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GREEN ARCHITECTURE AND SUSTAINABILITY

Passive/Low-energy Architecture

Dr. Zebun Nasreen Ahmed


Energy efficiency - a vital goal
conventional energy reserves are limited
pollution effects of over-consumption
related phenomenon of climate change

Zebun Nasreen Ahmed, Professor,


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Architects responsibility
Because buildings are the major consumers of
energy

This talk highlights areas where Architects can


contribute to energy efficient and
environmentally friendly surroundings, aiming
towards a sustainable future.

Zebun Nasreen Ahmed, Professor,


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Development Priorities in Third
World Countries
core poverty issues providing food,
shelter, health and education
built environment on a demand basis at
lowest cost options
environmental effects ignored in favour
of immediate demand
Compromises energy efficiency

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Architect the problem solver
responsible for the entirety of the built environment
decisions regarding
space planning
functional layout
technical solutions
aesthetics
within budget, and other constraints
CONSIDERATION BALANCING COMPROMISES

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Other Authorities/Players
Architects not alone in development
Planners
Policy makers politicians
Government Authorities
Etc

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Sustainability vs Energy-
consciousness
Sustainability ability to exist without
infringing on the rights of future generations
broader concept involves intangible
issues, like equity, participatory development,
pride of place
energy consciousness is only one aspect of
sustainability

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Energy Conscious Design
Energy implications at every stage of building
life-time
Pre-construction phase materials are
manufactured and transported to site
Building occupancy phase energy to make
habitable, functional and comfortable
Dismantling phase - dismantled and disposed
off back to the environment.

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Pre-construction phase
Building materials consume energy
in the manufacturing process
for transportation
maintaining interior environments due to
physical properties - U value, thermal capacity
dismantling and return to the environment
pollution from building material waste

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Environmental grading of building
materials
Local organic materials, say that available
within a small radius of the site
Less transportation
Easier to dispose
But over-utilisation can decrease productivity
of natural woodlands and biodiversity

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brick and concrete
Brick fields pollute
but ingredients almost wholly local
Concrete is less polluting
but raw material mainly imported
Environmental cost of transportation
+
Depletion of foreign currency reserves
Affects equity factor of development

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Dismantling phase
dismantled and disposed off back to the
environment
non-biodegradable building material waste
pollutes
absorption into environment
Organic materials

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Building Occupancy phase
Major part of energy budgeting
Building as an environmental filter
Letting in positive aspects of the surrounding
environment, keeping out negative aspects
Architect sorts out desirables from
undesirables

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Conflicts under Dhakas climatic
context
Desirables are:
ample air movement (southerly)
adequate daylight
privacy
Undesirables are:
heat/radiation effects (south + west)
rain, dust, noise, pollution, bad views
The informed Architect strikes balance between these
conflicting requirements
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Conflicts

Solar radiation high values on


southerly and westerly directions
Window size to be reduced on south
Ventilation predominant wind
direction during hot months from
southerly directions
Window size should be as large as possible
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More Conflicts
Solar radiation in general requires small
windows
large energy needs for cooling spaces (say a
2KW air-conditioning system)
Daylight in general requires large windows
low energy need for lighting (for example 40W
fluorescent lamps)

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Shading also creates conflicts

Be neficial effects
Cuts off solar radiation
Cuts off direct sky view, therefore glare
Can be used as light shelf to diffuse light
But creates problems because
Cuts off daylight
Acts as wind barrier
May become radiation trap, reradiating
long-wave radiation when cooler
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Conflicts in Privacy, Security and
Viewing requirements
Windows provide views
But privacy problems may arise
Windows are potential weak links in the
building envelope can hamper security
Privacy and Security needs conflict with
daylight, ventilation and viewing needs
Viewing needs conflict with solar radiation,
privacy and security needs
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The Architect aims to

Maximise use of passive energy


available natural resources, through design
Minimise use of active energy
But active energy may still be used for
Lighting, heating, cooling
Cooking
Keeping supply of water constant
Mechanical and technical appliances, etc
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Wind force as passive source

Urban wind profile shows very high


velocities at heights
Potential in high rise to use both wind
force and thermal force
Stack effect because of heights
Wind tunnel effects and wind scoops can
be generated

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Stack effect

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Low energy options
Lighting
Consume substantially less energy
High initial installation cost
Returns after short pay-back period
Gaining popularity
Architect needs to popularise such options
Incentives from authorities?

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Architect should explore
Alternative Energy sources
Solar energy
Expensive option
Building Integrated Photo Voltaics (BIPV)
Instead of stand-alone systems
Integrated into the walls and roofs as an
aesthetic element
Solar water heaters

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BIPV interior space
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Other building components using
alternative energy sources
Rain catchers to conserve energy
otherwise used for pumping
Biogas from human waste for cooking:
especially in large high density
development

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Architects can only manipulate 3
basic issues
Whether the need is to heat, cool or
provide daylight
the basic form of a building in its location
the arrangement or layout of its spaces
the type of construction/material to be
employed
But the Architect is not the only player in
the bid to make buildings energy efficient
Zebun Nasreen Ahmed, Professor, BUET-
energy efficient architecture
Other Related Factors
Planning considerations
Each building relates to a particular context
Typical development has Uniform set-backs
and left-over spaces

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Typical residential development:
little scope for manipulation
First row
Poorobstructs
Poor
Orientation utilisation
quality of
of roadofwind
notbreeze
outdoor
flow spaces
taken to subsequent
into row
consideration

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Alternative development

Typical development has Uniform set-


backs and left-over spaces
BUT
Group ownership can be encouraged
Common neighbourhood spaces may be
developed by consolidating the outdoor
left-over spaces
Staggered rows to catch breeze
Legislated plantation
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Staggered rows to catch breeze

