A Green Office – An Energy Efficient Office Building

Text-Suvarna Deshpande/Lele
The use of local materials with consideration to local climate and participation
leads to A Holistic Design Approach – LAURIE BAKER
All built up areas must provide a good and healthy living environment. Building
designs and their locations must be pertaining to environmental principles. The resources as
land, water renewable and non renewable sources must be totally used.
There is close connection between use of energy in a building and environmental
damage as Architects tend to use 'energy intensive' as well as 'monetarily expensive
solutions’. The use of various energy resources for heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting
can cause depletion of the natural resources.
The idea of 'Green Design' is to modulate the climatic conditions which are
comfortable by use of several parameters of design such as site, landscape, built form,
building envelope, materials and other control measures.Its main aim is to meet occupants
need for thermal and visual comfort.
All these design principles are closely followed in a structure built by 'Chaugule
Patil Pvt. Ltd.' For its own office.The office is designed by Ar. Pramod Chaugule who
effortlessly incorporates all these parameters in his design.

Fusion of Vernacular,Ancient and Post Modern Architecture

The use of environment friendly, natural and cheap materials is the specialty of this
structure where the cost of structure is reduced due to usage of several affordable materials
and technologies.The structure pertains to an eco a friendly principle which was the motto of
the firm from its inception. Design depicts the ethos of the surroundings, its culture and
traditions. It is a perfect blend of Vernacular, Traditional and Historical aspects of the locality
and the result is a harmonious and an energy efficient structure.
 Not only the people related to construction business should study this building for its
different approach but even a common man can observe it considering its different treatment
and an environment friendly approach as it is the need of hour.
Office building is located at Local Board colony, Near Udyog Bhavan at Sangli.The
site is a rectangular plot admeasuring 4000 sq.m. situated in a residential area of Sangli.

Combination of Creamish white Gokak and yellow Rabkavi stones

Façade shows a fusion of Post Modern and Ancient architecture. The same characters
are observed in interiors, also reflecting a flair for Vernacular Architecture. The shapes and
forms reflect diverse aesthetics with harmonious collision of styles adopted for its own sake.
The staircase block tilting in glass and ACP reflects the post modern character of the
structure which forms a back ground to the main structure in foreground. It is constructed of
Robust and tough stone work of creamish white Gokak stone and black sun dressed pointed
Basalt stone. It is a combination of bold ,earthy and solid foreground against a small,
delicate and dreamy background. The resources consumed are as less as possible.
Architect has taken a great effort to follow the principle of 'Green Architecture' and
'Affordable Architecture' in each of his design. Some of his well known projects include a
design of eco friendly neighborhood 'Whispering woods', an energy efficient campus of
Police Training Center at Tasgaon, various well designed and energy efficient bungalows as
bungalows for Mr. Rajeev Kulkarni, Mr. Shahajirao Jagdale, Mr. Magdum, Farm House for
Mr. G.T. Shah and several others. He has also designed varied industrial structures with
same principles. He has also actively participated in several social works. A beautiful
building called 'Karna' is out come of these efforts which is designed for destitute children.
His structures follow all environmental principles, it is needless to say that his own office is
an epitome of all.
To incorporate sustainable design principles the easiest way is to select environment
friendly materials and to use local technologies. To reduce the cost of construction, local men
and waste materials play a significance role. The architecture should be seen in relation with
energy and environment.
The office plan reflects a simplicity, open-ness and freshness in character.
Ground floor has a reception counter at the entrance for reception officer. It also is
provided with the spaces for conference and multimedia presentation. South west corner of
the space is occupied by a space for accountants who look after banking, taxing, billings and
budgets.
The external elevation from road shows a beautiful compound wall constructed of
waste materials, where several stones are placed in interesting patterns along with colorful
MS pipes.

Compound wall constructed out several materials in cohesion

Two granites are placed on both side of gate. Also an eye catching monolith stone slab
stands near the gate. Focal point of the elevation is 2 yellow 'Rabkavi' stone pillars provided
in front of entrance. They are topped by two pine wood horizontal planks fixed by steel pipes
to the pillar.

CombinationOf ‘Gokak’and‘BlackBasalt’ Compositewall of red’ILLKAL’,granite and black basalt

Harmonious compositions of several stones is seen on external elevations such as

construction of external wall with creamish 'Gokak', end walls with sun pointed black Basalts
and window frames with 'grey Granites'.
 An extremely beautiful wall acts as a partition between two adjacent sites which is a
composite wall of red Illkal, Granite and black Basalt. The wall is topped over by a flat stone
of marble resting on a concrete sphere.
Upper floor is designed as a complete technical area with spaces allocated to three
directors, of whom two are Engineers and one is an Architect.
The interior space of the office is interesting with a harmonious combination of
several materials which are mostly re used from the wastages picked up from their other sites.
A strong cohesion of several materials with different characters is seen on façade as well in
the interiors where the potential of each material is exposed to its best.
A stone wall of finely dressed black basalt stone welcomes you at the entrance which
is treated with two niches for placing the lamps, similar to that in a temple creating a serene
atmosphere.

.
Dressed basalt provided with the niches for lamps at the entrance
A wide range of project photographs cover the ceiling giving an idea of wide variety
and challenging projects done by this firm.Very basic materials with simplest modes
of construction are found in interiors.

