Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ARCHITECTURE FOR A
SUSTAINED FUTURE
Written By
H.J.R.K.Jayasinghe
1
SUSTAINABLE
ARCHITECTURE FOR A
SUSTAINED FUTURE
Written By
H.J.R.K.Jayasinghe
(17 June 17, 2010)
2
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
The sustainable city is developed to respect and make the
most of natural environmental aspects, to conserve
resource use and to minimize impacts on the local and
wider natural environment.
The sustainable city is a regional and global city: no matter
how small or how large, its responsibilities stretch beyond
the city boundaries.
The sustainable city involves a broadly based, participatory
program of radical change, where individuals are
encouraged to take on more responsibility for the ways in
which their cities are run.
The sustainable city requires that environmental assets and
impacts are distributed more equitably than at present.
The sustainable city is a learning city, a sharing city, an
internationally networked city.
The sustainable city is not rooted in an idealized version of
past settlements, nor is it one given to a radical casting-off
from its own particular cultural, economic and physical
identity in the name of the latest passing fad for wholesale
urban change.
The sustainable city will seek to conserve, enhance and
promote its assets in terms of natural, built and cultural
environments.
The sustainable city presents tremendous opportunities for
enhancing environmental quality at local, regional and
global scales.
3
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
Executive summery
Sustainable architecture is a profound subject and use of this subject in the field
is also cover very large area, therefore it is difficult to discuss all the subject
matters and their practice in the field, using a report like this. However this is
most sought after topic to discuss, therefore it has been selected few major
areas where sustainable architecture is necessary to use. And this report is being
discussed more on the selected areas and practical usage.
In earlier days when it is being needed to prepare a site for a house or any kind
of building it was doing with the help of the labors and they didn’t do a
considerable change to the site and they just construct their buildings in respect
to the site that means they construct their building according to the site
conditions there for the stability, aesthetic and contextual response was great
for those buildings, however today this site preparation procedure is doing with
heavy machinery and drilling , blasting also can be taken a place when it is
necessary, today what the people doing is they are preparing the site according
to their need, this procedure may loose the stability, aesthetic and contextual
response of the building
Respect for site means to respect for the nature therefore it is need to
concentrate on following factors before constrictions is taking a place Will any
natural spaces or wilderness be developed?, Will buildings be expanded into
protected natural areas? Is an Environmental Impact Assessment needed and
has it been prepared? What steps have been taken to protect natural spaces,
habitats or species? What restorative or rehabilitative measures will be taken?
Will any habitat or species be harmed or eliminated so that it cannot be
remedied? Will any significant cultural site be affected? What steps have been
taken to protect such cultural site(s)? Have energy and water conservation
4
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
technologies, waste management measures and energy-efficient principles and
building technology guided the design process in a meaningful way?
Good design can greatly reduce our energy problems. Use correct building
orientation, appropriate amount of glass, window placement, size of roof
overhang, etc, insulated homes: insulated walls, ceilings, floors and foundations,
energy-efficient windows, insulated window coverings, window shades,
insulated doors, insulated hot water lines, weather sealing
Energy-efficient appliances and fixtures such as compact fluorescent light bulbs,
proper hot water heaters, energy-efficient heating systems, fans, including
whole-house fans, air-to-air exchangers, And proper use of these things is the
way of energy conservation
Some techniques of using alternative energy are very simple and those are well-
proven solutions, most of which are totally simple to implement, but it is a fact
5
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
to be really surprised because no country has been given a substantial
consideration about this
Solar heating is a good and reliable way of providing sustainable electricity for
any use. Sun is being a place where it generates power without diminutive and
most of the places in the world having direct sun light which is enough to
generate power by using photovoltaic panels this must be the best way of
generating power. Roofs are often angled toward the sun to allow photovoltaic
panels to collect at maximum efficiency, electricity gain through the photovoltaic
panels can be used for any usage, water heating is one of the major power
consume procedure in the house, this solar heating can be used to water heating
for zero cost therefore it will be a good practice if people can use solar heating to
at least to heat water
Wind is another kind of power generating source we can use free of charge, if
the building site situated in a area where it is normally having good wind
conditions we can use this system, under the sustainable architecture here it will
be discussed how this is been operate cheaply, because actually if a domestic
user select this system sometimes this may not cheep system to gain electricity
for him, advantages and disadvantages are common to this system also and
under any circumstances the user cant operate a system like this
This report is providing the information about what are the eligible places to
operate a system like this and, it will be discussed the advantages and
disadvantages
This is also another good way for alternating power, this is actually good way of
generating power for specially countries which is situated near the Pacific Ocean,
because it has found that those areas are the most efficient for geothermal
energy
6
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
Later part of this report has been discussed Sustainable architecture and
construction it has been discussed about creating a healthy built environment
using resource efficient
In any where of this world we can find natural resources that can be used for our
purposes, it is need a very little processing effort to convert them into materials
that we want, most commonly found resources are, rock, sand, trees, clay,
limestone are some of them actually if someone need to build a house these
things are enough for it, and a house which is being made with local materials,
will give a good natural and interesting look, hence before going to artificial or
imported material it is wise to consider about local material which is cheap
economically.
