Environmental Sustainable Building Design - Report Example

Name: Number: Unit: Course: Tutor: Submission date: Environmental Sustainable Building Design Report Executive Summary 1.0. Introduction The economy of developing countries is growing rapidly in Australia emulating that of the developed countries as reflected by building construction requirements, foreign trade amount, GNP and per capita income indices of quantitative economic (Soebarto, & Williamson, 2001). However, uncontrolled industrialization with limited sustainable measure deems costly for Australia. Sustainability design in architecture is the recommended solution. Sustainability is meeting the present needs without compromising the future generations’ ability to meet their specific requirements (Williamson, Radford, & Bennetts, 2003). Sustainability is achieved by considering the preparatory stage of building through to completion in building and its lifetime impacts to the surroundings. 2.0. Engineering science application in sustainable building design Architecture is designing, planning and monitoring building processes while building engineering do the practical implementation of the design to achieve a certain objective. The team of engineers and architects work hand in hand to invest on the best technology to bring forth a sustainable design in terms of cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency and human and environmental friendliness (Soebarto, & Williamson, 2001). A sustainable design in architecture engineering focuses on three principles as portrayed in figure 1; Resources economy; concerned with natural resources directed to a building; recycling, reuse and reduction. Life Cycle Design; the method used to examine the impacts of the building to the environment and the process required during building implementation stages. Humane design; focuses on how the natural world and humans interact. 3.0. The Science of Glazing for Energy Efficiency Glazing (use of e- glass) has become a major focus in sustainable design. Architects are putting in efforts in ensuring non-renewable energy sources are utilized limitedly by harvesting solar energy for cooling and heating within building (Williamson, 2009). However, despite its significance glazing can be a nuisance to the environment and human. Putting into considerations insulation from heat, purpose, technology and lifecycle cost analysis philosophies will however, enhance sustainability. 4.0. Orientation and Solar Geometry Solar geometry refers to the different position exhibited buy sun’s rays in different weather conditions and times of the year, its intensity, time and duration. Orientation is the actual manipulation of building to maximize sun’s energy in different seasons like using south aspect, exterior overhangs or adapting cross-section designs to come up with passive houses. Solar geometry in sustainable design helps architects come up with different strategies to address discomforts arising from either excess or limited solar energy in different weather condition, reduce load, capitalize on daylight use, natural ventilation, solar heating and other renewable measures (Williamson, 2006). 5.0. Construction materials In ensuring environmental sustainability, building engineers and architects should choose materials depending on how they impact on the environment, the neighbors and occupants (Soebarto, & Williamson, 2001) from procurement to post-building stages. 6.0. The shading principle In sustainable building design shading focuses in reducing the exposed surface from solar radiation hence reducing heat gain (Williamson, 2010). Shading should be applied according to the solar geometry know how to ensure sufficient heat is achieved during winter and limited sun’s energy during summer. 7.0. Conclusion A sustainable design is one that puts into consideration efficiency of materials used and the process and the impact the infrastructures poses on human, plants and other living things during its lifetime without compromising the future’s need. 1.0. Introduction 1.1. General overview Industrialized countries have modeled their economic infrastructures over the decades, a formula being emulated by the developing countries. All indices of quantitative economic like building construction requirements, foreign trade amounts, GNP and per capita income show that economies from developing countries particularly in Australia are growing rapidly and strongly (Soebarto, & Williamson, 2001). Consequence of industrialization leading to quality of life and environmental quality loss is not accountable to country’s GNP measure. In Australia specifically, billions of dollars are directed towards environment clean up following uncontrolled development. 