Chap16 Sustainability

Chapter 16: Sustainability and the Built Environment

Importance of Sustainability

  • Sustainability focuses on practices that protect and enhance the environment while allowing for human and economic development.

  • Important functions include:

    • Minimizing resource use and waste generation.

    • Ensuring the longevity and durability of buildings.

Life-Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA)

  • LCCA helps determine the most cost-effective options among various alternatives through:

    • Evaluating costs from initial purchase through to final disposal.

    • Example: Assessing whether a pricier energy-efficient appliance results in long-term savings.

Principles of Sustainable Building Design

  1. Building Orientation:

    • Optimal orientation (east-west) for energy efficiency.

  2. Passive Design:

    • Techniques to reduce energy needs for heating, cooling, and lighting.

  3. Minimizing Water Use:

    • Installation of water-conserving fixtures and appliances.

  4. Material Selection:

    • Emphasis on green and recycled materials.

  5. Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ):

    • Focus on improving air quality, lighting, and thermal comfort.

  6. Deconstruction and Salvaging:

    • Method for repurposing materials from demolished buildings.

Construction Waste

  • Construction, particularly demolition, generates considerable waste:

    • Common materials include brick, concrete, and insulation.

  • Solutions include recycling, reusing, and precise design to minimize waste.

Triple Bottom Line (TBL)

  • TBL emphasizes three pillars:

    • Economic Viability:

      • Ensuring the financial sustainability of projects.

    • Social Equity:

      • Fair practices regarding community impacts and opportunities.

    • Environmental Soundness:

      • Accountability for environmental impact and resource use.

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) & LEED Standards

  • LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) was developed in 1993.

    • LEED certifications help gauge the environmental performance of buildings:

      1. Certification Levels:

        • Certified: 40-49 points

        • Silver: 50-59 points

        • Gold: 60-79 points

        • Platinum: 80+ points

      2. Categories for Evaluation:

        • Location and transportation, sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, IEQ, and innovation.

Environmental Awareness

  • Significant impact of buildings:

    • 39% of total energy use

    • 68% of total electricity use

    • 12% of total water use

    • 38% of CO2 emissions

    • 60% of non-industrial waste generation.

Social and Economic Performance Measures

  • Economic:

    • Personal income, job growth, unemployment rates, etc.

  • Environmental:

    • Air and water quality, recycling trends, impacts on health.

  • Social:

    • Poverty rates, education, crime statistics, and community diversity.

Conclusion

  • The chapter emphasizes that effective sustainability in construction requires a multi-faceted approach that incorporates technological efficiency, effective resource management, and adherence to established environmental standards such as LEED.