INTRODUCTION:

This paper aims at the strategies for sustainable design and construction at The Energy and
Resources Institute, Bangalore (TERI) which is among South Indias first energy-efficient and
environmentally sustainable campuses. It houses workspaces for the staff, conference rooms, a
library, a laboratory and a guest house. Dining and recreation facilities are shared between the
offices and the guesthouse. It has the potential to serve as a model for future development in similar
geographical and climatic conditions.
ABOUT THE PROJECT:
Name: The Energy and Resources Institute(TERI), Bangalore.
Type: Institutional
Square Feet: 26,663 sq.ft.
Location: Near Domlur bus stop (3kms from Bangalore airport road)
Completed: 1990
SITE CONTEXT:

Building is oriented along NE - SW direction.

SW is the primary wind and light direction for Bangalore.

This Project (TERI) is designed to house an office block with workstations, a library, a
laboratory and a small guest house attached to it.
Concerned with effective utilization of energy; Sustainable uses of natural resources, large
scale adaptation of renewable energy technology has been adapted.

EXCLUSIVITY OF THE CASE STUDY:

TERI`s building complex marks a novel paradigm in the creation of an energy efficient, ecofriendly, and sustainable space successfully facilitating all thermal, visual, and aural comforts
for the users.
The design displays a dexterous interplay of five basic natural elements sun, air, earth, water
and sky with the built form, to meet the requirement of thermal, visual and aural comfort.
This energy-efficient building balances all aspects of energy use, and allows unhindered flow
of intellectual energies, lighting, space-conditioning, and ventilation, by providing an
optimized mix of passive solar design strategies, energy-efficient equipment, and renewable
sources of energy, besides the use of materials with low embodied energy.

BUIDING DETAILS:

The western side has an open ground & on the southern side is open drain about 9 m wide.
The buildings are aligned along the east-west axis and entry into the site is from the road on
the northern side which is relatively less busier.

The building has

been divided into
individual

and

common areas.

60-70

intimate

small spaces are

provided

for

individual work.

The office blocks are placed towards the main road while the guest house is located on the
quieter west side.
The office block is kept towards the east, close to the main road for high visibility and the
guest house is located towards the quieter western side.
This energy efficient complex is designed to provide all round comfort for the users. The
building opens to the north to take maximum advantage of glare-free light. Continuations of
skylight spaces carry natural light into the building
Adequate natural lighting and ventilation is provided through an optimized combination of
solar passive design, energy-efficient equipment, renewable sources of energy and materials
with low embodied energy.
The condition of the drain is proposed to be improved into a pleasant landscaped element by
using plants that absorb impurities as well as with the help of basic filtration and aeration.
This being an ideal long-term solution would be a major civic project.
The architecture responds to the present site conditions but the building can eventually open
up towards the drain when it turns clean.

Section showing natural light penetrating deep into the building through skylights and fenestrations.

VENTILATION:
A blank wall towards the south (facing the drain) allows the breeze to flow over the building.
This creates a negative pressure which pulls fresh air from the north into the building.
The sections are designed such that hot air rises to the top and make the building breathe.
Air in the cavity in the south wall on the south creates negative pressure, thereby enhancing the
convection currents in the building.

LANDSCAPE:
The building has been designed with landscaped courts at various levels which helps to enliven
the working environment
The various level of terraces also have been landscaped which reduces the heat exchanges and
heat flow between the structure and the outside environment hence act as good insulation
devices.
Rooftop gardens are also beneficial in reducing rain run off. A roof garden can delay run off;
reduce the rate and volume of run off.
Plants have the ability to reduce the overall heat absorption of the building which then reduces
energy consumption.

WATER MANAGEMENT:
An efficient rainwater harvesting
system preserves water to the
maximum possible extent.
Water run-off from the roofs and
from the paved area is collected and
stored in a collection sump below
the Amphitheatre.
This water is used for various
purposes including landscaping and
flushing toilets. Schematic section of
the building showing the rain water
harvesting system.
NATURAL VENTILATION:
Outdoor
breezes
create
air
movement through the house interior
by the push-pull effect of positive
air pressure on the windward side
and negative pressure (suction) on
the leeward side.
Also, designers often choose to
enhance natural ventilation using tall
spaces called stacks in buildings.
THERMAL CHIMNEY:
The thermal chimney is used to
create updrafts and remove heated
air. It is built on the sunny side of the
building.
A black metal heat absorbing panel
is used to create even more heated
air that will naturally rise. This pulls
the air up and out.

EARTH AIR TUNNELS (EAT):

At a depth of about 4 m below
ground, the temperature inside the
earth remains nearly constant round
the year and is nearly equal to the
annual average temperature of the
place.
A tunnel in the form of a pipe or
otherwise embedded at a depth of
about 4 m below the ground will
acquire the same temperature as the
surrounding earth at its surface.

CONCLUSION
Building conveys intelligent work of natural elements with the building form to fulfill the
goals of green building
Passive cooling systems are least expensive means of cooling a home which maximizes the
efficiency of the building envelope without any use of mechanical devices.
It rely on natural heat-sinks to remove heat from the building. They derive cooling directly
from evaporation, convection, and radiation without using any intermediate electrical
devices.
All passive cooling strategies rely on daily changes in temperature and relative humidity.
The applicability of each system depends on the climatic conditions. These design strategies
reduce heat gains to internal spaces.
Natural Ventilation
Wind Towers
Earth Air Tunnels
Passive Down Draught Cooling
Shading
Courtyard Effect
Evaporative Cooling
Roof Sprays
Use of local materials reduces the energy consumed in their transportation ,local material
and material with low embodied energy have been wherever possible.
The hollow blocks help in reducing the transmission of heat from outside to inside of the
building.
Terrace garden helps in insulation , reducing radiation as well as moderating temperature
fluctuations