As part of the lead-up to the 16th GRIHA Summit, the GRIHA Council organized an insightful educational tour of Garvi Gujarat Bhawan, a GRIHA 3-star rated building, located in New Delhi. The event, which took place on 3rd December 2024, brought together a diverse group of participants, including students and professionals, all eager to explore the building's innovative green design and sustainable features.

The day began with a warm networking session over tea and coffee, where attendees had the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and engage in discussions about sustainability. Capt. Prashant Singh, Chief Administrative Officer, opened the event with a welcome address, emphasizing the significance of sustainable architecture and the role that buildings like Garvi Gujarat Bhawan play in promoting environmentally responsible practices. This was followed by an introductory presentation from the GRIHA officials, who provided an overview of the GRIHA rating system and its role in fostering sustainable development in India.

A key highlight of the tour was the presentation by Ar. Udit Gaurav, the Green Building Consultant for the Garvi Gujarat Bhawan project. Ar. Gaurav shared the vision behind the building’s design, focusing on how green building principles were integrated into the project to achieve sustainability goals. He discussed the innovative use of daylight, which reduces the building’s energy consumption, and highlighted the efficient HVAC systems that ensure indoor comfort while minimizing energy use.

The guided tour of Garvi Gujarat Bhawan offered participants an up-close look at the building’s key sustainable features. The striking vertical landscape and the glass roof with controllable tint were particularly impressive, demonstrating the building’s innovative approach to managing heat gain while maximizing natural light. The building also incorporates advanced water management systems, including the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and Water Treatment Plant (WTP), further emphasizing its commitment to water conservation.

The luxurious yet energy-efficient interiors, along with the innovative design solutions, showcased how sustainability and comfort can be seamlessly integrated into a government guest house. The landscape surrounding the building was another notable feature, enhancing the building’s aesthetic and environmental value.

GRIHA Council would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to all the attendees and the Garvi Gujarat Bhawan team for their active participation and support in making this event a success. The educational tour provided a valuable learning experience, leaving attendees with a deeper understanding of how sustainable design can create high-performance, environmentally responsible buildings.

We look forward to hosting more such educational events as we continue our mission to promote sustainability and green building practices across India.