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19 April 2010
As architects and builders we are very aware of our responsibility to preserve and protect our planet’s natural resources. Concurrently, this environmental concern enables us to create long-term savings and efficiencies for client structures we design and build.
Effective sustainable design considers multiple strategies which include site selection, energy requirements, materials employed, indoor environmental quality and water requirements. In a “perfect world”, when designing and building a “perfect project”, all of these factors are considered and should be employed. Realistically, budget availability becomes the common factor in determining which of the strategies will be employed. That notwithstanding, there are environmentally sensitive considerations which can be employed without “budget busting”.
The building design should consider orientation to the site to either maximize or minimize heat gain from the sun, dependent of course, on building heating and cooling demands. The shape of the building ideally should take advantage of optimizing daylight which will reduce electric lighting cost. However, daylight can create cooling load increases which must be considered in evaluating the design.
HVAC has a voracious energy appetite. Low-e windows and increased insulation, along with the staging of multiple HVAC chillers, as opposed to one large chiller can help. Oversized ducts will deliver air at lower speeds and will allow for reducing the size of fans and their energy consumption.
We can maximize water efficiency in many ways. Utilizing waterless urinals, low flow or composting toilets and high efficiency faucets should be considered. By installing a plumbing system which recycles water the site can use the “gray water” as it is called, to fill cooling towers, flush toilets or irrigate landscaping on the site.
There are countless ways in which we all can be conservators of our planet. As architects and builders we have a responsibility to do our part and are in a unique position to make sustainable design a watchword rather than a buzz word.
Clients as well have a responsibility and an opportunity to join the ranks of conservators of our natural resources. They can do this by working closely with their designers. By sharing their concerns, identifying their needs, their resources and commercial objectives, building owners can not only help to preserve our resources but enjoy savings in both the short term and the long term. We invite you to share your conservation experiences with us or to feel free to ask us questions concerning sustainable design. We look forward to hearing from you.
