Sustainability Report

The primary documented embodied-carbon strategy is the use of cellular lightweight concrete blocks for the exterior and interior walls instead of the conventional solid-brick wall construction used as the EDGE reference baseline. The exterior wall construction uses 200 mm cellular lightweight concrete blocks, with a reported thermal transmittance of 0.90 W/m²·K. This improves the thermal performance of the envelope while also contributing to the project's lower embodied-carbon result.

The material strategy also includes the use of facade screens for solar control. According to the additional project information, these are GFRC (glass fibre reinforced concrete) screens on the east, west and south facades. Their environmental contribution is primarily related to envelope performance: by reducing solar heat gain, they support lower cooling demand. This should be distinguished from a direct claim that GFRC itself is a low-carbon material.

The EDGE assessment reports a 31% reduction in embodied carbon, equivalent to approximately 3,938.73 tonnes of CO₂e savings compared with the assessment baseline.

The building uses its architectural organization as the first stage of its environmental strategy. The stepped form, landscaped courtyards, and varied sectional volumes create shaded and naturally lit spaces throughout the building. The terraces are accessible and integrated with landscape, while the courtyards bring indirect daylight into the interior. A continuous diagonal indoor street and multiple open courts support natural ventilation through the building. These strategies are particularly relevant to Indore's climate, where temperatures remain between approximately 30°C and 40°C for around eight months of the year. The building also uses north-oriented daylight to reduce exposure to direct solar radiation and to increase the use of natural light. On the east, west and south elevations, ventilated facade screens provide additional solar protection.

Additional energy-saving measures include:

• Optimized window-to-wall ratio
• Reflective roof finishes
• Reflective exterior wall finishes
• External shading
• Efficient glazing
• Reduced air infiltration
• Natural ventilation
• Energy-efficient ceiling fans
• Energy-efficient lighting
• Demand-controlled ventilation
• Variable-speed drives
• Smart energy meters
• Onsite solar photovoltaic generation

The solar photovoltaic system is assessed to contribute approximately 18.03% of the building's annual energy use. Together, these measures result in a reported 28.46% energy saving compared with the EDGE assessment baseline.

Several design choices may reduce maintenance and replacement requirements over the building's service life:

• Passive daylighting and ventilation reduce dependence on continuously operating mechanical systems.
• External solar shading reduces thermal stress on the internal environment and mechanical cooling systems.
• Durable masonry and concrete-based construction can provide long service lives when properly maintained.
• GFRC facade screens, if confirmed as the installed material, provide a durable external solar-control layer with potentially lower maintenance requirements than more complex mechanically operated shading systems.
• Simple, open landscaped spaces and courts are integrated into the architectural organization rather than added as highly serviced enclosed environments