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| Hybrid solar/wind system, 2400W windturbines, 4000W solar modules, island Zirje, Croatia (See Photo attributions below) |
In my architectural practice, I have consistently tackled critical environmental challenges, such as reducing carbon emissions from boiler chimneys, optimizing tallow fat collection in sewage systems, and ensuring effective monitoring and testing of wastewater treatment outputs. However, I found myself working without a comprehensive understanding of essential terms like carbon footprints, eco-friendliness, and sustainability. My knowledge was limited to concepts like clean smoke, pollution-free practices, and recycling. This realization inspired me to create a blog that serves as an informative resource for anyone keen on delving into the vital subject of sustainability, particularly in the realm of sustainable architecture.
OBJECTIVE
This blog serves as a vital resource on the topic of sustainability. Drawing primarily from the study materials I explored in a Sustainable Architecture course I completed through Alison, which also included insights from Swayan, an esteemed educational agency. I want to acknowledge these organizations for their invaluable contributions to my work and writings, and to this blog in particular. To enhance authenticity, my personal insights are added where I share some of my professional experiences, examples, and relevance that serve as commentaries on the study material excerpts.
I invite professionals, students, and ordinary individuals alike to join me on this journey of discovery. If you are passionate about learning more about sustainability and making a positive impact, this article is for you. Let's collaborate and grow together in our shared commitment to a sustainable future!
GREEN BUILDING SUSTAINABILITY CONCEPTS
1. CARBON FOOTPRINT
Referenced definition:
A carbon footprint is historically defined as the total emissions caused by an individual event, organization, or product, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent.
A measure of the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) and Methane (CH4) emissions of a defined population, system or activity, considering all relevant sources, sinks and storage within the spatial and temporal boundary of the population, system or activity of interest. Calculated as carbon dioxide equivalent using the relevant 100-year global warming potential (GWP 100).
Personal insight: As this is the definition I derived from the course I attended, I would rather add “buildings” or “green buildings” in the list in my quest to connect architecture into the concept in general.
This definition refers to a larger scale of Sustainable Built Environment as I have discussed in my previous article linked as follows:
THE SCALES OF SUSTAINABLE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
In relation to green building, this concept enables the measurement of the greenhouse gas emissions from building materials, construction, and operations. One good example of applying this concept in green building is the use of low-carbon materials like bamboo or reclaimed wood that reduces the carbon footprint of a green building. Please check out one of my older blogs that talks about reclaimed woods:
SUSTAINABILITY BEGINS IN THE KITCHEN, WOULD YOU BELIEVE?
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| Bamboo House designed by Kengo Kuma at Commune by the Great Wall (See attributions below |
2. ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT
Referenced definition:
This refers to the environmental impact determined by the amount of depletable raw materials and non-renewable resources consumed to make products (including structures), and the quantity of wastes and emissions generated in the process.
Personal Insight: As this definition specifically mentions about “structures,” it is well understood that the term “environmental footprint” is connected to sustainable architecture and green building as a subject matter. This concept enables the assessment of the total environmental impact (land use, resource depletion, pollution) of a building.
3. THE 3R’S OF SUSTAINABILITY
Reduce
Reuse
Recycle
NOTE: A very comprehensive definition of the aforementioned concepts of sustainability are provided in my previous blog article:
THE 3r'S OF SUSTAINABILITY AND ITS IMPACT IN SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE
4. CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Referenced definition:
A circular economy is an economic system aimed at minimizing waste and making the most of resources. In a circular system resource input and waste, emission, and energyleakage are minimized by slowing, closing and narrowing energy and material loops; this can be achieved through long lasting design, maintenance, repair, reuse, remanufacturing, refurbishing and recycling.
This regenerative approach is in contrast to the traditional linear economy, which has a take, make, dispose model of production.
Personal insights: This is quite similar to the 3Rs of Sustainability, although this one has more process in between. In relation to the green building concept, it promotes materials and resources staying in use longer. For example, designing modular buildings where parts can be dismantled and reused in new structures.
5. RENEWABLE RESOURCES
Referenced definitions:
From course material: Renewable resources are resources that have the capability to be naturally and organically replaced in a set time period.
Per Wikipedia: Definitions of renewable resources may also include agricultural production, as in agricultural products and to an extent water resources. In 1962, Paul Alfred Weiss defined renewable resources as: "The total range of living organisms providing man with life, fibres, etc...". Another type of renewable resources is renewable energy resources. Common sources of renewable energy include solar, geothermal and wind power, which are all categorized as renewable resources. Fresh water is an example of a renewable resource.
Personal insight: With green buildings, this concept emphasizes using resources that naturally replenish. For example, utilizing sustainably harvested timber or solar energy systems in design.
6. LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT
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| Photo attribution below |
Life cycle assessment is a technique to assess environmental impacts associated with all the stages of a products life from a raw material extraction through materials processing, manufacture, distribution, use, repair and maintenance, and disposal or recycling.