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Alternatives

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The Role of Government and
Authorities
Introducing Contextual Standards
Legislation and proper/ corruption-free
monitoring
Incentives and Awards for Energy Efficiency
Educating the Public
Long Term Planning Decisions

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Conclusive Remarks
Architects role/responsibility is vital
Needs to be well versed in energy issues
addressed at all levels of design from drawing
board to implementation
Involves diverse issues
But other related professionals and authorities
should also be involved

Zebun Nasreen Ahmed, Professor,


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The Architecture of Energy
Efficient Buildings

Thank you

Zebun Nasreen Ahmed, Professor,


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Energy efficient Water management
Rain water management collection at levels
so that gravity flows can be used instead of
pumping
Half flushes approx 1/4th of consumption
Movement sensors
Solar water heaters with kitchens and toilets
for preheated water
Solar water heater

Preheated water to save heating energy requirements


Green roofs for water management
Storm water management reduces runoffs
Keeps roof temperatures down important
for tropical areas
Promotes healthy environments by controlling
buildup of CO2.
Provides community space in dense urban
situations
Green roof . . .

http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/green-roof-save-money-
1.jpg

www.toronto.ca/greenroofs/what.htm
Syllabus
Part 1
Conceptualizing green architecture

Introduction. Key concepts. Climate-change


and ecological issues. Fit with practice
Dangers of unsustainable development.
Growth without limits. Recycling and
managing resources
Environment, equity and economy the 3 Es
of Green architecture. Definitions and
relationships, Carbon foot-print.
Life-cycle considerations, social sustainability,
Local vs Global
Syllabus . . .
Part 2
Greening architecture theory / background
Site sustainability
Low energy architecture designing to utilize sun, wind,
rain
Water Efficiency and management, Rainwater
harvesting, solar water heating
Building Materials embodied energy and sustainability
Indoor environmental quality daylighting and
ventilation
Use of simulations a tool for decision-making
Renewable energy use in buildings, solar and wind, BIPV
Low energy appliances, energy and resource saving
options
Syllabus . . .
Part 3
Green architecture applications
Case studies to demonstrate green building
measures and state-of-the-art technology.

Workshops
Workshops to accompany each of the parts
presentations related to literature reviews,
field work and applications of theory
Key concepts

Green Architecture
Sustainability
Energy Efficiency
Climate Change
Carbon Footprint
Social Responsibility
Conservation of materials and energy
Green Architecture

The practice of increasing the efficiency of


buildings and their use of energy, water, and
materials, and reducing building impacts on
human health and the environment, through
better siting, design, construction, operation,
maintenance, and removal taking into
account every aspect of the complete
building life cycle
Green Architecture
A completely new approach to design
Takes into account the interconnectedness of things.
A process design is visualised not as a stand-alone, one-off
exercise but as a linked component in a larger framework
where the existing state will be altered forever
Not limited to energy efficiency, or passive design, where
resource use is optimised
Architecture becomes part of the wider ecological framework
Green considerations begin at the very inception of the design,
and include the entire life cycle of its existence
Resource efficiency and sustainability considered at every stage
Broader considerations also include economic and social issues
http://img.weburbanist.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/green-building.jpg
http://media.onsugar.com/files/2011/04/14/0/88/881993/fdd718cf86631994_green_architecture_design.jpg
http://images.businessweek.com/ss/06/07/wow_green/image/0noumeaintro.jpg
http://gliving.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/chicago-green-city-hq-002.jpg
Need

It is the intelligent choice


Saves on resources, which are limited
Reduces energy consumption and CO2 levels
Over-consumption and development related to
environmental degradation
Raises temperatures, mean sea levels causing climate
change
Development must be sustainable and we need to
preserve resources for future generations, to keep the
environment pollution free, and to preserve biodiversity
Advantages of going Green
Though every green measure conceived involves higher initial
effort, in terms of ideas and expenses, its advantages are
unquestionable.
Reduces consumption of electricity and water
Conserves energy and carbon footprint
Creates better indoor air quality
Leads to increased comfort and satisfaction
Increases performance /production for occupants
Ensures more business, greater profits and better working
environment gains for all stakeholders
Pay-back periods calculated for most green measures life cycle
consideration gives savings in the long run
Climate-change

CC significant changes in key climate variables


Rising temperatures
Precipitation and moisture levels
Snow cover extent of land and sea ice Rising Mean Sea
Level
Patterns in oceanic and atmospheric circulation
Manifested in:
Freak weather events
Loss of biodiversity
Non-renewable fuel sources
Climate-change

Green house gases


Rising temperatures
Rising Mean Sea Level
Freak weather events
Ozone depletion
Loss of biodiversity
Non-renewable fuel sources
Climate Change - extremes

http://www.lawandenvironment.com/uploads/image/_41435182_drought416.jpg
Climate Change - extremes

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01509/climate-change_1509200c.jpg
Climate Change - extremes

http://www.dailyinterestingfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Climate-change-facts-flood.jpg
Climate Change - extremes

The Mighty Jamuna River. Now dwindling to nothing.

Photo Credit: Mirza Shakil, The Daily Star, 27 May 2014


Ecological issues

The Earths balance is fragile.


Our interventions compromise the balance.
Our responsibility cannot be denied.
Concept of cradle to cradle
It is not enough to minimize effects of
intervention we must try to increase the
positives
The future has to be Green to be sustainable
Workshop assignments
Review literature WEEK ONE
The Bruntland Report Our Common Future
Climate Change Conferences, Kyoto Protocol,
Rio, Durban, etc Conferences
Cradle to Cradle
Analysis WEEK TWO
Connecting goals set by these conferences/
publications to combat the status-quo and
things that architects can do.

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