7
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
A building, which is being made with naturally made materials, is better to live
with. as an example a floor which is being made by using wood is very
comfortable compared with cement or tile floor and just because of the resilient
characteristic of the wood it would not give hurt when someone fall down on it.
Also choosing natural materials will reduce the pollution often associated with
their manufacture process for every ton of portland cement that is
manufactured, an equal amount of carbon dioxide is released into the air. And
then there is the matter of health, natural materials are much less likely to
adversely affect your health
Using renewable material or recyclable material will reduced the necessity of
reproducing and also keeping them out of the landfill, not only that producing a
material means not a simple process which sometimes use heavy machinery,
labor, fuel etc, reusing a product means we reserve those things to future.
Population is increasing day by day, and increasing population means that the
increasing of the need of the people, they need food, transport, buildings, etc.
Increasing these needs means that it is increasing the people’s involvement with
the nature therefore we should follow a sustainable procedure to protect the
natural environment.
8
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
Acknowledgement
This report has being prepared as the final individual project for the higher
national diploma in quantity surveying at the International College of Business
and Technology Campus, Kandy.Sri Lanka
At the beginning of the project I had not a good idea about selecting a proper
topic for the project. I read few books and few articles which had published on
the internet and that led me to choose this topic, therefore I would like to thanks
those wise persons who wrote those books and published those articles on the
internet.
The knowledge that I gained from the lectures was a great help for me to think
within the construction industry and write this report successfully, therefore I
acknowledge all our lecturers kind dedication to teach us the relevant subjects.
And also I would like to extend my gratitude to my friends those who help and
encourage me to complete this report
9
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
Contents
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 12
1. SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE WITH SITE, CLIMATE AND SIZE OF THE BUILDING ............... 17
1.1. Respect for site .................................................................................... 17
1.2. Working with the climate, ................................................................... 20
1.3. Size of the buildings and sustainability ................................................ 23
2. ENERGY CONSERVATION AND USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES ......................... 25
2.1. Heating, Ventilation and Cooling System Efficiency ............................. 30
2.2. Passive solar building design ............................................................... 30
2.3. Alternative energy and their use .......................................................... 32
2.3.1.1.SOLAR WATER HEATING ......................................................................... 35
2.3.2. WIND POWER.......................................................................................... 35
2.3.2.1.F LOATING WIND FARMS ........................................................................ 38
2.4. Geothermal energy .............................................................................. 40
2.5. Tidal Power .......................................................................................... 42
2.5.1.1.TIDAL BARRAGES ................................................................................... 43
2.5.1.2.TIDAL REEF ........................................................................................... 43
2.5.1.3.OFFSHORE TURBINES............................................................................... 44
3. SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE AND CONSTRUCTION ................................................. 46
3.1.Minimize resource consumption - conserve and reduce use of resources46
3.2. Maximize resource reuse - avoid and reduce waste. ............................ 49
3.3. Use local material ................................................................................ 51
3.4. Use Natural material ........................................................................... 54
3.5. Use renewable or recyclable resources. ............................................... 56
3.6. Protect the natural environment.......................................................... 56
10
CONCLUSION ...................................................................................................... 57
11
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
Introduction
Sustainable architecture is simply means that environmentally friendly design
techniques in the field of architecture, Sustainable Architecture shows systems
approach to design and construction in which the various components such as
alternative power recourses (passive solar techniques, wind power, geothermal
energy etc), proper use of site, proper use of materials, earth air conditioning,
vapor-permeable ceilings, and cellulose insulation, health and safety, aesthetic
appearance, contextual responsiveness etc, operate wisely to achieve
environmental goals ( Please note that in this report it has been concentrate
mostly about use of the sustainable architecture in Sri Lanka, and construction
of residencies)
Different countries have different cultures and way of designing buildings are in
relevance with their cultures, in early days constructions were link with nature
and most of the time materials, that used for constructions, were selections of
the nature, at that time there were not any environmental problem or any
material problem owing to those buildings (domestic houses ) were tally with the
environment and the material also was renewable however with the time this
has been changed and in present situation cultural oriented and environmentally
friendly houses, buildings are being disappearing.
