.
ARCHITECTURE - BUILT ENVIRONMENT
.
Responsible Building Designers
.
SRD Home . or
.
click the SRD logo
for a full site tour!
|
|
. |
SRD Home . or . click the SRD logo for a full site tour! |
Evidence abounds that population
growth and associated development are radically affecting the ecological balance
of our planet. Buildings contribute substantially to the depletion of our planet's
resources and the reduction of quality of our environment. For example, the
largest proportion of the total greenhouse gas emissions arising from fossil
fuel combustion in Australia are attributable to energy consumption for manufacture
of building materials plus the heating and cooling in buildings. (Refer State
of the Environment [SOE] report 2001 www.environment.gov.au/soe/2001/publications/theme-reports/settlements/summary.html#Energy at Environment Australia or numerous other current reports
)
.
Architecture is well placed to influence the built environment
through applications of energy efficient and responsible design principles.
By combining efforts with the construction industry, urban and landscape planners,
and related research communities, opportunities exist to develop and harness
processes and materials which will significantly reduce our impact on the environment.
.
Practical strategies
for reducing greenhouse gas emissions include comparing materials and components,
construction systems and products, energy/water saving features and devices,
and includes industry strategies applicable to various building life cycle phases.
.
Whilst the larger issues
of pollution and energy consumption of industry and agribusiness are more challenging
to address, simple actions in our homes can assist with reduced energy consumption,
such as installing pelmets to windows over heavy curtains, draft excluders to
external doors, insulation in the roof space, and use of energy and water saving
devices are a good start to changing our resources consumption habits. http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome/technical/index.htm
Passive Design Strategies
Passive design is about taking advantage of natural energy
flows to maintain thermal comfort. This can be placement of the building to
harness the sun's warmth in winter and catching the cooling breezes during summer,
sheltering it from driven rain and buffeting winds. It is also about using the
appropriate building materials for the location and landscaping. http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome/technical/fs10.htm
Life Cycle Strategies
Every product goes through a series of stages, know as
its life cycle. These stages generally include material extraction, manufacture
of product, packaging and distribution, product use, and disposal of the product.
By designing for adaptability and extended use, disassembly, recyclability,
and standardisation of components, designers can minimise impact on the built
environment.
Ecologically Sustainable Development http://www.ea.gov.au/esd/index.html
Environmental Impact and Whole of Life Cost http://projects.bre.co.uk/condiv/tool/default.html
Material selection
Selection of materials used in the design of buildings can make a significant
impact on reducing greenhouse gas emission by choosing environmentally preferable
products. EcoSpecifier is a database set up to help architects, designers, builders
and specifiers shortcut the materials sourcing process. Ecospecifier is a joint
initiative of the Centre for Design at RMIT, EcoRecycle Victoria and the Society
for Responsible Design. http://ecospecifier.rmit.edu.au
USA reference : A developing resource with case histories, links and materials
catalogue. www.greenbuildingpages.com/main.html
.
Further topics include: Technological
Strategies, Renewable Energy/Co-generation, Energy smart appliances, Lighting
technologies, Water technologies of conservation and reuse, Integrated Heating/Cooling
Systems. (Links to follow soon)
Assessing green design
.
Energy modelling tools
Materials assessment: CSIRO Built Environment http://www.dbce.csiro.au
and Latest Technologies http://www.dbce.csiro.au/technologies
Life Cycle Assessment/impact assessment. See PUBLICATIONS on this page http://www.fbe.unsw.edu.au/staff/bill.lawson/
UNSW - Bill Lawson
.
Thanks to Ingrid Pearson and Josephine Vaughan for their contributions to all
the information above.
Rating schemes: INTERNATIONAL
BRE UK Environmental assessment of buildings http://projects.bre.co.uk/default.htm#anchor-23240,
LEED USA : Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CategoryID=19
.
Rating schemes: AUSTRALIAN
NatHERS is a computer software tool used for assessing the thermal performance
of houses. Houses are rated according to the properties of their materials,
orientation and expected usage patterns of an "average" resident. Most councils
now require these energy assessments for residential Construction Certificates
. The assessment must be carried out by an accredited assessor.
www.csiro.au/index.asp?type=activity&id=NatHERS
BASIX for the state of NSW, ensures new homes are designed and built to use
less potable water and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions. An online tool
where users select from a range of options in order to meet the energy and water
reduction targets for residential dwellings, villas, townhouses and low-rise,
mid-rise and high-rise developments. www.basix.nsw.gov.au/information/about.jsp
SEDA Green Building Rating Scheme http://www.abgr.com.au/main.asp
Building Commission, Victoria : Building Energy Measures. Proposed energy-efficiency
measures for commercial and public buildings are expected to be introduced into
the Building Code of Australia (BCA) 2006, from 1 May 2006. see www.buildingcommission.com.au/www/default.asp?casid=2776
and Download the Fact Sheet
.
:: The Moorabbin Justice Centre in Victoria, Australia, by FMSA Architecture, has been awarded the Outstanding Sustainable Building Award at the South East Development's Architectural and Design Excellence in South East Asia awards. Recognising architectural and design excellence addressing everything from urban design to community improvement and landscaping and environmental issues. In close collaboration with engineers Umow Lai, the building, opened in Novermber 2007, was the first in Melbourne to use a 'night sky cooling system', which collects rainwater, cools it at night and is used the next day in the building's mechanical systems. Judged by Professor Catherin Bull, Professor Shane Murray and architectural photographer John Gollings, the competition saw a number of great entries. The awards are organised by the Australian Government's South East Development, and are aimed at promoting design excellence in the South East region. Images by Mark Munro Source: indesignlive.com/articles/sustainability/green-award : SE Asia |