SUSD0003 Week 5: Reflection on readings

Energy Modelling: Early and often

https://www.buildinggreen.com/feature/energy-modeling-early-and-often

This article argues the importance of energy modelling is to support a low-energy project. In many cases a finished building will not perform energy-wise as it was designed to do. There are various reasons for this, but one of the sure fire way to combat this problem is to use modelling programs in the design process. Actually, models should be used before the design phase has even started, then to be continually updated at every given opportunity. The analysis produced by said models form a feedback loop towards the design process, making sure that the planned measures are realistic and up to the agreed target of energy savings. Thus why the title is EARLY and OFTEN.

Yet I have noticed that amongst the given reason of design inaccuracy were:

- Installed equipment different from what was intended

- Different occupancy pattern

-. Variable future conditions

I fail to see how those can be solved with modelling. Perhaps another solution is to make the design rather flexible to accommodate changes to occupancy, use, and perhaps future climate conditions. Even modelling cannot predict strange patterns and unexpected changes. Unexpected changes will most likely happen in a building's lifetime. If it was given certain amount of space to adapt to such changes, it might still perform decently under circumstances.

Baggs, David. Beyond Carbon Neutrality: Strategies for Reductive and Restorative Sustainability, Environment Design Guide, No. 64, Sep 2010

This article focuses on pointing out what we're doing wrong in terms of sustainability practice and how to improve it. In particular, Baggs argues the importance of restorative efforts and not just reductive. This means we as a global nation must not only reduce consumption of energy and materials to make a meaningful impact to the environment, but to help nature recover from the damage done to it. It is assumed that nature might be fully capable of healing itself if we reduce our exploitation, it is still better for all of us to aid in its restoration.

For the reductive effort, Baggs reminded us once again that the field of the Built Environment contributes much to the current environmental crisis. The building industry consumes a significant portion of the world's total material and energy usage. We as practitioners in said field have the capacity to reduce those numbers significantly. In a nutshell, the way to do accomplish that is to design intensely for a closed lifecycle (crade-to-crade) and to make one of such cycle last for as long as possible. On the other hand, the restorative measures focus on giving back what we can to nature, mostly trees (especially native ones) and water.

This article features convincing facts and arguments to adopt Baggs' new strategy of the 5Rs, in particular his use of diagrams. In addition, the suggestions/methods of applying such strategy was also put down neatly. If I have to nitpick a problem with this article, its that designers like me are the vast minority compared to all the stakeholders in this planet. It may not even matter if I design 6 rate green star buildings for everyone if none of them are willing to change how they live. Private consumption also include a large chuck of the total planetary material and energy usage. A building's performance also depends largely on how the occupant's use it. It does not matter if I design a market-leading sustainable apartment if the tenant keeps the air conditioning on 24/7 out of habit. It does not matter if I design a building to last for a century if the owner decides to demolish it and sell the land for a profit opportunity only after a decade. I believe changing ourselves, the way we live, and educating the general public as designers must be included in our strategy for sustainability.

SUSD0003 Week 4: Post session proposal (individual)

Here's my personal proposal:
Since we already have compulsory NABERS rating for offices, I figure we should do something similar but for residences. My reasoning is that while offices are significant spaces that are occupied quite a long time each day, residences should be longer occupied.

So my building scope: Residences (Apartments, houses, boarding houses, etc)

As an example, when I was applying to live in a college in campus I have no idea how green or sustainable that building is. If we can know how sustainable an office is we should be able to know how green our potential home is as well.

As for the rating type I believe that we should focus more on performance rather than design. We should give equal footing for older houses as long as they are willing to improve their performance.

Therefore type: Operations and performance. Possibly with optional design and construction for newer residences.

I know this sounds very similar to NABERS but remember that residences are much more diverse than offices. We have to create a rating that is fair with considerations to the local conditions, age of the house, pattern of living, other specific needs.

SUSD0003 Week 4: Rating Systems

This week the discussion was about how to rate sustainability, which is difficult as there is no universal quantity and that the term "sustainability" itself has many different meanings depending on the context.

The common way of solving this is through the use of Rating Systems. There are many different variations of these systems usually to suit the local needs. There is no single rating system that can measure or encompass everything, that is why we need many more ingenious methods to rate the sustainability of spaces. 

Perhaps we should not limit ourselves to the built environment. Perhaps we should rate cards and other commonly used products as well. Why can't the widespread system used in buildings be used in say, cars. We not only want to know how sustainable our everyday facilities are, but also how comfortable they are to us. If packaged food has labels why can't cars have them as well? And not just say the amount of distance a car can get for every litre of gasoline but other more detailed variables such how much of the car itself can be recycled when it is time for it to be destroyed.