In the present day early situation has been drastically changed and terms like
cost management, resources management, safety, optimum use of energy,
environmental impact etc, are arising and it has create a negative impact on the
survival of people and the industry.
Sustainable architecture seeks to minimize the negative environmental impact of
buildings by enhancing efficiency and moderation in the use of materials, energy,
resources and development space
12
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
We need to live more lightly on the earth, because the degeneration of our
environment is affecting not only our survival, but the survival of other living
beings on the planet. We can not ignore the impact we have on the earth's
ecosystems. The way of people are living, the choices of them providing for their
needs, will have an enormous influence on the quality of life of every living
being. Now is the time to take responsibility for the consequences of our life
styles, we are the people who are representing the construction industry,
therefore it is our responsibility to show the correct path to people
13
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
Sustainable Architecture For A Sustained Future
Sustainable architecture is a profound subject and use of this subject in the field
is also cover very large area, therefore it is difficult to discuss all the subject
matters and there practice in the field, using a report like this. However this is
most sought after topic to discuss, therefore it has been selected few major
areas where sustainable architecture is necessary to use.
Sustainable architecture is looking for identify the needs of the people and
execute these needs without affecting the future. People has being used to
fulfilling their needs with narrow economical advantages and has forget the
word sustainability, this situation has led the world for many a difficulties. Who
responsible for those problems is the question, every people are responsible but
lions share must own for the people who involving in the construction industry,
because in most of the times there is a responsible person who know the
sustainability, but in the past time they have forgotten about sustainability for
narrow economics profits. Population growth and increasing consumption are
reasons in the depletion of some environmental assets as example
deforestation, architectures and responsible persons of the construction industry
must take an early action to stop this depletion of environmental and other
assets and they must proceed with these in mind. Implementation of
sustainability would necessitate establishing goals of protection of the resources,
and consumption of the resources while conserving is important. Earlier it was
giving priority to economic optimization (this is the way that most of the writers
had introduced this but in my opinion this is expectation of narrow economic
profits) therefore while introducing sustainability we have to face some
problems which occur due to this expectation of narrow economics profits.
As an example
14
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
It is being considered to supply electric power for a selected area of the country.
solar power is one of the best alternative power source that we can use it as Sri
Lankans because Sri Lanka is a country which gains sunlight through out the
almost 365 days of the year, someone’s opinion may be this is not economically
good choice, but what are the other options Sri Lanka can go, sure they will go
for a Hydroelectric (Hydro electric also a alternative power that we can use but
constructing a hydroelectric water tank will considerably effect on the natural
resources and it is reduced the lands of the country that can be used for many a
needs of people, etc ) or they can go for a generate power using coal, but in
these procedures value of the effect of environment and people may greater
than the value of introducing solar power because introducing solar power will
never effect on the environment or people.
Narrow economic clouds have lead the world in to a danger situation, Therefore
the time has come to think something more than narrow economics profits, if we
fail to convert our self-destroying economy into one that is environmentally
sustainable, future generations will have to face some problems like following
15
16
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
1. Sustainable Architecture with Site, Climate and Size of the building
17
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
Have energy and water conservation technologies, waste
management measures and energy-efficient principles and building
technology guided the design process in a meaningful way?
Above are the some factors that we must consider before start a construction on
a site, if any natural spaces( sanctuary, forest, a stream, lake etc) or wild life in
danger due to the construction we must take an early action to avoid from that
site, we must prepare an environmental impact assessment and if that shows the
impact of the environment is considerable indeed we have to go for an another
site it is because, at the moment in this world we have remaining few
environmental resources that is striving to hold the equilibrium of this world,
and if we lost them means that we have to face some deadly consequences,
If the site is situated near to any kind of natural resources we must consider area
of the land is sufficient for a future need of extensions of buildings, this early
consideration will be help to go for an another site without effect later on the
relevant natural resources, If it is an unavoidable occasion and a construction is
going on near an any kind of natural resources, steps have to be taken to protect
natural spaces, habitats or species.
