Design Journal Entry - Module 3

The key topic of my building design, is surrounding ‘sustainability’. Therefore, out of the 4 elements listed below, this an ever present factor in all of the 4 goals set. However, the 4 goals have been chosen, to ensure that each of the remaining three elements is covered to some extent, keeping a balanced desing that addresses many issues including accessibilty, community and equality.

Goal 1: Energy Reduction (Sustainable/Operable)

Goal 2: Sustainable Building Materials (Sustainable/Buildable)

Goal 3: Green and Social Spaces (Sustaianble/Usable)

Goal 4: Sustainable Transport (Sustainable/Usable)

Goal 1: Reducing Energy Use

• Measure:  Site EUI (kBtu/ft2-yr)
• Targets:

According to ZeroTool, the baseline site EUI for a Convention Centre on Stanford’s campus, with 35,000 sq ft, is approximately 31 kBtu/sft/yr

• Minimally accepted value: 50% improvement on baseline
• Desired / target value: 80% improvement on baseline, in line with the 2030 Architecture Challenge (https://architecture2030.org/2030_challenges/2030-challenge/)

Stanford Located Convention Centre (35,000 sq ft) Site EUI Estimation

• Strategies:
• Reduce lighting through daylighting/natural light
• Window shelves to inrease natural light and solar tubes for upper floor
• Building orientation with heat-loading in mind
• Insulation materials used with high R values
• Triple glazed windows
• Natural ventilation and exit vents at higher levels
• Solar PV on the rooftop


Goal 2: Sustainable/Recycled Materials used

• Measure:  
• % of wood that is locally source and sustainabily harvested
• Targets:
• Minimally accepted value: 50% of wood used should be sourced from local and sustainable sources
• Ideally: 100% of wood sourced from local and sustainable practices
• Strategies
• Prioritize timber structural elements like trussess and facades
• Minimize use of concrete
• If concrete is used, recycled fly ash should be utilized
• Prioritize recycled materials, like recycled steel
• Prioritize ‘green’ building materials


Goal 3: Green and Social Spaces

• Measure:  
• Utilize LEEDv4.1 Credit Library (Point System)
• Targets:
• Minimally accepted value: Open Space Credit (1 point):
• Provide outdoor space greater than or equal to 30% of the total site area (including building footprint).
• A minimum of 25% of that outdoor space must be vegetated (turf grass does not count as vegetation) or have overhead vegetated canopy. The outdoor space must be physically accessible
• Ideally: Protect and restore habitat (2 points) + Open Space Credit (1 point):
• Using native or adapted vegetation, restore 30% (including the building footprint) of all portions of the site identified as previously disturbed
• Strategies:
• Vegetated roof, provide habitat and promote biodiversity
• Re-use local soils (in-situ instead of importing where possible)
• Vegetated landscape areas like gardens
• Greenwalls on facades
• Shaded seating areas for sense of community


Goal 4: Sustainable Transport

• Measure:  
• Utilize LEEDv4.1 Credit Library (Point System)
• Targets:
• Minimally accepted value: Bicycle Facilities (2 points):
• Provide short-term bicycle storage for at least 2.5% of peak visitors, but no fewer than four storage spaces per building.
• Provide long-term bicycle storage for at least 5% of all regular building occupants, but no fewer than four storage spaces per building in addition to the short-term bicycle storage spaces.
• Provide at least one on-site shower with changing facility for the first 100 regular building occupants and one additional shower for every 150 regular building occupants thereafter.
• Ideally: Electric Vehicles Charging (1 point) + Bicycle Facilities (2 points):
• Install electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) in 5% of all parking spaces used by the project or at least two spaces, whichever is greater.
• Strategies:
• Provide a Level 2 charging capacity (208 – 240 volts) or greater for each required space
• Ensure the building is well connected by public transport (close to bus stop)
• Provide storage space for e-scooters and skateboards/longboards
• Shelter bicycle storage to ensure seats remain dry during periods of rainfall