Design Journal Entry - Module 3

Journal Entry For
Module 3 - Project Goals Targets & Strategies

1. Design Goal: Reduce Energy Demand of our Built Environment

Measure:  Energy use intensity (i.e. kBtu / sqft)

Targets:

  • Minimally acceptable value: 80% reduction compared to regional average/median building type
  • Desired / target value: Net zero site energy consumption

Strategies:

  • South-facing building
  • Variable-speed heat pumps, or ground-source heat pumps
  • High efficiency LED lighting
  • High R-value insulation
  • Maximize daylighting by placing strategically placing windows and skylights
  • Maximize use of passive cooling and heating
  • On-site renewable energy such as photovoltaics
  • Green roofs, incorporate vegetation on building roof and facades as much as possible
  • Wind tunnel effect (having a walkway helps); look at Quan’s building; having an atrium, so hot air naturally flows out through the atrium; look into the predominant wind directions of the building site. Orient the building to maximize wind flow. Google search wind directions for building site.

2. Design Goal: Reduce Carbon Impact of our Built Environment

Measure: Cradle-to-grave embodied carbon of the building (i.e. GWP in kg CO2e)

Targets:

  • Minimally acceptable value: Reduction of embodied carbon of at least 10% compared to a baseline scenario with equivalent material types, function and energy performance
  • Desired / target value: Reduction of embodied carbon of at least 20% compared to a baseline scenario with equivalent material types, function and energy performance

Strategies:

  • Use concrete mixes with low carbon content; reclaimed structural streel; FSC certified timber
  • Use plant-based insulation, such as hemp and straw
  • Source local materials as much as possible
  • Use high recycled content rebar
  • Reduce use of aluminum, plastics, and foam insulation
  • Reduce waste by utilizing pre-fabrication as much as possible

3. Design Goal: Minimize Total Water Consumption

Measure: Total Annual Water Use and Total Annual Water Returned

Targets:

  • Minimally acceptable value: 75% of occupant water to come from captured precipitation or closed loop water systems
  • Desired / target value: 100% of occupant water use to come from captured precipitation or closed loop water systems (i.e. total annual water use - total annual water returned = zero)

Strategies:

  • Implement a greywater treatment system
  • Incorporate a rainwater harvesting system that converts rainwater to potable water
  • Incorporate a stormwater harvesting treatment that can either be treated and used, or reintroduced back into the local water source (i.e. low-impact development)
  • Utilize composting toilets, or high-efficiency toilets. Use waterless urinals too.
  • Use native vegetation only to reduce outdoor water demand
  • Capture condensation from building cooling system
  • EPA rated WaterSense fixtures only
  • Use Water-Smart landscaping