Ay kind of cultural site should be avoided; because cultural heritage is an
invaluable a country owned assets, these cultural sites can be any religion places,
historical places, etc those should not be destroyed or any kind of constructions
is going near a culturally valuable site precautions must be taken to protect
them, therefore protecting those places means protecting one’s own culture and
it is our obligation to protect them
18
Figure 1
(The village of Caramany, Rousillon district, France: Occupying
In rocky site, thereby leaving the best soils to cultivation)
(Derek Thomas2002, Architecture and the urban environment, a vision for the
new age)
19
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
1.2. Working with the climate,
Working with Climate (geophysical, ecological) is an important thing our ancient
ancestors also had recognized the importance of the regional climatic adaptation
as an essential principle in the creation of architecture therefore we could have
seen different characteristics of different ages buildings, our country also we can
clearly identify this by looking at a building of Anuradapura age and Polonaruwa
age and also when we comes to Nuwara age we can see the differences and their
geological, ecological response if it is not so the contextual response are great,
those buildings and shapes materials which had used are greatly match with
those climates
Ancient architectures used geological shapes for building houses, as an example
they had used the natural shapes (caves) of the rocks to find a building, most of
the temples have build up adjacent to rocks and had used face of the rock as a
wall to cover the building as an example world famous temples like Isurumnniya
and Dambulla temples have build up using the natural caves of the rock
Anuradapura age
Figure1 .1
(Temple of
Isurumunia,
it has used
the natural
cave to build
the temple)
20
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
Anuradapura and the plonnaruwa are normally areas where there are hot
climatic conditions through out the year, so the ancient architectures had made
their buildings with thick brick walls or they have used rocks, secret of using
these thick brick layers for wall is control the temperature within the buildings (
see figure 1.2, 1.3)
Figure 1.2
(Ancient
temple in
Anuradapura)
Figure 1.3
(Temple in
Polonnaruwa,
it has used
thick brick
layers for
walls)
21
22
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
Figure 1.4
Nakhla, near El Oued,
Algeria: Desert
Durable and suitable
constructions to desert
climate where it is often
affected by the sand
storms
(Derek Thomas2002, Architecture and the urban environment, a vision for the
new age)
Resent time most of the people have used to build the large houses more than
they need, sometimes there are around ten numbers of rooms but may be there
are living only two , three people and this trend is really a waste of money,
material etc, Large houses generally use a tremendous amount of energy to heat
and cool and the maintenance cost may be very high, therefore people should
understand that it is unnecessary to build bulky houses actually a small house
can be beautiful and cozy. A home should be just the right size for its occupants
and their activities. And such a small house can be manage very easily and
construction cost may reduced and economically will be cheap for people,
23
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
Today world is facing for sever struggle of lacking suitable lands facilities
therefore people are used to deforesting for their land needs and also they have
been used carried out constructions on lands which can be used to cultivation
therefore now world is facing many problems such as bad repercussions of
deforesting like exhausting water springs, desertification and depletion of lands
for cultivation etc, it is of course the extravagant and unnecessary needs of the
people have blind their eyes and they are in the mind of filling lands with
unnecessary buildings as a good example there are buildings, which constructed
by the government for various purposes, have left without any use, and when
people are constructing houses they are used to filed with the land by their
houses, sometimes they haven’t any ample space at least to play a badminton
game, this situation have been lead them to bad health conditions such as
obesity. All those things emphasize that our need of the building size should be
very convenient for us and of course if we can left a place from our land it is just
not only helping as a play ground but we can grow vegetable for our
consumption and we can have fresh vegetables
24
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
2. Energy conservation and use of renewable energy resources
Good design can greatly reduce our energy problems. Use correct building
orientation, appropriate amount of glass, window placement, size of roof
overhang, etc, insulated homes: insulated walls, ceilings, floors and
foundations, energy-efficient windows, insulated window coverings, window
shades, insulated doors, insulated hot water lines, weather sealing
25
Heat in large buildings accumulates mainly from internal sources, such as the
heat from people or the building mass, this situation can be turned in to an
advantage. By storing excess daytime heat and using it to warm the building
during the night. If we can use a system to store that heat and use it at night that
will be a significant cost saving way.
