The latest to be honoured by the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the DuPont Knowledge Centre (DKC) in Hyderabad, India. It received a LEED “Silver” from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC). One of the country’s global research and development centres, the DKC is the first laboratory site in India to have been awarded this green building status. DKC hosts a biotechnology centre, materials research centre and global engineering design centre. As such, it stands as the first integrated knowledge centre and sixth major R&D facility outside the United States.

LEED provides building owners and operators with a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operation and maintenance solutions.

The “Silver” LEED rating for the DKC is the fruit of energy-efficient design and maintenance features, which include measures which permit minimum use of water, conserve energy, preserve natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and generate less waste, thus offering a healthier and cleaner environment for occupants. The DKC premises allow natural light to illuminate the interiors through the use of high performance glazing. Energy conservation is supported by motion sensors, efficient chillers, energy-conserving lighting systems and so on. Low VOC paint and rain water harvesting  are some other green features of the DKC.

The DKC site is well-planned, enhanced with good landscaping and shaded walkways that connect the research centres, clearly demonstrating commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

An integrated project team from the Indian Green Building Council conducted an independent, third-party verification of the DKC to ensure the centre met the highest green building and performance measures. The parameters on which the DKC was rated include:

• sustainable site
• water efficiency
• energy and atmosphere
• material and resources
• indoor environmental quality
• design innovation.