Solar panels turn Coal India building into a visual treat
The architect who designed the futuristic Coal India headquarters in Rajarhat was inspired by two doyens Bengal Renaissance - Raja Ram Mohun Roy and Rabindranath Tagore.
Unlike conventional green buildings that has photo voltaic (PV) panels installed on the roof and look incongruous, the Coal India building integrated PV panels in its design that complements the architectural aesthetics. The building's striking design and its extensive use of PV panels has already generated a buzz in industry journals like 'Domus', 'Architecture+Design' and 'Design Detail'.
"The building's air-conditioning uses the thermal storage system in which ice is made at night when power tariff is low and then the ice-cold water is used by the AC unit during the day, reducing the AC plant's power consumption by 25%," explained Susobhan Roy, Rewal's associate and director of Acme Consultants.
Fitted with movement and daylight sensors and other controls, the smart building is expected to get a platinum rating from the Indian Green Building Council and has applied for 4-star Griha rating.