Design Journal Entry - Module 3

Goal 1: Reduce site energy use

• Measure:  Renewable energy generated each year compared to the energy usage in the building.
• Targets:
• The minimum acceptable value is 60% of the energy used in the building is generated by renewable energy in the building.
• The desired goal is net zero site energy.
• Strategies:
• To achieve this goal, I consider using the rooftop solar power system and using Dynamo to model and maximize the solar energy received each year by changing the orientation of the building and also implementing geothermal heat pumps to generate energy.
• Apply passive house and HVAC designs, and reduce energy consumption by minimizing the window conductive during winter and window solar during summer.

Goal 2: Reduce Artificial lighting

• Measure:  Artificial lighting energy consumption in the building per year
• Targets:
• The minimum acceptable value 30% reduction in artificial lighting compare to the baseline.
• The target is a 50% reduction in artificial lighting.
• Strategies:
• Model the exterior of the building and use large glass windows
• Find the best orientation of the building that could balance between the natural light shed into the building and the window conductive and solar values.
• Install solar tubes

Goal 3: Reduce embodied carbon in the building

• Measure:  Use the EC3 tool to calculate the total embodied carbon in the building and compare it to the baseline values provided in the EC3.
• Targets:
• The minimum acceptable value 80% reduction in embodied carbon compared to the baseline.
• The target is zero embodied emissions
• Strategies:
• Use renewable materials such as wood, bamboo, and hempcrete
• Use recycled material when possible
• Use locally sourced materials when possible
• Maximize material efficiency, only apply material when it’s needed
• Carefully choose the materials we tend to use by checking the environmental product declaration (EPD)