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Sustainable Design Is Evidence-Based Design Until Relatively Essay
Sustainable Design is Evidence-Based Design
Until relatively recently in human history, most buildings would have qualified as "sustainable," in the sense that they did not use fossil fuels for electricity or heating; and buildings were made with local material.
Now, the concept of sustainable design is more difficult to implement because it is viewed as not being cost-effective.
Evidence shows, however, that sustainable design IS cost-effective when it is done right.
The following case studies prove that sustainable design is evidence-based design.
The Providence Cancer Center
Emphasis on maximizing daylight
Reduces solar gain
Improves patient health due to connection with nature and outdoors
To reduce solar gain
Design shallow rooms and maximum window space for best light penetration
Glazing with low u-values, high visible light transmission
Design building orientation facing the best views of nature
Successful Outcomes
*Energy savings up to 87% during the day because of reduced solar gain
Overcoming Perceived Challenges -- need research to prove sustainable design works.
The School of Nursing and Student Community Center -- integrated design process and energy modeling
Designing within the Limits -- nature is unbalanced now; more storms and natural disasters, need to keep this in mind.
Grand Rapids Art Museum
Orientation to nature
Local materials and recycled materials
Maximize daylight
Energy efficient lighting
Energy efficient temperature and humidity control
Air quality without toxins
Water recycling system (gray water)
The Impact of Buildings
Buildings use the most energy
65% of all electricity, 36% of all energy, 30% of greenhouse emissions
30% waste output, 12% potable water consumption
The Wild Center, Natural History Museum Adirondacks
Preferred parking for hybrid cars
Water efficiency
Energy efficiency
Photovoltaics
Daylighting
Renewable energy
Enhanced indoor air quality
Impact of "Sick" Buildings -- Design Impacting Human Health
Acute Respiratory Illness
Allergies and asthma
Sick Building Syndrome (eye and nose irritation, headaches)
Impact of Design on Productivity
**Sick buildings lead to direct productivity losses
Productivity gains:
Air temperature (±3 deg often needed)
Better lighting
Lewis and Clark State Office Building (just images -- it used sustainable design and workers improved productivity -- 9% reduction in absenteeism
Cost Savings and Health Benefits Estimated from Improved Interior and Energy Efficiency
Reduced respiratory illness = $6-14 billion
Reduced Allergies and Asthma = $1-4 billion
Reduced Sick Building Syndrome = $10-30 billion
Improved Worker Performance from changes in thermal environment and lighting = $20-$160 billion
Total Cost of Energy in U.S. buildings = $70 billion
Dell Children's Medical Center of Texas
Importance to the ultimate design = improved pediatric services to the area
Source of…
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