. ARCHITECTURE - BUILT ENVIRONMENT . Responsible Building Designers .

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 http://www.ea.gov.au/soe/2001/settlements.html#energy )
.
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
.
Other good links
.
:: DESIGN TECHNICAL MANUAL : Australian guide to environmentally sustainable homes : www.greenhouse.gov.au/yourhome/technical/
.
:: YOUR BUILDING : Australian resource on sustainable commercial buildings for all involved across the building life cycle - from investors, owners, and occupiers to developers, builders, designers, and facility managers. www.yourbuilding.org/display/yb/Home
.
:: LOW IMPACT HOUSING Database of low energy, low environmental impact housing, particularly high performance homes at northern latitudes relevant to Canadian climates : http://abridesign.com/lowimpact/index.htm
:: GREEN BUILDING INFORMATION http://www.greenerbuildings.com/ a resource center developed by GreenBiz.com and the US Green Building Council launched in 2004.
:: US GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL and LEED : http://www.usgbc.org/ American resource promoting buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.
:: IISBE - International Initiative for Sustainable Built Environment : http://greenbuilding.ca/
:: SBIS - The Sustainable Building Information System : https://www.sbis.info:443/database/index_db.jsp

:: International Event RSC06 - RETHINKING SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION 2006 A collaboration of people and organisations committed to the advancement of high-performance or next-generation green buildings. Forward-thinking people, concerned about the impact of the built environment on the sustainability of the planet. Emerging Best Practices and building assessment standards have generated significant momentum in the field of green building. However, with ever increasing dependency on fossil-fuels and a diminishing supply of resources, we now need innovative, cutting-edge approaches and technologies to make a real difference. Innovators, leaders, and decision makers help create a vision for the next generation built environment. : www.treeo.ufl.edu/rsc06/ :: For an excellent summary on the state of Green Building, look for the White Paper "Radical Sustainable Construction: Envisioning Next-Generation Green Buildings" Charles J. Kibert, and Kevin Grosskopf (at the website link listed).

:: A great source of RELIEF and CRISIS DESIGN in building / architecture is at Architecture for Humanity with many links at www.architectureforhumanity.org/links/links.html
.
:: Center for Sustainable Building Research at the University of Minnesota has a formidable selection of information including, *What is Sustainable Design? *Minnesota Sustainable Design Guide Buildings, *Benchmarks & Beyond (B3) Project *Sustainable Materials Database *Green Knowledge Map *Greening CDes *Green Design Assistance *Windows & Glazings *Building Evaluation *Affordable Housing *Renewable Energy *Human Factors *Building Physics *Building Foundations all under the haeding of Sustainable Design

Back to the SRD Home Page