Design Project Check-In: Project Goals, Targets, & Strategies

Journal Entry For
Module 3 - Project Goals Targets & Strategies

My Sustainable Built Environment Learning & Exhibition Center will be located near the Stanford Dish which is near our campus. My goals for this building are listed below:

Goal 1: Operable - Reduce the overall building energy usage.

Measures:

  • The energy use intensity (EUI) for the building will be used for measurement.

Targets:

  • Minimally acceptable value: 70% reduction in EUI compared to the baseline EUI.
  • Desired/target value: Net Zero Site Energy (the building is able to generate as much energy as it is going to consume on site).

Design Strategies:

  • Solar panels will be maximally utilized on-site to convert solar energy into energy that can be used for the building’s operations.
  • At the early stages of the building design, the building will be oriented in different directions and be tested to maximize the energy efficiency of the building using passive solar design.
  • Utilize thermal masses in the building to absorb and release heat at appropriate times.

Goal 2: Usable - The building should provide excellent views of the surrounding environment for its users and should maximize the user’s satisfaction.

Measures:

  • LEED for Building Design and Construction, Indoor Environmental Quality points
    • Focuses on categories: Interior Lighting, Daylight, Quality Views

Targets:

  • Minimally acceptable and the desired target: earn full points in all the categories listed above.

Design Strategies:

  • Utilize natural lighting and daylight as much as possible.
  • Maximize the number of unobstructed views looking out the building’s windows.
  • Design the building to look compatible with its surrounding environment.
  • Design the building to be compatible with its surrounding environment and provide open spaces for users to relax and enjoy the building’s surroundings.

Goal 3: Sustainable/Buildable – Construct the building sustainably.

Measures:

  • How much embodied carbon is reduced by using the designed building materials compared to the average amount of embodied carbon generated by this type of building construction?

Targets:

  • Minimally acceptable value: 80% reduction in carbon emissions (AIA 2030 Challenge).
  • Desired/target value: achieve carbon neutral (AIA 2030 Challenge).

Design Strategies:

  • Use sustainable building materials, such as mass timber and bamboo.
  • Use recycled materials wherever they are applicable, such as recycled concrete.
  • Utilize innovative low-carbon materials, such as zero-negative concrete.
  • Preferably use locally sourced materials that do not require long-distance shipments.

Goal 4: Sustainable – Give back as much green space to the environment as taken.

Measures:

  • Green Area/Building Footprint (sq. ft / sq. ft)

Targets:

  • Minimally acceptable value: 50% of the green area should be designed within the building’s footprint.
  • Desired/target value: 80% of the green area should be designed within the building’s footprint.

Design Strategies:

  • Grow plants on the terrace, sidewalks, and building walls.
  • Design an indoor garden.