Sustainable Design

Sustainable What does it mean to be sustainable? ◦Of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged  Source: Merriam-Webster ◦Protection of natural capital

Health People spend 90% of their time indoors Indoor pollutant levels may be 2 – 5 times higher than outdoor levels EPA ranks as a top 5 health risk Costs billions in health care and lost productivity In US buildings:

Environment 39% of total energy use 70% of electricity consumption 35% of greenhouse gas emissions US buildings account for:

US Green Building Council Nation's foremost coalition of industry leaders promoting buildings that are: ◦environmentally responsible, ◦profitable, and ◦healthy places to live and work. LEED Sets high- performance criteria for: – Sustainable Sites – Water Efficiency – Energy & Atmosphere

Ways to Improve Efficiency Use orientation of building to control heat gain/loss ◦Solar energy for heating Use building shape (floor plan) to control air flow ◦Ventilation for cooling

Ways to Improve Efficiency Use materials to control heat ◦Mass thickness ◦Colors of floors/walls/ceilings ◦Surface Coverings Insulation/Air Tightness

Arch 226: Environmental Building Design The direct gain system makes overt use of solar geometry to ensure that sun reaches the thermal mass in the winter, and that shading devices prevent solar access during the months where cooling is the dominant issue.

Arch 226: Environmental Building Design

YMCA Burrows: Rear wall and mid wall are used for heat storage. North side is built into the earth. Mostly linear organization with spaces facing south.

Arch 226: Environmental Building Design

Use of central mass as a heating element