This document summarizes a presentation on passive sustainability approaches for existing buildings. It discusses how existing buildings inherently contain sustainable aspects due to their age and construction methods. It encourages taking advantage of a building's orientation, natural ventilation capabilities, and material properties to reduce energy usage. Specific passive strategies covered include orientation, natural ventilation techniques, daylighting, insulation methods, and selecting roofs, walls, and windows to control heat gain. The presentation emphasizes understanding a building's site and climate context to guide low-tech sustainability upgrades before relying on mechanical systems.

1. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
PASSIVE SUSTAINABILITY
FOR
EXISTING BUILDINGS
GERALD MOORHEAD FAIA

2. “GULF COAST GREEN 2013 - USGBC” is a Registered Provider with
The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems
(AIA/CES). Credit(s) earned on completion of this program will be
reported to AIA/CESfor AIA members. Certificates of Completion for
both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.
This program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional
education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed
or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any
material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using,
distributing, or dealing in any material or product.
Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be
addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.

3. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
PASSIVE SUSTAINABILITY FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS
SUSTAINABILITY WITH LESS “TECHNOLOGY”
EXISTING BUILDINGS, DEPENDING ON AGE AND
CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS, CONTAIN MANY ASPECTS OF
SUSTAINABILITY THAT MAKE THEM MORE
ECONOMICALLY VIABLE THAN NEW CONSTRUCTION.
COURSE SUMMARY

4. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
1. IMPERATIVE FOR CONSERVATION OF EXISTING
BUILDINGS AND EMBODIED RESOURCES.
2. INHERENT CHARACTERISTICS OF EXISTING BLDGS.
3. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF INHERENT CHARACTERISTICS
FOR PASSIVE SUSTAINABILITY
LEARNING OBJECTIVES

5. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
“THE GREENEST BUILDING IS … ONE THAT IS ALREADY
BUILT.”
CARL ELEFANTE, FAIA, QUINN/EVANS ARCHITECTS
EMBODIED ENERGY AND CARBON IN EXISTING
CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS:
A 50,000 SF COMMERCIAL BUILDING IS EQUAL TO
80 BILLION BTU’S OF ENERGY,
THE EQUIVALENT OF 640,000 GAL. OF GASOLINE,
AT $3.75/GAL. = $2,400,000 = $48/SF
IF AN EQUIVALENT NEW BUILDING COSTS $200/SF, THE
EXISTING BUILDING WOULD BE 25% MORE ECONOMICAL

6. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
“THE GREENEST BUILDING IS … ONE THAT IS ALREADY
BUILT.”
CARL ELEFANTE, FAIA, QUINN/EVANS ARCHITECTS
EXISTING BUILDINGS OUTNUMBER NEW BUILDINGS IN THE
US BY 100 TO 1

7. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
“THE GREENEST BUILDING IS … ONE THAT IS ALREADY
BUILT.”
CARL ELEFANTE, FAIA, QUINN/EVANS ARCHITECTS
EXISTING BUILDINGS OUTNUMBER NEW BUILDINGS IN THE
US BY 100 TO 1
A GSA STUDY IN 1999 FOUND THAT UTILITY COSTS ARE 27%
LESS FOR HISTORIC BUILDINGS THAN FOR NEW BUILDINGS

8. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
“THE GREENEST BUILDING IS … ONE THAT IS ALREADY
BUILT.”
CARL ELEFANTE, FAIA, QUINN/EVANS ARCHITECTS
EXISTING BUILDINGS OUTNUMBER NEW BUILDINGS IN THE
US BY 100 TO 1
GSA STUDY IN 1999 FOUND THAT UTILITY COSTS ARE 27%
LESS FOR HISTORIC BUILDINGS THAN FOR NEW BUILDINGS
“LONG LIFE / LOOSE FIT.”
BUILDINGS CAN LAST A LONG TIME IF THEY ALLOW FOR
CHANGING USES.
STEWART BRAND, 1994

9. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
“THE GREENEST BUILDING IS … ONE THAT IS ALREADY
BUILT.”
CARL ELEFANTE, FAIA, QUINN/EVANS ARCHITECTS
EXISTING BUILDINGS OUTNUMBER NEW BUILDINGS IN THE
US BY 100 TO 1
GSA STUDY IN 1999 FOUND THAT UTILITY COSTS ARE 27%
LESS FOR HISTORIC BUILDINGS THAN FOR NEW BUILDINGS
“LONG LIFE / LOOSE FIT.”
BUILDINGS CAN LAST A LONG TIME IF THEY ALLOW FOR
CHANGING USES.
STEWART BRAND, 1994
AND IT’S NOT JUST THE BUILDING: DON’T FORGET THE
LAND. IT IS ALREADY IN USE.

10. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
WHAT IS AN EXISTING BUILDING?
1. OVER 50 YEARS OLD – “HISTORIC”

11. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
WHAT IS AN EXISTING BUILDING?
1. OVER 50 YEARS OLD – “HISTORIC”
2. 50 – 30 YEARS OLD – POSSIBLY BUILT W/O AC

12. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
WHAT IS AN EXISTING BUILDING?
1. OVER 50 YEARS OLD – “HISTORIC”
2. 50 – 30 YEARS OLD – POSSIBLY BUILT W/O AC
3. LESS THAN 30 YEARS OLD – PROBABLY BUILT WITH AC
IN HOUSTON, 1980 IS A KEY TURNING POINT FOR OUR
ENVIRONMENT:
BEFORE 1980, SOME PLACES WHERE AIRCONDITIONED.
AFTER 1980, EVERYPLACE WAS EXPECTED TO BE
AIRCONDITIONED: BUILDINGS, HOMES, CARS

13. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
PASSIVE SUSTAINABILITY
VALID FOR ALL PROJECTS, NEW AND EXISTING BUILDINGS
PASSIVE APPROACHES MAY BE LESS EXPENSIVE TO BUILD
PASSIVE SUSTAINABILITY TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THE
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EXISTING BUILDING, HISTORIC
OR OTHERWISE, TO CREATE A HABITABLE ENVIRONMENT
USING AS FEW NATURAL AND MAN-MADE RESOURCES AND
ACTIVE SYSTEMS AS POSSIBLE.

14. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
ORIENTATION
Houston @ 29 45’ 0” N
NS
W
E
21 JUNE
21 DEC

15. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
ORIENTATION
Houston @ 29 45’ 0” N
N
E
S
W

16. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
NATURAL VENTILATION
WIND DRIVEN
CROSS-FLOW + VENTURI EFFECT
BUOYANCY DRIVEN
CHIMNEY OR STACK EFFECT

17. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
NATURAL VENTILATION
DOUBLE HUNG WINDOW ATTIC FAN

18. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
NATURAL VENTILATION
HOUSTON 1912
CITY LIMITS
CITYLIMITS

19. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
DAY LIGHTING

20. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
ROOFS
WALLS
WINDOWS
WOOD
MASONRY
GLASS

21. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
HEAT GAIN ON ROOFS, WALLS, WINDOWS
SUMMER SUN ON
ROOF AND WALLS
WINDOW / WALL RATIO

22. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
INSULATION
INSULATION

23. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
WALL TYPES
SOLID MASONRY VENEER MASONRY WOOD FRAME

24. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
LOAD BEARING MASONRY

25. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
LOAD BEARING MASONRY

26. GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
SUMMATION
1. Understand the site and climate
Orientation
Natural ventilation
2. Investigate low-tech practices used in periods before dependence on electricity and
mechanical systems
Natural ventilation
Material selection
Day lighting
3. Evaluate building systems and materials to control heat gain
Roof construction
Exterior wall construction: amount of wall, amount of openings, resistance to
moisture & heat penetration
Windows: orientation for ventilation, lighting
Local materials: durability, availability

27. This concludes The American Institute of Architects
Continuing Education Systems Course
GULF COAST GREEN 2013
CREATE(D) HISTORY:
LEARNING FROM THE PAST TO GUIDE THE FUTURE
FIN