Infinity Benchmark: Establishing Kolkata On The Green Map
AUGUST 23, 2016 NIRMAN CONSULTANTS UNCATEGORIZED
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The concept of green architecture evolved in the west. The developed countries with the resources and know-how were the first ones to practice it. To be honest, these countries had started embracing industrialization and urbanization since late 19t h century and were primarily responsible for most of the modern woes, including the greenhouse effect, depleting ozone layer and all kinds of pollution. The developing countries were slower off the track.
That is, however, not the case now. A country like India now boasts of more than two thousand LEED certified buildings, about seventy of which are having the highest platinum rating. In our previous post, we talked about the first corporate building in the country to get this elite rating- The ITC Green Center, Gurgaon.
Today, we present another building that is the first among its peers:
Infinity Benchmark, Salt Lake City, Kolkata.
Infinity Benchmark is a huge 20 storeyed, 71.64 metre high building covering a floor are 560,000 Square Feet. It offers infrastructural solutions to IT and ITES industries. The developers began the project with the objective of producing an environment-friendly built environment that would change the mindset of the city dwellers and developers about being content with the traditional building methods. It became Kolkata’s first platinum rated structure on its completion, starting a trend that will ensure a better living environment for the dwellers of this city of joy.
Main highlights
Infinity Benchmark was built to lay emphasis on optimization of resources, innovation for energy solutions and protection of environment. The architects used an integrative design approach to achieve this objective.
Their architectural ingenuity combined environmental values with a futuristic outlook to ensure a structure that rated high on each count- water conservation, energy use optimization, waste management and protection of environment. Following are some green features of this modern masterpiece:
Indoor air quality
CO2 monitoring sensors maintain the indoor air quality, supplying fresh air depending on the occupancy level. Another feature maintaining the indoor environment is the presence of intelligent humidification controls, very important for a coastal place like Kolkata.
Zero-discharge water facility
A rainwater harvesting system is installed that stores water in large tanks. This water is treated and used to minimize need for any external water sources. The waste water is treated and recycled for irrigation and cooling purposes. Low flow and efficient water fixtures also make this building self sufficient in its water needs.
Effective insulation for energy efficiency
A terrace garden on the rooftop reduces the heat island effect that is so common in cities like Kolkata. This goes a long way in minimizing the cooling needs of Infinity Benchmark. The external walls are made of brick wall blocks with thick polystyrene insulation and ACP cladding. Similarly, the roof has an under-deck thick polyurethane foam coating. Additionally, an energy-efficient design and equipment are used to minimize the energy load.
Effective glazing
Double-glazed glass units ensure maximum penetration of the day-light inside the building. The natural lighting covers nearly 75% of the work area, reducing the need of artificial lighting. Double glazing also reduces the heat intake that minimizes the load on air-conditioners.
Electric cars for communication
One extraordinary feature provided by Infinity Benchmark is the environment friendly communication system in the form of electric cars for commuting to work. Charging points are installed for these cars to make the system viable. This step helps educate people about the need to adopt sustainable methods to keep the environment clean.
A healthy work environment
The builders have intentionally used low-organic volatile paints, adhesives, sealants and materials to reduce carbon footprint and maintain a healthy work environment for the users.
Recyclable construction material
To minimize the building’s impact on the environment, construction materials having 20% recycled material were used. In addition, 20% locally available material was used to reduce the impact of material transportation.
Apart from the platinum LEED rating, Infinity Benchmark has won several national and international accolades for its green philosophy and innovations. It has shown that just like the western world, traditional places too can come forward and contribute towards having a cleaner, healthier planet.