Design Journal Entry: Project Goals, Targets, and Strategies

Journal Entry For

Module 3 - Project Goals Targets & Strategies

An image from Living Building Challenge to start:

Goal 1: Net zero site energy

Measure: Energy usage and production data can be collected on site and monitored! I’d like the building to be able to zero out its net energy usage over a given season and not just annually, so I can ensure that the building isn’t buying energy in excess in summer, for instance, and selling energy in net in the winter (just an example).
Targets:

Minimally accepted target: 80% net energy reduction below baseline (can be calibrated using architecture2030 and similar)
Desired target: net zero site energy within any given season

I’d like to explore passive strategies for energy use reduction in addition to the proactive courses of action (like PV installation, and so on); this might include the design of thermal masses for heat storage, passive solar for heating in the cooler seasons, and so on. These strategies could play out a great deal within the architectural design of the space.
Obviously, I also need to consider the integration of a PV solar system and battery storage system into the electrical system.
Considering overhangs and natural shading options like bushes and trees can reduce cooling loads.
Switching to all LED lighting reduces energy usage as well as internal heat gains from lighting.

Measure: A preliminary cradle-to-gate building life cycle assessment can be conducted as soon as the conceptual design is finished and can be refined over time as information about material manufacturers and sources comes in. The overall performance of building can be compared to similar typologies through databases managed by organizations like SE2050
Targets:

Minimum accepted: 40% reduction in cradle-to-gate embodied carbon in final design from preliminary design
Desired target: 50% reduction in cradle-to-gate embodied carbon from buildings in same typological category

Focusing on different strategies for different structural materials, for instance:

Concrete: aim to use concrete with a high percentage of cementitious replacements like fly ash, GGBS, so forth
Steel: aim to use solely recycled steel produced with an EAF
Timber: aim to use as much ethically sourced mass timber as possible, as wood has biogenic storage capacity
Aluminum: don’t use aluminum lol

Envelope materials can also be chosen with intention; some materials like extruded polystyrene insulation for instance are known to be terrible for the environment and should be steered clear of
General strategies to reduce embodied carbon include sourcing primarily from local manufacturers as well; this is super important to reduce transport emissions

Measure: Implement visitor satisfaction and feedback surveys to assess visitor opinions directly but also use Living Building Challenge’s Standard as a guideline for design — how well the design fulfills the stipulations in the Standard is a good measure of design quality.
Targets: (this might be a bit hard to measure but…)

Minimum accepted: 90% visitor satisfaction and fulfillment of the majority of LBC’s guidelines for beauty, health and happiness, and equity
Desired target: 99% visitor satisfaction and hitting all targets set by LBC’s standards

Providing ample green space and views out to green space to promote well being
Using natural materials like timber for interior cladding as much as possible
Seated and standing areas should be balanced and comfortably spaced, so that visitors always have somewhere to rest, but are also encouraged to be active and interactive with the exhibit
Every space and experience in the exhibit should be ADA accessible if not better, and most experiences should be designed such that they can be appreciated by those who have difficulty seeing or hearing

Measure: Annual revenue and expenses is easily monitored when the museum is in operation, and it’s also important that the design itself stays under budget (design, engineering, materials, construction, timing) but is an attractive enough design that it entices visitors to come.
Targets:

Minimum accepted: budget overruns no more than 15% (since it’s pretty typical that project will come in over budget, I’d be happy with this)
Desired target: under budget design and construction and continuing annual profits!

Competent and careful project management to ensure things stay on schedule during design and construction can prevent budget overruns pre-operation
Competent accounting and keeping careful track of what attractions/events draw the most visitors in order to improve the exhibits will help with ticket sales, etc.