Communication Principles

(L1103)
COURSE WORK
Report Writing and
Presentation

Communication Principles
(L1103)
COURSE WORK
IQSSL Professional Level I – 2016 Communication Principles (L1103)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The success and final outcome of this assignment required a lot of guidance and assistance
from many people and we extremely to have got this all along the completion of our
assignment work. Whatever we have done is only due to such guidance and assistance and we
would not forget to thank them. We respect and thanks Dr. Yasangika Sandanayake for giving
we an opportunity to do this assignment work and providing us all support and guidance which
made us complete the assignment on time. We extremely grateful to them for providing such a
nice support and guidance.

This assignment cannot be completed without the effort and co-operation from our group
members and we would like to express our gratitude to all the academic and non-academic
staff of the QS college, our friends and respondents for support and willingness to spend some
time for us

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Topic of the Course Work
Report writing and Presentation

Page No.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I

TABLE OF FIGURES III

LIST OF ABBREVIATION IV

WHAT IS THE GREEN BUILDING? 1

GREEN BUILDING CONCEPT AND ITS SRI LANKAN CONTEXT 1

GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL OF SRI LANKA (GBCSL) 2

THE ORIGINS OF GREEN BUILDING 2

FUTURE OF THE GREEN BUILDINGS 3

MECHANISM OF THE GREEN BUILDING 3

SOURCE OF MATERIAL 5

EXAMPLES OF GREEN BUILDINGS 6

BENEFITS OF THE GREEN BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES. 10

RISKS OF THE GREEN BUILDING TECHNOLOGIES 11

CONCLUSION 13

LIST OF REFERENCE 14

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TABLE OF FIGURES

Page No.

Figure 1. The Crystal, London, United Kingdom 6

Figure 2. ACROS Fukuoka Foundation Building, Fukuoka, Japan 7

Figure 3. Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Yishun Central, Singapore 8

Figure 4. Bahrain World Trade Center, Manama, Bahrain 8

Figure 5. Heritance Kandalama hotel, Dambulla, Sri Lanka 9

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LIST OF ABBREVIATION

GBCSL Green Building Council of Sri Lanka

LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

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TASK

What is the Green Building?

“Green building is a holistic concept that starts with the understanding that the built
environment can have profound effects, both positive and negative, on the natural
environment, as well as the people who inhabit buildings every day. Green building is an effort
to amplify the positive and mitigate the negative of these effects throughout the entire life cycle
of a building” (Usgbcorg, 2016).

“While there are many different definitions of green building out there, it is generally accepted
as the planning, design, construction, operations, maintenance, and renovation of buildings
with several central, foremost considerations: energy use, water use, indoor environmental
quality, material section and the building's effects on its site” (Usgbcorg, 2016).

Green Building Concept and Its Sri Lankan Context

“While heading for the sustainable development, the concept of green building has become a
prime concern in construction industry. Green buildings increase the efficiency of resources
while sustaining natural resources for the future generation and reduce impact on human and
environment. With the global interest nowadays, construction of green buildings has become a
new trend in Sri Lanka as well. Many studies identified that there is a significant initial
investment perceived in the green construction than conventional buildings. However, it is
important for a developing country like Sri Lanka to identify the benefits and drawbacks when
adopting green concept in construction of buildings. Green building literally does not mean that
they are totally environmental friendly. But they are more energy efficient, produce less waste
and healthier to be inside. When it comes to green building; awareness on typical features of a
green building, definition of green building and green building concept is noteworthy” (Sjpaclk,
2016).

“There should be prescribed standards when it comes to declare a building as a green building.
So in order to achieve this purpose World Green Building Council was established in 1999.
Considerations for a green building will change as the environmental stresses vary from place to
place. So the Green Building Council of Sri Lanka (GBCSL) was launched in 2009. In Sri Lanka,
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification system and GREEN SL
rating system are used as green building certification systems. LEED certified and GREEN SL
rating system certified green buildings are established within Sri Lanka. Examining green
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building features of certified green buildings would be useful in gaining comprehensive

knowledge on application of green building concept” (Sjpaclk, 2016).

Green Building Council of Sri Lanka (GBCSL)

“Green Building Council of Sri Lanka (GBCSL) is a consensus-based not for profit organization,
committed to developing a sustainable property industry for Sri Lanka by encouraging the
adoption of green building practices. It is diverse and integrated representation from all sectors
of the property industry and academia” (Srilankagbcorg, 2016).

