Green Building In The Himalayas - Himurja Office Building, Shimla

Himurja office building in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh is a building that stands apart among others. Built at an altitude of about 2000 m above sea level, in the middle Himalayas, the Himurja building, is a classic example of an energy efficient green building.

Considering the climate in Shimla, which is generally cold and cloudy almost throughout the year, a green building to have all energy efficient facilities at this altitude is a little unimaginable. The building would therefore require heating almost throughout the year and good ventilation during summer. Despite the climate this building has been provided with all the necessary features that are required to make it an energy efficient green building.

To begin with the three dimensional plan of the building, enables maximum heat absorption. The building has been specially planned to maximize heat gain and day lighting. The orientation of the building is such that there is sufficient amount of sunlight falling on the façades. Double glazing in windows with proper sealing, helps control heat loss from glazing and minimizes infiltration. Sunspaces built in the southern areas of the building act as heat collector’s, thus reducing the glare and enhancing thermal productivity. Water is heated through a solar water heating system.

So effective is its thermal optimisation that when building was monitored in the month of January, the coldest month in a year, the building did not require electric heating. Artificial lighting is seldom required except during dark cloudy days.

The excellent thermal conditions in this building have enabled it to be described as ‘zero energy consuming' building.