2. Green Building and Sustainable
Architecture
• What is Sustainability?
• Sustainable Design
• Principles of Sustainability
in Architecture
• Sustainable Building Life Cycle
• Pre-Building Phase
• Building Phase
• Post-Building Phase
• Preservation of Natural
Conditions
• Human Comforts
• Types of Green and Sustainable Buildings
• Sustainable Remodeling
3. What is Sustainability?
Sustainability - Meeting the
needs of the present
without compromising the
ability of future generations
to meet their own needs.
World Commission on
Environment and
Development
4. Sustainable Design
Reduces the negative impact on the environment
and human health, thus improving the
performance during a building’s life cycle. Careful
consideration is given to
water, energy, building
materials, and solid waste.
5. Principles of Sustainability
in Architecture
• Economy of Resources - Reduce, recycle,
and reuse natural resources
• Life Cycle Design - Structured
methodology for the building process
• Humane Design - Harmony between
humans and nature
7. Pre-Building Phase
•Site selection, building design, and building material
processes, up to but not including installation.
•Examine the
environmental
consequences of
the structure’s
design,
orientation, impact
on the landscape,
and materials
used.
8. Building Phase
•Construction and
operation processes
reduce the
environmental impact of
resource consumption
•Long-term health
effects of the building
environment on its
occupants are
considered
9. Post-Building Phase
Old materials become
resources for other buildings
or waste to be returned to
nature. The sustainable
design strategy focuses on
reducing construction waste
by recycling and reusing
packaging and excess
material.
10. Preservation of Natural
Conditions
An architect should minimize the impact of a
building on its local ecosystem (e.g., existing
topography, plants, and wildlife).
11. Human Comforts
A building’s design should enhance the work
and home environments. This can improve
productivity, reduce stress, and positively affect
health and well being.
12. Types of Green and Sustainable
Buildings
• Homes
• Schools
• Commercial and public buildings
• Laboratories
• Health care facilities
14. Introduction to Sustainable
Architecture
• What is Sustainability?
• Sustainable Design
• Principles of Sustainability
in Architecture
• Sustainable Building Life Cycle
• Pre-Building Phase
• Building Phase
• Post-Building Phase
• Preservation of Natural
Conditions
• Human Comforts
• Types of Green and Sustainable Buildings
• Sustainable Remodeling
15. Image Resources
Microsoft, Inc. (2009). Clip art. Retrieved April 7, 2009,
from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart/default.aspx
Editor's Notes
During the design process, careful attention is given to building materials, construction methods, energy conservation, and the operational lifetime of the building. A green building, also known as a sustainable building, is a structure that is designed, built, renovated, operated, or reused in an ecological and resource-efficient manner.
The practice of creating building products and methods that respect the environment and human health.
The goal when designing a sustainable building is to design and create a structure that operates in harmony with the environment and its occupants. Natural resources are carefully considered in all phases of the structure.
Economy of Resources
Analysis of building inputs and outputs of natural resources require new methods and strategies to maximize all resources.
Life Cycle Design
Building may cost more up front, but savings is achieved over the life of the building. This may be achieved through passive heating and cooling, insulation, alternative sources of energy, energy–efficient equipment, and appliances.
Humane Design
Focuses on the interactions between humans preserving natural conditions. This may include integration of public transportation, natural light through windows, operable windows for fresh air, and non-toxic materials.
Pre-Building Phase
How building materials impact the environment: harvesting trees could result in deforestation; mining mineral resources (iron for steel; bauxite for aluminum; sand, gravel, and limestone for concrete) disturbs the natural environment; even the transport of these materials can be a highly polluting activity, depending on their weight and distance from the site. The manufacturing of building products also requires energy and creates environmental pollution: for example, a high level of energy is required to manufacture steel or aluminum products.
Building Phase
The operation of the building life cycle considers natural resources, its carbon footprint, and operating costs.
Post-Building Phase
Old materials become resources for other building or waste to be returned to nature. The sustainable-design strategy focuses on reducing construction waste (which currently comprises 60% of the solid waste in landfills) by recycling and reusing buildings and building materials.
Neighborhood and cities can benefit by proper planning. Consideration of water demands and building material during the planning phase. Creative architects and planners can use the natural resources provided by the building site.
Reduced energy consumption and the comfort of building occupants are two criteria that architects consider most during the life of the structure.
The sustainable design strategy focuses on reducing construction waste (which currently comprises 60% of he solid waste in landfills) by recycling and reusing buildings and building materials.
Architects and engineers now consider wildlife and the destruction of waterways and food chains for the proposed building site in all phases of the structure’s life.
Occupants who are comfortable in there surroundings are more productive.
Any type of building can incorporate green and sustainable design principles. Depending on the function of the building, consideration is given to efficiency in materials, mechanical systems, and operating cost in the design process.
Programs like (LEED) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and ENERGY STAR are helpful tools for improving an existing structure.