🦆Engineering and the Environment Unit 9 – Sustainable Building Design and Construction

Key Concepts in Sustainable Building

• Sustainable building aims to minimize negative environmental impacts while maximizing occupant health and comfort
• Focuses on energy efficiency, water conservation, and responsible material selection throughout a building's lifecycle
• Incorporates passive design strategies (natural ventilation, daylighting) to reduce reliance on mechanical systems
  • Passive solar design utilizes building orientation and window placement to optimize solar heat gain and natural lighting
• Emphasizes the use of renewable energy sources (solar panels, wind turbines) to reduce carbon footprint
• Encourages the use of locally sourced and recycled materials to minimize transportation emissions and waste
• Promotes indoor environmental quality through the use of low-emitting materials and effective ventilation systems
• Considers the building's end-of-life and potential for deconstruction and material reuse

Environmental Impact of Construction

• Construction activities contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and resource depletion
• Extraction and manufacturing of building materials (cement production, steel manufacturing) are energy-intensive processes
• Transportation of materials to construction sites adds to the carbon footprint of the building sector
• Construction waste accounts for a substantial portion of landfill waste, contributing to land and water pollution
• Site development can lead to habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, and soil erosion
  • Deforestation for construction purposes disrupts ecosystems and contributes to climate change
• Improper waste management during construction can result in the release of hazardous substances into the environment
• Urbanization and the expansion of the built environment contribute to the urban heat island effect, increasing energy demand for cooling

Sustainable Materials and Resources

• Sustainable materials are renewable, recyclable, and have a low embodied energy
  • Embodied energy refers to the total energy consumed in the production, transportation, and installation of a material
• Wood from responsibly managed forests (Forest Stewardship Council certified) is a renewable and carbon-sequestering material
• Recycled materials (reclaimed wood, recycled steel, recycled concrete aggregate) reduce the demand for virgin resources
• Rapidly renewable materials (bamboo, cork, linoleum) have shorter harvest cycles and regenerate quickly
• Local materials minimize transportation emissions and support the local economy
• Materials with high recycled content (recycled glass tiles, recycled plastic lumber) divert waste from landfills
• Low-emitting materials (low-VOC paints, adhesives, and sealants) improve indoor air quality and occupant health
• Durable materials (metal roofing, fiber-cement siding) reduce the need for frequent replacements and minimize waste

Energy Efficiency in Building Design

• Energy-efficient buildings reduce operational costs and environmental impacts associated with energy production
• Proper building orientation and window placement maximize natural lighting and minimize unwanted solar heat gain
• High-performance building envelopes (insulation, air sealing, double-pane windows) minimize heat transfer and improve thermal comfort
• Energy-efficient HVAC systems (heat pumps, variable refrigerant flow systems) reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling
  • Geothermal heat pumps utilize the stable temperature of the earth to provide efficient heating and cooling
• Energy-efficient lighting (LED bulbs, occupancy sensors, daylight harvesting) reduces electricity consumption
• Building automation systems optimize energy use by monitoring and controlling lighting, HVAC, and other systems
• Renewable energy systems (photovoltaic panels, small-scale wind turbines) generate clean electricity on-site
• Energy recovery ventilation systems capture heat from exhaust air to preheat incoming fresh air, reducing heating loads

Water Conservation Strategies

• Water-efficient plumbing fixtures (low-flow toilets, faucets, and showerheads) reduce indoor water consumption
• Rainwater harvesting systems collect and store rainwater for non-potable uses (irrigation, toilet flushing)
  • Cisterns and rain barrels are common storage methods for harvested rainwater
• Greywater recycling systems treat and reuse wastewater from sinks, showers, and washing machines for irrigation or toilet flushing
• Drought-tolerant landscaping (xeriscaping) minimizes the need for irrigation and reduces outdoor water use
• Efficient irrigation systems (drip irrigation, moisture sensors) deliver water directly to plant roots and prevent overwatering
• Permeable paving materials (porous concrete, permeable pavers) allow stormwater to infiltrate the ground, reducing runoff and recharging groundwater
• Water-efficient appliances (ENERGY STAR certified dishwashers and washing machines) use less water and energy
• Leak detection and repair programs identify and fix water leaks, preventing water waste and damage

Waste Management and Recycling

• Construction waste management plans outline strategies for reducing, reusing, and recycling waste generated during construction
• On-site waste separation facilitates the recycling of materials (wood, metal, concrete, drywall)
• Deconstruction techniques allow for the salvage and reuse of building components (doors, windows, fixtures)
• Designing for adaptability and disassembly enables future renovations and material recovery
• Providing dedicated recycling areas in buildings encourages occupants to recycle waste
• Composting facilities divert organic waste (food scraps, yard waste) from landfills and produce nutrient-rich soil amendment
• Hazardous waste management ensures the proper disposal of toxic materials (paints, solvents, batteries)
• Implementing waste reduction strategies (paperless offices, reusable packaging) minimizes waste generation during building operation

Green Building Certification Systems

• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a widely recognized green building rating system
  • LEED certifies buildings based on criteria in categories such as sustainable sites, water efficiency, and indoor environmental quality
• Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) is a UK-based certification system that evaluates a building's environmental performance
• Green Globes is a web-based assessment and rating system that guides the design and operation of sustainable buildings
• Living Building Challenge is a rigorous performance standard that requires buildings to be self-sufficient and regenerative
• Passive House is a certification program that focuses on ultra-low energy buildings with high levels of occupant comfort
• WELL Building Standard emphasizes the health and well-being of building occupants through design and operational strategies
• Energy Star is a program that certifies energy-efficient products and buildings, helping consumers save money and reduce emissions
• Green building certification systems provide third-party verification of a building's sustainability features and performance

Future Trends in Sustainable Construction

• Net-zero energy buildings produce as much energy as they consume through on-site renewable energy generation and energy efficiency measures
• Regenerative design goes beyond sustainability by aiming to restore and enhance the natural environment
  • Living buildings incorporate features such as green roofs, living walls, and on-site ecosystems
• Modular and prefabricated construction methods reduce waste, improve quality control, and shorten construction timelines
• 3D printing technology enables the creation of complex building components using sustainable materials (recycled plastic, earth-based materials)
• Smart building technologies (Internet of Things sensors, artificial intelligence) optimize building performance and occupant comfort
• Biophilic design incorporates natural elements (plants, natural light, organic shapes) to improve occupant well-being and productivity
• Circular economy principles in construction prioritize the reuse and recycling of building materials to minimize waste and resource consumption
• Resilient design strategies help buildings withstand and adapt to the impacts of climate change (extreme weather events, sea-level rise)