Sustainable Building Technology - Case Study Example

Sustainable Building Technology Introduction Sustainable building and construction themes have taken the built environment to a new level of definition, which considers various environmental, social and economic implications. Coupled with the green planet campaigns targeting controlling the impacts of human activity on the environment, nearly every sector in the human society is under scrutiny on commitments to go green. Going green includes reduction in environmental pollution, which has gained a momentous attention from the climate change through awareness campaigns. Equally, the economic and social implications of the building and construction industry form a part of important regulatory criteria for modern structures as proposed and enforced by professional institutions. Due to the controversy on the debate on sustainable practices, and environmental impacts of certain human activities and projects raise questions on the regulation of projects that were erected before the strict regulations were instituted (Pearce 203). The construction of nearly all residential houses and flats around Central Hounslow took place in the years when the themes of sustainable building and construction began to make sense. However, redevelopment of the residential areas to acquire sustainable projects status has upgraded a majority of the buildings to the modern stricter regulations. In view of personal experience upon growing up in the Central Hounslow Block 1243A neighbourhood, there are several areas of improvement and upgrading that ought to be included in the upgrading procedures. With regard to the requirements of sustainable construction projects, several considerations on the old Central Hounslow residential houses illustrate the specificity of the improvement proposed by modern regulations. Critical Analysis: Central Hounslow Project Quality Environment The project’s compliance level with proposed environmental regulations misses several basic sustainability concepts required in design for environment (DfE) standards. The connection between promoting the ecosystem and the erection of the project is hard to trace. Energy efficiency infrastructure and potential in the building is perhaps poorly coordinated, apart from energy conservation promotions sensitising residents to keep energy wastage at minimum. To illustrate this, the management has ensured that every family living in the residential area uses power saving lights by providing free power saver bulbs, and advocates for the use of power saving gadgets. Installations of energy efficient system in Central Hounslow Block 1243A were absent in the 1980s, and some sections still have the old infrastructure to date. The use of energy to light and warm the houses are relatively higher due to design issues such as wall reflection and insulation. Drainage systems around the areas have a relatively stable performance that is consistent with standard regulations of handling wastewater and materials. Garbage handling facilities and infrastructure in the location is also fairly consistent and stable, with every unit having sufficient access to the hygiene services regularly offered to the structure. Recent developments across the UK regarding the sorting out of waste before disposal in designated dustbins was initially a problem at the Central Hounslow due to the application of the traditional garbage collection method as opposed to household control of waste material. One proposal of standard sustainable regulation is waste management such as through sewage treatment and possible reuse of wastewater to make the facility efficient in water management. However, the Central Hounslow structures conspicuously miss such a waste management facility. Indoor conditions for the building are not perfectly in compliance with the environmental requirements since certain sections are not well aerated and sunlight access is not evenly possible. Water supply and conservation potential for the Central Hounslow Block 1243A indicates lack of a comprehensive technique embracing efficiency. As an illustration, the old type of taps that easily leak leading to wastage of water as a resource were installed. Alternatively, the toilets had the old high-water flush water closets, which consume a lot more water than the proposed conservation types. In addition, water metering did not discourage water wastage from the Central Hounslow the Central Hounslow Block 1243A. Social Quality Social concepts of the sustainable construction requirements on the Central Hounslow Block 1243A may have forced the constructor to include certain ethical features but they are missing. Despite the fact that relatively ample parking space is available for the residents to facilitate their private travel activities, space for human movement in the rooms’ corridors is quite limited. Social activities for the children in the residential area such as playgrounds are limited by the absence of ample space for children to enjoy themselves. The availability of a few trees in the compound and resting zones is an indication that the constructor was aware of the social needs of the residents but failed to provide sufficient space and facilities for such. The operation of the entire structural design misses several other social concepts such as facilities for the disabled to move up the floors. Provision of staircases only for ascending and descending shows ill preparedness of the design in accommodating the disabled on wheelchairs. Perhaps this should also have been incorporated in the parking area, with specific reservations for the disabled persons. The consideration of social responsibility in procedures and activities carried on in the building such as saving water to allow other neighbouring units to share in the resource is a vital missing link at Central Hounslow Block 1243A. Economic Quality Whereas economic qualities of Central Hounslow Block 1243A fall under the business plan for the project, issues of competitiveness in