Smart, sustainable buildings are not only good for the environment, but also for the people who live and work in them. They can reduce energy consumption, improve indoor air quality, enhance comfort and productivity, and lower maintenance costs. But how do you design a smart, sustainable building? Here are some key aspects to consider.
The first step is to choose a suitable location and orientation for your building. You want to take advantage of the natural resources and conditions of the site, such as sunlight, wind, vegetation, and water. For example, you can orient your building to maximize solar gain in winter and minimize it in summer, or use natural ventilation and shading to reduce cooling needs. You also want to avoid or minimize the impact of your building on the surrounding environment, such as noise, pollution, and wildlife habitats.
Sure , You want to take advantage of the natural resources and conditions of the site, such as sunlight, wind, vegetation, and water. You can orient your building to maximize solar gain in winter and minimize it in summer, or use natural ventilation and shading to reduce cooling needs.!!!!!
Considering limited resources, getting the geographical benefit from one spot out of not many others we have to maximise the benefit out of that spot. Centralisation of resources planning should be deployed to do that. Better efficiency in the centralised system other than distributed systems should be chosen. Needless to say a comprehensive management system complete with sufficient meters also should be in place to support.
Any building needs to be healthy comfortable and place to improve productivity especially the commercial ones. These have to shift from energy guzzlers to energy conservers. Especially with HVAC being the maximum consumer of energy in commercial building an approach that is innovative and sustainable can be adopted. This is possible only through integrated designs where in the stake holders developers architects and building services engineer together plan. It is very important to note that sustainability can be sustained only if the building is energy efficient and vice versa. Intertwined and thanks to Engineering innovations that the options are plenty today. It is only the mindset that needs a change.
The goal is to align the building with its environment, utilizing elements like sunlight, wind, and plant life. Through smart placement, one can optimize energy efficiency by capturing winter sun while avoiding overheating in summer, all while reducing the need for excessive cooling. This approach also minimizes the building's impact on its surroundings, curbing issues like noise, pollution, and disturbances to local wildlife habitats.
**Orientation**: 1. Solar Access:Orienting a building to make the most of natural sunlight can significantly reduce heating costs. 2. Shading:While maximizing solar gain is essential in winter, it's equally crucial to shade buildings in the summer to avoid overheating. 3. Natural Ventilation: The orientation of a building can also affect its ventilation. 4. Views and Surroundings: Orientation isn't just about energy. Providing occupants with pleasant views of nature or urban landscapes can improve mental well-being. 5. Thermal Mass:Materials with high thermal mass, like concrete and brick, can absorb heat during the day and release it at night.
The next step is to select the materials and resources for your building. You want to use materials that are durable, recyclable, renewable, and low in embodied energy and emissions. For example, you can use wood, bamboo, straw, or hemp as alternatives to concrete, steel, or plastics. You also want to reduce the amount of materials and waste generated during construction and operation, by applying principles such as prefabrication, modularization, deconstruction, and reuse.
The overarching objective is to curtail material consumption and waste throughout both construction and operation. This is achieved through strategies like prefabrication, modular design, deconstruction techniques, and the integration of reuse principles. In essence, this step steers the project towards a more eco-conscious and efficient path.
Materials and resources play a pivotal role in sustainable building design. 1. Sustainable Sourcing: Opt for materials that are renewable or rapidly renewable, such as bamboo, cork, and certain types of wood. Rhee 2. Recycled Content: Materials like recycled steel, glass, and post-consumer to recycled plastics reduce the demand for virgin resources and cut down on landfill waste. 3. Local Procurement:Sourcing materials locally minimizes transportation emissions. 4. Durability:Prioritize materials that are long-lasting and require minimal maintenance. 5. Resource Efficiency:Prefabricated and modular construction methods can minimize waste by ensuring that materials are used efficiently. 6. Effective Waste Management strategies.
Elevate equipment on the roof. This will prevent unnecssary expense of removing units from the roof when re-roofing. It will also reduce the amount of refrigerant that is released when recovering refrigerant. The inconvience of A/C units down when re-roofing. Quicker turn around on roof replacement. Elevate your equipment. Pay now, save later....