“GBCSL functions through its main sectors of GREEN Rating of Buildings, GREEN Labeling of
Sustainable Building Materials and Products, GREEN Service certification for Green Service
suppliers and Education & Training of Green Professionals aiming to transform the Sri Lankan
construction industry with green building practices and to fully adopt sustainability as the
means by which our environment thrives, economy prospers and society grows to ensure the
future wellbeing of our motherland” (Srilankagbcorg, 2016).

“The GBCSL is the only representative member in Sri Lanka, of the World Green Building
Council, which represents a large number of countries ranging from developed to developing
nations” (Srilankagbcorg, 2016).

The Origins of Green Building

“Individuals and companies have only been building green homes for the past thirty years; still,
within that time, the green movement has been constantly growing. The history of green
building dates back much further than the 1970's. It was in the midst of the industrial
revolution that Henri Becquerel first witnessed the transformation of solar energy into electrical
energy, known as photovoltaic power. Around this time, the late 1800's to early 1900's, a
number of solar power plants were built to utilize the sun's energy for steam power. Then, in
the 1950's, solar energy was used on an extremely small-scale, making way for the solar panel
solution twenty years later” (Wilson, 2006).

“During the energy crisis of the 1970's, green building moved from research and development
to reality. Builders and designers were looking for a way to reduce the reliance of buildings and
homes on fossil fuels. Solar panels were used to make more environmentally friendly homes,
although only in small numbers due to high initial costs” (Wilson, 2006).

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“Since then, developers have been able to construct more efficient and less expensive solar
panels making solar energy more of a reality. Also, during this transition period, designers and
consumers started wondering, if solar panels can make buildings more efficient, lower energy
bills, and reduce the negative impact on the environment, what other steps can be taken to
build even greener homes. Now, Eco construction involves so much more than simply using
solar panels” (Wilson, 2006).

Future of the Green Buildings

“Today, green design is still a relatively new concept and the history of green building only goes
back a few decades. This however is changing the movement will inevitably grow. Not just
because consumers want to have more environmentally-friendly, safer, cleaner homes for their
families, but because society will be dependent on the efficiency and long-term expense
reduction of building green homes. Those who have experience with green building and design,
either through their own home or business or through working in the industry, have set an
example of benefits of the eco transformation, saving money, energy and reducing waste”
(Wilson, 2006).

Mechanism of the Green Building

Green building is now a buzzword in the building and construction sector. It entails construction
that utilizes eco-friendly building material in effort to conserve the environment.

The following are some of the main materials for green construction as far as flooring, glazing,
roofing, insulation and cement are concerned.

• Floor
“It is stylish to have floors made with wood or stretched out with expensive carpets.
However, some woods are less renewable than other and some carpets may contain fumes
that affect the quality of indoor air. Bamboo and cork are excellent green alternatives”
(Constructionkenyacom, 2014).

“Bamboo is cheaper than ordinary wood and it is also easily replenished. On the other
hand, cork is extracted from the exterior surface of a living tree every nine years. These
two materials are physically appealing and have zero negative effect on the environment.
Other eco-friendly building materials for flooring include reclaimed wood, recycled rubber
and carpet tiles as well as eucalyptus” (Constructionkenyacom, 2014).

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• Glazing
“This can be done sustainably using glass windows made with layers of panes, whereby
each layer is separated by compartments filled with a gas for energy saving insulation. On
the other hand, door and windows made with glass may be coated with a material that
regulates the temperature in the building while blocking damaging sun rays”
(Constructionkenyacom, 2014).

• Roofing
“Some of the green roofing alternatives available today include combined cedar tiles that
resist moisture, insects and mildew as well as solar reflective roof tiles which are very
useful during hot seasons” (Constructionkenyacom, 2014).

• Insulation
“This addresses energy conservation. Instead of using the health hazardous asbestos, you
should consider sustainable insulation materials recycled newspapers or plastic”
(Constructionkenyacom, 2014).

• Cement
“Modern cement technologies are engineered to be more environmental friendly. Porous
cement, mostly used on driveways and walkways, allows water to sink in through the pores
to avoid damaging the waterways. Light colored concrete is on the other hand very useful
in urban areas to prevent overheating” (Constructionkenyacom, 2014).