1.2. Sustainability in architecture According to (Williamson, Radford, & Bennetts, 2003), sustainability is meeting the present needs without compromising the future generations’ ability to meet their specific requirements. Architecture is one of economic activity which is most conspicuous. The ratio of Per-capita income to that of per-capita architectural consumption of resources increases with increase in development. Developments of country’s economy will open doors to more residential buildings, office buildings and more factories. Household incomes escalation will lead to yearning for a bigger house with more costly larger garden, improved interiors space thermal conditions, home appliances, furnishing and building materials. A building life span affects both the global and local environment through a series of interrelated natural processes and human activities (Soebarto, & Williamson, 2001). During the initial stage, construction and site development stage-manage indigenous ecological characteristics. Though temporary, the local ecology is disrupted by the personnel and the construction equipment influx to the site of a building. The global environment is impacted by manufacturing and procurement of materials. Upon completion of the building, the building operations impacts during its lifetime on the environment. For example, inhabitants’ water and energy use produce sewerages and toxic gases; process such as transporting, refining and extracting all resources required during building construction processes and maintenance also have several environmental effects. Consequently, architectural resources demands for energy, building products or building and land among others should improve as the status of the economy improves. The global ecosystem which comprises of humans, living organisms and inorganic elements improves due to the impact of architecture. The main objective of sustainable design (William, 2006), is to bring on board architectural solutions that reassure the coexistence and well being of these three essential clusters. This report looks into different ways of architecture and engineering science which can be invested to ensure that designers come up with environmentally sustainable buildings. 2.0. Engineering science application in sustainable building design Architecture is a building design or the science and art of designing as well as constructing buildings (Williamson, Radford, & Bennetts, 2003). Architectural practice involves monitoring the building’s construction, designing, and planning. Engineering science is a discipline that deals with the science or art of putting social, economic and scientific knowledge into practical problems like in electrical, mechanical or structural. Engineering may involve using insights to scale, model and conceive an appropriate response to an objective or a problem. In building and construction, more than often; architecture is intertwined with engineering as a discipline hence referred to as the architectural engineering. The building engineers and architects work together to ensure the best technology is established and implemented to bring forth a sustainable design, cost-effective, insightful and increased customers’ base (Soebarto, & Williamson, 2001). Building engineers and architects ensures that Sustainable infrastructures and buildings manage energy efficient, build, design, plan and more sustainable infrastructures. Also, products and equipment put into the building should be eco-friendly and manufactured in a way that they are sustainable. In ensuring a sustainable building is put in place the designers should be rich with innovative ideas to ensure faster market of the buildings, cost friendly and address challenges on the environment. In addressing the need of a sustainable design (Williamson, Radford, & Bennetts, 2003), architecture engineering looks into three principles as portrayed in figure 1. Resources economy; this is concerned with natural resources recycling, reuse and reduction that are directed to a building. Life Cycle Design; this offers the methodology for examining the impacts of the building to the environment and the process required during building implementation stages. Humane design; this focuses on how the natural world and humans interact. In the principle the architects are able to comprehend, educate, explain the ecosystem of the building and create environmental awareness on how to design and execute sustainable buildings. Figure 1: Pollution Prevention Conceptual Framework for Architecture Sustainable Design POLLUTION PREVENTION AND SUSTAINABLE DESIGN PRINCIPLE Resource economy Design life cycle Humane design Strategies Conservation energy Pre-building phase Natural conditions preservation Conservation of water Building phase Design Planning of urban site Conservation of materials Post-building phase Human comfort design Methods 2.1. First Principle: Resources economy The architect needs to investigate materials which are of nonrenewable resources to ensure they are utilized sparingly in the building operations and construction in order to economies resources. During building execution both manufactured and natural resources flow into and out of the site. This flow starts off with building materials production and progresses during the life span of the building to ensure a sustainable environment for human activities and well being. Consequently, upon life time useful service of the building, it should be reusable or recyclable to provide components for other buildings. This flow of resources to a building and outflow from the building ecosystem is termed as the law of conservation of resource flow (William, 2006). A sustainable design should consider material conservation either through recycling or dumped as a landfill, water conservation through recycling domestic water to other uses or sewerage treatment before releasing to the environment and address impacts of energy conservation measures such building a dam, mining gases pollution to the environment and heating systems. 