What is a “Green Building” Let me make my house as a “Green Building” !!!! What is a “Green Building” “Green” Buildings are high performance structures that also meet certain standards for reducing natural resource consumption  

Economics of Green Buildings Reduction in lighting energy requirements by at least 50 percent Cut heating and cooling energy consumption by 60 percent Reduced water consumption by up to 30 percent or more Lower building operating expenses through reduced utility and waste disposal costs Lower on-going building maintenance costs, ranging from salaries to supplies Increase worker productivity by six to 16 percent Higher property values and potentially lower lenders’ credit risk Higher building net income New economic development opportunities

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THE TERM VERTICAL FARMING???... Vertical farming is cultivating plant or animal life within a “skyscraper”, “greenhouse” or on vertically inclined surfaces.

Singapore’s first vertical farm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0X8E7MmeYL4&nohtml5=False

ADVANTAGES of Vertical farming Year-round crops. No winter and no need to wait for the right growing season. No weather issues. No crop failures due to droughts, floods, pests, etc. Organic by default. No herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers needed. Water-cycle neutral. No agricultural runoff. Smaller footprint. Less land is used. Existing horizontal farmland can be returned to its natural ecosystem. Potential electrical generation. Methane from composting non-edible waste can be converted into electricity. Reduced fossil fuel use. No diesel-burning tractors. Less shipping due to the farm’s proximity to urban centers. New sustainable environments. An urban center can be self-reliant instead of captive to massive traditional farming infrastructure. Provides the farms for traditionally difficult environments. For instance, vertical farms makes farming in the tropics, the Arctic, space, the moon, and other plants possible.

DISADVANTAGES of Vertical farming No proof of concept. Because the environment of a vertical farm is so self-contained, and actual profitable proof-of-concept would be nice. But there isn’t one yet. So far we’re at space elevator with this. Some technology isn’t ready. Lighting, recycling, and power generation are not prime-time ready yet. Especially LEDs. Requires a lot of electricity. There’s only so much sunlight you can reliably capture with a vertical farm. So you’ll have to rely a lot on artificial light. This is expensive. Depending where you live, it’s also environmentally harmful, as electricity may be generated using fossil fuels or coal. Cost Intensive. The initial phase will be cost intensive. Fewer variety of foods to grow . There will be only limited variety of plants/vegetables to be grown because not all plants are suitable in a controlled and limited environment.

What is weatherization of a building? Weatherization as defined by the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) differs in many ways from what is commonly called "weatherizing your home.“ It involves low-cost improvements like adding weatherstripping to doors and windows to save energy. Under this definition, it includes a wide variety of energy efficiency measures that encompass the building envelope, its heating and cooling systems, its electrical system, and electricity consuming appliances.

Principles of Solar Home Design Winter: Sun In: Orientation and Angle. Summer: Keep Sun out: Use of Eaves, shade zones, and color. Storage: Store warmth in the winter; store “coolth” in summer; keeps temperature even Weatherization: Keep warmth in in the winter and out in the summer. Air Circulation: For Cooling and Warming

Keep Sun’s Energy In: Weatherization

Let Sun In: Orientation of your house

Let Sun In: Direct Gain Glass: the magic solar heating technology

Conventional insulation

Insulation: Straw Bale: waste material (More insulation less heating and cooling needed)

Earth Plaster over Straw Bale

Insulation: Straw Bale: Holds in heat in winter and keeps it out in Summer.

Insulation: SIPs: Structural Insulated Panels OSB Board Foam Insulation

Solar Wall or Trombe Wall: Blocks Glare, Thermal Storage, Heat Control

Solar Wall or Trombe Wall The solar radiation heats the outside of the solar wall. The heat slowly passes through the massive wall, and arrives at the inside surface of the wall several hours later to provide heat in the evening. The glazed covering on the outside of the wall reduces heat loss, and allows more heat transfer to the inside space. The vents shown at the top and bottom of the wall in this diagram are optional -- they allow heat to be transferred to the living space earlier in the day than occurs with an unvented solar wall.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Solar Wall or Trombe Wall Most flexible solar option: they work in mild climates as well as in extreme cold. Even be used to cool a building instead of heating it. Stop sun drenching, reducing glare on furnishings. Ideal for home offices, television rooms, and dark bedrooms. Work best for nighttime heating, though they are flexible. They are attractive when viewed from outside or inside. Disadvantages Add to construction costs, partly because of the glazing but mostly because the foundations need to support significant extra weight. Can lose a great deal of warmth at night unless they are insulated. Covering them every night can be a real hassle, especially with external rigid foam panels (you have to go outside in winter). They reduce daylighting and access to panoramic views.

Trombe Wall with Windows

Let Sun In: South Facing Windows

Let Winter Sun In: Clerestory Windows

What is a Clerestory Window? Pronunciation: Clerestory is pronounced clear story. A clerestory is a high wall with a band of narrow windows along the very top. An upper zone of wall pierced with windows that admit light to the center of a lofty room

How to Keep Summer Sun Out?

Strategic Use of Eaves in Roof designs : Using Seasonal angles to our advantage “Designing with Nature”. Two foot eaves work well.

What are Eaves? the part of a roof that meets or overhangs the walls of a building.

Summer Sun Out Key: Vertical Glass, not skylights Summer sun angle

Eaves to Keep Summer Sun Out: Let Winter Sun In Summer Sun Angle Winter Sun Angle

Porches, shade zones, strategically planted trees

Landscaping: Lots of Tree but strategically planted