‘Yamuna’ sets standards by saving upto 50% energy and 30% water by using solar power generation, glass panels, eco-friendly cooling systems, CFL fixtures and rainwater harvesting.

Pune, 9th December 2009:

‘Yamuna’, the corporate office and facility of Kirloskar Brothers Ltd (KBL), a leading global water management solution company, was awarded the prestigious LEED Platinum rating for green buildings. KBL’s corporate office ‘Yamuna’ was inaugurated earlier this year in Pune. The ratings have come in the backdrop of the ongoing Copenhagen summit.

KBL’s ‘Yamuna’ has successfully set and demonstrated standards of eco-friendly structures. The structure that is spread over 3 acres of land and houses 500 employees, is able to save uptp 50% of energy and 30% of water purely by use of technology and effective design. ‘Yamuna’ uses water-cooled VRV air conditioning system with sensors for monitoring CO2 levels and optimizing intake of fresh air. The structure has photovoltaic panels to generate electricity and meeting 2.6% of power consumption.

‘Yamuna’ has maximum use of glass panels along walls that allow natural light inside the building, thereby saving on electricity. Most of the illuminating lights have CFL fixtures that are extremely energy efficient. The structure also uses other energy efficient gadgets LCD monitors. Lastly, the facility derives a substantial amount of water from the recharge pits it has from rainwater harvesting.

Says Mr. Sanjay C. Kirloskar, Chairman and Managing Director, KBL, “We are very happy that ‘Yamuna’, our corporate office, has been awarded the LEED Platinum rating. KBL has and will continue to deliver environment and energy conservation initiatives. I would like to congratulate all employees for making this platinum rated Green Building and abiding the group philosophy of total commitment towards our planet and ‘Enriching Lives’ at large.”

KBL’s ‘Yamuna’ is built as an extremely employee-friendly structure. The aesthetically designed building delivers facilities that help boost employee morale, productivity and a cheerful working environment. The building follows a decade-long tradition of hosting the Indian flag as per the standard protocol, ‘Yamuna’ delivers the true essence of ‘Enriching Lives’ of its employees, customers and society it belongs to. Landscape terraces, atriums with indoor plants and the use of glass provide a scenic view to people at work acting as a stress buster. Adequate parking facility extended to visitors ensures no usage of public road as parking space. Other amenities like an auditorium, library, a well-equipped gymnasium, badminton court, swimming pool and an amphi-theater extends an opportunity for employee engagement and networking.

Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED), is an Indian rating system complying with the green standards of ‘US Green Building Council’ (USGBC), Washington. It specifies stringent norms to be met for the greenest, most energy efficient and high performance buildings. Primarily, a ‘Green Building’ is one which encompasses the use of renewable energy, efficient use of natural resources as water and recyclable materials thereby providing healthy indoor air quality.