The choice of a green material depends on following parameters

1. Physical suitability: Its physical properties like compressive strength, tensile strength and
water resistance.

2. Dependability: Its dependability on other materials for its aesthetic or functional

efficiency.

3. Cost: Affordability subject to the budgetary constraints.

4. Aesthetics: Its aesthetic blend with the entire schema of things

5. Workability: Ease with which it can be used

6. Environmental performance

✓ Embodied energy
✓ Recycled content

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✓ Recyclability
✓ Toxic Emissions (if any)
✓ Carbon footprint
✓ Water footprint
✓ Life cycle Impact

Source of Material

➢ Renewable sources : Forests

➢ Reuse from waste : Old plumbing, doors

Wool Brick : Obtained by adding wool and natural polymer found in seaweed to the clay of
the brick, 37% more strength than bunt bricks and resistant for cold and wet
climate.

Bamboo : replacing the steel bars

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Examples of Green Buildings

We mainly identify as green building for environmentally responsible and efficient. We build
building for these concepts. Green building builds according to Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED). We can get an example for green building, design as LEED
regulation.

1. The Crystal, London, United Kingdom

“Siemens, one of the leading and top-most companies in the United Kingdom has built The
Crystal, an urban sustainable landmark that draws thousands of visitors each year. Aside from
its striking structural design, The Crystal is one of the greenest buildings ever built by mankind.
This building uses natural light, that is, natural daylight is availed of entirely during the day. It
also utilizes smart lighting technology, wherein electricity is mainly powered by photovoltaic
solar panels- the building is illuminated by an integration of LED and fluorescent lights which
are switched on and off depending on the bulk of daylight present” (Whenonearthnet, 2016).

“Another interesting feature of The Crystal is the so-called Rainwater Harvesting and Black
Water Recycling. The building’s roof acts as a collector of rainwater, while the sewage is
treated, then recycled water is purified and converted as drinking water” (Whenonearthnet,
2016).

Figure 1. The Crystal, London, United Kingdom

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2. ACROS Fukuoka Foundation Building, Fukuoka, Japan

“Considered to be a top attraction in Fukuoka, ACROS Fukuoka Foundation Building was opened
in April 1995 and considered to be a good example of the perfect fusion of native greenery and
architectural concept, often referred to as eco-architecture. What makes this building a
sustainable one is that its interior design features colossal atrium, immersing the entire space
with natural lighting thus saving a lot from energy consumption. The distinctive feature of this
building is a systematized design of water drainage, similar to a mountain. This method allows
natural irrigation to take place as water flows from the top of the building and further waters
the surrounding vegetation on the way down” (Whenonearthnet, 2016).

Figure 2. ACROS Fukuoka Foundation Building, Fukuoka, Japan

3. Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Yishun Central, Singapore

“Known as a Tiger country and considered to be the most expensive city in the world,
Singapore is also an advocate of building sustainable infrastructures. Khoo Teck Puat Hospital is
an example of a consciously-made green environment thus equivalent to a healing environment
for its patients” (Whenonearthnet, 2016).

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“This hospital complex also uses solar water heating system and other energy-efficient
methodologies thus making the building 27% more energy efficient than a conventional hospital
building. Solar panels are used to transform solar energy into electricity, while a solar thermal
system provides hot water for the hospital’s needs” (Whenonearthnet, 2016).

Figure 3. Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Yishun Central, Singapore

4. Bahrain World Trade Center, Manama, Bahrain

“The Bahrain World Trade Center (BWTC) is a 50-floored, twin tower complex that was built in
2008 by the world-renowned architectural firm Atkins. BWTC is set to conquer the world as it is
the first ever skyscraper in the world to
have incorporated wind turbines into its
blueprint” (Whenonearthnet, 2016).

“The two towers are interconnected by

three sky bridges, each of which are
holding 225 kW wind turbine. These
turbines supply up to 15% of the twin
towers need, in other words, it helps in
reducing the building’s energy
consumption and carbon discharge”
(Whenonearthnet, 2016).

