The plant, started in September 2010, primarily processes sweet potatoes from Louisiana and the surrounding states’ prime sweet potato-growing regions, and was built from the ground up using the latest and best processing and packaging technologies.

The ConAgra says that this Lamb Weston Delhi facility is the first frozen food manufacturing plant in the world to be conferred LEED Platinum. To earn a LEED certification, a building is evaluated by the USGBC on a number of criteria: sustainable sites (protecting the environment), water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and the innovation and design process.

Notable green features of the Lamb Weston plant include:

• The entire plant is climate controlled to increase worker productivity, safety and comfort. Climate control in such a hot, humid environment includes reduction of condensation build up and water on the floors, reducing slip and fall and hazards.
• Materials low in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) are used, such as in carpeting, cleaning products and paints. This brings down occupant exposure to airborne pollutants.
• Energy-saving equipment is projected to save 40% of the annual energy consumed at a comparable plant. By identifying and recovering potential wasted energy within the building systems and processes, energy demand is greatly reduced.
• Biogas, produced by treating waste water, is piped back to the plant boilers to produce steam. This process is expected to offset approximately 20% of the annual natural gas requirement of the plant, and prevents methane, a harmful greenhouse gas, from entering the atmosphere.
• More than 100 acres of the property will be maintained as open space, including protected wetlands, ponds and restored native vegetation. Water is conserved outside the building through landscaping with native plant species that require no irrigation once established.
• Priority parking is provided for the low-emission and fuel efficient vehicles like hybrids and electric cars.

Unilever, the world’s second largest Fast Moving Consumer Goods Company after Procter & Gamble recently acquired for itself, a new headquarters for its Northern Europe faction. Located at HafenCity, Hamburg, on the banks of the Elbe River in Germany, the edifice is designed by Behnisch Architects and combines modern architecture with sustainability and energy-efficiency.

Dual Exterior: Inner Glass “Skin” & Outer Plastic “Cocoon”

Inner Glass Skin

Rather wisely, the building combines climate conservation and transparency through its exterior glass facade. This façade comprises solar control glass from Interpane, which allows optimum levels of daylight transmission. On the ground floor, the generous glazing in a pillar-beam design serves the same purpose. This brings down the operating costs for indoor artificial lighting.

Moreover, the façade also prevents the interiors from heating up excessively during summer, thereby reducing the need for air conditioning. Conversely, the insulation value of 1.1 W/m2K (as per EN 673) retains requisite warmth inside the building.

In some parts of the building, a cold sound-insulation facade, using laminated sheet glass provides protection from increased noise levels.

Outer Plastic Cocoon

The glass facade is protected from the rough sea air by a single-layer, fully transparent plastic cover called a “plastic cocoon”. This outer skin helps reduce heat gain and control wind effects. The space between the facades is ventilated and is able to supply draught-free fresh air through open windows.

Interiors

The interiors of the Unilever HQ are designed like a vertical village. Multiple levels connect with each other, lacing throughout the huge daylit atrium. The spa, stores, and café on the first floor are open to the public, extending the social context of the building to the city.

The upper stories link private and public workspaces with large informal seating areas around the central atrium. The open floor plan uses an atrium to anchor satellite workspaces. The building is designed to provide space for 1,200 Unilever employees.

The interior uses a cooling system controlled by a chilled concrete ceiling. The thermal mass effect facilitates effective cooling with significantly reduced energy requirement. The daylighting is controlled manually and with built-in glare-control measures. Acoustic control has been tailored to keep the atrium sound levels comfortable. A special hybrid ventilation system is implemented in the buildings.

LED

A system of SMD LED or surface mount LED lights was developed and installed to save nearly 70% of the energy of halogen lighting.

Awarded for Sustainability

This building received many prestigious awards like “The Golden Environment Award of the HafenCity Hamburg GmbH”, “The WAF (World Architecture Festival Award)”, and “The International Bex Award (Building Exchange Award). All these clearly exemplify the outstanding sustainability and modern architecture efforts of this Green corporate office.

