IGBC Green Interiors

The building sector in India is growing at a rapid pace and contributing immensely to the growth of the National economy. The sector has embraced sustainable design & construction practices in the past decade and enabled India to be in the International map of green buildings and built environment. While the concept of green was initially adopted in commercial buildings, it is now extending to varied types of buildings and communities.

This augurs well for a country where the sector is expected to grow four-fold in the next two decades.

The green concepts and techniques in the building sector can help address National concerns like water efficiency, energy efficiency, reduction in fossil fuel use, handling of consumer waste and conserving natural resources. Most importantly, these concepts can enhance occupant health and well-being, which is assuming greater importance.

90% of the time people stay indoors. Therefore the indoor aesthetics, air quality and comfort are of paramount importance to occupants. World over, designers are exploring opportunities to construct interiors considering these key elements.

Against this background, the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) has formed a Technical committee to establish green interior standards for buildings. The committee, through various deliberations has come out with a Pilot rating to establish standards in designing sustainable interiors. This has been developed considering the Indian context and the National priorities. The Pilot will be operational for the next two years. Based on the learning from the Pilot, the rating system will be further streamlined.