reduction of operational costs constitute an important link to the residential experience. The building’s ability to support reduction in energy usage, waste management, water usage and other cost elevating factors determine the quality of life in the residential areas. Central Hounslow has the above issues, which potentially affect the magnitude of bill responsibility for the residents when compared to other residential areas with slightly higher performance ratings in savings. The support business and services needed by the Central Hounslow could be enhanced to incorporate the local businesses offering services needed in the building. Its failure to incorporate some of the environmental and social features discussed above blocks the local business support system from benefiting from the delivery of the needed services and goods thereby lower its economic quality. Functional Quality The concepts of technical building requirements in sustainable construction also constitute the consideration of Central Hounslow Block 1243A residentials quality. The front shape of a majority of the buildings in the Central Hounslow residential area is arguably not very appealing to the eye as illustrated below in Figure 1. In view of the front shape, the design and colour scheme lack an aesthetic appeal to the public and potential residents. In view of the building envelope that the building shown in Figure 1 has, certain issues such as moisture protection and wind protection onto the walls seem questionable. One of the many risks facing building envelope is the possibility of moist wind blowing directly onto the wall, which should be reduced to enhance functional quality of the building. However, the apparent protection of the building as illustrated in figure 1 shows ill equipping of the structure from a design perspective. A number of issues briefly highlighted above touched on daylight entry and thermal comfort in extreme weather determines the functional quality of the building. Energy demands sections of the building particularly for heating during cold weather and lighting due to poor daylight access is as a result of poor functional quality. Safety features are relatively standard in a majority of the buildings in the Central Hounslow residential area with fire fighting capacity and space. However, the inbuilt fire resistance potential of the buildings as enabled by material choice is questionable since a history of full-blown fire accidents in the neighbourhood betrays such preparedness. Figure 1: A photo of Central Hounslow Block 1243A (WhatHouse 2011) Feasible Improvements A number of improvements have occurred at Central Hounslow Block 1243A since my childhood stay there in 1995, but a lot more changes are needed to upgrade its standards of sustainable construction. In view of the main areas of sustainable construction standards, the improvements needed, will entail the following additions and enhancements. Environmental Quality Enhancement Ecosystem support enhancements will include reconstruction of an environment that supports different plant and animal life forms such as planting of more trees, flowers and cleaning of water flowing around the compound to attract animals dependent on the water. Treating wastewater using simplified purification systems will enhance ecosystem around the building and beyond (Longden 203). Energy installations embracing green solutions such as solar panels, solar heating for bathing water, insulation of the rooms to avoid heating needs, more window space to allow free air circulation and cooling instead of using energy on fans during summers and enhancing the power saving bulbs program should be part of the package. Furthermore, the old taps and toilets could be replaced with more efficient alternatives to assist in water saving as well as water metering system that facilitates saving water for individual units. Introduction of the waste sorting dustbins facilitating reuse of waste material will coincide with waste management policy at the national and regional level. Socioeconomic Quality Enhancement Consideration of ethical standards proposed for every building should be the first target with introduction of access to the Central Hounslow Block 1243A by the disabled both in building entry and at the parking area. Children play area should be designated at one end of Central Hounslow Block 1243A, a change that will maximise on the space available for parking and other activities. More resting seats ought to be introduced around the bare compound to increase it social quality; mingling and interaction among the residents. The quality of the place can be enhanced through the conservation of local heritage in painting of the walls as well as conservation of any nationally valued object in the compound. The incorporation of the local community in the provision of important support services to the residents in spurring economic benefits for the region will enhance economic value for the building. Employing local people in maintenance of the building and provision of different needs to the residents will increase the economic standards in sustainable aspects. Encouraging residents in the building by bringing down costs of living in the area by facilitating sustainable practices as a management policy at all times will form a basis for socioeconomic quality enhancement for the building. Functional Quality Enhancement To cope with various functional design requirements for sustainable construction, the front design of the building will need to be reviewed. An appealing design not only improves the perceived value of the building but also increases the quality of regulations for building and construction. The improvement of the colour theme at the front will enhance the appearance and enhance the aesthetic value of the building. The protection of the building walls through enhancement of the envelope cover will require additional design input to increase the life service of the building and prevent envelope failure. Justification of Proposed