Notes
Notes
1. Minergie (Switzerland)
o Focuses on energy efficiency, comfort, and overall sustainability in buildings.
2. Passivhaus (Passive House)
o Focuses on ultra-low energy buildings that require little energy for heating or
cooling.
3. Energy Star
o A U.S. government-backed program that certifies buildings and products for
energy efficiency.
These certification programs provide comprehensive frameworks for assessing and certifying
the sustainability and environmental impact of buildings, ensuring they meet high standards
for energy efficiency, resource conservation, and occupant health.
Overview: GRIHA, developed by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and endorsed
by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, is India's national
rating system for green buildings. It evaluates buildings on various sustainability criteria to
minimize resource consumption, reduce energy and waste, and improve overall
environmental impact.
Famous Example:
Indira Paryavaran Bhavan, New Delhi: This is India’s first net-zero energy
building and is the headquarters of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change. The building incorporates solar panels, energy-efficient lighting, water
recycling systems, and sustainable materials.
Overview: The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) offers a variety of rating systems
tailored to different types of buildings, including homes, commercial buildings, healthcare
facilities, and schools. IGBC aims to facilitate India’s emergence as a global leader in green
buildings by promoting practices that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient.
Assessment Criteria:
Infosys Mysore Campus: This is a large IT campus that has implemented extensive
sustainable practices, including solar power, water recycling, and energy-efficient
buildings, achieving IGBC Platinum certification.
Overview: LEED, administered by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is one of the
most widely recognized and used green building rating systems globally. It provides a
framework for healthy, efficient, and cost-saving green buildings.
1. LEED for Building Design and Construction (BD+C): Applies to new buildings
and major renovations.
2. LEED for Interior Design and Construction (ID+C): Focuses on interior spaces.
3. LEED for Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M): For existing buildings
seeking sustainable operations.
4. LEED for Neighborhood Development (ND): Applies to new land development
projects.
5. LEED for Homes: Specific to residential buildings.
Assessment Criteria:
Famous Example:
One Bryant Park, New York City: Known as the Bank of America Tower, this
skyscraper is one of the greenest buildings in the world. It incorporates features like a
cogeneration plant, waterless urinals, and a comprehensive recycling program,
achieving LEED Platinum certification.
These certification programs play a crucial role in promoting sustainable building practices
and reducing the environmental impact of construction projects globally.
The lux (symbol: lx) is the SI unit of illuminance and luminous emittance. It measures the amount of
light that hits or passes through a surface, and it is equal to one lumen per square meter. Lux is used
to quantify the intensity of light as perceived by the human eye in a given area.
The lumen (symbol: lm) is the SI unit of luminous flux, which measures the total amount of visible
light emitted by a source per unit of time. Unlike the lux, which measures illuminance (light on a
surface), the lumen measures the total quantity of visible light emitted from a light source.
Lux and Lumens: As mentioned earlier, lux measures the illuminance (light falling on a surface),
whereas lumens measure the total light output. The relationship between them is given by:
Measurement Context: Lux is commonly used to measure the brightness of light in various settings,
such as offices, homes, streets, and workplaces.
Measurement Context: Lumens are used to describe the brightness of a light source, such as bulbs,
LEDs, and other lighting devices.
Residential Spaces:
Office Spaces:
Educational Facilities:
Healthcare Facilities:
Industrial Spaces:
Warehouses: 100 - 200 lux (general), 300 - 500 lux (loading areas)
Retail Spaces:
Outdoor Spaces:
Sports Fields: 200 - 750 lux (amateur), 750 - 2000 lux (professional)
LUMEN
LED Bulbs:
8-watt LED bulb: Around 800 lumens (equivalent to 60-watt incandescent)
Halogen Lamps: Lumens depend on the wattage and type of lamp. For example, a 50-watt halogen
lamp may produce around 850 lumens.
Candela and Lumens: The candela (cd) is the SI unit of luminous intensity, which measures the
power emitted by a light source in a particular direction. The lumen can be related to the candela by
considering the solid angle (measured in steradians) over which the light is emitted:
1. Incandescent Lighting:
Provides warm, soft light with a color temperature typically around 2700K to 3000K.
3. Fluorescent Lighting:
Employs a gas-discharge process to produce light when electricity flows through a tube containing
mercury vapor and phosphor coating.
Commonly used in commercial and industrial settings, as well as for task lighting.
4. Halogen Lighting:
Produces high levels of light output, often used for outdoor and industrial lighting.
7. Induction Lighting:
Uses optical fibers to transmit light from a remote source to the desired location.
Provides flexibility in lighting design and is often used for decorative and accent lighting.
9. Neon Lighting:
Utilizes glass tubes filled with neon gas to produce colored light.
Offers vibrant colors and is commonly used for signage and decorative purposes.
These are just some of the common types of lighting used in different environments, each offering
unique characteristics suited to specific lighting needs and preferences.