Green Buildings for Energy??

Really, the Green Buildings are energy efficient? A question had been asked by one of my relative living in an Green Building; “How it is a green building, what do you do that a simple building becomes green building”. Well I was confident and explained my relative that green buildings save energy. Your electricity bill will be 20% less than the conventional building. The reply was we use to pay Rs 2500 / month in our previous home and here we are paying around Rs 4000 / month. Hell yes, you have bought a bigger house!! But we still have 2 AC’s, one fridge, one geyser, kitchen exhaust system, almost same number of fans and same number of equipment. Interesting, well yes, what they don’t really understand is that the volume those 2 AC’s are now dealing with is more and have to work more than there previous home. They also don’t realize that fans, lights and kitchen exhaust system needs to be better than their previous home. Same systems and equipment will not work as efficiently as they use to be considering the demand of electricity required in their new home. Well think about it, a whole research paper can be drawn on this topic. I have my limitations as I need to discuss on various other issues of commercial and rating systems as well.

The above conversation leads to a question, that how Green building rating system deal with the problem above. Well, they do not!! They are primarily focused on efficiency of system and do not deal with the issue of energy demand. In fact, interestingly, the rating system do not, at all, deal with the equipment installed in building. It only based on two aspects of energy, first HVAC (Air conditioning) and lighting and to an extent, building envelope but also not fully. Well as someone who has heard about green building and doesn’t know about the technical details the question asked is WHY? Well primarily these are the major sources of energy consumption as suggested by researches done in western countries specially USA. We don’t have an indigenous research which could prove the same. To my understanding, the lighting and HVAC does not contribute as much as other equipment contribute in India. Such as geysers, heaters, washing machines, pumps and plug loads. Plug loads are huge in India, we Indians are too innovative and can put 5-6 equipment in one electrical socket. This genius of Indians had never been captured in any of the study conducted. We are too comfortable following US standards without even questioning them.

The rating systems in India follows ASHRAE (American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air conditioning Engineers) and ECBC (Energy Conservation Building Code). Its been discussed, that ASHRAE is American and ECBC is Indian, but hey hey!! Both are same. ECBC uses exhaustive references from ASHRAE and lots of calculations are also based upon the ASHRAE standards. Proves another genius of Indians CUT-COPY-PASTE. And believe me we did great job in doing that (nakal badi akal se kari hai). The basic problem I realized over the years that we do not have research based in India, everything is either imported directly or indirectly. I understand the challenges faced by the authors of ECBC, and I certainly didn’t mean to offend them. They did great job in whatever is available to them. Nonetheless, the conclusion is we don’t have answers to energy efficiency, particularly because we never asked any questions yet.

My request to the readers of this blog, is to ask questions which are relevant to us Indians, not hypothetically connect them with research done on the other side of the planet.

Please let me know of any further questions are clarifications you need after reading the blog. We can discuss the issues separately. And also, please let me know if I’m factually incorrect, as I’ve made many presumptions based upon my experience of buildings.

Thank You

Amor

Green Buildings??

By definition “Green building refers to both structure and the using of processes that are environmentally responsible and resource efficient throughout a building’s life cycle; from siting to design, construction operation, maintenance, renovation and demolition.” (Wikipedia definition on Green Building)

How many green buildings have you worked on or lived in or designed it? Relevant question? I haven’t worked on any, as of now, considering I’ve certified or pre-certified more than 50 Green Buildings through various rating system in last 6 years. At least by definition of it, as I've gone through the Wikipedia content. Does getting rating system make a building green or sustainable, really? I don’t think so. The parameters designed for getting green certificates are flawed in themselves, at least the ones applicable in India. Why do I need to prepare a document which certifies that the building is in mid of a bustling market where you get more than 10 amenities. How does it transcends to the statement or definition given above. Well, I know the intent behind it but it does not apply in Indian conditions at all. I don’t want to walk 200 m from my office space to a pharmacist to get disprin (medicine for headache). I can quote these examples for each of the amenities. but don’t want to write it un-necessary.

