OREANDA-NEWS. Bombay House, the headquarters of the Tata group in Mumbai, India, has become India’s first heritage building to get the prestigious green existing building gold rating awarded 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 and facility management, water efficiency, energy efficiency, health and comfort, and innovation.

Some of the benchmark sustainability practices being followed by 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 percent: In accordance with the guidelines by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) Star Rating Index, the building has achieved 4-star energy savings, by saving energy in excess of 20 percent. 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 and 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 equivalent to more than 75 percent of annual electricity consumption requirement of the building have been purchased.

Water savings of more than 50 percent: The building has achieved water savings of more than 50 percent 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 and public transport: More than 75 percent 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, a Tata group company responsible for the building; and Ecofirst Services, the sustainability arm of Tata Consulting Engineers, which works in the area of building retro commissioning and facilitation.