Ceilings provided with photos of actual project work

The office space is free flowing without any full sized partitions which give a feel of
one-ness and open-ness to the whole space.
Architects space is made interesting by a table made up of wastages of 'Gokak' and 'Marble'
stone along with Green ply. A divan made-up of wooden wastages is placed at the corner
serving as resting area for the Architect.

Architects working space with a table made up of wastages of

‘Gokak’ and Marble stone along with green ply.
Technical areas are separated by half partitions made up of Green ply resting on 'M.S.
pipe' structure. Jute pin up boards are mounted on the ply for display of the drawings. Table
tops are made up of ceramic Jaisalmere stone.

Table tops made up of ‘Ceramic Jaisalmer’ stone Wooden partitions also used for storage

Two white units made up of 'Siporex blocks' stand as library units at the focal point of
technical area. A colourful design of China mosaic tiles is cast between these two
units.Studio flooring is laid from polished grey Granite.

Library units carved in Siporex conc. Blocks Mural made up of foam concrete block

Architect’s area displays a very eye catching mural made up of foam concrete with a
theme of 'creation' created by artist Suresh Pandit.
An another aspect of this interesting design is a landscape which maintains a natural tone by
preserving the existing trees like yellow flowering Cassia, Karanji and Eucalyptus trees and
planting an additional 145 number of trees. Nearly 78 sq.m. of the area is landscaped. Stone
paving is laid out of wastages of Granite stones used in construction. A beautiful yellow
flowering cassia is seen from a wide glazing provided on North Eastern face of the studio.

Stone paving is laid out Preservation of existing trees

of wastages of Granite stones

Reduction in energy demand is achieved by use of solar passive strategies combined

with site resources. Energy demands are reduced by energy efficient lighting and control
devices. Renewable forms of energies like application of wind mills rain water harvesting,
air conditioning by earth tunnel provision of SIBF system, recycling of wastes is used in
design.
Waste management is achieved by reduction of water use by efficient water
harvesting for storage and reuse.
A very significant aspect of this Design is the use of waste or recycled materials from
other sites which achieves cost saving along with reduction in energy demands.
Two windmills – One of 3 KW and other of 1 KW are provided on the terrace which
generate total 3833 Kwh per year. They take care of all domestic lighting and battery
charging for inverter.
Rainwater collection and purification A wind mill

Due to the exact amount of the glazing area provided, no artificial lighting and
cooling measures are used in daytime reducing the energy consumption by 3185 KW and
also reducing CO2 generation by 2708 Kg.
The innovative feature of this project is provision of SIBF system which treats 1000
liters of domestic used water and gives back 900 liters of reusable clear water. The treatment
plant merges with the surrounding landscape.
The rainwater harvesting system makes ground water recharge of 200000 liters/year.
An earth tunnel is provided for cooling effect. A wind catcher from tunnel helps the
reduction of south west heat while protecting that side of structures. Moreover cavity walls
are used at the west side of the structure to protect from extensive heat.
Office has reduced the paper waste by 25% by implementing the reuse of printed
papers and green diaries. The organic waste of office campus is treated by composting, the by
product is a manure which is used for garden.
North side of the structure is fully exposed to diffuse north light by means of a full
glazing. The floor to opening ratio is nearly 80% providing a feel of airiness and open-ness to
the space. The sufficient amount of light penetrates inside without giving a glare. Design of
the structure takes care of western wind.
Every structure stands apart with its own characters. A successful Architect takes care
of an occupant’s need of visual and thermal comfort and makes it most pleasing as well as
sustainable.
Grasping the natural characteristics of an environment and imparting them to a
structure to make it comfortable is an Architect job. Structure with such character becomes
the pride of its surroundings. So not only to observe this 'Green office' but to use its
principles in his own structure or his lifestyle a common man as well as the experts can study
and observe this structure.
The success of this structure lies in creating a comfortable and a natural environment
to its users providing a real 'Sustainable Habitat'.
PLANS OF GROUND FLOOR AND FIRST FLOOR

FACT FILE
Project: Office Building

Location: Studio 8-8-8 Abhalmaya, C.S.13700, Local Board Colony,

Client: Own Office

Architect: Architect Pramod Chaugule

Design team: Shireesh Patil, Shrikant Patil, ,Akshay

Project Area: Plot Area, 4000 Sq. ft., nearly FF – 1300 & GF – 1300, total - 2600

Civil Contractors: M/S J. T. Construction, Sangli

Carpentry: Ramesh Janghid/ Punaram Malvix

Project Estimate: Rs. 35 Lacs

Initiation of Project: 5th April – Targeted 125 days

Completion of project: 08/08/08

ARCHITECTS PROFILE
Arcitect Mr.Pramod Chaugule has done his graduation from Mumbai University.He is
practicing ‘Green and Cost Effective Architecture’ from inception of his firm ‘Chaugule Patil
Pvt Ltd’.He is also actively involved in Social work and blood donation camps.

Photograph
 CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the article written on Mr Pramod Chaugule’s office is a review taken by
me-Ar.Suvarna Lele which is an original work and sent for first time for publication in JIIA.
The views expressed in the articles are my own views and not copied or borrowed from any
book.

Ar Suvarna Lele