In module 3, we start to make our ideas more concrete, so the following are four main goals that are supposed to be accomplished through the life cycle of my Sustainable Built Environment Learning & Exhibition Center at Beijing. A specific rule of measurement is provided for each goal, and relative targets and strategies are listed as well. These goals are the result of brainstorm, and need further consideration, simplification, and optimization.
Goal 1: Increase the energy efficiency during operation and maintenance to increase sustainability
- Measure: We would consider the Energy Use Intensity(EUI) as a measurement.
Energy use intensity (EUI) is an indicator of the energy efficiency of a building’s design and operations. It is used in a number of different ways including to set a target for energy performance before beginning design, to benchmark a building’s designed or operational performance against others of the same building type, or to evaluate compliance against energy code requirements.
EUI is expressed as energy per square foot per year. It is calculated by dividing the total energy consumed by the building in one year by the total gross floor area of the building. To calculate EUI, energy used for one year must be converted from kilowatt hours of electricity or therms of natural gas to kBtu or GJ.
- Targets:
- minimally acceptable value: Reduce by about 30% EUI compared with the average EUI for similar Entertainment/Pubilc Facilities in Beijing or China.
- desired / target value: Reduce by around 60% EUI compared with the average EUI for similar Entertainment/Pubilc Facilities in Beijing or China
- Strategies:
- Utilizing natural light as much as possible.
- Apply positive solar heating design, such as installing Solar PV panels and heat exchangers, which transfer heat between two systems.
- Apply passive solar heating design.
Passive solar heating is the use of the sun’s natural ability to heat up spaces. Mid-afternoon sun shining through windows can heat up a house, and it is doubly efficient if the floors contain concrete floor pads and the ceiling contains insulation, which both store heat during the day to keep the home warm at night.
Goal 2: Reduce the total carbon emission to be environmental-friendly
- Measure: The overall carbon emission(kg CO2 per sq.ft) after applying a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment(LCA).
- Targets:
- minimally acceptable value: Reduce the carbon emmision by around 15% compared with other buildings with similar functionality and location.
- desired / target value: Reduce the carbon emmision by around 30% compared with other buildings with similar functionality and location.
- Strategies:
- Using environmental-friendly materials such as timber.
- Using as much reusable materials as possible considering the grave stage.
- Considering the availability of materials to derase the energy usage for transportation.
Goal 3: Providing a Natural and Ecological Greenfield Design
- Measure: the percentage of greenfield footprint compared with the total footprint (% sq.ft/sq.ft)
- Targets:
- minimally acceptable value: 30% greenfirld ratio
- desired / target value: 60% greenfield ratio
- Strategies:
- Utilizing roof planting and decorate the building with all kinds of plants, such as Boston ivy.
- Constructing a garden or greenfield at the middle of the center.
- Corporate with the National Botanical Garden, which is 15km away from the site, as the resource for plant exhibition.
Goal 4: Obtaining natural water resources and reuse them
- Measure: The percentage of reused water resources and natural resources over the total water usage.
- Targets:
- minimally acceptable value: 50%
- desired / target value: 80%
- Strategies:
- Applying a rainfall collection and purification system to collect natural water resources.
- Designing a water recycle system for the entire building.
