WEEK 2
Wk 2 9/02-9/06/2019
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Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
At the end of this week, learners will be able to :
· Describe Low Tech/High Tech Sustainability Solutions
· Describe Sustainability Rating Systems/Tools
Learning Activities:
Participate in Blackboard Discussion
Readings:
Book chapter:
Shedroff, N (2009). Design is the Problem Chapter 3
Article: Energy efficient design cleaner and greener energy technology.pdf
LEED 2017 for New Building and Construction/LEED Version 4 Click on Tab to get this document.
Learning Objectives
ASSIGNMENT :
Approaches to Sustainability
1. Compare two approaches to sustainability, can either approach mitigate the effects of climate change?
Natural Capitalism chapter3(1).pdf
Tip: Please remember to add a subject line to your post. Use descriptive subject lines for your posts; some find it easier to write the subject line after writing the post.
Submit your response to the discussion board in a 300-500 word narrative. Your response should clearly relate to the aspect of both questions and an understanding of the required readings. Be sure to apply the concepts you've learned in a meaningful way.
Afterwards, submit two-three 100-200 word responses to your classmates’ postings. Your response should explore ideas and provide constructive responses. Be sure to interact with all of your classmates during the term.
In total, you should have a minimum of 3 posts for the week.
Week 2 Cost of Sustainability
1. What does being Sustainable cost? Or does it cost?
2. When designing a building, why is it important to consider sustainable attributes
3. How is sustainability measured?
Assessement Framework of Building Facade Indoor therma comfort of green building idex.pdf
Fundamental elements of sustainable design.pdf
Tip: Please remember to add a subject line to your post. Use descriptive subject lines for your posts; some find it easier to write the subject line after writing the post.
Submit your response to the discussion board in a 300-500 word narrative. Your response should clearly relate to the aspect of at least one of the questions and an understanding of the required readings. Be sure to apply the concepts you've learned in a meaningful way.
Afterwards, submit two-three 100-200 word responses to your classmates’ postings. Your response should explore ideas and provide constructive responses. Be sure to interact with all of your classmates during the term.
In total, you should have a minimum of 3 posts for the week.
Due dates: ASAP
After writing these please see below 3 post of my classmates
POST 1:
Cost of Suatainability
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There is an initial cost of buying planet-friendly products, but they are offset in the long term. Living sustainable life is not ridiculously expensive, in some cases, it ends up being cheap than alternatives. And prioritizing sustainability saves us in the long run. As we know most of the changes that we make will require an initial cost, whether it’s to invest in keep cup, stop using plastic bags or to grow an indoor garden. The true cost of these items isn't just the price the business' pay, it's the introduction of the mentality that these items have no value and can be thrown away with little impact. However, the importance to consider sustainable attributes when designing a building because it can help minimize waste, conserve energy, and even save money. Also, sustainable tributes need to be integrated into all construction endeavors for the future of the earth. Besides, there is a potential interest and sensitiveness to having sustainable behavior in a broad sense, but there is a lack of knowledge about how to behave to be sustainable. The measurement of sustainable matters because of the increase in demanding for higher transparency on environmental, social and governance issues. This has generated a worldwide debate about best practice when it comes to the process of measuring and reporting on sustainable development. What we need is a global long term vision of a the sustainable world in which, by mid-century, 9 billion people can live thriving, peaceful and healthy lives and livelihoods, while safeguarding the Earth’s life support system, on which the welfare of current and future generations depends (a slight adaptation of the Brundtland definition). This vision for a sustainable future needs to recognize and balance basic needs for people and planet, such as People’s needs planet needs and energy Climate stability.
YOUR RESPONSE:
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POST 2:
The Sustainability of Sustainability
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When we consider financial obligations and economic purposes, most people immediately think of themselves in a relation to short-term effects, i.e., "how will this affect me within the next few days, months, or even years?" If we consider sustainability or even our effect on the planet in terms of finances, our immediate thoughts are of long-term investments and costs which seem greatly imposing to our short-term mind. Sustainable habits and behaviors do not cost anything when people put into perspective how much waste they create, e.g. using a vehicle less frequently, using organic products, careful dietary restrictions, etc. However, many of these habits pale in comparison to construction costs of carbon-emitting buildings or political repercussions in those who deny human effect on climate change. Being sustainable people costs nothing but a change in the way we think, but being a sustainable society costs financial burdens to those who influence the laws and those who decidedly ignore scientific information.