Improvements Energy Use Assessment: SAP Standards Using the Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) variables necessary for the computation of the energy use changes, the following considerations indicate dire need for introduction of the above proposed improvements. Thermal quality and regulation capacity for walls indicate insulation for handling heating needs during winter require improvement. In addition, the floors are vulnerable to dramatic heat changes during the winter and insulation features are needed as well for the roofs. The windows and the doors need special enhancement to accommodate drastic thermal changes during winter and summer, to enable minimal heating or air cooling needs when winter and summer weather arrive (SAP para.7). In view of the appropriate consideration, the source of energy for the heating and cooling needs, which is mainly electricity and gas, will be put into balance. Ventilation features for the building will need to be reviewed in order to support the heating and cooling requirements proposed by the SAP enhancement criteria. Low energy lighting requirements for the SAP indicate that the building’s energy efficiency will need to be supported by internally and externally coordinated systems. Environment Assessment: BREEAM Standards In view of the considerations proposed above for enhancement of the environmental features for Central Hounslow Block 1243A, BREEAM standards capture the highlighted concepts thereby making the critical to consider. The main technical areas for consideration by BREAM include among others the well-being of the residents, energy, water usage, waste handling, efficient use of space and reduced pollution (SLR 1). In light of the above proposed environmental enhancement features for Central Hounslow Block 1243A, it is therefore in order for water taps replacement with efficient types, waste treatment system, maximum space utilisation and reduced pollution. By treatment of wastewater before release or reuse in the building, BREEAM regulations target elimination of pollution and contamination of the ecosystem with harmful materials such as chemical and microbial agents. Life Cycle Costing The cost of establishing the project to its full completion and usage can only be determined to be sustainable if the cost analysis is performed. Some of the costs of consideration include direct construction costs, indirect construction costs, maintenance fixed costs, maintenance variable costs and costs incurred in its disposal. In Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analysis, the duration of time that a building has been in existence is considered in determining the total costs incurred by the owners of the project to determine its economic viability (Coffee, Mearing and Morgan 11). Initial costs are incurred before the use of the facility while the future costs arise upon usage of the facility and are both important in determining the LCC. The use of such an analysis in the operation of a sustainable policy for Central Hounslow Block 1243A determines how the management will control costs in order to maximise the benefits of the project. The sustainability of the project can only be ensured if the costs do not exceed the benefits over a stipulated period of time when the initial fixed costs are covered from its returns down the life of the project. Conclusion Sustainable construction takes into account ecological and socioeconomic considerations. It takes built environment projects to a new level by setting and formulating standards that raise the quality of construction projects not only in the UK but also around the world. Ecobuild is one of the leading initiatives in the UK and recently joined the Indian construction industry to expand and share the experiences of an environmentally conscious industry (WDM para.4). In a time when the world continues to embrace sustainable themes in delivery of the entire range of services and products in the human society, sustainable construction is poised for better experiences where conservation, elimination of pollution and integration of social values into design and construction. A move to popularise the practices proposed by Ecobuild from the UK to the rest of the world augurs well with the green revolution that targets the reduction of climate change by conditioning the world for a sensitive approach in dealing with pollution. While targeting the multi billion dollar industry in sustaining appropriate conservation practices for better environmental experiences, it is possible to retain aesthetic touch in construction and design and offer sustainable future to the industry. Works Cited Coffee, Natha., Mearing, Tim., & Morgan, Michael. “Lie Cycle cost Analysis Handbook,” Juneau, AK: Department of Education and Early Development, 1999, Print. Longden, Jennifer., Pitt, Michael., Riley, Mike., & Tucker, Mathew., “Towards Sustainable Construction: Promotion and Best Practices,” Construction Innovation, 9.2(2009):201-224. Pearce, David. “Is the Construction Sector Sustainable? Definitions and Reflections,” Building Research & Information, 43.3(2006):201-207 SAP “Building Regulations Information,” n.d, Web. http://www.sapratings.com/buildingregs.html (Accessed 12 May 2012) SLR “Appendix 2: BREEAM Assessment,” n.d, Web. http://www.devon.gov.uk/plandoc_16_3650.pdf (Accessed 12 May 2012) UNEP “Do Standards and Regulations Supply the Necessary Incentive for Sustainable Building?” 2003, Web. http://www.bvsde.paho.org/bvsaia/fulltext/standards.pdf (Accessed 12 May 2012) WDM “Ecobuild: The Future of Sustainable Design, Construction and Built Environment Comes to India,” 20 March 2012, Web. http://www.constructiondigital.com/press_releases/ecobuild-the-future-of-sustainable-design-construction-and-the-built-environment-comes-to-india (Accessed 12 May 2012) WhatHouse “New Affordable Homes in Hounslow, London,” 2011, Web. http://www.whathouse.co.uk/properties/a2dominion-new-homes-new-affordable-homes-hounslow-london-aspire-works (Accessed 12 May 2012) Read More