Green Buildings and Cities

thermal mass - ability of a material to absorb and store heat energy

night flushing - day-to-night temperature differences thermal mass stores and releases heat

single-side ventilation - pulse ventilation only 1 window opened on short period of time

stack ventilation - vertical ventilation; warm air rises

cross ventilation - horizontal ventilation; air moves from lower to higher pressure

heat pump

• like a fridge with a reversing valve

• energy efficient

ground source heat pump

• buried tubes below ground stable temperature year-round

• heats and cools in any climate

daylighting (natural light)

• provides light without electricity

• sidelighting

  • full illumination: within 15 ft of window

  • partial illumination: within 30ft of window

• toplighting

  • any size floor plan

  • limited to top floor plus clerestories

• light shelf

  • reflects light deeper into the room

  • can double as outdoor shading device

biophilic design

• connecting people and nature within our built environments and communities

bioregionalism - green building “style”

• place-based: spaces that tell you where you are

urban heat island effect - a metropolitan area that experiences significantly warmer temperatures than the surrounding rural areas

gentrification - urban neighborhoods becoming more affluent, often displacing lower-income residents

green infrastructure - open space, habitat, stormwater system

durable cities - walkable streets & scenic walk, common public spaces, places to sit, places for spontaneous social contact

mixed use - urban planning & transportation theory that concentrated growth in compact walkable urban center to avoid sprawl