CD

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.