SUSD0003 Week 4: Pre-session reflection “Are we ready for Zero Carbon Buildings?”

https://sourceable.net/zero-carbon-buildings-but-are-we-ready/


This article, as well as many others I have seen, discusses the need and the logic to adapt sustainable measures in new buildings. Specifically, the buildings need to be designed to operate with no net energy or even positive energy.

According to Dr Prasad there are two barriers to adapting this measure: economics and human attitude. Even though in the long run running a zero carbon building means more savings or less money spent compared to a regular one there are still many who do not willing to spend more capital on the initial cost. It seems that significantly lower operating costs is not enough incentive economically. This makes sense, as sometimes one must ask where does the money come from? It is easier to spend more later along the way than one big bill in one go. The other factor, attitude, is perhaps simply our reluctance to adapt or maintain a significantly different environment than the ones we're used to. Most likely living in a sustainable home means we have to go without certain comforts such as 24/7 heating or cooling.

The suggested two ways to overcome this is to give both regulations and incentive. Compulsory vs voluntary. Of course we would prefer to make changes in our own pace. But considering the global climate crisis that we are getting ourselves into it seems good that we have something to nudge us loser to full sustainability.

SUSD0003 Term Project: Proposal

Term project SUSD0003

Editha Supangkat z3413866
Term 2, 2016

For the purpose of this assignment I wish to create a comprehensive guide in the complete life cycle of a mix-use office. The cycle will include procurement/design, construction, operations, maintenance, and the eventual demolition or refurbishment. I believe bringing attention to all of these aspects is important as every single step has the potential or at least the capacity to affect energy consumption, both embodied and operational.

Areas of focus per stage will be as follows:

Procurement/Design

As I am studying Master of Architecture this section will be the one that I dissect the most. The design process will mostly focus on implementing contemporary methods to reduce energy consumption and quite possibly make the building self-reliant. The appropriateness of the measures will be analysed in comparison with the size and specific program of the offices. Other options such as material choice and flexible layout to make the building last longer might also be discussed.

Construction

This part focuses on lowering the embodied energy that is built into the project. While the materials might already be decided in the previous stage the source has yet to be determined. This part of the guide will include choosing both the lower embodied energy materials and also the ones that take the least energy to be delivered to the site. For a social sustainability aspect choosing materials from responsible sources is also crucial. In addition, the construction methods itself may be scrutinised, such as comparing in situ concrete to pre-fab concrete. There is also a possibility of creating a guideline for construction that will be easily dismantled when necessary in the future.

Operations/Maintenance

Creating regulations and incentives for both landlord and tenants to lower energy usage while keeping or raising productivity levels. Includes an analysis of the NABERS system to give said office space a higher rating to attract potential tenants. Of course, the guideline of how to use the sustainable design features as was discussed in the design section will be included here.

Demolition

Only done when there is no other choice. As per the design measures it is quite possible that the available building can simply be refurbished or renovated to suit a new program.

But if it must be destroyed and replaced then this section will focus on how to minimise wasted materials. It is quite possible that only a part of the old building need to be pulled down if parts of it can be incorporated into the new. Or, the possibility of recycling the materials depending on its current conditions and viability of recycling will be explored.

Precedent

As the template or basis of my guide I shall use the UNSW Tyree building as precedent. It is mostly an educational facility yet similar to an office based on the usage period, private spaces for academics and students, and includes other spaces that might be in a mix use building such as exhibition spaces, conference rooms, laboratories, and cafes. Furthermore, the Tyree building as 6 Star Green design certification due to implemented measures such as:

·        Tri-generation systems

·        Photovoltaic system

·        Thermal labyrinths

·        Bore water cooling/heating

·        Lighting controls

·        Night purge

·        Double glazing

·        Treated bore water

·        Metering

These sustainable features affect both energy usage and the behaviour of the inhabitants inside the complex, which quite possibly lower energy usage even more while increasing productivity.

SUSD0003 Term Project: Proposal

Term project SUSD0003

Editha Supangkat z3413866
Term 2, 2016

For the purpose of this assignment I wish to create a comprehensive guide in the complete life cycle of a mix-use office. The cycle will include procurement/design, construction, operations, maintenance, and the eventual demolition or refurbishment. I believe bringing attention to all of these aspects is important as every single step has the potential or at least the capacity to affect energy consumption, both embodied and operational.