An ice-cube of a building, standing tall like an iceberg in Iceland is quite the object of attention and unsurprisingly so. And what with the building being Green and using glass rather generously to achieve this end, it is indeed an architectural marvel.

This building has been erected at the Icelandic Institute of Natural History at Gardabaer, Iceland, a public institution conducting diverse research and monitoring of nature. Research is focused on botany, ecology, taxonomy geology and zoology.

This new building hosts offices for 50 scientists, features a library and a specimen collection, and is part of a much larger master plan for the Urridaholt development, which is sweeping up awards for both architecture and sustainability.

This research facility was designed by the Icelandic firm ARKÍS. It is spread over a site area of 5.199 m2 and with 3.515 m2 as its gross floor area. Built of concrete encased in fritted glass, it gives the impression of a glacier in the Arctic region when the sun shines bright.

Interestingly, the architecture of the institute is inspired by the bodies of insects and the nearby Mount Keilir, which is mirrored prominently in the front of the building. The building is divided into three parts by two fissures that visually reduce the building mass and communicate the gradual rhythm and human scale of the streetscape.

The fissures contain glass-walled walkways highlighted by bright green walls that break up the office environment for employees as they walk from one part of the building to another. The primary use of the fissures is to provide the institute’s employees with breaks from the office environment on their way through the building. When passing through the fissures, one comes into strong visual contact with the surrounding elements – light, weather, sky and horizon.

Flitter Glass

The upper floors of the building are enveloped in a double-glazed facade that assists the building’s natural ventilation scheme, day-lighting and weather shielding. The glass used for this building is fritted with a specially designed pattern that resembles the formation of ice crystals. The crystallized pattern on the glass facade diffuses light as it enters the building, reducing both – glare from the harsh northern sunlight as well as heat gain. Glass gives a most spectacular view of the surroundings.

Sustainable Features

Sustainable design features of this building include a sustainable drainage system running in and around the site. Permeable surfaces for parking and swales for filtering and slowing down the flow of surface water are also provided in this building. The building’s green roof is laid with local turf and moss, and serves as a filtering mechanism for rainwater, as added insulation and a natural habitat for birds and native insects.

The double facade facilitates natural ventilation. Each office is equipped with at least two operable windows – upper and lower, improving the flow of fresh air through the space, from the air gap of the double facade.

Honours

The master plan for Urridaholt development has received numerous international recognitions and awards for planning and advanced sustainability measures, including the Award of the Boston Society of Architects and the Nordegrio Award. It also received the second prize at the 2007 LivCom Awards.

ISHRAE

ISHRAE, the “Indian Society of Heating, Refrigerating & Air-conditioning Engineers” was founded in 1981 in New Delhi by a group of eminent HVAC&R professionals. Between 1989 & 1993, ISHRAE Chapters were formed in all major cities in India and also in the Middle East. ISHRAE has grown rapidly and now has more than 3000 HVAC&R professionals as members in 11 chapters in India and abroad. The Delhi Chapter is the first and the oldest of the constituent chapters of ISHRAE and has about 700 members.

Organizing successful international and national exhibitions is one of ISHRAE’s major activities. Its primary objective is to further the arts and sciences of heating, refrigerating and air-conditioning. ISHRAE has successfully organized more than ten exhibitions out of which four have been in New Delhi.

ISHRAE is an associate of ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineers). ISHRAE Foundation Trust was formed in 1995, mainly to consolidate the Society’s resources and to channel them towards projects necessary for achievement of Aims and Objectives, as listed below.

Aims and Objectives

• Advancement in Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineering and related Sciences.
• Education of interested persons in said sciences through lectures, demonstrations and publications.
• Rendition of Career Guidance and Financial Assistance to students of said Sciences.
• Encouragement of Scientific Research.
• To establish facilities for testing, rating, certification of air-conditioning, refrigeration, and allied equipment and systems.
• To offer consultancy services in the areas of Education and Training in said sciences.
• To disseminate and make available to the Government, Industry, and General Public information relating to said sciences through papers, reports and periodic publications.