In some developed countries such as the USA where consumption of energy is a
major national (in fact global) issue and the most use of energy is served for
domestic purposes
Figure 2.1
The problem with buildings is that they don’t change. It is estimated that the
transport industry in the US replaces itself every 12 years – so in 12 years time,
hybrids and electric cars may have largely replaced the ones we have now. Not
so with buildings. They’re built for the long haul. This is as an example and this
situation is not only prevailing in the USA but most of the other countries,
26
27
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
appropriate; open layout to enhance air circulation; open layout and light-
colored interior walls and ceilings to enhance day lighting; efficient use of
space, cross ventilation; natural convention; lower ceilings in cold
climates; sleeping lofts in cold climates; light colored roofs in hot climates;
roof vents; privacy walls to block the wind; planting trees and plants for
shade and to block wind; outdoor living space etc can be used
8. Lifestyle changes for conservation such as minimize the number of
appliance use ( we can reduce the lamps that we use) use them only when
it is necessary, when we use lamps and HVAC systems close off in unused
rooms, turn off computers, at night etc we can follow as conservations
habits
(In addition to these procedure in this report it has been discussed the
procedures that can be followed to reduce the energy usage of buildings,
under the Passive solar building design)
28
29
Figure 2.3
(Passive solar
building,
optimum use of
sunlight)
30
Use well designed shutters, blinds, solar shadings to relieve the excessive
heat while the periods of direct sunlight and reduce the use of artificial
cooling mediums such as HVAC systems,, placing windows in the relevant
places where sunlight can be gain through out the day is impotent and also
design the windows with good characteristics to prevent escaping the heat
gain into the building through glasses is involving in designing passive solar
buildings certain windows like double or triple glassed insulated windows
with gas filled spaces will provide better insulation qualities than the single
pane glass widows. Prevention of excessive sunlight gain in hot climatic
conditions is also important because that will reduce the need of going for
the artificial cooling systems, to achieve this target we can grows trees
around the building specially near windows but should be maintain properly
to gain the enough sunlight through out the day.
Specially in the areas where there is a clear seasonal change the architectures
use planting deciduous trees (trees those leaves are falling in winter but other
seasons) near the windows, thus those trees are blocked excessive sun light
in summer with their leaves and in winter allow sunlight to come falling their
leaves
Heating systems of buildings are primarily focus on sustainable architecture
because they are the largest energy consumers in the buildings specially in
cold climates, in warm climatic conditions cooling is take place, using masonry
building materials with high thermal mass are very valuable because they can
retain the cool temperature of buildings and also main consideration should
be given in designing buildings( placing windows), there are natural channels
of flowing winds, designer should be able to catch those like wise if there is a
water stream or any lake near to the buildings, should be design to catch cool
natural winds from them to be cool free of charge ( See figure 2.4)
31
32
There are a number of ways we can use solar power in our houses.
Some homes in other countries like USA, they use solar power to
achieve there almost every power needs. There are houses called
zero-energy homes and they have cut power consumption by 50 to
70%. Once implemented in the home, solar power can be used to
heat the home especially for the people live in the areas where there
are cold climates. And not only we can achieve our power needs using
solar power but also we added some extra value to our house.
33
The most basic technology used in solar power is the solar electric
panel. These panels are called as photovoltaic (PV) panels and that
can be free standing rigid sheets used to gain the sun’s energy. These
panels can also be set into the roof, or any other convenient place to
which sun light directly falling in most of the time through out the day
using these photovoltaic panels the sun’s energy is converted to
electricity through a system. Except to this converting system other
electricity conveying system is the same system that we used
normally.
34
35
Here in Sri Lanka, that is the pearl of the Indian ocean, is surrounded
by the beautiful Indian ocean, therefore there are high speed winds all
ways around the country, hence costal areas of our country are
suitable for generate power using winds, not only here in Sri Lanka
but also other counties where there is a costal area is suitable for use
wind as alternative power generating resource and also highest places
like top of mountains and such areas are suitable for generating wind
power.
General speed of the winds are higher with the height, therefore most
of the time use a tall tower and mounted a propeller like in the
following figure
Figure 2.6
(Typical wind power
generating tower)
36
Figure 2.7
(Carland Cross Wind Farm, Cornwall )
37
Figure 2.8
(Floating Wind Farm)
38
Picture 2.10
Picture 2.9
(Installation of a small wind turbine
( Telecom electrification in
for water purification)
Kenya with small wind turbine)
Using wind farm power generating method there are advantages and
disadvantages we must consider
Advantages of wind farms
Wind is free, wind farms need no fuel.