Sustainable practices are not new to us as designers, nor as human beings who existed prior to the establishment of our trade. As we progress through human history we become increasingly more responsible of our effect on the planet which has given us so much, to solely take advantage of her resources without giving back is purely disrespect and disgust. Many people outside of the architectural industry are well-aware of the influence our buildings have in terms of carbon emissions and smog creation in more industrial areas. As architects and designers, it becomes even more important to consider sustainable attributes since it is our designs and strategies which powerfully affect our environment. Our designs cannot be less than energy-saving, they must be flexible for design updates as well as durable so they may last longer to minimize new construction. We need to be more sustainable in our design approaches for the purposes of reducing our carbon footprint, generating the same or nearly the same amount of resources as we use from our site, and nearing the attempt to create a better future for the future generations.
Sustainability is measured by the performance of efficient and effective use of site location, water, energy, materials and resources conservation and indoor environmental quality. Site location is more than the coordinates where the building is to be developed; it is an organic interpretation of how the orientation of the building can effectively influence the lighting and ventilation of the spaces, while also considering the maximum parking development and roof design. Material consideration is important to reduce the utilization of "materials needed and reduce the quantity of waste produced through the implementation of a construction waste reduction plan". Overall, sustainable design is not an extra feature to be added but rather the integration and backbone of the building's character.
YOUR RESPONSE:
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POST 3:
Sustainability: the Highs and Lows
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When we talk about sustainability, it encompasses many facets of life. It touches on what and how we do things on a daily basis, such as using a reusable cup when we want our Starbucks fix. While that might seem like a very minute thing, all of the paper cups they use add up in landfills. According to earthday.org, there are roughly about 16 billion disposal coffee cups used per year. 16 BILLION!!! That's insane! If we average the price of those cups to about $5 each, that's $80 billion dollars that literally ends up in the trash. There are whole countries on this planet that don't have that type of wealth, yet here we are throwing all this money away.
The great news is, we can break that cycle. Many people have begun to take notice of our changing ecosystem and are taking a stand to help the environment. One of the biggest industries being architecture. As I mentioned before in my previous discussion thread, building is not something that's going to stop any time soon considering our ever-growing population. But we can use many of the things we throw away as recycled materials for construction components. There is one architect in Colombia by the name of Oscar Andres Mendez that designed (and built) some of the first recycled plastic "LEGO" homes to help the homeless population in his country. Not only are these homes eco-friendly and easy to assemble, but they are also fire and earthquake resistant. They are helping with water-use reduction, energy consumption, and CO2 emissions. I would consider this a high tech-low budget solution.
Over the years, we've seen many similar concepts and ideas emerge in the industry. With the various energy rating systems out and a push towards green building, many companies have opted to also integrate "low-tech" solutions to their projects. Things like 'passive solar energy' are quickly becoming a staple in most designs. All that means is that the architects are looking very intently at building positioning in context to the sun path around the site. Adding various shading methods such as trees or vined trellises to block UV rays from the sun during summer knowing that they will fall away during winter to allow all the natural heat in. When combining this methods with high-tech options like sun shades on timers, developers and homeowners can significantly reduce their electricity costs.
Using grating systems such as LEED will continue to further push the sustainability envelope. There are many countries now offering incentives to builders and developers that are following these rating systems. It is also beneficial for them (the cities) as they can use any excess energy produces by things such as solar panels. This means they can get away with burning less fuel to conduct power, making it a win-win situation. If we as future architects go forth with this mindset, we can guarantee a better future for generations to come. While we cannot undo the damage that has already been caused to our environment, we can certainly work to mitigate further damage and minimize our overall impact.
YOUR RESPONSE:
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