Now we come to discuss two big issues, 1st Water and 2nd Energy. Let me start with water first. Well, the rating systems altogether works on the efficiency of water. It really doesn’t care the actual conditions. Interestingly, the tabulated excel sheets in rating systems are completely hypothetical and does not reflect the actual water consumption. It seems that the rating system administration wants to check your mathematical and statistical skills in excel format. How good can you manipulate or use numbers!! And yeah, we are supposed to talk about the efficiency of water consumption in the building. For truly Green Building an effort should be made to reduce the demand of water in the system and then think of efficiency. Well hello hello, Green Building Rating Systems do not think that ways (at least in India). And the rain water harvesting calculations and landscaping calculations are totally based upon the Green Building Consultants statistical skills. No relevance to save or conserve any of the water. There are lot of talks and assumptions and “EGO” involved in these ratings. The designers of these ratings are either egotists or beneficiaries of certain companies.

Will write about the Energy next week. As you know it is the most important and marketing component of Green Building Rating systems.

This blog starts of the campaign for ‘Parivartan’ in our thoughts and approaches towards green building design. Please feel free to contact me through facebook and twitter to know more on site development and water efficiency. Also, feel free to argue on the subject, I would like to know how wrong am I.

Thank You for reading. Hope to listen from you all

Regards
Amor

शादी होने के कारण

प्रणाम!!  चलिए अब तो मैंने भी ये मान ही लिया है की मेरी शादी हो ही जाएगी। आखिर लड्डू खाने का निश्चय मैंने कर ही लिया। सही किया की गलत किया, ये तो और बात है, मैं इसके बारे में आज तो नहीं लिख सकता। परन्तु शादी के होने के पहले क्या क्या होता है, इस्पे व्याख्यान अवश्य प्रस्तुत कर रहा हूँ। अनुभव कुछ विशेष तो नहीं परन्तु मनोरम अवश्य है; सबसे पहले यदि आप मुस्कुराते भी हो तो आपको यही कहा जाता है "क्या बात है आजकल तो मुस्कराहट कुछ ज्यादा बढ़ गयी है?" मैं मन में बस यही सोचता हूँ की "मुस्कराहट तो पहले से थी, अब मोटापे के कारण  ज्यादा चौड़ी दिखती है।" कभी कभी तो मुस्कुराने में या हंसने में डर लगता है, की कहीं मेरी होने वाली पत्नी को दूरभाष न कर बैठे।

सबसे परेशान करने वाली बात है की, यदि आपके साथ कुछ अच्छा हो जाये तो "ये तो तुम्हारी पत्नी के पुण्य कर्मों का फल है"; और यदि कुछ गलत हो जाये तो "अभी तक जो किया वो तो तुमको ही भुगतना पड़ेगा"। जिन्हें पता नहीं है उन्हें भी बता दूँ, की शादी के पहले आपके साथ हर बात पर भेद भाव किया जायेगा। ज्यादा वेतन मिला तो पत्नी ने कराया, और ज्यादा नुक्सान हो गया तो उसका ज़िम्मेदार मेरे गलत निर्णय। और सबसे अशांत करने वाली बात है की आप किसी और लड़की या महिला को देखकर खुश नहीं हो सकते। सबसे पहले आपके चरित्र के ऊपर प्रश्न रख दिया जायेगा। "क्यूँ तुम अपनी हरकतों से बाज़ नहीं आओगे?" अरे भाई जब हरकत करूँगा तब तो बाज़ आऊंगा। और गलती से आपने कहीं किसी सुंदर कन्या को देखकर मुस्कुरा दिया, तो भाईसाब आपके तो लेने के देने पढ़ जायेंगे। आपकी पत्नी कुछ नहीं बोले परन्तु उसके आस पास वाले, मेरे मित्र, और वह व्यक्ति जिससे मेरा कुछ लेना देना नहीं है सबसे ज्यादा आहत हो जाएंगे। आधे पौन घंटे का खामखा का व्याख्यान सुनना पढ़ जायेगा, की मुझे क्या करना चाहिए और क्या नहीं।

