geog 442 – urban land assessment proposal for a sustainable pilot building on campus

GEOG 442 – Urban Land GEOG 442 – Urban Land AssessmentAssessment

Proposal for a Sustainable Pilot Building on Campus

Core Project ValuesCore Project Values

Transparency – The design should “speak” the principles of sustainability and responsible accounting to the University and wider community.

Sustainability – This is not a “green” building. This project should be sustainable not only ecologically, but economically and culturally.

Sustainable Design Sustainable Design PrinciplesPrinciples

The use of buildings as educational tools.

Reconnecting humans with the natural environment.

Promoting sustainable values & practices

Increasing public awareness

Communicating the cultural and historical understandings of a site within local, regional and global contexts.

Aesthetics of EntryAesthetics of Entry

Creates a Zone of Transisition

Users leave the world of consumption behind and enter a world where sustainable values are the norm.

Can act as a gateway to the entire campus.

Participatory – Rite of Passage

PrototypesPrototypes

Slunakov Education Slunakov Education Center Czech RepublicCenter Czech Republic

Slunakov Education Slunakov Education Center - Czech Center - Czech

RepublicRepublic Educate public about sustainability

Sustainably harvested wood

Geo-thermal heat

Environmental Technology Environmental Technology Center - Sonoma State Center - Sonoma State

University - CAUniversity - CA

Environmental Technology Environmental Technology Center - Sonoma State Center - Sonoma State

University - CAUniversity - CA Sustainable

building materials

Photovoltaic power generation

“A building that teaches”

What’s best for VIU?What’s best for VIU?

Demonstrate sustainable building techniques and design principles

Serve as a center for a number of sustainable student activities

Educate students, faculty, and professionals about sustainability

Sustainable Building Sustainable Building MaterialsMaterials

Sustainable Building Sustainable Building MaterialsMaterials

The concept of sustainable building incorporates a variety of strategies during the design, construction and operation of building projects.

The use of sustainable building materials and products represents one important strategy in the design of a building.

CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Sustainable building materials are composed of renewable, rather than non-renewable resources.

These materials are environmentally responsible because impacts are considered over the life of the product.

Reduces maintenance/replacement costs over the life of the building by means of:

Goals & BenefitsGoals & Benefits

Energy conservation

Improved occupant health and productivity

Lower costs associated with changing space configurations

Greater design flexibility

Energy SystemsEnergy Systems

Although there are a number of renewable energy systems available for use, because of VIU’s geographic location, there are only certain systems that are complementary to this project.

Suggested Systems:Suggested Systems:

Ground Source

Bio-fuels

Wood Energy

Photovoltaic (PV) arrays

Solar thermal systems

Wind energy systems

Possible Locations

Ideal Site Characteristics Central

Accessible

Attractive

Level and non-forested

Sufficient surrounding space

Access to solar input

Building Context

How the Sustainability Pilot Building interacts with it surroundings

Being near the heart of campus

Important for many reasons

Easy to access

Appears important and worth while

Farmers Market

Something to consider

Planning vers. Organic

What the building means to students

Current and future

Practical and Community aspects

Swap Shop

Because of space restrictions we would mostly have to focus on clothes – one or two racks of clothes hangers would be both efficient and feasible.

In warm weather we could possibly have larger swap meets outside, with reused things other than clothes.

If we have a staff member working the information booth, they could also accept/transfer funds for the sustainability pilot building.

Alternative ways of running the shop. Volunteers Recycling incentives

Depending on the success of the swap shop, other themed swap shops could be established on campus.

Awnings

Fixed Awnings or Retractable Awnings??

Awnings: What Type of Fabric??

PVC Mesh

Vinyl-Laminated Polyester

Solution-Dyed Acrylic

Accessibility – Wheelchair Stair Lift

Least expensive of all accessibility options.

Initial cost starts at $4000- $6000 and up.

Could impact the total availability of floor space, depending on staircase layout.

Accessibility - Elevator An elevator allows for

versatility in moving people and objects between floors.

Initial install cost is upwards of $20,000.

Provincial regulations require ongoing maintenance for elevators – an additional operating cost to the facility.

Accessibility – Hillside Orientation

Orienting the building on a hillside would allow for access to both floors through the use of ramps, similar to the way this building is laid out.

Most expensive of the 3 options (upwards of $50,000).

Least operating and maintenance cost.

First Floor, Second First Floor, Second Floor and Display Floor and Display

Board DesignBoard Design

First Floor, Second First Floor, Second Floor and Display Floor and Display

Board DesignBoard Design

Tyler Brown, Constanza Brieba, Deanna LegareTyler Brown, Constanza Brieba, Deanna Legare

Figure 2: Conceptual first floor design

Insert Tyler’s colours here

Sustainable Evaluation Framework

1) Front-end assessment and stakeholder interviews

2) Program Observation

3) Goal Setting and Logic Modeling Workshop

4) System Design, Literature Review and Instrument Development

5) Pilot Testing and Revision of System

6) Staff Training and Data Analysis Workshop

Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System for Colleges and

Universities

STARS has a scorecard rating system designed specifically for higher education institutions

Does charge a fee to be a part of it

Not perfect, but has principles that could be used or adapted to fit our needs.

Sample Evaluation Categories

Sustainability Related Competition

Sustainability Focused courses

Sustainability Graduation requirement

Sustainability in New Employee Orientation

Departments involved in Sustainability research

Local Food Fair Trade Coffee

Green Cleaning Service Organic Campus (grounds)

On Site Combustion with Renewable fuel

Waste Diversion EnergyStar Purchasing

Commute Modal Split