Planning Windows for Climate Change - Article Example

Table of Contents Introduction: tHE bASIS OF THE rESEARCH 3 Research Questions 4 Some of the Resources Found to Support the First Two Research Questions: 5 General Building Information 5 Other References 6 Conclusions 7 References 9 Introduction: tHE bASIS OF THE rESEARCH It is widely understood that our climate is changing, partly due to the impact of our presence on the planet and possibly partly due to simple natural cycles. While we are currently trying to minimize our impact in an attempt to alleviate some of the problems causing climate change, we will not make enough change to eliminate climate change. Therefore, architectural design must consider probable future climate change and even our best scientists cannot really predict exactly what that will be. Therefore, flexibility in design needs to be included in order to avoid future waste in energy losses or in costs for replacing or modifying windows in structures of all kinds. The aim of this research is to discover exactly how to plan for future climate change during the design stage of construction. There is a huge array of window types available now, and each type has its benefits and problems. There are many types of glass which conserve energy, but they can be costly and require changes in wall design. One might think that putting in fewer windows will solve the problems of climate change, but this not only make human spaces unattractive, it does not necessarily provide the best solution. Properly placed windows of the right type can actually increase the R-value of a wall, and glass walls which include solar energy design can actually provide a positive impact upon energy use. There are simply many variables to consider in choosing and placing windows in buildings, so a plan for guidance will be a valuable addition to the body of knowledge. There are, essentially, three major factors we must consider when designing structures: the thermodynamics of the overall constructions, the various things which impact energy use from solar energy design to internal energy use and the availability, cost, structural needs and technical aspects of windows. By using a system of decision support for choosing window types and placement, architects can be better equipped to incorporate well placed windows of the proper types to support the future needs in view of climate change. This research will create that tool. Research Questions The research questions which must be answered in order to create a useful design tool for window selection and placement include the following: Do we need to accommodate future climate change? Is the climate changing? There are numerous studies that either support their assumptions that the climate is changing or which actually present proof. One of the most important is Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” (2006). 1993. "Global Environmental Rescue and the Emergence of World Domestic Politics", in Lipschutz and Conca, eds. (280-305). Gleick, Peter H. 1989. "The Implications of Global Climate Changes for International Security", Climate Change 15 (October): 303-325. Gleick, Peter H., ed. 1993b. Water in Crisis. A Guide to the Worlds Fresh Water Resources. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, for Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment and Security and Stockholm Environment Institute. Can Architectural Design Include Planning for Climate Change? There is a great deal of research on this point. Certain structural designs have been improved and modified to actually create a balanced carbon footprint, including: Curtain Walling: solid walls of glass, often with improved UV filters and temperature controls. Generally occupants can see out, but wall appears solid from the outside. Structural Silicone Glazing: windows and light spaces Glass Roofs: These can be sloped, curved or flat, and are strong enough to be walked upon, though maintenance usually is done from permanent moving washing and access racks. Glass Atria: High ceilinged openings which can accommodate full grown trees in planters. Overhead glazing: skylights and dormers Glazed screens and walls: These are usually interior Glazed doors and shop fronts: These can be interior or first floor shopping sections. (Courtesy Ridal, Reid and Garvin 2005) Some of the Resources Found to Support the First Two Research Questions: Daylighting Guide for Canadian Commercial Buildings General Building Information Green Building Information Council - Information and links on green building design Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network - U.S. Department of Energy information site  Smart Communities Network - U.S. Department of Energy information on green buildings American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)  - standards and conference proceedings dealing with building energy efficiency National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) - U.S. organization championing sustainable technologies and community-based approaches that protect natural resources and assist people, especially the economically disadvantaged, in becoming more self-reliant. Office of Energy Efficiency - Natural Resources Canadas initiatives to encourage energy efficiency  CANMET of Natural Resources Canada - Information on building research and programs  High-rise and Multiples Innovation Group of Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation - Information on residential buildings Public Works and Government Services Canada  - Information on the greening of government buildings Renewable Energy Deployment Initiative (REDI) - federal incentive program for renewable technologies RETScreen software - for the feasibility assessment of renewable technologies Solar Energy Society of Canada Inc. (SESCI) - Information on renewable energy and order form for Canadian Renewable Energy Guide Independent Power Producers of Ontario - Information on private power generation Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Technologies (CREST) - information on renewable and energy efficient technologies Commercial Building Incentive Program - for incentives and case studies on energy-efficient buildings Energy Efficient Windows Collaborative  - Description of technologies used in energy-efficient windows American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) - information on energy efficiency technologies Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) - information on energy efficient lighting Energy Star - lists of products meeting energy star guidelines Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory - information on energy efficient building technologies Environmental Building News - on-line version of publication dealing with all aspects of sustainable buildings U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Indoor Air Quality - information on achieving good indoor air quality in buildings Other References Gore, Al, An Inconvenient Truth, 2006, Lawrence Bender Productions NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORY, 2001. ON the Path to Zero Energy Homes. Washington D.C.: U.S. Department of Energy. Maslow, A.H. . A Theory of Human Motivation, Psychological Review 50 (1943):370-96. Proposed Methodology Considering the wealth of information that a very cursory search of the literature uncovered above, it is logical to assume that a careful review of available literature will provide adequate support for these two questions. The final research question concerns the possible value of a decision support tool, and the realistic expectations of the creation of such a tool. It is expected that a simple survey of architects will ascertain the value of such a tool. It can also be logically assumed that the creation of such a tool is possible, since the variables to be considered are all concrete measurable factors, such as climate, building location, materials, proposed building utilization, thermodynamics, solar energy design and window engineering. The final product will consist of some kind of input from the user in response to questions and a formulated design plan created from the customer input and the related information. It will likely create some kind of chart for graphic representation. Mathematical formulas will be incorporated for heat gain or loss, materials and their R-values, rates of climate change (a difficult variable) and any other factor where mathematics will help with usefulness and accuracy. Research Limitations The research is limited by the availability of data and analysis, since this is a relatively new research area. The design of artificial intelligence theory will help in constructing the decision support tool. However, new technology and environmental factors can make this tool obsolete very quickly, so some arrangement for updating the tool should be incorporated, if possible. Conclusions It seems that it is not difficult to prove that the climate is changing. Simple economics dictates that we try to build flexibility into architecture in order to make buildings efficient and window placement and construction is a key to energy loss in buildings, while it can be a significant factor in conservation. Since architects, like doctors, must continue to practice, any support tool to help them design efficiently will likely be welcome, especially if it is user friendly. The project should consist of a complex literature review, a survey of architects, the report and the design tool, here-in preliminarily named Window Watcher. References 1993. "Global Environmental Rescue and the Emergence of World Domestic Politics", in Lipschutz and Conca, eds. (280-305). Garvin, Reid, and Ridal . 2005 . Highly Glazed Buildings and Managing the Risks . IHS BRE. Gleick, Peter H. 1989. "The Implications of Global Climate Changes for International Security", Climate Change 15 (October): 303-325. Gleick, Peter H., ed. 1993b. Water in Crisis. A Guide to the Worlds Fresh Water Resources. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, for Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment and Security and Stockholm Environment Institute. Gore, Al, An Inconvenient Truth, 2006, Lawrence Bender Productions NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORY, 2001. ON the Path to Zero Energy Homes. Washington D.C.: U.S. Department of Energy. Maslow, A.H. . A Theory of Human Motivation, Psychological Review 50 (1943):370-96. Read More