और अब से आप जहाँ भी जायेंगे आपको मुफ्त की सलाह मिलनी प्रारंभ हो जाएगी "शादी के बाद ऐसा करना, शादी के बाद ऐसा मत करना; लोगों से ऐसे बात करना, ऐसे बात मत करना; अपनी पत्नी को ऐसे समझाना, और ऐसे मत समझाना; अब तुमको ऐसा करना पड़ेगा, और अब तुम ऐसा नहीं कर सकते। सबसे अनोखी सलाह जो सब देते है वो भी पूर्णतः मुफ्त कि  "अब तुम्हे ज़िम्मेदार बनना पड़ेगा, अब तुम वो नहीं कर सकते जो अब तक करते आये हो, अपनी ज़िम्मेदारी समझो"। भईसाहब बात समझो, ज़िम्मेदारी तो मैं अपनी उठा लूँ यही एक बड़ी उपलब्धि हो जाएगी, दुसरे व्यक्ति की ज़िम्मेदारी उठाना मतलब olympics में स्वर्ण पदक प्राप्त करने के बराबर होगा। (यह कहने पे आगे क्या हुआ, अवश्य बताऊंगा!!)........

बस आज के लिए इतना पर्याप्त है, आगे जब और मुसीबत मोल लेने का मन करेगा और बताऊंगा, शादी के कारण। ऐसा मत सोचियेगा की कहानी यहीं समाप्त हुई, यह तो सिर्फ दिलचस्प शुरुआत है, पूरा चलचित्र तो अभी बचा हुआ है। नमस्कार!! 

मेरी व्यथा!!

चूहों ने जगह बनाई है, मेरी कुर्सी के नीचे,
मच्छर भी भिनभिनाते हैं, मेरे कानों के पीछे,
आज चाय में मक्खी डाल के, पूरा कप पी के आया हूँ,
आज बड़े दिनों के बाद, मैं खाने पर आया हूँ |

उसके चेहरे से नज़र हटती ही नहीं, जिसके टिफिन का खाना मैं खा के आया हूँ,
यही सज़ा मुझे मिली है की दुसरे का टिफिन चट्ट किया,
आज अपने साथ, हाजमोला भी लेकर आया हूँ ||

"कूल्ज़"

गाड़ी बहुत तेज चलती हो |

यह कविता कुछ यादों का संग्रह है जो दिल्ली में गाड़ी चलते समय मैंने अनुभव किया......

यह कविता भी मैंने गाड़ी चलाते हुए लिखी. कैसे लिखी यह मत पूछिए..... बस लिख दी...... !!

गाड़ी बहुत तेज चलती हो,

गाड़ी बहुत तेज चलती हो,

चलाने वालों की भी जान ले जाती हो|

लगाती हो gear 2nd का मगर,

लगाती हो gear 2nd का मगर,

स्पीड ५वे पे ले आती हो|

गाड़ी बहुत तेज चलती हो.....

ब्रेक लगाने के मौके होते है बहुत ज्यादा,

ब्रेक लगाने के मौके होते है बहुत ज्यादा,

लेकिन, बिना ब्रेक के ही सिग्नल पार कर जाती हो|

गाड़ी बहुत तेज चलती हो.....

रोका जो तुमको पुलिस वाले ने,

रोका जो तुमको पुलिस वाले ने,

पुलिस वाले की जान खा जाती हो|

गाड़ी बहुत तेज चलती हो.....

हमारी जो आँखें चार हुई,

हमारी जो आँखें चार हुई,

इतराकर accelerator दबाती हो|

गाड़ी बहुत तेज चलती हो.....

