Practice Exercise - Module 3

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Pedrollo, Lavinia
Journal Entry For
Module 3 - Project Goals Targets & Strategies
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Created
Jan 6, 2025 12:34 AM
Last Edited
Jan 6, 2025 12:34 AM
Created by
Glenn Katz

For this assignment, I have proposed the following design thinking process before completing the final homework request (bullet point 5):

  1. What are the major sustainability issues in NYC?
  2. What are sustainable design practices that can be applied in NYC?
  3. What are current sustainability policies in NYC?
  4. What are the most sustainable buildings currently in NYC?
  5. After answering the questions above, I have completed the “Practice Exercise: Create a new posting highlighting: your design intent/goals the measures and targets that you’ll use the design strategies you’re considering as you think ahead.”

The whole design thinking process described in the points above is documented here (feel free to use the PDF file, or the PPTX):

Lavinia Pedrollo Design Journal Week 2.pdf5513.6KB
Lavinia Pedrollo Design Journal week 2.pptx43393.5KB

To keep Notion up-to-date as well, I have included here the design goals that I proposed, as well as some reasoning behind selecting certain target goals. I highly recommend reading the entire content from the PDF for a comprehensive (and more aesthetically pleasing!) understanding. ✨

Design Goal 1: Total GCH Emissions Reduction

  • Measure: Global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, measured in metric tons CO₂e/yr
  • Targets:
    • Baseline value: 97 metric tons CO₂e/yr (see ZeroTool Calculations)
    • Minimally acceptable value: 30% of 97 metric tons CO₂e/yr = 29 metric tons CO₂e/yr
    • Desired / target value: 0 metric tons CO₂e/yr
  • Strategies:
    • Use of energy-efficient appliances and systems to reduce energy consumption
    • Incorporation of renewable energy sources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels (especially offsite due to space limitations)
    • Implementation of carbon capture technologies, like giant air filters or ionic liquids

Design Goal 2: Site EUI Reduction

  • Measure: Site Energy Use Intensity (EUI), measured in kBtu/ft²/yr
  • Targets:
    • Baseline value: 47 kBtu/ft²/yr (see ZeroTool Calculations)
    • Minimally acceptable value: 30% of 47 kBtu/ft²/yr = 1 kBtu/ft²/yr
    • Desired / target value: 0 kBtu/ft²/yr
  • Strategies:
    • Improve the building envelope with high-performance windows, insulation, and sealing to reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.
    • Upgrade to high-efficiency HVAC systems, like using variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems
    • Use LED lights as artificial lighting, which uses significantly less energy + implement daylighting controls that adjust the amount of artificial light based on the amount of natural light available
    • Use ENERGY STAR-certified appliances which are more energy-efficient.
    • Install an energy management system to monitor and control energy usage in real time. This can help identify inefficiencies and adjust systems for optimal performance.
    • Incorporate of renewable energy sources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels (especially offsite due to space limitations) and/or install solar panels or wind turbines on-site to generate renewable energy and offset energy consumption

Design Goal 3: Water Conservation

  • Measure: Water usage, measured in gallons per day (gpd)
  • Targets:
    • Baseline value: 70 gpd per person
    • Minimally acceptable value: 50% of 70 gpd per person = 35 gdp per person
    • Desired / target value: 20 gpd per person. This is a more ambitious goal that would require extensive water conservation measures, but it’s not unheard of in high-efficiency buildings
  • Strategies:
    • Install low-flow fixtures and appliances to reduce water usage.
    • Implement a rainwater harvesting system to collect and use rainwater.
    • Install a greywater recycling system to reuse water from sinks, showers, and laundry.
    • Use native and drought-resistant plants for landscaping to reduce irrigation needs.
    • Install a water meter for real-time monitoring and control of water usage.

Design Goal 4: Improve indoor air quality.

  • Measure: Indoor temperature, measured in degrees Fahrenheit (°F)
  • Targets:
    • Baseline value: 72°F per room
    • Minimally acceptable value: 68°F - 76°F per room. This is the generally accepted range for thermal comfort.
    • Desired / target value: 70°F per room. This is a more ambitious goal that would require extensive thermal control measures, but it’s not unheard of in high-efficiency buildings.

Strategies:

  • Install high-efficiency HVAC systems to maintain optimal indoor temperatures.
  • Implement a building insulation system to reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.
  • Install energy-efficient windows to minimize heat transfer.
  • Use smart thermostats for real-time monitoring and control of indoor temperatures.
  • (Optional) use of passive solar design techniques to take advantage of the sun’s energy for heating and cooling the building.

Zero Tools Calculations:

  1. First I located the zip code of my building in Forma
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  1. And then proceeded with the Zero Tools Calculations
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