Punjab’s first green building comes up in Mohali

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal would inaugurate the Punjab Forest Complex in Sector 68 here on Saturday.

The new building would house the state headquarters of the Forests and Wildlife Preservation department,several wings of which are presently working from different rented accommodations in Chandigarh.

The civil construction work for the basement,ground and seven stories of the building was completed in record time after Badal had laid the foundation stone of the project on October 7,2008.

Touted as a “creditable” achievement,the construction of the complex involved numerous technical difficulties on account of the curvilinear design in both the plan and elevation. All floors have unique designs.

The Forest Complex was constructed on ‘green building design’ principles in which a lot of emphasis was laid on conservation of energy. This was achieved by using high performance glass on the façade,which would let in adequate light but keep out the heat.

Sensors were also installed to automatically switch off air-conditioners and lights when there was no occupancy in the area. The large central courtyard with a high waterfall would also result in appreciable natural cooling.

With a workforce of over 200 skilled persons engaged in the project,the complex was completed on war footing.