“Green” Architecture
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Sustainable “Green” architecture, is a general term that describes environmentally-conscious design techniques in the field of architecture. Sustainable architecture is framed by the larger discussion of sustainability and the pressing economic and political issues of our world. In the broad context, sustainable architecture seeks to minimize the negative environmental impact of buildings by enhancing efficiency and moderation in the use of materials, energy, and development space. – Wikipedia.org
Historically speaking, building took into account many factors that the technology of today has let us overlook; Factors such as building orientation, natural light, using local materials and designing to minimize expensive excess, to name a few. Architects can specify tile that comes from Italy, steel that must be expensively procured, shipped and attached, and designing HVAC to overcome bad design so that everyone is comfortable. The question is why we have gone away from responsible designing and building techniques; because we are used to taking technology and what we are able to get for granted. Just because you can get something, does that mean you should? Architects like Frank Lloyd Wright were known for using site materials for construction and being “Organic Architecture”. That doesn’t mean they are sustainable structures, but many are very good examples of what could be done easily in today’s society to maintain environmental sensitivity. Not all sustainable buildings have to use expensive solar panels or windmills to be considered “green”.
Interesting Religious “Green” websites:
http://www.nccecojustice.org/grbuilding.htm
http://www.greenerbuildings.com
http://www.churchsolutionsmag.com/articles/3b1Feat1.html
http://store.churchlawtodaystore.com/creachdo.html
http://www.rca.org
Posted in Sustainable and tagged architecture, development, Discussion, economic, efficiency, environment, environmentally, green, history, natural light, orientation, Sustainable, techniques, technology by Studio Render with 24 comments.
Sustainable design brainstorm
The following is a brainstorm for designing a ZERO ENERGY residential structure in Detroit, Michigan that I used several years ago.
Standard electric resistance 52 gallon storage tank
Collector rated at an energy production of 45,600 Btu/day at the low temperature (95°)
WHITE ROOFS:
o Altering residences to white roofs may reduce cooling energy needs.
o Average 19% reduction
o White tile provides the best cooling related performance post WWII nearly all roofs were white
Super Efficient Refrigerator (Kenmore 55792)
PHOTOVOLTIC MODULES:
o Single crystalline modules have a maximum power rating of 75W
o BYPASS diodes are installed in each module to minimize loss due partial shading
Interior mounted duct system (R-5 flex ducts)
WIND POWER:
o One of the most promising new energy sources that can serve as an alternative to fossil fuel-generated electricity
o Wind Power COULD be our main source of electricity
§ 20% of supply with only 1% of the US land
o Large numbers of wind generators are required to produce useful amounts of heat or electricity
SOLAR POWER:
o The sun provides enough energy in 1 MINUTE to supply the world’s energy needs for 1 YEAR
o Used in 2 forms: thermal & photovoltaic
§ To warm building, heat water & generate electricity
§ Cell-module-panel-array-array field
o Non-polluting, no moving parts that could break down, requires little maintenance and has a life of 20-30 years with low running costs
o An average home has more than enough roof area to produce enough solar energy to supply all of it’s power needs
o The solar equipment will eventually pay for itself in 2-5 years depending on the amount of sun the location receives
REQUIREMENTS:
o KITCHEN-20 amp small appliance circuit
o APPLIANCES-separate circuits for built-in’s
o LAUNDRY-20 amp circuit with a 240-volt circuit
o OUTLETS-1 circuit for every 575 SF; any point must be within 65 feet for an outlet; maximum height for an outlet is 5.5 feet; any wall 2’ wide must have an outlet; hallway requires 10 foot/outlet
o BATHROOM-separate 20amp circuit
Posted in Sustainable and tagged brainstorm, check list, design, Discussion, environment, environmentally, green, ideas, Sustainable by Studio Render with 2 comments.
SIPs?
As architects we have great control over what products and processes are used in the construction of our environment. It is our responsibility to keep up to date with the latest innovations of the building industry and be receptive to change. It shouldn’t take a disaster like the Chicago fires to realize that a process may not be the best way of doing things. One of these “newer” innovations are structurally insulated panels or “SIPs” which is a more environmentally sound process than that of the stick & batt construction.
What is a SIP? According to the Structural Insulated Panel Association, “SIPs are high-performance building panels for floors, walls and roofs in residential and commercial buildings. Each panel is typically made using expanded polystyrene (EPS), or polyisocyanurate rigid foam insulation sandwiched between two structural skins of oriented strand board (OSB), but other surfaces are also available to meet your needs. The result is a building system that is very strong, predictable, energy efficient, and cost effective.” Some advantages of the products used in this process are that EPS will not shrink, decompose, or disintegrate; in addition the R-value will not decrease with age. The result is a solid insulator that is dependable and sustainable over the life of the structure. The process creates a very air tight construction that will not rot, is highly resistant to mildew and allows much less air infiltration than stick & batt structures. The foam core of the system allows for less air leaks, less noise and results in lower energy bills. This is due in part to the fact that unlike fiberglass insulation, the rigid core does not allow air to easily flow through it.
Posted in Sustainable and tagged building material, Discussion, economic, efficiency, environment, environmentally, green, insulation, SIPs, Sustainable, technology, wall system by Studio Render with 12 comments.