Actually I disagree with the alternative materials listed here, the can in no way compete with steel, plastic and concrete. Prefab, modular..... all required steel, concrete and plastic.
Try to select the material can reduce the heat loss/ heat gain from the outside environment.That will be helpful to reduce energy consumption of heating/cooling.
The third step is to integrate the systems and technologies for your building. You want to use systems that are efficient, adaptive, and responsive to the changing needs and conditions of the building and its occupants. For example, you can use smart sensors, controls, and meters to monitor and optimize the performance of the heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation systems. You also want to use technologies that can generate, store, and distribute renewable energy, such as solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and microgrids.
This step establishes the foundation for a building that aligns with both advanced functionality and sustainability objectives.
You missed water and waste. Water use can be minimized and recycled for Reuse. Or at the very least, a grey water system could be used to water landscaping. Waste should be a consideration too.
Consider utilizing computer models to assist in determining HVAC loads. In my experience, computer models of buildings sited for passive heating and cooling can save money by justifying reductions in the size and cost of HVAC systems.
The fourth step is to create the design and aesthetics for your building. You want to design a building that is functional, comfortable, and attractive for the users and the public. For example, you can design a building that has flexible and adaptable spaces, natural and artificial lighting, acoustic and thermal comfort, and ergonomic and biophilic features. You also want to design a building that has a distinctive and harmonious identity, style, and character, that reflects the culture and context of the place.
Here, the intention is to formulate a structure that seamlessly balances functionality, comfort, and visual allure, both for those using the building and those encountering it in the public sphere.
Sustainable Construction The next step following design is the construction of the building. Multiple products and materials are becoming available to support more environmentally friendly construction. Low or no volatile organic compound (VOC)-emitting adhesives, paints, and other finishes are now available at little or no additional cost compared to traditional products. The recent demand for them has increased production and availability and keeps the costs down as competitors vie for your business. Higher efficiency windows, specialized building cladding, and new integrated building automation systems provide substantial savings over the life of the building.
Mimic nature when and where possible. The exterior of the building should compliment its surroundings, in color, form and texture.
The fifth step is to obtain the certification and evaluation for your building. You want to demonstrate that your building meets or exceeds the standards and criteria for smart, sustainable buildings. For example, you can apply for certification schemes such as LEED, BREEAM, or Green Star, which assess your building's performance in areas such as energy, water, materials, indoor environment, and innovation. You also want to evaluate your building's actual performance and user satisfaction, by collecting and analyzing data and feedback.
Note that it's great to consider these tools, but know that a commitment to one type of certification might change some of those early steps. For example, are you going for a greenstar rating? That's great, but if you decided to use a particular lead based finish, you many not be able to achieve a greenstar rating. Great design is iterative. You'll reach the end of a stage, and it will be in an input for an earlier stage.
It would be beneficial to have all material sourcing available online along with all the reasons it's meets and exceeds its LEED project requirements.
It's essential to evaluate the actual performance of the building and gauge user contentment by diligently collating and analyzing data and feedback. This phase offers the tangible evidence that underscores the building's commitment to functionality, sustainability, and user-centric design.
The final step is to pursue continuous improvement for your building. You want to maintain and enhance your building's performance and value over time. For example, you can conduct regular inspections, audits, and repairs to ensure that your building's systems and components are functioning properly and efficiently. You also want to implement and update your building's strategies and practices, based on the latest research, technology, and user needs.
Sustainable Design The design of a new facility provides the best opportunity to have a sustainable impact.Orienting the building to maximize or minimize the sun’s energy absorption, depending on climate, is a first step. The design, selection, integration, and commissioning of building systems, such as energy management and automation, security automation, piping, ventilation, and other integrated systems, can be synergistically planned if a green building is the intent. Participation of knowledgeable design and construction team members in the design stage can enable green building design without adding to the cost of the final structure.Thoughtful planning provides opportunities for trade-offs and upgrades to consider LEED in the design
-adaptive reuse should be considered early. Do you actually need to build something new? From many sustainability angles, reuse of existing stock may make more sense, financially, environmentally and socially.
I think in today's environment recognition and inclusion of community members when planning. I also think utilizing members of the community for the workforce rather than hiring outside the community. Priority should be placed on hiring a substantial number of community members.