Priority Areas

Training

ISHRAE has recognised that training technical personnel is the single most important need at present, to improve the quality of HVAC & R work and raise it to meet ever-increasing customer expectations. It has also been felt that the existing manpower needs continuing education to equip them with the latest technology. This has become particularly relevant in the wake of globalisation of the Indian economy. Several industry leaders have also strongly expressed the need for such training.

Testing, Rating & Certification of Equipment and Devices

The last few years have seen a surge in manufacturing of both – major equipment as well as ancillaries and devices in the HVAC&R Industry. This has given rise to a need for a facility which will undertake testing, and will develop ratings which will help the industry establish reliable ratings and encourage development work.

Advisory Council

In addition to the Board of Trustees, an Advisory Council consisting of eminent persons in the fields of Air-Conditioning, Refrigeration and Allied fields, are to be formed to deliberate on the activities of the foundation.

Sustainable Development

ACREX INDIA 2010, which is Asia’s largest International Exhibition and Conference catering to Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, Ventilation & Building Services Industry is organised by ISHRAE, endorsed by ASHRAE and supported by the Indian Green Building Council, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, and the Refrigeration & Air-conditioning Manufacturers Association amongst others.

ACREX INDIA 2010 was held at the Bombay Exhibition Centre from 17th – 20th February and brought together leading companies and technologies that focussed on energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and innovation in and products and services that are green and sustainable.

Highlights of the Exhibition:

• Exhibitors showcased products that conform to the Energy Conservation Building Code, 2007 of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency
• Solar Energy for Air-conditioning was featured by Mamata Energy of Ahmedabad
• The Indian Green Building Council (CII organization) and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (Govt. of India) were both supporting agencies that influence the development of the Industry and its products.
• ASHRAE (The American Society, with 55 000  members) endorsed ACREX for the 1st time with an active contribution to Workshops, Seminars and overall Promotion
• With substantial overseas participation, ACREX demonstrated India as a prime market for efficient products
• The event was produced professionally by UBM, a leading International Media and Exhibition Company

Workshop for BEE Energy Star

A Half day workshop on “Workshop for BEE Energy Star Labelling and Energy Efficiency Improvement in Buildings‟ has been organised by ISHRAE.

BEE Star labelling program for buildings has recently been launched by Bureau of Energy Efficiency, New Delhi, for evaluating the energy performance of buildings. There was a provision of issuing “Energy star labels” to buildings as per their energy efficiency, similar to the energy star labels for home appliances (e.g. air-conditioners, tube-lights). Energy audit studies in buildings have shown large potential for energy savings both in government and commercial office buildings.

A vacuum glazing (VG) comprises two sheets of glass that are separated by a very narrow evacuated space. An array of metal or ceramic pillars holds the sheets apart, and the edges are sealed with solder glass or indium. The interior faces of one or both glass sheets usually have a transparent, low-emittance coating. Glass windows made from vacuum glazing are much more thermally insulating than either single pane or conventional double glazed windows.

Electrochromic (EC) glazing causes glass to change its tint in response to an applied voltage change. Visible light transmittance by EC films can be varied between 8% in their coloured state and up to 80% in the bleached state by applying a 1–2V DC switching voltage.

Electrochromic vacuum glass combines EC and VG technologies. This novel glazing system combines the low-heat-loss properties of VG—a U value (heat transmittance) of less than 1Wm−2K−1—with the variable transmittance of EC glazing to control solar gain.

High densities of nodes in and around the pillars are used to represent the heat transfer. When the EC layer faces inward, glazing surface temperatures become too high for occupant comfort and result in damage to the EC VG system. The temperature difference between the two glass panes of the VG result from the high thermal resistance of the vacuum gap; the temperature difference between the panes separated by the EC layer result from the EC layer absorbing heat.

