Task 3

3.1 All about Green Buildings

In fact, green buildings have now become a popular issue, not only in Malaysia, but
all around the globe. It is part of the sustainable development and many terms have
been found for green buildings.
Green buildings can be defined Indicates to the quality and characteristics of the
real structure created utilizing the standards and methodologies of sustainable
construction. The green buildings are usually known for reducing the passive
effects of the construction on the environment and also peoples health with the
core aim of achieving sustainable development.
Placed in a different way, green building might be indicated to as which that its life
of operation and construction ensure the healthiest potential environment whereas
representing the large efficient and minimum disruptive utilize of energy, water,
resources, and land.
Many studies have been conducted to investigate the effect of the buildings on the
environment and discover that buildings account for around 38 to 50% of the GHG
emissions, and also one-third of the worlds total energy has been consumption in
the built environment.
Studies have also shown that green buildings can mitigate around 35% of carbon
dioxide emissions, 30% to 50% energy reduction and 70% savings on waste output.
Tan (2009) says that Malaysia government has regularly encouraged the
stakeholders in construction field to build green buildings which have long haul
advantages. Energy, Green Technology and Water Deputy Minister Datuk Seri
Mahdzir Khalid said such endeavors would be proceeded in spite of difficulties in
regulations relating to the building outlines.

3.1.1 Aim and benefits of the Green Buildings

Green buildings which will include a wide range of knowledge, exercises, techniques
and skills have an ultimate goal of minimizing the effects of construction on the
environment and also human health.
It achieves its goal usually by excluding the taking benefits of renewable energy
sources such as solar, hydro energy and wind energy. It also can use greeneries
such as green roof, rain gardens and reduction of rainwater run-off. There are some
methods are used, such as using low-effect building resources or using packed
gravel or permeable concrete rather than traditional concrete or asphalt to enhance
replenishment of floor water.
There are also some other goals that are aimed by the execution of green buildings:
Aims of green buildings
Provision of basic human
needs

Zero Carbon

Protecting environment
and natural resources

Control climate change

Save energy

Financial benefits

Description
Now the population is increasing but our energy is
depleting. The increasing population will demand
basic needs of life such as sustenance, water, and
haven. In the event that the energy demand is ever
growing the limited sources fossil fuels, green
buildings can be an alternative to satisfy the human
basic needs with little toll taken on the supply of
electricity from fossil fuels.
Reduce the energy use of the buildings and reduce
the carbon footprints through green technology and
green buildings.
Enhance and protect the environment, improve air
and water quality, reduce waste in natural
environment, conservation and reservation of the
natural non-renewable resources.
Control the burning of fossil fuels, energy
consumption and GHG emissions.
Save energy can be done via lighting, air conditioning
and others. Second is the usage of energy sources
which do not produce any greenhouse gases and are
renewable in nature
A common point of view is that green buildings will
cost higher than the conventional buildings and the
green premium is too high cost. Nevertheless,
studies have shown that it is not true. the costs of
green buildings are not substantially higher than
regular development projects. Moreover, green
buildings can offer a lot of cost benefit such as energy
and water savings, increased property values, and
lower maintenance fees.

Social benefits

Improved health of the occupant, improved comfort,

improved overall quality of life.

3.1.2 Cost and Benefits of Green Buildings

There are still many people have the misconception that green buildings cost more
than the conventional buildings. After all, the upfront cost or green premium for
green buildings are higher than the conventional buildings.
However, various studies have shown that if the concept of green building is
incorporated at the early stage of the construction, at the design stage, the cost for
the green buildings might not necessarily be higher than the conventional buildings.
A 2007 study found that "an increasing number of project teams were shown to
have delivered LEED-certified buildings within a budget comparable to that of nonLEED-certified buildings.

Its cheaper to build green!

From the chart above, we can tell that it is getting cheaper and cheaper to build
green buildings. This is because practice makes perfect! as years go by, the
construction players get more and more familiar with the green buildings concept
and can incorporate it and capable of efficiently deliver the green buildings. All of
these factors help to bring down costs. The report also points out that more
construction and design professionals know how to create green buildings, and the
tools to learn about sustainable building are more readily available.
The cost benefits of the green buildings

It's common knowledge that a sustainably built building uses less energy than a
traditional building, but how much less? For LEED certified buildings, studies found
that it can be 25 to 35% less, with the rates increasing with the level of green (i.e.
a LEED Platinum building is more efficient than a LEED Silver building).
Additionally, green buildings that incorporate water-saving strategies (low-flow
fixtures, water reclamation sytems, etc.) use up to 39 percent less water than
comparable conventional buildings. Owners and tenants will see this translate in
gas, electric, and water bills from the start.

Green buildings may cost more upfront, but a 2003 study of 33 LEED projects found
that the buildings would yield "savings of over ten times the initial
investment" after 20 years. From the report "The fig includes the savings
estimated from increases in productivity and health, looking at operational cost
saving alone finds that these savings also exceed any cost
premiums associated with green building design and construction."

3.1.3 Examples of GBI certified Green Buildings in Malaysia

In order to obtain Platinum rated, the building has to get 86 points and above.
Under the category of Non-residential new construction category, there are only 7
buildings rated with Platinum rating.

Building

1.

