Green building design is a practical and climate conscious approach to building design. Various factors, like geographical location, prevailing climatic conditions, use of locally available and low embodied energy materials and design parameters relevant to the type of usage of the building are normally taken into consideartion. Such an approach ensures minimum harm to the environment, while constructing and using the building.

A look at traditional building techniques clearly shows that the concept of green or sustainable buildings has existed in our country for a long time. These buildings were generally made of locally available materials like wood, mud and stone and dealt with the vagaries of weather without using a large amount of external energy to keep the inhabitants comfortable.

Buildings are among the greatest consumers of energy. Combining cutting edge energy efficient technologies with adaptation of practices used in vernacular architecture which used more of locally available materials and resources is necessary, especially for countries like India where per capita energy consumption is rising rapidly due to high economic growth. This will reduce our dependence on the fossil fuels which have to be imported and are depleting at an alarming rate.

A green building uses minimum amount of energy, consumes less water, conserves natural resources, generates less waste and creates space for healthy and comfortable living.

When a number of green buildings are located in proximity, they would create a green zone, providing much healthier environment and minimise heat-island effect. The ultimate aim will then be to create many such areas, which would help the towns and cities and therefore the nation in reducing total energy requirement and also the overall global carbon footprint.