Electrochromic vacuum glass is more thermally insulating than a standard double pane window and is comparable to a good triple pane window. Windows made from Electrochromic vacuum glass improve the energy efficiency of buildings while keeping occupants thermally comfortable.

Electrochromic Glass

Electrochromic glass is an energy-saving component for buildings and can change colour on command. It works by passing low-voltage electrical charges across a microscopically-thin coating on the glass surface, activating an electrochromic layer which changes colour from clear to dark. The electric current can be activated manually or by sensors which react to light intensity. Glass darkening reduces solar transmission into the building. When there is little sunlight, the glass brightens, so that the need for the artificial light is minimized.

Electrochromic glass changes light transmission properties in response to voltage and thus controls the amount of light and heat passing through. In electrochromic glass windows, the electrochromic material changes its opacity: it changes between a coloured, translucent state (usually blue) and a transparent state.

A burst of electricity is required for changing its opacity, but once the change has been effectuated, no electricity is needed for maintaining the particular shade which has been reached. Darkening occurs from the edges, moving inward, and is a slow process, ranging from many seconds to several minutes depending on glass size.

How does it work?

A thin multi-layer assembly is sandwiched between traditional pieces of glass. The two outside layers of the assembly are transparent electronic conductors. Next are a counter-electrode layer and an electrochromic layer, with an ion conductor layer in between. When a low voltage is applied across the conductors, moving ions from the counter-electrode to the electrochromic layer cause the assembly to change color. Reversing the voltage moves ions from the electrochromic layer back to the counter-electrode layer, restoring the device to its previous clear state. The glass may be programmed to absorb only part of the light spectrum, such as solar infrared.

Salient Features

When a current is supplied, it darkens and when electricity is withheld it becomes clear. Another unique aspect of this kind of glass is that it isn’t all black and white. It is able to create varying levels of light penetration, allowing total management of the sun’s power. Sometimes it takes several minutes to change shades.

Applications

Electrochromic glass provides visibility even in the darkened state and thus preserves visible contact with the outside environment. It has been used in small-scale applications such as rearview mirrors. Electrochromic technology also finds use in indoor applications, for example, for protection of objects under the glass of museum display cases and picture frame glass from the damaging effects of the UV and visible wavelengths of artificial light.

Electrochromic glass can be applied to offices, meeting rooms, hotels, villas, bathroom doors and windows, shower rooms, kitchen cabinets, glass curtain walls, technical resident conservatories and commercial buildings, as well as automobile skylights, exhibition halls, hospitals, open counters of banks, security windows of automatic machines, and so on.

Electrically heated glass is a laminated glass, incorporating almost invisible electrically-conductive wires. It comprises two or more sheets of glass interlaid with one or more films of polyvinyl butyral (PVB). This assembly combines comfort with safety, whilst preventing condensation. Electrically heated glass is suitable for any circumstance where there is high moisture content in the air and where the difference between the internal and external temperature may lead to condensation risk.

Production

In order to electrically heat glass, a microscopic Tin (II) Oxide coating is applied to a pane of ordinary float glass. This coating is perfectly transparent and conducts electricity. An electrical current is supplied by two busbars located on opposite sides of the glass. The electrical resistance of the Tin Oxide coating produces heat energy. This heat radiates from the glass in the form of infrared energy. The busbars are typically connected to a power control unit that regulates the flow of electricity and thus the temperature of the glass.

Electrically heated glass maintains a steady and consistent temperature across the entire surface, and heat radiates off the glass in only one direction: toward the object or area to be heated. In addition, this technology imparts beauty and elegance to glass. The glass can also be coloured or etched with designs in order to complement the appearance of a room or appliance.