Per Wikipedia: Life cycle assessment (LCA), also known as life cycle analysis, is a methodology for assessing the impacts associated with all the stages of the life cycle of a commercial product, process, or service. For instance, in the case of a manufactured product, environmental impacts are assessed from raw material extraction and processing (cradle), through the product's manufacture, distribution and use, to the recycling or final disposal of the materials composing it (grave).
Personal insights: In relation to green building concept, it analyzes the environmental impacts of a building from material extraction to disposal. For example, choosing insulation with low life cycle emissions after conducting an LCA.
7. CRADLE TO GRAVE
Referenced definition:
Cradle to grave is the full life cycle assessment from resource extraction (cradle) to use phase and disposal phase (grave). For example, trees produce paper, which can be recycled into low-energy production cellulosed (fiberized paper) insulation, then used as energy-saving device in the ceiling of a home for 40 years, saving 2,000 times the fossil fuel energy used in its production. After 40 years, the cellulose fibers are replaced and the old fibers are disposed of, possibly incinerated. All inputs and outputs are considered for all the phases of the life cycle.
Personal insights: During my past work experiences, I frequently came across the term “cradle to grave” in engineering job descriptions. This phrase encapsulates a comprehensive work approach, where professionals are tasked with managing projects from the initial planning stages right through to completion. Not only did this clarify the expectations, but it also deepened my understanding of the term’s relevance in sustainability, highlighting the importance of a product’s life cycle in the process.
Concerning green building, it considers the full lifespan of building materials—from creation to disposal. Concrete is often assessed this way, from quarrying to demolition waste, for example.
8. CRADLE TO GATE
Referenced definition:
Cradle to gate is an assessment of a partial product life cycle from resource extraction (cradle) to the factory gate (i.e., before it is transported to the consumer). The use phase and disposal phase of the product are omitted in this case. Cradle to gate assessments are sometimes the basis for environmental product declarations (EPD) termed business-to-business EPDs.
Personal insight: Per green building concept, environmental impact is being evaluated from material creation up to its delivery. Another example is assessing the CO₂ emissions from manufacturing and transporting steel beams.
9. SERVICE LIFE PLANNING
Referenced definition:
ISO 15686 is the in development ISO standard dealing with service life planning. It is a decision process which addresses the development of the service life of a building component, building or other constructed work like a bridge or tunnel. Its approach is to ensure a proposed design life has a structured response in establishing its service life normally from a reference or estimated service life framework.
Then in turn secure a life-cycle cost profile (or Whole-life cost when called for) whilst addressing environmental factors like life cycle assessment and service life care and end of life considerations including obsolescence and embodied energy recovery.
Service life planning is increasingly being linked with sustainable development and whole life value.
Personal insight: In relation to green building concept, this refers to the design of buildings or complex projects to last longer with minimal repairs. For example, specifying durable roofing materials that withstand decades of wear.
10. DESIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Referenced definition:
Design for the Environment (DfE) is a design approach to reduce the overall human health and environmental impact of a product, process or service, where impacts are considered across its life cycle.
Personal insights: In green buildings, this concept integrates environmental concerns at every design phase. For example, orienting windows for natural daylight to reduce artificial lighting needs.
11. EMBODIED ENERGY
Referenced definition:
Embodied energy is the sum of all the energy required to produce any goods or services, considered as if that energy was incorporated or embodied in the product itself.
Personal Insights: In green building, this concept refers to all energy used to produce building materials. One good example is the choice of rammed earth walls, which have lower embodied energy than concrete.
Grange Porcher, former weaving mill, Le Curetet, Nivolas-Vermelle, Isère. Rammed earth wall.
(See photo attributions below)
12. ECODESIGN
Referenced definition:
Ecodesign is an approach to designing products with special consideration for the environmental impacts of the product during its whole life cycle. In a life cycle assessment, the life cycle of a product is usually divided into procurement, manufacture, use and disposal.
Personal insight: This refers to the design of green buildings with minimal ecological impact, such as those with green roofs that improve insulation and support local biodiversity.
13. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECT ANALYSIS
Referenced definitions:
One instrument to identify the factors that are important for the reduction of the environmental impact during all life cycle stages is the environmental effect analysis (EEA).
For an EEA the following are taken into account:
- Customer’s wishes
- Legal requirements, market requirements (competitors)
- Data concerning the product and the manufacturing process.
Personal insights: With the green building concept, this refers to the evaluation of how building choices affect air, water, soil, and ecosystems. For example, conducting
environmental impact assessments before constructing near wetlands to avoid ecological disruption.
14. WATER FOOTPRINT
Referenced definitions:
The water footprint shows the extent of water use in relation to consumption by people.
The water footprint of the individual, community or business is defined as the total volume of the fresh water used to produce the goods and services consumed by the individual or or community or produced by the business. Water use is measured in the water volume consumed (evaporated) and/or polluted per unit of time.
