Environment-friendly, ecological footprint or zero waste are no longer limited to just terms. These have become an important part of everyone’s lives. With the rising concerns related to climate change, industries are adopting eco-friendly practices, and real estate is not far behind. Developers are embracing sustainable measures in their projects, such as waste management, solar power and going for green-building certifications.
One such certification is GRIHA apart from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) certification. Let’s learn more about GRIHA-rated projects and understand their ratings and evaluation criteria.
An overview on GRIHA-rated projects
GRIHA-rated projects are certified by the GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) Council. From building materials to operations, GRIHA rating system evaluates the project for its sustainability and eco-friendly practices. Focused specifically on Indian climate and resources, this certification is used in residential and commercial buildings. Some of the common building types are office, retail spaces, hotels, hospitals, high-rise buildings, among others.
GRIHA-certified buildings are designed to promote healthier living conditions for residents and promote environmental consciousness. For instance, Experion Elements in Sector 45 Noida is a GRIHA-certified project. It features open lawns, lush gardens, and a serene environment, balancing nature and modern living. It also focuses on sustainable practices such as energy efficiency and water conservation, saving vital natural resources, and making the project more environmentally friendly.
Criteria for evaluation under GRIHA
From site planning to energy efficiency, GRIHA certification covers 30 criteria covering various sustainability aspects.
Here is the detailed breakdown of criterion names and points assigned to each:
| GRIHA criteria for building evaluation | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Section | Criterion number | Criterion name | Maximum points |
| Sustainable site planning | 1 | Green infrastructure | 5 |
| 2 | Low impact design | 5 | |
| 3 | Design to mitigate urban heat island effect (UHIE) | 2 | |
| Construction management | 4 | Air and soil pollution control | 1 |
| 5 | Top soil preservation | 1 | |
| 6 | Construction management Practices | 2 | |
| Energy efficiency | 7 | Energy optimisation | 12 |
| 8 | Renewable energy utilisation | 5 | |
| 9 | Low ozone depletion potential (ODP) and global warming potential (GWP) materials | 1 | |
| Occupant comfort | 10 | Visual comfort | 4 |
| 11 | Thermal and acoustic comfort | 2 | |
| 12 | Maintaining good indoor air quality (IAQ) | 6 | |
| Water management | 13 | Water demand reduction | 3 |
| 14 | Wastewater treatment | 3 | |
| 15 | Rainwater management | 5 | |
| 16 | Water quality and self-sufficiency | 5 | |
| Solid waste management | 17 | Waste management-post occupancy | 4 |
| 18 | Organic waste treatment on-site | 2 | |
| Sustainable building materials | 19 | Utilisation of alternative materials in building | 5 |
| 20 | Reduction in global warming potential (GWP) through life cycle assessment | 5 | |
| 21 | Alternative materials for external site development | 2 | |
| Life cycle costing | 22 | Life Cycle Cost Analysis | 5 |
| Socio-economic strategies | 23 | Safety and sanitation for construction workers | 1 |
| 24 | Universal accessibility | 2 | |
| 25 | Dedicated facilities for service staff | 2 | |
| 26 | Positive social impact | 3 | |
| Performance metering and monitoring | 27 | Commissioning for final rating | 7 |
| 28 | Smart metering and monitoring | 0 | |
| 29 | Operation and maintenance protocol | 0 | |
| Total points | 100 | ||
| Innovation | 30 | Innovation | 5 |
| Grand total points | 100 + 5 | ||
Source: GRIHA Council
Rating scale for GRIHA-rated projects
GRIHA ratings are mapped on a five-star rating scale, depending on how many points a project earns from the evaluation criteria. Let us check out the rating scale and threshold decided by GRIHA.
| GRIHA rating scale | |
|---|---|
| Range | Rating |
| 25 - 40 | 1 star |
| 41 - 55 | 2 star |
| 56 - 70 | 3 star |
| 71 - 85 | 4 star |
| 86 or more | 5 star |
Source: GRIHA Council
Could the article help you understand the topic?
Benefits of buying in a GRIHA-rated project
GRIHA-certified projects contribute to a sustainable environment by reducing carbon emissions and conserving resources. Not only this, below are some more advantages that can benefit homebuyers in the future:
- GRIHA-rated projects reduce energy consumption through energy-efficient appliances such as solar water heaters and LED lighting.
- Water-saving technologies like rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling are used to conserve water.
- Features such as cross-ventilation, large windows, and low volatile organic compound (VOC) paints are used in GRIHA-rated projects. These ensure better indoor air quality, abundant natural light, and ventilation.
- GRIHA projects also promote efficient waste management practices, including composting and organic waste treatment. Such practices reduce waste generation and help create and maintain cleaner living surroundings.
- GRIHA-rated buildings use eco-friendly and alternative building materials, reducing the impact of construction on the environment.
- With the increasing demand for eco-friendly homes, GRIHA-certified properties are not just a sound investment in the present but also promise to appreciate in value and offer better resale potential.
In conclusion, the role of GRIHA goes beyond the certification as it promotes healthier living indoors and outdoors for the residents. By investing in GRIHA-rated projects, homebuyers can contribute to a sustainable future and enjoy a comfortable living environment. As awareness for sustainability grows, the GRIHA-rated project is an excellent choice for today’s smart, responsible buyers.
