(Oh, that’s right – it’s Bengaluru now.)  It’s juicy news in the hotel industry:  Bangalore, India is now on the green map.  Introducing the ITC Royal Gardenia Hotel – the world’s largest (and Asia’s first) hotel to be certified LEED Platinum.

If you’re unfamiliar with LEED, it stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.  It’s a certification program that rates a building’s “green-ness” – taking into consideration energy and water efficiency, indoor air quality, emissions, and the use of recyclable materials and renewable energy.  There are 4 levels of certification:  Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum, with Platinum being the highest.  You can learn more about LEED at the US Green Building Council’s website (and about LEED India at www.igbc.in).

So what makes the Royal Gardenia super sustainable?  It’s things like using solar energy, rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation, natural and LED lighting, CFC-free refrigeration and air conditioning  (in fact the hotel implemented the world’s first integrated variable speed/flow Evergreen Chillers), and of course eco-friendly organic linens and toiletries.

There’s certainly something special about this hotel – and you’re sure to notice as soon as you step in the lobby – featuring dramatic vertical gardens (they use less water than the standard type).  The hotel just opened last October and surely has a bright and green future ahead.

And if you are so inspired, LEED is not just for the big guys – there’s LEED for Homes too.  My husband and I are currently building one – so stay tuned for news as the process unfolds!

One Response to “Bale, Bale Bangalore!”

1. Homo-Indus « Le Sigh Says:
   April 27th, 2010 at 2:58 pm

   [...] need for products that are Indian, helping to  make way for Homo-Indus-centric companies such as, Gyanna and Alankar Decors. Companies like these start small, but I think will make huge headway in this [...]

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