Environmental Principles Week 1 Slideshow 2

Meeting the 1.5°C Bottom Line of the Paris Agreement

• Goal: Reduce all CO₂ emissions sources to one-third by 2050.

Sustainable Design

• Definition: Design that minimizes environmental impact through efficient resource use.

• Importance:

  • Buildings consume 48% of total energy and 76% of electricity.

  • People spend 95% of their lives indoors.

Easter Island – A Case Study in Resource Depletion

• Once a biodiverse paradise, Easter Island became a biological wasteland due to overconsumption of resources.

• Lessons Learned: The collapse of resources led to societal breakdown—highlighting the importance of sustainable management.

Principles of Sustainable Design: The Four R’s

1. Reduce – Minimize waste and excessive resource use.

2. Reuse – Renovate and repurpose materials.

   • Example: Boston Trinity Church rehabilitation.

3. Recycle – Convert old materials into new products.

4. Regenerate – Restore degraded environments.

Bioclimatic Design

• Integrates climate, site conditions, and passive strategies to optimize energy use.

• Focuses on thermal zoning, natural ventilation, and solar heat gain.

Energy Sources in Sustainable Design

Renewable Energy Sources

• Solar Energy:

  • Passive Solar – Uses building design for heating & cooling.

  • Photovoltaic (PV) Systems – Converts sunlight into electricity.

  • Daylighting – Maximizes natural light.

• Wind Energy – Uses turbines for power generation.

• Hydro Power – Converts water flow into energy.

• Biomass – Uses organic material (plants, waste) for fuel.

• Geothermal Energy – Extracts heat from the Earth.

Non-Renewable Energy Sources

• Fossil Fuels (Oil, Natural Gas, Coal)

• Nuclear Energy (Fission, Fusion)

Case Study: Pearl River Tower, Guangzhou

• Goal: High-performance, zero-energy building.

• Strategies Used:

  • Daylighting & Energy-Efficient Equipment.

  • Underfloor Ventilation & Radiant Ceiling Systems.

  • High-Performance Façade for Climate Control.

  • On-Site Renewable Energy (Solar, Wind Turbines, Photovoltaics).

• Achieved 60% lower energy consumption than conventional buildings.

The WELL Building Standard®

• A performance-based system focusing on:

  • Air Quality

  • Water Filtration

  • Healthy Nutrition

  • Light Optimization

  • Fitness & Comfort

  • Mental Well-Being

Key Takeaways

• Sustainable design reduces waste without sacrificing quality of life.

• Energy efficiency should always come first before adding renewables.

• Lessons from history (e.g., Easter Island) show the dangers of ignoring sustainability.

• Future architecture must integrate passive design strategies to minimize reliance on active energy systems.