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MUMBAI: Bombay House, the headquarters of the Tata group in Mumbai, India, has become India’s first heritage building to get the prestigious IGBC Green Existing Building GOLD rating by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), under their IGBC Green Existing Buildings (Operations & Maintenance) rating system.
Built in 1923, Bombay House has been given this rating for implementing measurable strategies and solutions in five categories: site & facility management, water efficiency, energy efficiency, health & comfort and innovation.
Some of the benchmark sustainability practices being followed by the Bombay House and recognised by the IGBC are as follows:
Green Policy: A Green Policy has been introduced for all future building retrofits and renovation.
Energy savings of more than 20%: In accordance with the guidelines by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) Star Rating Index, the building has achieved a 4-Star Energy Savings, by saving energy in excess of 20%. Measures like high energy efficiency chillers and cooling towers for air conditioning, smart building management system controls, LED lights, occupancy sensors in common areas, smart metering for all areas and passive & active measures like insulated roofs, high SRI materials and envelope with enough day lighting, among others have been introduced in the building.
Use of offsite Renewable Energy: To promote the use of green renewable energy in Bombay House, Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) equivalent to more than 75% of annual electricity consumption requirement of the building have been purchased.
Water savings of more than 50%: The building has achieved water savings of more than 50% by implementing measures like rain water harvesting, ultra-low flow fixtures and flushing system, among others.
Occupant Well Being and Comfort: Comfort air conditioning with fresh air system and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) sensors have been installed which regulate the air quality inside the building thereby ensuring peak productivity and well-being of employees.
Use of Car Pools & Public Transport: More than 75% of the occupants of the building use car pools and public transport.
Contribution to the maintenance of neighbouring areas: The group has also adopted measures to contribute to the common area maintenance of the neighbourhood of Bombay House like maintaining the nearby ESSO Park with eco-friendly landscape practices and contributing towards the maintenance of Horniman Circle Park, among others.
The project was implemented with the support of occupants of the building, The Associated Building Company Limited, a Tata group company responsible for the building, and Ecofirst Services Limited, the sustainability arm of Tata Consulting Engineers Ltd. which works in the area of Building Retro Commissioning and Facilitation.
IGBC Green Existing Buildings O&M rating system
The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) has recently launched IGBC Green Existing Buildings O&M rating system to encourage sustainability practices, green concepts and techniques. Green concepts and techniques in Existing Buildings helps to address national priorities like handling consumer waste, water efficiency, reduction in use of fossil fuels, energy efficiency and conserving natural resources.