Figure 4. Bahrain World Trade Center, Manama, Bahrain

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5. Heritance Kandalama hotel, Dambulla, Sri Lanka

“Heritance Kandalama has gone to great lengths to safeguard the delicate eco system and
environment in which it rests. The hotel is built in the configuration of the outspread wings of a
bird and located between two rocks. The hotel is a staggering 1km from end to end, and rises
up 7 floors, and yet appears to be a perfectly natural extension of the mountainside, least
visible as it is covered
by native plants, home
to many species. The
entire hotel is built upon
a raised platform resting
on columns, allowing
rain and spring water to
flow freely from the
mountainside into the
Kandalama Lake. This
design also facilitates
the free movement of
animals underneath the
hotel, creating a
minimum impact on the
eco system”
Figure 5. Heritance Kandalama hotel, Dambulla, Sri Lanka
(Heritancehotelscom, 2016).

At the point of building the hotel, the natural landscape was used as the main ingredient. It is
the most distinguished feature of the hotel. Native plants and the grounds were undisturbed as
much as possible. No fauna and flora have been introduced. No impact on the Kandalama lake
whatsoever.

The eco design has accommodated maximum natural light enabling more energy conservation.

This example of few will design as green building concepts. It will consider

✓ Air pollution (reduce Carbon and other gasses)

✓ Light effective

✓ Energy serve

✓ Green gardens

✓ Reduce help to global temperate.

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Benefits of the Green Building Technologies.

Green building is all about promoting wellbeing, usually as it relates to environment, health and
community. There are also direct economic benefits through the reduction of energy and water
use. Green building benefits are categorized as Environmental, Health and community, financial,
market and industry.

When we consider the life span of green and non-green buildings, green buildings outlive the
non-green buildings with twice of useful life span. This means that a single green-building
would create substantial savings on many fronts; carbon emissions would be considerably lower
as would energy and water consumption and reduced landfill waste. Non-green buildings
experience energy use that is 50% greater than green buildings, outdoor water use at 100%
greater and indoor water use at 30% greater and retrofitting an existing building to green
building standards holds just as much promise of environmental benefits as building a new
green building.

1. Environmental Benefits
❖ Enhance and protect eco-system and biodiversity.
❖ Improve water and air quality.
❖ Reduce solid waste.
❖ Conserve natural resources.

2. Health and Community Benefits

❖ Improve air, thermal, daylight and acoustic environments.
❖ Enhance occupant comfort and health.
❖ Minimize strain on local infrastructure.
❖ Contribute the overall quality of life.

3. Financial Benefits
❖ Reduce operating costs. Such as energy costs.
❖ Enhance assess value and profit.
❖ Improve employee productivity and satisfaction.
❖ Optimize life cycle economic performance.
❖ Lower absenteeism / Increased productivity.
❖ Lower health related costs such as insurance premiums.
❖ Lower litigation risks because of improved indoor air quality.
❖ Lower employee turnover.
❖ Longer economic life of the facility.

4. Market Benefits
❖ Create value within the compatible market.
❖ Higher occupancy rates.
❖ Meet growing demands by tenants.

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❖ Company recognition.
❖ Lower advertising costs.

5. Industry Benefits
❖ Positive impact on the Construction Industry, (integrated, non-traditional processes, new
materials)
❖ Allow technology to become part of the green building process improving the outcome of
projects.
❖ Allow professionals to become more qualified, educated, integrated.
❖ Allow opening other countries and selling green building know-how.
❖ Help other industries to benefit from new opportunities.
❖ Help to increase job opportunities.
❖ Eligible for grant money.

Risks of the Green Building Technologies

As described above, building to green standards produces many benefits. But risks are involved.
There are different categories of risks related to green buildings which are listed below.
1. Financial Risks
❖ Due to the common belief of “green cost much higher” lending amounts can be
disproportionate to need resulting in needless debt.
❖ Inexperienced teams might lack the skills to properly implement green oriented technology
which could hinder its effectiveness.
❖ Company budgets are not usually structured to track Life Cycle Cost (LCC) for a project
making longer term gains harder to record.
❖ Costs associated with litigation between the architect/engineers and the owner if
certification is not reached.
❖ Loss of tax incentives if certification is not reached.
❖ New green building materials might result in issues never encountered previously and be a
source of litigation.
❖ Loss of possible financial gain if the building doesn’t perform as it was intended to.

2. Market Risks
❖ Lack of consensus in the market about leading green standards.
❖ lack of knowledge towards green building benefits in the real estate market.
❖ Possibility of not reaching the anticipated results for green buildings in the market.

3. Industry Risks
❖ Owners and investors do not have access to enough information to easily convince them
that green building is the best avenue to pursue.
❖ Not engaging green building practices may cause architects, engineers, construction
companies become obsolete in the future.