2.2. Second Principle: Life Cycle Design Also referred to as “ cradle-to-grave, life cycle design(LCD) approach recognizes the entire life cycle and impacts to the environment the architectural resources pose from the moment they are procured to the time they return to nature. LCD relies on the idea that material changes from a useful life to another form without diminishing on its usefulness. A building in LCD undergoes three main phases as shown in figure 2; pre-building, building and post-building. These stages when looked into critically (Williamson, 2010), will provide essential information of how, disposal, operation, construction and building’s design affect the entire ecosystem. 2.2.1. Pre-building phase This is the initial phase in sustainable design construction it involves selection of the site, designing the building and building material process to completion excluding installation. The strategy of a sustainable-design includes investigating the impacts posed to the environmental during the orientation, structure’s design, landscape impacts and materials used (Williamson, Radford, & Bennetts, 2003). Building materials impacts on the environment during procurement: mining alters the structure and stability of the natural environment like sand, bauxite, coal, limestone and iron. Harvesting timber can result to deforestation and transportation of these building material scan actually pollute the environment In reference to their weight and site distance. Building products undergo a manufacturing process which can result to environmental pollution as well as energy consumption: for example aluminum and steel product manufacturing require high energy rates. 2.2.2. Building phase This phase is the actual building implementation stage on the site. In sustainable design (Williamson, 2010), strategies that involve operation and construction processes are put into consideration to reduce resource consumption, protect the general environment and consider the long-term occupants health effects in relation to the building utilization. 2.2.3. Post-building phase This stage looks into the afterlife of the building. The building materials in this stage are either waste or can be reused for other buildings. In a sustainable design the major focus is on how to reduce resources of building materials going into waste through reusing the materials or the building or recycling (Williamson, Radford, & Bennetts, 2003). Hence, the main aim of the three phases is to ensure environmental impacts are reduced during all of the life Figure 2: The Life Cycle of a Sustainable Design Pre-Building Phase Post-Building Phase Building Phase 2.3. Third Principle: Humane design This is the most vital principle in sustainable design (Soebarto & Williamson, 2001). Resources economy and LCD principle looks into the conservation and efficiency humane design focuses on how well the global ecosystem constituents; human, wildlife and plants are affected. The main aim of this principle is both altruistic and humanitarian to ensure dignity and life of all living things is accorded core respect. In addition, the principle looks into to ensure chain elements in the ecosystem that are relied upon by human being for survival are protected. Studies show that human being spent 70% of their lifespan indoors. In a sustainable design the architects (William, 2006), should ensure that the built environment sustains productivity, psychological well-being, physiological comfort, health and safety of the occupant’s. Therefore, quality of the occupants environment supersedes conservation and efficiency in most cases. Nevertheless, in enhancing environmental sustainability of a building, all three principles should be integrated in a holistic balanced manner. 3.0. The Science of Glazing for Energy Efficiency Today’s wider communities, regulators and builders have put high demand on glass; with a specific focus on tighter regulations and efficiency in a sustainable design a fact which has aroused the need for low-emission glass (low-e glass) (Williamson, 2009). In buildings design, glazing plays an important role. This is because it necessitates natural lighting as well as supplement heating using solar energy. Despite its significance glazing can lead to either excess heat gain or heat loss. In ensuring environmental sustainable design the engineers have to focus on insulation from heat, purpose, technology and lifecycle cost analysis principles. 3.1. Thermal insulation Thermal insulation improves both commercial and domestic energy efficiency on the other hand giving room to use glasses extensively and benefit the occupants from passive solar gain. Windows build of low-e glass play a great role in internal condensation, minimizing heat loss, ensuring comfort and conserving energy. 3.2. Purpose Purpose of the glasses differ depending on the function of the building; commercial, household and non-building use. Some choices include non-coated and coated glasses manufactured from different substrates. In sustainable design, each choice should not only be resource conservative and efficient but, also friendly to the living things. 