🏗️History of Architecture Unit 11 – Sustainable and Green Building Design

Key Concepts in Sustainable Design

• Sustainable design focuses on creating buildings that minimize environmental impact while maximizing occupant comfort and well-being
• Incorporates principles of energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction throughout the building lifecycle
• Emphasizes the use of renewable resources (solar, wind) and minimizes reliance on non-renewable resources (fossil fuels)
  • Renewable resources can be replenished naturally over time
  • Non-renewable resources are finite and will eventually be depleted
• Considers the embodied energy of materials, which includes the energy required for extraction, processing, transportation, and installation
• Promotes the use of locally sourced materials to reduce transportation emissions and support local economies
• Encourages the adoption of passive design strategies (natural ventilation, daylighting) to reduce energy consumption
  • Passive design strategies rely on natural processes and do not require mechanical systems
• Aims to create healthy indoor environments by minimizing the use of toxic materials and improving indoor air quality

Historical Context of Green Building

• The concept of sustainable architecture has roots in ancient civilizations (Egyptians, Greeks, Romans) that designed buildings to respond to local climate and resources
• The Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries led to a significant increase in energy consumption and environmental pollution
• The oil crisis of the 1970s sparked a renewed interest in energy efficiency and alternative energy sources
• The Brundtland Report, published in 1987, introduced the concept of sustainable development and highlighted the need for environmentally responsible practices
• The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) was founded in 1993 to promote sustainable building practices and develop the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system
• The 2030 Challenge, issued in 2002, calls for all new buildings and major renovations to be carbon-neutral by 2030
• The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and requires countries to develop plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Principles of Green Architecture

• Site selection and development should minimize disturbance to existing ecosystems and prioritize the use of previously developed land (brownfields)
• Building orientation should optimize passive solar heating and cooling, natural ventilation, and daylighting
• Building form and massing should be designed to minimize surface area and heat loss while maximizing natural light and ventilation
• Building envelope should be well-insulated and airtight to reduce heat transfer and improve energy efficiency
  • Thermal bridging should be minimized to prevent heat loss through conductive materials
• Renewable energy systems (photovoltaic panels, wind turbines) should be integrated into the building design to generate on-site electricity
• Water conservation measures (low-flow fixtures, rainwater harvesting) should be implemented to reduce potable water consumption
• Indoor environmental quality should be optimized through the use of low-emitting materials, proper ventilation, and access to views and daylight
• Waste reduction strategies (recycling, composting) should be incorporated to minimize the building's environmental impact throughout its lifecycle

Sustainable Materials and Technologies

• Green materials are renewable, recycled, or recyclable and have a low embodied energy and minimal environmental impact
• Rapidly renewable materials (bamboo, cork) can be harvested and replenished within a short timeframe (typically less than 10 years)
• Recycled materials (reclaimed wood, recycled steel) reduce the demand for virgin resources and divert waste from landfills
  • Post-consumer recycled materials are derived from products that have been used and discarded by consumers
  • Pre-consumer recycled materials are derived from industrial waste streams and have not reached the end-user
• Locally sourced materials reduce transportation emissions and support local economies
• Low-emitting materials (low-VOC paints, adhesives) minimize the release of harmful chemicals and improve indoor air quality
• Green roofs and living walls provide insulation, reduce stormwater runoff, and improve air quality
• Phase change materials (PCMs) can store and release thermal energy to regulate indoor temperatures and reduce HVAC loads

Energy Efficiency Strategies

• Passive solar design strategies (orientation, shading) can reduce heating and cooling loads by harnessing the sun's energy
• High-performance building envelopes (insulation, air sealing) minimize heat transfer and improve thermal comfort
• Energy-efficient HVAC systems (heat pumps, radiant heating and cooling) reduce energy consumption and improve indoor environmental quality
  • Heat recovery ventilation (HRV) systems can capture heat from exhaust air and transfer it to incoming fresh air
• Energy-efficient lighting (LEDs, daylighting) can reduce electricity consumption and improve visual comfort
  • Occupancy sensors and daylight sensors can automatically adjust lighting levels based on occupancy and available daylight
• Appliances and equipment with high Energy Star ratings consume less energy than standard models
• Building automation systems (BAS) can optimize energy performance by monitoring and controlling HVAC, lighting, and other building systems
• Commissioning ensures that building systems are installed and operating as intended, helping to maximize energy efficiency and occupant comfort

Water Conservation and Management

• Low-flow plumbing fixtures (toilets, faucets, showerheads) reduce potable water consumption without compromising performance
• Dual-flush toilets allow users to select between a full flush (solid waste) and a reduced flush (liquid waste), saving water
• Waterless urinals eliminate the need for flushing and can save up to 40,000 gallons of water per year per fixture
• Greywater systems collect and treat wastewater from sinks, showers, and laundry for reuse in non-potable applications (toilet flushing, irrigation)
• Rainwater harvesting systems collect and store rainwater for reuse in non-potable applications, reducing the demand for municipal water
  • Rainwater can be collected from roofs, paved surfaces, and other catchment areas
  • Stored rainwater can be used for irrigation, toilet flushing, and other non-potable uses
• Xeriscaping is a landscaping approach that emphasizes the use of native and drought-tolerant plants to reduce irrigation requirements
• Permeable paving allows stormwater to infiltrate into the ground, reducing runoff and recharging groundwater

Certification Systems and Standards

• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a widely recognized green building certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
  • LEED projects earn points across several categories (sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality)
  • LEED certification levels include Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, based on the number of points achieved
• Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) is a UK-based certification system that assesses the sustainability performance of buildings
• Living Building Challenge (LBC) is a rigorous performance standard that requires buildings to be self-sufficient in energy and water and to meet strict materials requirements
• Passive House is a performance-based standard that focuses on energy efficiency, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality
  • Passive House buildings typically consume 60-80% less energy than conventional buildings
• WELL Building Standard is a certification system that focuses on the health and well-being of building occupants, addressing factors such as air, water, light, and comfort
• Energy Star is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program that certifies energy-efficient products and buildings
  • Energy Star certified buildings typically consume 35% less energy than similar non-certified buildings

Case Studies and Notable Examples

• The Bullitt Center in Seattle, Washington, is a six-story office building that achieves net-zero energy and water performance through a combination of passive design, renewable energy, and water conservation strategies
  • The building features a 242 kW rooftop photovoltaic array, composting toilets, and a greywater treatment system
• The Phipps Center for Sustainable Landscapes in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a LEED Platinum and Living Building Challenge certified education and research facility
  • The building incorporates a green roof, rainwater harvesting, and a constructed wetland for wastewater treatment
• The Pearl River Tower in Guangzhou, China, is a 71-story office building that integrates wind turbines, photovoltaic panels, and a double-skin facade to reduce energy consumption
• The California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, California, is a LEED Platinum museum that features a 2.5-acre green roof, natural ventilation, and a rainwater harvesting system
  • The building's green roof provides insulation, reduces stormwater runoff, and creates habitat for local wildlife
• The Bosco Verticale in Milan, Italy, is a pair of residential towers that incorporate extensive vegetation on balconies and facades to improve air quality and reduce the urban heat island effect
• The Edge in Amsterdam, Netherlands, is a BREEAM Outstanding office building that achieves a 98% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to a typical office building
  • The building features a 4,100 m² photovoltaic array, aquifer thermal energy storage, and a smart building management system that optimizes energy performance and occupant comfort