet and ultimately to Japan and China where the developmental base of Feng-shui originated.

According to the Vastu Shastras, when one worships, fears and respects the lords of all the above said directions, it considered that benefits and blessings would be showered on us. Moreover, saints have searched the Vastu Shastra and we make only researches. The ancient science helped a lot in getting the benefits freely that are offered by five basic elements of the world in which everyone lead their lives. The five elements of the universe are sky (Akash), water (Paani), wind (Vayu), fire (Agni) and earth (Prithvi). It is believed that Vastu Shastra is a perfect understanding of geography, direction, environment, physics and topography and is essentially the art of placing the correct settings in a manner that yields the maximum benefits.

Stable Construction Industry in 2010

There has been a significant increase in asset ownership through build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) projects last year. Even then, Fitch Rating Agency has commented on the Indian construction sector to be stable for the year 2010 (as the rating agency expects.According to a study by ASSOCHAM, the burgeoning Indian construction industry, currently worth $70 billion, will rise to US$120 billion by 2010.

Ashok Leyland, India’s second-biggest commercial vehicle maker by sales, is all set to make a foray this year into the booming construction equipment segment dominated by players such as Telcon of Tata Motors, JB, Escorts, L&T, Caterpillar and Komatsu.Ashok Leyland CFO K Sridharan told that the joint venture with John Deere to manufacture construction equipment will take off in December this year. The company is setting up a facility near Gummidipoondi and has started testing products in the market. Diversified Hinduja Group on is close to acquire an Indian construction firm in a bid to secure a foothold in India's fast growing infrastructure sector, especially roads, and also announced an investment of USD 10 billion (around Rs 46,200 crore) in the power sector.

Foreign investors have remained bullish on India's housing, real estate and construction sectors in the last two years, undaunted by scarce global financial resources.Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in terms of inflows into equity in the Indian construction and realty sectors have seen a sharp rise from USD 1.19 billion in April-December 2007 to USD 5.6 billion in the first three quarters of the current fiscal, as per the official data. More over the government allows 100 per cent FDI through automatic route in construction development projects, including housing, resorts, commercial premises, educational institutions, recreational facilities, city and regional level infrastructure and townships. So it is showing a good sign for the Indian construction sector in the year 2010.There is a promising opporunity in building more in the country by which it has immense potential in generating huge amount of employment. It has been found out that construction industry offers employment to around 7% of the total employed work force around the globe.