May 21, 2009 17:36 PM

Green Building Concept For Future Government Buildings

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 (Bernama) -- Future government buildings in the country will incorporate the green building concept in their design said Works Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor.

The changes are aimed at reducing maintenance cost, increasing the efficiency of resource use and reduce global warming.

To achieve the objective, the Public Works Department and the Malaysian Institute of Architects (MIA) have been told to come out with a building design that will be easy to maintain, cheap to build and increase the efficiency of resources.

"Since the maintenance cost of buildings are very high, the construction of green buildings will help reduce operating cost.

"For example, effective window placement (day lighting) can provide more natural light and lessen the need for electric lighting during the day," he told reporters after launching the Green Building Index Malaysia (GBI) at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here today.

Shaziman said the government was serious in preserving the environment and showed its commitment by setting up the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water, to ensure that the future generation enjoy a clean and healthy lifestyle.

He added that the GBI was developed by MIA and the Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia, to promote sustainability in the built environment and raise awareness among developers, architects, engineers, planners, designers, contractors and the public, about environmental issues.

He said the GBI is an important green rating tool to assist all those involved in the property and construction sector to become more environmental friendly.

The rating will be reviewed every three years to ensure that the building is well maintained and operated in accordance to the way it was designed.

-- BERNAMA

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