Raul Sanchez

Journal Entry For
Module 3 - Project Goals Targets & Strategies

Design Goal #1

  1. Design Goal: Sustainably Operable.
  2. Measure: It will be designed based on the EDGE Certification parameters for sustainability since it is more achievable based on its location in Ecuador. LEED parameters will also be taken in consideration.
  3. Targets: Achieve a very minimum of 30% reduction in energy consumption, 20% reduction of water usage and embodied energy of materials used for the building, compared to the baseline consumption in Ecuador.
  4. Strategies:
    1. The weather in Guayaquil, Ecuador, is sunny most of the year and the temperature barely goes lower than 24 degrees Celsius depending what month it is. The building will take advantage of the sunlight to minimize energy consumption. However, windows with low-e glass coating will have to be installed to not sacrifice the temperature inside the building for sunlight.
    2. 100% of LED lighting will be used to maximize energy savings. Including motion sensor and timers.
    3. Green roofs, walls insulation and VRF systems to maintain confortable temperatures inside the building. Also the orientation of the building will be set strategically to take advantage of air ventilation and sunlight.
    4. Low flows for toilets, showers and sinks to use only the necessary amount of water. If possible, a treatment system to be able to reuse water.
    5. 50% of the roof's area to collect stormwater.

Design Goal #2

  1. Design Goal: Sustainability in the Building's Materials and Environment. Being the example you want to see in the rest.
  2. Measure:
    1. Recycled or reused materials in the building structure and finishes.
    2. Building's compromise with sustainability and its engagement with the society to promote it.
  3. Targets:
    1. Reduce the amount of concrete needed in the building's structure. Concrete is the most common material used for structures in Ecuador, whether it is reinforced or not.
    2. offering recycling areas, green spaces and promote sustainability.
  4. Strategies:
    1. Use 30% of PFA in every concrete element of the building.
    2. Use recycled materials for windows frames and reuse flooring.
    3. Use bamboo as structural elements where possible. Bamboo's tensile strength allows it to be a good option to replace steel in some structures. Plant as many bamboo trees as needed to replace what is used.
    4. The building will replace regular trash cans with recycling cans to classify waste and recycle it. It will be a non-plastic building in every area. For example, restaurants will avoid plastic plates or cutlery; bamboo also works well in these cases.
    5. Offer access to bike routes with parking areas and pedestrian trails to promote healthy behaviours from visitors.

Design Goal #3

  1. Design Goal: Being a comfortable and enjoyable place for the visitors. Being "the place to be" and a "must go" building, with the hopes of raising the standards for new constructions. Also proving that a sustainable building can be as much as a "good business" than the rest.
  2. Measure:
    1. Return on Investment of the construction and its features.
    2. Visitors feedback
    3. Number of visitors per unit of time (month, year, etc)
    4. Time of construction.
  3. Targets:
    1. Quick ROI for the constructors or building owners.
    2. Being a place where people feel comfortable and feel the need to go back.
    3. Create a powerful visual impact and having pleasing spaces.
  4. Strategies:
    1. As mentioned before, installing some measure to lower water and energy consumption will provide savings not only in energy but also economically.
    2. Design the building with an impactfull architecture to astonish visitors with its facade and its interior areas.
    3. Architecture is also important to design pleasing spaces, green areas, take advantage of natural daylight and air ventilation, and maximize the usage area of the building. Comfortable spaces result in comfortable and satisfied people.