05 sustainable architecture

Teacher Resource: The Sustainable Living Project, UNSW

THE SUSTAINABLE LIVING PROJECT

&

AGL SUSTAINABLE LIVING COMPETITION

s u s t a i n a b l ea r c h i t e c t u r es u s t a i n a b l ea r c h i t e c t u r e

SOLARCH- The Centre for a

Sustainable Built Environment

slides produced by:

david tickle [email protected]

This presentation was produced by SOLARCH in the Faculty of the Built Environment, UNSW.

For more information about the AGL Sustainable Living Competition (open to all High School students providing $30,000 worth of rewards) please contact Ph: 02 9385 4979 or check out:

http://www.sustainableliving.com.au


s u s t a i n a b l ea r c h i t e c t u r ea r c h i t e c t u r e


what do buildings provide ?

Images: COLORS magazine, issue 27 ‘home’

couch for relaxing and talking

windows allow sunlight and fresh air to enter the building and allow views outside

kitchen has clean drinking water

kitchen for cooking and storing food

roof and walls allow privacy, protect from rain and wind, and stop intruders

table for gatherings and for eating food

bathroom for washing and cleaning and for sewage removal

outdoor space for recreation and relaxation

raised floor keeps things dry and clean (not on ground)

interior lighting and heating

a sense of place (within a community)


energy supply

water supply

building materials

waste and water disposal

light and warmth

energy

clean water

bathing and cleaning

waste disposal

protection from rain and cold

privacy and security

storage, cooking and eating of food

socialising and recreation

things provided by buildings

all of these factors inter-relate and should be seen as contributing to and feeding from the others


s u s t a i n a b l ea r c h i t e c t u r ethe natural environment


technology

society

culture

the natural environment

institutions + structures

knowledge

atmosphere

the built environment

‘resources’

forests

the universe

water

soil

biodiversity

oceans

sunlight

we are part of the environment, and not separate from it

As a result of neglecting to consider the

environmental consequences of

our actions, we now find many

serious environmental

problems emerging.

If we want to have ecological

resources to use in the future, and

ensure a high quality of life, we

must start considering the

broader environmental context in our

designs and choices.

Traditionally, decisions and designs have been based on economics, form and function. The broader environmental context – in which all things exist, and on which all things rely- has not adequately been considered.

A FEW BASIC TRUTHS:

• WE NEED A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR SURVIVAL

• EVERYTHING IS INTER-DEPENDENT AND INTER-RELATED


waste and water disposal

energy supply

water supply

building materials

Where do present materials come from?

How much do we currently use?

Images: National Geographic, Vol 195, No 3, March 1999; Oz Green World Water Day Poster, 1997; “Greenhouse News”, Vol 3, Issue No 2, Winter 2000, published by the Australian Greenhouse Office; “The Challenge”, Issue No 16, Winter 2000, published by the Australian Greenhouse Office

In most cases, it is not our ‘needs’ relating to the built environment that cause environmental problems – rather it is the way we choose to meet them.


INCREASED AIR POLLUTION - chemicals and gases

EFFECTS ON PUBLIC HEALTH - we all need clean air and water, good food

INCREASED SOIL CONTAMINATION - chemicals, dirty water, loss of nutrients

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS - global warming and climate change

UNNECESSARYDELEPLETION OF NATURAL RESOURCES - forests, water, minerals, soil

INCREASED WATER POLLUTION - raw sewage rubbish chemicals

what are the impacts of unsustainable design & building practices ?

PRODUCTION OF WASTE - rubbish, materials, chemicals, etc

sustainable architecture

looks to find new ways to provide our needs without creating these impacts


s u s t a i n a b l ea r c h i t e c t u r e the design process

technology

people

sustainability


technology:

accommodating the needs of the present without compromisingthe ability of future generations to meet their own needs

(Brundtland Report, World Commission on Environment and Development 1987)

development:

making and using technology that meets human needs while taking into account long and short term consequences for society and the environment

ecologically sustainable

appropriate

design process:1. understand the needs of the users of the building 2. look at the capacity of the site and the environment in

supporting those needs3. make design decisions and use appropriate technologies to fulfil

the above

sustainable


s u s t a i n a b l ea r c h i t e c t u r ec a s e s t u d i e s

using an environmentally conscious design process to achieve

sustainable results


Mobbs House, Chippendale

Images: ww.abc.net.au/nr/science /earth/handouts/ chippendale.htm

rear of house

front of house

General• from the street, the house looks like any other on the street• from behind, environmental design aspects can be seen