Areas of focus per stage will be as follows:

Procurement/Design

As I am studying Master of Architecture this section will be the one that I dissect the most. The design process will mostly focus on implementing contemporary methods to reduce energy consumption and quite possibly make the building self-reliant. The appropriateness of the measures will be analysed in comparison with the size and specific program of the offices. Other options such as material choice and flexible layout to make the building last longer might also be discussed.

Construction

This part focuses on lowering the embodied energy that is built into the project. While the materials might already be decided in the previous stage the source has yet to be determined. This part of the guide will include choosing both the lower embodied energy materials and also the ones that take the least energy to be delivered to the site. For a social sustainability aspect choosing materials from responsible sources is also crucial. In addition, the construction methods itself may be scrutinised, such as comparing in situ concrete to pre-fab concrete. There is also a possibility of creating a guideline for construction that will be easily dismantled when necessary in the future.

Operations/Maintenance

Creating regulations and incentives for both landlord and tenants to lower energy usage while keeping or raising productivity levels. Includes an analysis of the NABERS system to give said office space a higher rating to attract potential tenants. Of course, the guideline of how to use the sustainable design features as was discussed in the design section will be included here.

Demolition

Only done when there is no other choice. As per the design measures it is quite possible that the available building can simply be refurbished or renovated to suit a new program.

But if it must be destroyed and replaced then this section will focus on how to minimise wasted materials. It is quite possible that only a part of the old building need to be pulled down if parts of it can be incorporated into the new. Or, the possibility of recycling the materials depending on its current conditions and viability of recycling will be explored.

Precedent

As the template or basis of my guide I shall use the UNSW Tyree building as precedent. It is mostly an educational facility yet similar to an office based on the usage period, private spaces for academics and students, and includes other spaces that might be in a mix use building such as exhibition spaces, conference rooms, laboratories, and cafes. Furthermore, the Tyree building as 6 Star Green design certification due to implemented measures such as:

·        Tri-generation systems

·        Photovoltaic system

·        Thermal labyrinths

·        Bore water cooling/heating

·        Lighting controls

·        Night purge

·        Double glazing

·        Treated bore water

·        Metering

These sustainable features affect both energy usage and the behaviour of the inhabitants inside the complex, which quite possibly lower energy usage even more while increasing productivity.

SUSD0003 Week 3: "Green" building

This week we learned about the sustainability indicators for a building that claims to be green:

Electricity
Water
Occupant's opinions

And of all the rating systems that were presented to us the one that was most appealing to me is NABERS. Compared to other ratings such as the commonly used Green Star, NABERS is a performance based indicator not one that is based simply on design promises. It must also be renewed every year based on the real bills the building gets.

I feel that this system of rating prevents greenwashing and excessive rebound effect as it pressures the owners and users to keep their promise to say it simply.

SUSD0003 Week 2: Critical Review

Beheading a duck?

In response to that article I posted this review on Moodle:

This article discusses the issue of wasteful use of electricity by Australians and how to subsequently tackle that. The solar adoption of solar panels in many Australian homes successfully reduces electricity load from the grid by a significant amount. Consequently there is now a significant peak in use of grid electricity at night. Pears argued that much of energy used is wasted, unnecessary, or at least preventable. To reduce this peak load, he suggested that homes should use the most efficient appliances and artificial lighting. Another way would to reduce the need of using such appliances, for example by keeping the house cool at daytime so that cooling will not be necessary at night. These measures will save a considerable amount of money from each household and billions of dollars across the country.

Pears supported his views and arguments thoroughly, using and analysing graphs from various reputable sources. That humanises the seemingly complicated statistics regarding energy use into easily understandable facts. In addition, his suggestions regarding how to reduce evening energy consumption at home are also logical and easy to grasp.

However, he did not truly detail how the Australian government or other institutions can should help households in reducing their electricity loads. Even though he did provide precedent from California, it might not work as well in Australia as it most likely is a different environment in terms of living habits, bureaucracy, and even the fuels used in generating the grid electricity. It will be fascinating to read what Pears think what scheme would work in the local Australian context.

Based on the UNSW requirements it seems to be a decent go at writing a critical review. Yet we must self-evaluate our own writing based on the marking rubric inside the course outline and based on that I can see that my attempt was very lacking. It seems that I must also use my own research and assumed knowledge outside of what is written in the article. I do not fully understand what "effective and academic quality written expression" really refer to but I intend to find out. I can apply all this into the coming report assessments so therefore improving my writing skills will be a worthwhile effort