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❖ The green building demand may not be satisfied by the supply chain. (e.g. Recycled
materials)
❖ Continuous improvement is needed to keep pace with changes to standards.

4. Building Performance Risks

❖ Some LEED certified buildings are documented to perform worse than non-green buildings.
❖ New materials-performance is not tested over the years.
❖ If the building does not perform, the certification will be revoked.

5. Team Performance Risks

❖ Some owners start green projects with inexperienced team.
❖ Lack of support from the team members.
❖ Owners might not be ready to leave their comfort zone, e.g. New team, unfamiliar
environment, new process, new technology.

6. Legislative Risks
❖ Tax and regulatory incentives may be complicated and difficult to obtain.
❖ As legislation changes risks are introduced that are not yet known and cannot be controlled
by decision maker.
(Durmus-pedini & Baabak, 2010)

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CONCLUSION
The world is limited entity. All its resources are static. Over exploration it is fast never recover
at the same place of our consumption. Becoming an unsuitable place for his habitation.
Architecture and environment cannot be separated in the Creation of a conductive habitat for
mankind. On the one hand the basic physiological and economic needs of man must be full fill
and architecturally express on the other hand there is a need to balance, harmonize and
integrate the built environment with ecological, social. financial. Architecture with above factor
is now being brought to shaper focus arising from recent movement towards sustainable
development (Piyathilaka, 2013).

“The ideology of sustainable development has a direct link with the green architecture. As said
out the many face of the green architecture the present day accumulation is mainly on the
environment factor the study was started with the intension making awareness towards the
issues. As far as concern the environmental aspect cannot be considered individually and it is
important to reveal its roots and connections with other segments primarily” (Piyathilaka,
2013).

“The attention of architect’s world over is increasingly focused on Green architecture as a

solution for the degrading of the environmental resources and anticipated energy crisis our
future generation have to face. Buildings are large entities and, as such, they impact upon the
environment in various ways Present day designs clearly consume large quantities of building
materials, responsible for a significant share of energy consumption and Carbon Dioxide
emission to the atmosphere and toxic materials contribute to poor indoor air quality. But they
also can result in effects such as loss of amenity and biodiversity which are much more difficult
to assess. These current trends will deprive the right of our future generations to live
comfortably in this plant unless we take corrective measures now. To empower the architect to
use Green materials (eco-friendly building materials) along with the practicing Green
architecture and promote an alternative approach to building that has a positive impact on our
planet today and generations to come” (Piyathilaka, 2013).

As a coin has two sides, green building concept too has its benefits and drawbacks. Enduring
specific recommendations for corporate sector, general public and households will encourage
benefits and minimize drawbacks. At last green building concept merely doesn’t mean going
after a certification but it is important to understand the essence of green building concept and
use it at every place where it is possible. Therefore, green buildings will be a profitable
investment for a sustainable future.

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LIST OF REFERENCE

➢ Usgbcorg. (2016). Usgbcorg. Retrieved 1 May, 2016, from

http://www.usgbc.org/articles/what-green-building

➢ Sjpaclk. (2016). Sjpaclk. Retrieved 1 May, 2016, from

http://www.sjp.ac.lk/sites/forestry/2015/04/02/green-building-concept-and-its-sri-
lankan-context

➢ Wilson, A. (2006) Your Green Home, Environmentally Friendly New Home. New York,
NY: New Society Publishers, 2006).

➢ Constructionkenyacom. (2014). Construction Business Review. Retrieved 1 May, 2016,

from http://www.constructionkenya.com/2171/eco-friendly-building-materials

➢ Whenonearthnet. (2016). Whenonearthnet. Retrieved 6 May, 2016, from

http://whenonearth.net/10-coolest-examples-of-green-buildings/

➢ Heritancehotelscom. (2016). Heritancehotelscom. Retrieved 6 May, 2016, from

http://www.heritancehotels.com/kandalama/green-philosophy/green-
architecture.html

➢ durmus-pedini, A & Baabak, A. (2010). An Overview of the Benefits and Risk Factors of
Going Green in Existing Buildings . International Journal of Facility Management,
1(1), 1-15. Retrieved 1 May, 2016, from
http://ejournals.library.gatech.edu/ijfm/index.php/ijfm/article/viewfile/15/17

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