Groceries

Heated glass is both visually attractive and sanitary, making it ideal for use with food in a public setting. Since the glass is perfectly transparent, deli items are in full view of the customers, and remain hot and ready to serve. Keeping meat and other food items warm improves their taste and prevents spoilage. This technology is much more efficient and effective than heat lamps, and is a definite improvement over microwaving cold food just before it is served.

Electronic Controller

An electronic controller regulates power flow to the heating components, and thus controls glass temperature. With a simple twist of the dial, the glass can assume any temperature from approximately 70oF to 350oF. An important feature of the controller is its automatic fault and glass breakage detection capability that will automatically shut down the heating circuit if there is a problem. In addition, the appliance should include a GFCI breaker to guard against ground faults and leakage currents.

Electrically heated glass windows

Electrically heated glass can also be incorporated into a double-pane Low-E architectural window unit. With the heating element applied only to the interior side, the window will radiate warmth into the room no matter what the temperature outside. This eliminates heat loss, chills, drafts, and frost problems associated with ordinary glass in cold climates. In warm weather, heated glass prevents condensation, which helps prevent mould from growing on the window sill.

Towel warmers

Electrically heated glass can also be employed in the design of towel warmers for both custom homes and hotels, replacing traditional radiator style units. The invisible thin film conductor involved in this design is even more efficient than traditional radiator-type towel warmers. These stylish towel warmers are comprised almost entirely of glass, yet the glass used in these applications is never too hot to touch, and it does not contribute noticeable amounts of heat to the room.

Quite evidently, the biggest threat to any building, be it a dwelling or a commercial setup, is from fire. Not less than seven explosions rocked the Taj Mahal Hotel and the Oberoi Trident at Mumbai on that fateful day that was 26^th November 2008. The fire at the Mumbai hotels spread fast due to heavily furnished rooms, posing the biggest challenge. Most of the carpets, curtains, furniture, runners and suspenders used for the false ceiling were made of combustible material. One way to combat this problem is to treat these articles with fire-retardant materials. Another way is to altogether block the fire from entering the building interiors. Concrete walls, though indispensable to buildings, may not provide every kind of protection for complete safety. Often, a second cladding on the inside of a concrete wall can provide double protection.

A more recent incident that reinforced the importance of fire safety is the fire that burned down the IOC terminal at Jaipur on 29^th October this year. This fire was an unstoppable force of nature; more than 30 industrial units were completely destroyed and several lives lost.

A startling observation I made from media reports on this disaster was the impact on neighbouring buildings that remained physically untouched by the fire – the glass on the windows and facades of these buildings were damaged beyond redemption. I discovered (through research fuelled by curiosity) that one of the by-products of fire is radiant heat – an invisible killer that can be just as dangerous as the fire itself. It was this very radiant heat that damaged the glass on these buildings. Radiant heat is invisible and comprises extremely intense electromagnetic waves that travel at the speed of light. On striking an object, these waves are absorbed and their energy is converted into heat. Combustible objects like paper and wood auto-ignite due to the heat when they reach their flash point.

I further discovered that had the glass on these neighbouring buildings been of a certain “tempered” variety, it would have disintegrated into small harmless pebble-like pieces which do not hurt. An even better measure would have been to install “fire-resistant glass” on these buildings. This is often done for structures that are located close to fire disaster-prone setups such as oil plants. The IOC structures could also have been insulated with this fire-resistant glass, in which case the radiant heat from the fire might not have been felt on the outside at all! The presence of such fire-resistant claddings within the buildings could have bought for its occupants, sufficient time to save their lives.

This kind of glass offers fire resistance of varying degrees, depending on the requirement. There is a kind that cuts off the fire itself along with the smoke, and another that also stops the penetration of the equally deadly radiant heat that emanates from the fire. The protection offered by these varieties of fire-resistant glass are usually categorised into “Integrity”, “Integrity and Radiation Control”, and “Integrity and Insulation”.

You can read more about this by visiting this site:

http://in.saint-gobain-glass.com/b2c/default.asp?nav1=pr&nav2=single%20pane&id=27452

There is a very interesting downloadable document that explains precisely how fire resistance works, what are the myths and realities associated with it, and how best to make your choice.