3.3. Technology Different solar glasses are made from different technologies. In considering a specific choice of solar panel the engineers should consider the purpose of the solar glass, the location, the cost and manufacturing process as well as safety like protection from fire and comfort to the building’s occupants and the general environment. In sustainable design strategies, solar energy panels are alternative to other sources of non-renewable energy required in the building during its lifetime. There are different varieties depending on the purpose large scale or small scale requirement as well as the climatic condition of a specific place such as cloudy or sunny zones. To ensure environmental sustainability, glazing technologies such as solar thermal collectors, solar power concentrated technology, crystalline silicon photovoltaics and thin film photovoltaic should be considered depending on the threat they pose to the physical environment and human. 3.4. Lifecycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) LCCA gives the method applicable in quantifying the design’s lifetime performance (Williamson, 2010). It also offers more information regarding other benefits that comes with a specific product such as improved environmental quality, complementary systems, and reduced maintenance among others which engineers in sustainable design need to consider when going for a particular choice of glasses in building orientation. 4.0. Orientation and Solar Geometry It is essential for building engineers and architect to understand solar geometry in ensuring environmental sustainability (Williamson, 2010). The knowledge will help in using the sun for architecture animation, design shading devices, understand the building and surrounding seasonal changes, orient building properly and carry out passive building design for cooling and heating. In environmental sustainability energy sources need to look into how to reduce load, capitalize on daylight use, natural ventilation, solar heating and other renewable measures (Williamson, 2006). Maximizing solar energy will maintain low fossil fuel prices, reduce climate change mitigation cost, reduce pollution, enhance sustainability and ensure indigenous energy security through independent and inexhaustible resource. The best orientation is achieved where the whole building receives minimum solar energy during summer and maximum radiation during winter. The architect and designers should understand seasonal and daily sun’s position in a given area. This can be achieved using sun path diagram tools. In addition, the intensity of the solar energy should be analyzed on different building surfaces and the duration of exposure to sunshine (Williamson, 2010). Upon understanding the orientation of building, shading, type of roofs and wall and type of glazing and area can be used to control amount of solar energy t on the structure. Solar geometry helps architect understand how sun rays hits a given area, time, direction, duration and intensity. For example using south aspect; sun’s rays are well received during winter and during summer the houses are on the shade as the sun is direct above the roof. Therefore, using this arrangement sustainable building should be build loftier on the south side to maximize winter sun and lower on the north side to control winter winds. The aim is to ensure comfort and safety of the occupants in all seasons. Windows are designed to face north in southern hemisphere and facing south in northern hemisphere. The visible solar spectrum passes through the oriented-solar glass windows and the building insulated envelope absorbs the heat energy. These heated surfaces in turn re-radiate the energy within the interior surfaces rising temperatures. However, the heat cannot be re-radiated back to the outside environment and no air can escape entrapping the energy. Good measures in a sustainable design should be considered to allow air regulation within the building. Another aspect is using exterior overhangs to shade west windows as they gain high heat energy in summer season. For this reason, a house plan to optimize south-facing window with axis of east-west designed being long will trap and maintain comfortable heat from the sun remarkably. Another aspect is using cross-section design. This involves rising heat wave of the building on its southern side this will heat work areas and roof terrace as well as sleeping rooms on the south during winter. Insulative roof structure will shield hot sun’s energy during summer. Storage rooms on the north remains ventilated and are cooler all seasons. This house normally referred to as passive houses if well designed have been found to lower energy bills by 75% with only 5-10% added cost on construction. The air conditioning, ventilating and heating system is fundamental in any building and accounts for about 40% of energy utilized in any building. Proper system operation is important to ensure occupants comfort and energy efficiency. Improper operation is likely to result into environmental damage, poor-indoor-air quality, occupants complaint and unnecessary energy consumption (Williamson, 2009). Reflectance and color for interior materials will be of consideration. For example light colored flooring, white colored ceiling to ensure high reflectance. Light color is also recommendable for walls lying side by side to windows. Saturated colors should be avoided except when needed for corridors to add special effects. Lamps with color rendering index are recommendable. Lightning design should be analyzed using photometric of all spaces that seem important. Each occupied space should be provided with lightning and temperature controls that can manage comfort variation according to preferences. The controls should be in line with cooling and heating policies according to Amherst’s. Temperature integrated systems allows variation of 76+/- during cooling season and 68 +/- during heating season. 