A water footprint can be calculated for any well-defined group of consumers (e.g., an individual, family, village, city, province, state or nation) or producers (e,g,. a public organization private enterprise or economic sector), for a single process (such as growing rice) or for any product or service.
Personal insights: In the green building concept, this involves the measurement of water usage in construction and operation. For example, the installation of low-flowfixtures and greywater systems to reduce water consumption.
15. CARBON OFFSET
Referenced definition:
A unit of carbon dioxide equivalent that is reduced , avoided, or sequestered to compensate for emissions occurring elsewhere (World Resources Institute).
Personal insight: In relation to green building, it compensates for unavoidable emissions during construction or operation. For example, purchasing renewable energy credits to offset emissions from HVAC systems.
16. OZONE DEPLETION
Referenced definition:
Destruction of the earth’s ozone layer by the photolyctic breakdown of chlorine and/or bromine containing compounds (chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs) which catalyctically decompose ozone molecules. Commonly used as refrigerants, CFCs have been found to damage the stratospheric ozone layer, creating holes and allowing harmful ultraviolet radiation to leakthrough.
Personal insight: In green buildings, this is related to the use of refrigerants and insulation materials. For example, avoiding ozone-depleting substances like certain HFCs in HVAC systems.
17. SICK BUILDING SYNDROME
Referenced definition:
A building whose occupants experience acute health and/or comfort affects that appear to be linked to time spent therein, but where no specific illness or cause can be identified. Complaints can be localized in a particular room or zone, or may be spread throughout the building and may abate on leaving the building.
Personal insight: In green buildings, sick building syndrome is caused by poor indoor air quality or off-gassing materials. One good solution is the use of non-toxic, low-VOC paints and ensuring proper ventilation.
18. CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (CFC)
Referenced definition:
Stable, artificially created chemical compounds containing carbon, chlorine, fluorine and sometimes, hydrogen. Chlorofluorocarbons, used primarily to facilitate cooling in refrigerators and air-conditioners, deplete the stratospheric ozone layer that protects the earth and its inhabitants from excessive ultraviolet radiation.
Personal insights: In green buildings, this refers to substances that used to be common in cooling systems. One solution is replacing old HVAC systems to eliminate CFCs and protect the ozone layer.
19. GREENFIELD AND BROWNFIELD
Referenced definition:
The Greenfield project means that a work which is not following a prior work. In infrastructure the projects on the unused lands where there is no need to remodel or demolish an existing structure are called Greenfield projects. The projects which are modified or upgraded are called Brownfield projects.
Personal insight: In green buildings, site selection impacts environmental sustainability. For example, redeveloping a brownfield site reduces urban sprawl and utilizes existing infrastructure.
20. ENERGY PERFORMANCE INDEX (EPI)
Referenced definition:
Energy Performance Index (EPI) is total energy consumed in a building over a year divided by total bult up area in kWh/sqm/year and is considered as a simplest and most relevant indicator for qualifying a building as energy efficient or not.
Personal insight: In green building concept, this refers to the measurement of the energy efficiency of a building. For example, a high EPI rating indicates better energy performance and lower operational emissions.
21. CIRCLES OF SUSTAINABILITY
Referenced definition:
Circles of Sustainability is a method for understanding and assessing sustainability, and for managing projects directed towards socially sustainable outcomes. It is intended to handle, seemingly intractable problem such as outlined insustainable development debates.
Personal insight: In green buildings, particularly in urban development, there are four dimensions considered in this concept: economic, ecological, political, and cultural. For example, designing community-oriented housing that is energy-efficient and culturally inclusive.
FINAL THOUGHTS
After learning about the various concepts involved in sustainability, I realized just how vast the subject is. I was finally able to identify where my work assignments fit within this framework. I recently became familiar with the term "Carbon Footprint," which relates to the boiler exhaust chimney project I completed. I know I could have done better in that project, but I believe it’s never too late to learn. Sharing my knowledge and experiences through my blogs about sustainability helps encourage others to engage in advocacy that holds significant value for future generations. It’s definitely worth it!
JOEY CASTANEDA
Sustainable Architect
Link in account for architectural works.
Citations:
https://alison.com/
Photo attributions:
Grange Porcher, former weaving mill, Le Curetet, Nivolas-Vermelle, Isère. Detail of the frame and wall rammed earth. (By Wikimedia Commons : Hélène Rival, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=78366129)
Cover Photo: Hybrid solar/wind system, 2400W windturbines, 4000W solar modules, island Zirje, Croatia (Nenad Kajić / Veneko.hr, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)
Bamboo House designed by Kengo Kuma at Commune by the Great Wall (By AsAuSo - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=93097579)
Lifecycle Assessment Framework: lecture material, SWAYAM: https://onlinecourses.nptel.ac.in/
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