TN Assembly complex becomes world’s first ‘Green’ certified building

The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly (TNLA) Complex is unique in one respect—it is the first and only ‘certified’ green Assembly or Senate building in the world. It makes history of sort.

The assembly complex was conferred with the prestigious LEED-Gold certification earlier this week
The construction project of the new Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Complex was earlier registered with the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) for a green rating. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an internationally recognized building certification programme for green buildings in India, run jointly by the Indian and US Green Building Council.

Ms. Deepa Sathiaram, head of En3 Sustainability Solutions, the green consultants for the project said “With data from the LEED we have realized that TNLA will be the first certified green building in the world.”.

The TNLA complex will be the largest certified green government building in India and the second government building to get the certification.

The entire building would be a non-smoking zone to ensure the health and safety of occupants. All adhesives, sealants, paints and coatings used in the building have less volatile organic compounds that are harmful to humans.The building has been designed to provide thermal comfort to the occupants as per international standards.All the trees cut are replaced.

The green cover around the complex either with trees of grass spread is aboundent, qualifying for the certification.

Ms. Deepa Sathiaram said the Indian Green Building Council is planning to seek the permission of the State government to arrange a tour of the Assembly building for foreign delegates of the Green Building Congress.

The Rs.450-crore Legislative Assembly-Secretariat Complex that was inaugurated today at the Omandurar Government Estate, marks the return to the Estate after a gap of 53 years.

The last meeting of the Assembly on the Estate was on December 27, 1956. This was during the term of the First Assembly (1952-57). It was only in May 1952 that a building on the Estate, meant for the legislature, was declared open to accommodate the then strength of the Assembly -- 375 members. The building, constructed then at a cost of Rs. 10 lakh, later came to be known as Children's Theatre or Kalaivanar Arangam. In April 1957, the Assembly went back to Fort St. George, which was its venue till January this year.

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- Asian Tribune -