Date
received
Platinum
rating
21st May
2011

Diamond Building, the 8-story headquarters of the

energy commission in Putrajaya ; Bangunan
Suruhanjaya Tenaga
Source: www.greenbuildingindex.org

19th July
2012

2.
KKR Tower ; Kompleks Kerja Raya 2 (KKR 2)

Source: www.buimaco.com
30th May
2014

3.
Laman Pkns
Source : www. Morphium.info

18th
December
2014

4.
Masjid Cyberjaya
Source: www.malaysianreview.com

23th May
2015

5.
University College of Technology Sarawak
Source: www.ucts.edu.my

22nd August
2014

6. Bangunan Perdana Putra

Source: www.greenbuildingindex.org

15th Jan
2012

7. SP Setia Berhad Corporate HQ

Source: www.greenbuildingindex.org

3.2 Review of GBI certification in Malaysia

In Malaysia, government has set up a framework known as Green Building Index

which aims to assess the ecological design and performance of Malaysian buildings.
This rating system is established jointly by Malaysian Institute of Architects and the
Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia (ACEM).

3.2.1 The motivation behind GBI

The motive behind this rating system is to structure mindfulness among all the
players in the development industry on the essentials of economic development.

This framework has set up a progression of the necessary things that are thought to
be ecological cordial amid the course of the life cycle of the building development.
The Malaysian building industry has taken a major jump towards the Green
Movement by propelling its own 'Green Building Index' (GBI) in 2009.
GBI is composed especially for Malaysias tropical climate, taking into consideration
the social, infrastructural and financial development in Malaysian context and at the
same time curbing the global issues.
A green building in the context of GBI focuses on increasing the asset utilization
such as energy, water, and materials while reducing the effects of construction on
environment and human health.

3.2.2 GBI Classification

http://www.greenbuildingindex.com.my/

3.2.3 Structures to be evaluated under GBI

Structures to be evaluated can be divided into 5:
1. Non Residential Existing Building (NREB)
2. Non Residential New Construction (NRNC)
3. Mechanical Existing Building (IEB)
4. Mechanical New Construction (INC)
5.

Private Existing Building (REB)

Each project will have different points allocation for every criteria in the GBI system.

3.2.3.1 Points allocation for Non-residential project

The GBI Residential Rating tool evaluates the sustainable aspects of residential
buildings. This includes linked houses, apartments, condominiums, townhouses,
semi-detached and bungalows. Points for each criteria is shown in the diagram
below:

3.2.3.2 Points allocation for non-residential projects

Non-residential buildings under GBI rating system can be factories, offices,
hospitals, universities, colleges, hotels and shopping complexes.

From the diagram above, the points allocation of the non-residential building is
different from the residential building.

3.2.4 Criteria for GBI Rating

There are 6 main criteria for GBI rating as shown in the diagram below:

The rating criteria will remain the same for all the projects regardless of the types of
projects.
1. Energy Efficiency

2. Indoor Environmental Quality

3. Sustainable Site Planning &

Management

4. Material and Resources

Improve energy consumption by

optimising building orientation,
minimizing solar heat gain through the
building envelope, harvesting natural
lighting, adopting the best practices in
building services including use of
renewable energy, and ensuring proper
testing, commissioning and regular
maintenance.
Achieve good quality performance in
indoor air quality, acoustics, visual and
thermal comfort. These will involve the
use of low volatile organic compound
materials, application of quality air
filtration, proper control of air
temperature, movement and humidity.
Selecting appropriate sites with planned
access to public transportation,
community services, open spaces and
landscaping. Avoiding and conserving
environmentally sensitive areas through
the redevelopment of existing sites and
brownfields. Implementing proper
construction management, storm water
management and reducing the strain
on existing infrastructure capacity.
Promote the use of environmentfriendly materials sourced from
sustainable sources and recycling.

5. Water Efficiency
6. Innovation

Implement proper construction waste

management with storage, collection
and re-use of recyclables and
construction formwork and waste.
Rainwater harvesting, water recycling
and water-saving fittings.
Innovative design and initiatives that
meet the objectives of the GBI.

3.2.5 GBI Assessment Process

Step 1: Application and Registration
In the stage 1, the applicant should submit GBI application form with all the details
completely filled such as project information and supporting documents. The form
should be submitted to Greenbuildingindex Sdn Bhd. Registration fee, which
depends on the size of the project, will be changed. Upon the payment of the
registration fees, a GBI registration number will be given and a GBI certifier will be
appointed after Terms and Conditions are signed between the applicant GSB.
The flow of the activities can be observed in the flow chart below.

Step 2: Design Assessment

The applicant can submit the project for GBI design assessment after all key criteria
of the design is finalized and before the starting of the construction so that the
project can be monitored and assessed in its entirety. The task will be done by a GBI
certifier for GSB. A presentation by the applicant and their project team or by GBI
facilitator might be included.
The GBI Certifier will upon completion, table the assessment report to the GBIAP to
register and award the certification and notify the DA result.
The provisional GBI Design Assessment certification will then be issued with the
accompanying GBI score sheet to show the scores achieved.

Step 3: Completion and Verification Assessment

When the project is complete, the applicant should submit for CVA within 12 months
of the completion of the building or when the building is 50% occupied, whichever is
earlier. After CVA assessment, final GBI award either platinum, gold, silver or
certified will be issued.
Buildings will have to be re-assessed every three years in order to maintain their
GBI rating to ensure that the buildings are well-maintained.