Also, gone are the days when bullet or fire proofing meant a compromise on visual appeal. Now that there is a genre of glass that can provide protection from bullets and even fire, it can be used for aesthetic enhancement and blended in perfectly with the architectural theme, providing the best in aesthetics as well as safety. And no matter what it might cost, it will be a small price to pay for safety.

I’ll sum up by saying that while there is no fool-proof way of protecting oneself from natural or man-made calamities – like the one that happened this day last year, we need to do our bit and adopt every kind of safety measure that is available to us. Luck usually has nothing to do with safety, and besides, why be sorry again when you can be safe instead.

This structure has made its mark in outstanding green buildings of the world.  Its façade is divided into glass and blind parts on the surface in a nearly balanced ratio in order to optimize natural energy flowing in. A double-walled structural glazing makes the façade glisten at night. The building is shaped like an old-fashioned TV screen; essentially square in shape but rounded at the corners.

This green building has three floors below the ground and six floors above the ground. Floors 2-6 are arranged around a central atrium which admits sunlight. The atrium is also equipped with a skylight and is the main space of the building. All lighting points are at the centre of the building – an arrangement which aids orientation and ensures that the floors of the glassy interiors look bright and colourful all the time.

An asphalt-based floor covering material – ‘bitu-terrazzo’ – that cuts out sound has been used on the ground floor. The underground floors house the book storage, technology centres, supply stores and parking.

The roof is covered with extensive green glass panels to create the fifth façade of this green building. This can be viewed from surrounding taller buildings. This roof also helps slow down draining during heavy rains.

Large open rooms are situated along the south-east, south-west and north-west sides of the building and the office rooms are on the north-east side of the building. This arrangement helps to reduce the solar heat load but it also provides the required daylight into the building. The plot mirrors not only allow the natural light to the different areas but also responsible for the distribution of warm gain.

The building has an easy system for pre-cooling during summer nights through ventilation achieved by simply opening the glass windows. The library needed a fire safety system that would not damage library stocks. So an automatic water mist-spraying fire extinguishing system – which is more asset-friendly than water, does not require large-capacity storage vessels and also facilitates installation of the pipe work system within the building – was installed.

This iconic library hosts 1.2 million volumes of books alongside an exhibition hall, a conference centre, café and bookshop. There are 1,200 seats in the study area and 300 seats in the relaxation area. The conference hall seats 200 while the café, 150. The building is wi-fi enabled and can shelter 300 cars and 200 bicycles at a time. National Technical Library is expected to attract 900,000 visitors every year.

Low-E Coated Glass in Window Technology

Low-E coating stands for Low-emittance coating on a solid surface. It is an extremely thin, nearly invisible film of metal or metal oxide layers deposited on a window or skylight. Its primary function is to reduce U-factor by restricting radiative heat flow. The key methodology by which heat is transferred in multilayer glazing is thermal radiation from a warm sheet of glass to a cooler sheet. Covering a glass surface with a low-emittance element and placing that coating into the gap between the layers of glass impedes this radiant heat transfer significantly, thus reducing the overall flow of heat through the window.

Benefits of Low-E Glass

Low-E technology is over two decades old in the glass market. Although its benefits have been duly acknowledged, glass with low-e coating is rarely used in construction. There are several priceless advantages and cost savings that can be achieved by using low-e glass.

During the severe energy crisis the world faced during the 1970s, everyone endeavoured to minimize consumption of natural resources. In case of glass, energy was lost by way of heat loss through the glazed surface. In 1980, the commercial development of thin, transparent, low emissive coatings literally revolutionized the concept of energy savings in windows. The low-e coating, placed on the inside of the insulating glass unit, enabled the sun’s short-wave energy to enter the room and at the same time prevented internal warm air from leaving the room.

SOURCE: www.glazette.com