Rooftop Solar Panels • on north facing roof for maximum sunlight• photovoltaic panels are used to create clean and non-polluting electricity• hot water panels are used to heat water without using coal-fired (polluting) electricity

sunlight

NORTH

Solar access• windows face north to allow good natural sunlight inside (less energy needed for lighting and heating)• family room below is protected by overhanging bedroom above - this blocks summer sun, but allows winter sun to enter the room

winter sun anglesum

mer

sun angle

For more info, check out the website:

www.abc.net.au/science/planet/house/default.htm


Mobbs House, Chippendale

Images: ww.abc.net.au/nr/science/earth/handouts/chippendale.htm

Water Recycling• within the house water is ‘recycled’• used for cooking, drinking and showering• used water is then filtered and stored• used water is then used for flushing the toilet and washing clothes

‘Used’ water stored filtered and stored in

second tank

This water used for toilet and washing

machine

Water used for drinking, cooking, showering

Rainwater collected from roof

Water stored in tank under house Water

Supply• rainwater is collected from roof and stored in a water tank under the housetank under

house

Reused water and toilet waste are treated in a

composting tank on site

Clean compost made for use on garden

‘Cleaned’ water treated further by reeds in back

yard

Water Treatment• reused water and sewage from toilet is stored in a composting tank under the deck• within this tank, the water and sewage is ‘broken down’ to form clean and hygienic compost - this compost can be safely used on the garden

• the cleaned liquid is treated further by reeds in the back yard - the reed help to remove any bacteria• if the system overflows, it goes straight into the mains sewage (just like normal houses)

reeds


Couran Cove Resort, South Stradbroke Island

Images: Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Association, 1998

Landscaping and revegetation• any damaged areas of the site revegetated• plant types used were sourced from around the site, to minimise the effect on ecological systems

ENERGY MANAGEMENT CONTROL SYSTEMS• used to integrate, monitor and control the different sources of energy in the resort• power used in the resort is two thirds of that used by most resorts of the same size

Natural gas• used for the majority of the resort’s energy requirements• causes less pollution and greenhouse gases than coal-fired electricity production• less damage on site, no powerlines or cables needed to bring electricity onto the site

Solar hot water panels• used for heating water for use in buildings• additional heat used to heat up the swimming pool• solar hot water heating creates no pollution or greenhouse gasesWind turbine

• produces up to 12% of the resort’s energy requirements• used to supplement the main energy source - natural gas


Couran Cove Resort, South Stradbroke Island

Images: Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Association, 1998

Verandahs - comfortable outdoor living area• roof blocks hot summer sun, allows winter sun to enter• opened to breezes for summer cooling• natural light and cross ventilation help to heat and cool and light the inside of the building

sum

mer

sun

angle

winter

sun angle

cool breezes

Timber • all timber sourced from plantations or from sustainably managed forests•timber is renewable and uses less energy in its manufacture and transport•has low greenhouse gas emissions

Structure• buildings are supported on timber piers for minimal impact on the site• piers are made from hardwood timbers, which are resilient to saltwater - therefore have a longer lifespan than other materials (such as steel)


NMB Bank Headquarters, Amsterdam

Sloping walls• deflect noise from busy road• redirect winds to prevent ground-level turbulence• made from brick (natural material)

windnoise

Building height• kept to a minimum to prevent outdoor areas from being over-shadowed

sunny outdoor spaces close to the buildings

Glass Roofs• allow sunlight and warmth deep into the building (reduce need for artificial lighting and heating) • allow plants to grow within the building (creates appealing and healthy interior)

natural light to all levels

Vegetation around building• helps to keep air cleaner • provide buffer to the wind• creates pleasant outdoor areas for workers

Energy system• heating is via gas, rather than from a coal-fired plant (creates less pollution)• no air-conditioning in building is needed because of ventilation and gas heating (therefore much less electricity used)

Images: “Green Design”, Dorothy Mackenzie, (1991), London: Laurence King Publishing


NMB Bank Headquarters, Amsterdam

Images: “Green Design”, Dorothy Mackenzie, (1991), London: Laurence King Publishing

Materials• include natural materials such as timber, marble and copper• create a warm and pleasing environment (social benefits)• are locally produced, therefore reduce transportation pollution and resources

Staircasesdesigned to be appealing, in order to:• reduce reliance on lifts (reduces electricity consumption)• allow for interaction between co-workers (social benefits)• create an architectural feature

Hello!!

natural breezes

natura

l lig

hting

Windows • allow natural sunlight into the building (less electricity used for lighting)• can be opened to allow cross-ventilation (building has no air-conditioning, and uses much less electricity)

Rainwater• is collected from the roof (reduces mains water consumption)• used for water features and to water plants inside the building (creates a cool, healthy and pleasing environment)

water fall

water collected from roofs

05 sustainable architecture

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