Produces no waste or greenhouse gases.
The land beneath can usually still be used for farming.
Wind farms can be tourist attractions.
A good method of supplying energy to remote areas.
39
41
42
Figure 2.12
(Tidal Barrages, Rance estuary in northern France)
43
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
Figure 2.13
(Tidal Reef, example design)
These systems are like an underwater wind farms. First identify the offshore
areas where there normally have good wave conditions, and install under
water towers as in the (figure 3.5) these method is better for the
environment than any other tidal energy methods and also energy from
waves do not emit any carbon or harmful greenhouse gases, so that it is
much better for the planet and every living thing on it. (See figure 2.14)
44
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
Figure 2.14
(Tidal Reef, example for design)
Advantages
Tidal power is free
It produces no greenhouse gases or other waste
It needs no fuel
It produces electricity reliably
Not expensive to maintain.
Disadvantages
A barrage across an estuary is very expensive to build, and affects a
very wide area - the environment is changed for many miles
upstream and downstream.
There are few suitable sites for tidal barrages
45
Speed of the constructions and use of materials, lands etc are leading the world
into some severe problems, as follow
1. Depletion of materials
2. Depletions of lands
3. Depletion of land for agriculture
4. Destruction of natural places
5. Environment pollution
6. Wastage of materials and other resources
7. Land fillings from the materials that cannot be reuse
Considering all those things people should understand the necessity of the
sustainable construction that means ‘creating a healthy built environment using
resource efficient, and ecologically based principles’
46
47
Water is only a one resource that it had been considered, other resources
also conserve by limiting resource consumption by raising issues as to
whether the materials or resources intended for use are:
1. Renewable and abundant;
2. Low impact on the environment at source;
3. Non-polluting, emitting no harmful vapors, particles or toxins during
either manufacture or use;
4. Energy efficient, using low energy in production, transportation and
use;
5. Durable, long-lived and easy to maintain and repair, and be
convincingly tested in their application;
6. Equitable and produced via socially correct means, e.g. good
working conditions, fair wages, equal opportunity; and
48
49
Figure 3.2
Maximize Resource use(Paris, France: The D ’Orsy Museum, originally railway station,
‘Recycled’ to become an exhibition gallery,)(Derek Thomas2002, Architecture and the urban
environment, a vision for the new age)
50
51
52
Hundred present locally available materials have used to build this house,
economically very cheap to build a house like this, but people may avoid to use a
house like above, it is because the appearance of the house is not giving a
comfortable look. That is only the reason; therefore people should incline to find
new ways of building houses using the same locally available and aesthetically
valuable house, so instead of the appearance of the above house how about
using appearance like bellow
Figure 3.4
(Good appearance
for a thatched house
www.holiday-
rentals.co.uk)
53
Figure 3.5
(A typical
Devonshire cob and
thatch house.
http://www.devonh
eritage.org/Places/D
evonCounty/images)
54
Figure 3.6
55
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
3.5. Use renewable or recyclable resources.
56
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
Conclusion
The areas where it has been discussed in this report can be present as a checklist
as following
Protect Natural resource.
Avoid being disturb or any harm to the natural resource, respect to the natural
resources and culturally valued places
A home should be just the right size for its occupants and their activities. Use
buildings which can be manageable very easily and construction cost May
reduced and economically cheap
57
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
Pay attention to solar orientation.
Reduce energy use by orienting buildings to make optimal use of passive solar
heating, day lighting, and natural cooling.
Conserve water.
Water that has been used for bathing, dish washing, or clothes washing can be
recycled for flushing toilets or irrigation. Rooftop water catchment for outdoor
watering should be considered in many regions.