5.0. Construction materials A good building design calls for keen inspection in the selection of materials and use (Williamson, 2010). In some cases, highly reflective surfaces or materials if improperly used can be irritating to the nearby neighbors. Hence, the building engineers and architects should decide keenly on materials in reference to consequences on the environment, the neighbors and occupants interest (Soebarto, & Williamson, 2001). Material with high solar reflectivity offer better thermal performance in numerous Australian climatic zones as compared to low reflectivity materials lowering energy cost and improving comfort (William, 2006). Buildings in Queenslander are constructed in design that favor climatic condition; light weight material and are elevated to ensure moisture and air saturation efficiency in turn regulating heat throughout the year and in different weather changes hence cooling the building. To find out the best materials to use in building in ensuring sustainability (Williamson, 2010) specifiers, architects and designers should use case-by-case assessment principle on materials specification to balance different climate changes. Courtyards style of building in Middle East need an up-to-date material for indigenous people and visitors. The main aim of the style is to offer comfort and security to the occupant. In sustainability design architect should consider the consequences f these building to the environment and cost (William, 2006). 6.0. The shading principle The main aim of shading in sustainable building design is to reduce the exposed surface from solar radiation hence reducing heat gain (Williamson, 2010). Melbourne and Darwin will require different approaches to shading because they are located in different climatic zones. While Melbourne experiences both winter and summer, Darwin experience hot weather conditions. In hot-arid climates where temperatures go over 20oC over the normal, best principle is having effective summer-shading of windows and insulating external surface well. This principle is recommendable for buildings in Darwin. Windows facing to the north allows solar lightning during winter. Therefore, full shading should be avoided for windows on west and east unless thermal insulation is put into consideration. Insulation is fundamental for both warming in winter nights and cooling in hot day summers. This principle is recommended for building in Melbourne. In hot-humid climates; high humidity problems is non-solvable with building design a fact which can lead to discomfort and disturbed sleep during the night for occupants. To ensure indoor temperatures remain below outdoor temperatures, western and eastern extensive shading of the building is recommended to unimpeded natural ventilation and use of reflective foil to insulate the roofs. Heavy planting on east and west sides of the infrastructures offers a cool place for relaxing and protection from sun during daytime. 7.0. Conclusion In architecture, a sustainable design is one which conserves resources and the environment during its lifecycle and safe for human, animals and plants as it provides the utmost comfort and security. Architects and building engineers need to have in mind the climate changes of a given place. This will ensure they put in place different principles that will allow cooling and heating of the infrastructures to comfortable temperatures during different climatic conditions. Some principles which are commonly applied include; shading, glazing, consideration on the building materials and building orientation. To achieve this effectively, knowledge of Solar geometry principles and its application is inevitable. 8.0. References Soebarto, V. & Williamson, T., J. (2001). Muilti-criteria assessment of building performance: theory and implementation, building and environment, vol.36 (6), pp.681-690. Williamson, T., J., (2006), Building simulation and sustainable architecture: A philosophical view, in Soebarto, V. (eds), proceedings of international building performance simulation association IBPSA, Australia conference, The university of Adelaide. Williamson, T., J. (2009), Review of changes to the elemental glazing provisions proposed for the 2010 BCA, A Report for the Australian Building Codes Board. Williamson, T., J., (2010), Predicting Building Performance: The ethics of computer simulation, building research & information 38(4), pp. 401-410. Williamson, T.J., Radford, A & Bennetts, H., (2003), Understanding Sustainable Architecture, London, Spon Press. Read More