"KOOLZ"

Emptiness

Listening to the song, emptiness....... For a while..... Thinking of so many things happened in previous months, Today I have got two different stories to tell. The experience of United States which transformed me to a different person and my surgical procedure which is transforming me into another one. Life changes quicker than the thought...... I am struggling to my own thoughts and ideals. India is a tough country to live, pressures of society are extreme, and everyone here is bounded. Someway or the other, people here needs someone to accompnay them to Malls for shopping, for eateries to have fun and good time, go for an adventure ride. People want to do things which everyone does, they are reluctant to learn something new. I want to do the same thing that my Boss did, I'll go the same path that is successful. I dont want to look around and appreciate what we have around that path. Why not to be creative? Why not to test things which no one did till now? Why do we need movie reviews to watch a movie? why to buy a laptop which has been bought by someone else? Why to believe on someone else's believe? Why not to go to a place which no one visited? Why not to love someone you never met? Why not to give your life a chance to live?

There are several more questions. I ask them to myself as well, why am I doing same stuff, why not learn something new? I had lot of time to spend thinking about it, and I found, for last two months I have not learned anything new. Nothing new!! Its offcourse good to practice what you already know, but why not learn something new to practice differently. why not to do things differently? I've been pressurized to get married, but no one really answered me why? What is there that everybody around me want me to get married? I want to live my life, I want to enjoy my Life, I want to learn new things, things which no one knows, things which are impossible. I want to do impossible things, achieving them is a different thing, doesnt matter actually whether I achieve them at all or not, I want to give them a shot.

So many thoughts, random thoughts, sitting alone in my study and thinking what I require to be happy. Money, Girlfriend, wife, food, trip, company, actually I dont know. I am confused and dont have an answer to it. I am not happy these days, which is directly affecting my work. May be I have so many random things in my mind. Writing blog will set me free of my thoughts. I have not really thought of this blog, I have not really combined it or thinking of making it coherent. No proof reads, just flowing emotions and thoughts through my hands to the keyboard to the screen.

I desperately need a reason to smile, not finding one, may be looking at wrong places. Actually, I dont need a reason to smile, I just need to smile, and people will smile along with you. Because people are never bad, its their perception created by circumstances made them good or bad for particular person or society. So, if you think you've seen it all. Look around again. Always smile, spread it. Be happy, be kind and practice compassion. Always.

Keep Smiling all of you and take very good care of yourself. :)

A Lonely Road

It always was a lonely road for me. I walked alone looking others passing by, they all new where they wanted to go. They walked swiftly and quickly, I watched them intently, everyone had a story to tell, everyone had an inspiration to share. Some talked to me, liked me and some just saw me thought something about me and walk away. Those who talked to me liked me tried to persuade me to follow a path which they followed, they told me to go a way which leads to their destinations. Some got lucky and I moved with them, or in fact I followed them, without asking a crucial question why? I followed them because I always walked a lonely road, in my conscious I always thought that I am walking along with them and out destinations are the same. But, I never understood why? I never felt comfortable, I never felt satisfied I never felt content. And then I understood that I am still alone, still following a person whose destination is different than mine. I stop! Then what? More people came by I tried to figure out what’s wrong, never really understand that.
One fine day I realized that oh! I have a completely different way to move, I walked on that alone...... I started making my own road, I worked hard, I dream hard and never looked back. But again in a cross-section I am confused. Which way to go, because this cross-section leads me to the same old road of people walking past me, this is the road I left, and again I am standing on that road with lot more people coming around and pursuing me to start following their dreams. Life doesn’t provide an emergency eject, I am stuck in my seat and again going crashing down towards ground. I have to jump again with all my strength, to counter the people who are around me! They have their dreams and goals, which they are following intently. I have to stand out again, I have to walk down a new street and make road to myself, but for what?
What is my destination? Where am I want to go? Ha.... I don’t care! I never have destination, I believe in Life.... I believe in making roads, making pathways for myself and for the people who want my skills. I enjoy being in this world, I enjoy being living, I enjoy to be myself. Selfless..... Feeling better now, this is what I do, when I have to decide what I am looking for. Put out all my ideas through words, I am not a storywriter, I am not a thinker, I am a traveller...... Who loves to walk by a lonely path, believing in the beauty of life...... Life is a once in a lifetime. (Don’t drench it for your destination, just follow your heart and enjoy the splendid beauty of it.....) KeepSmiling....... :)