58
As it has been mentioned in the above these factors can be used as a check list
for sustainable architecture and if it is needed a sustained future, people have to
follow these check list in verbatim, Sustainable architecture which describe
environmentally friendly design techniques and systems approach to design and
construction, will be help for a sustained future, in this report it has been
59
60
1. Place
Aesthetic and contextual response was great for the buildings specially we like to
have a good aesthetic appearance for our residence, most of the time if the
appearance of a house is tally with the environment, back ground, and other
surrounding houses etc the aesthetic appearance is unwittingly deserved to that
house this is called as contextual response of a house, therefore natural place on
which the house is being deemed to build, should not be disturbed, however
today this site preparation procedure is doing with heavy machinery and drilling,
blasting also can be taken a place when it is necessary, today what the people
61
2. Foundation
As it has been mentioned in the process of foundation construction, excavation
for foundations it should avoid using heavy machinery that will disturbed the
steady of the earth (vibrations etc) and later it will lead to settle down the
structure with cracks of walls, foundations etc, use of labors for excavation is the
best way and it should appreciate in this country most of the time it is use labors
Materials for foundation
As a sustainable method (Use local material) always before going to by any thing
for the use of constructions it should search what materials can be available near
or is there any materials which can be reused, as an example if the site is
consisted with boulders, by means of a little processing it can be used for your
foundations
Locally available materials that can be used for foundations
1. Boulders
2. Solid rock particles
3. Clay can be used as a bonding materials instead of cement
4. To minimize resource consumption you can go for salvation materials from
your old house etc
62
63
Today also in some village areas we can see rammed earth walls, these are
construct use of Using local and Natural material, in this case rammed earth
walls are acting as a thermal barrier and protect the comfortable conditions
within the house, up to the late 1900 people have used this method but today
we cannot see people use this ramped walls to build their houses, that is also a
fact for they have faced problems like need of cooling systems for their houses
In this case also it can be used a soil that is composed of between 20 and 30
percent clay, if the content of the sand is high it is not good to use because it is
weaken the strength of walls, however any where of this country it can be find
good soil for rammed earth walls, stems of trees and reepers (lath which made
64
Stems Reepers
Stems
Reepers
65
Stems Reepers
Like wise rammed earth walls are being constructed, in some countries they
mixed straws with this clay in order to increase the strength of the walls and
they called as those walls are cob web walls
66
Learn more about building constructions visit http://www.helpmydegree.info
Here also we can use cob web walls to made our houses, wall finishes should be
considered greatly because aesthetic appearance of the house is depend on the
finishing, here in this case we can use clay as a good finishing material and after
that it can be white washed as seen in the picture above,
The following locally available natural materials can be used to construct walls
1. Bricks, adobe
2. Clay , clay mixed with straws
3. Timbers
4. Bamboos
5. Rock particles
6. local stones
7. Straw bales
4. Roofs
Roof element also can be made using 100% natural materials, example is
thatched roofs, timbers witch is not planed or plane timber can be used as ribs ,
reepers and purlins, after completing g the roof structure covering ( coconut
thatches or straw thatches tied with the reepers specially in coconut thatched
roofs
The following locally available natural materials can be used as roof coverings
1. Coconut thatches
2. Straw thatches ( straw bales)
3. Leaves of Palmyra tree
4. Tall grass ( mana) bales
67
68
69
How to decide number of lamps which suitable for the selected area
Numbers of lamp = E* A
F * UF *MF
= 210 Lux*42m*20m
15000*0.4*0.75
Numbers of lamp =39.2
70
42m
20m
Half spacing 2m
71
42m
5.25m
20m
2.62m
72
42m
4m 5.25m
20m
2m 2.62m
1. Although we measured the height from the ceiling to the working plane is
2.7m it is not same in the every where of the area there may have some
differences there fore it will not give the same required illumination at
everywhere.
2. Reflection of the light from the walls and furniture and other instruments
in the area will be a factor to deviate the required illumination level
3. Absorptions of lights by the instrument in the area also will be a factor to
deviate the required illumination level
74
1. Derek Thomas 2002, A vision for the new age, Architecture and the urban
environment
2. Sustainable architecture, viewed on 27.07.2009,
http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40" xml:lang="en">
3. Sustainable Architecture, Building today for tomorrow, viewed on
27.07.2009,
http://www.greenhomebuilding.com/sustainable_architecture.htm -->
4. Sustainable architecture, viewed on 27.07.2009,
http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40" xml:lang="en">
5. Sustainable Architecture, Building today for tomorrow, viewed on
27.07.2009,
http://www.greenhomebuilding.com/sustainable_architecture.htm -->
6. importance-of-sustainable-architecture, viewed on 27.07.2009
http://makewealthhistory.org/2007/09/10/the-importance-of-
sustainable-architecture/ -->
7. Why is there an Energy Crisis, viewed on 27.07.2009,
http://www.greenhomebuilding.com/articles/energycrisis.htm -->
8. Gyula Sebestyen, 2003, New Architecture and Technology
9. Civilengineerblog, viewed on 27.07.2009,
http://civilengineerblog.com/solar-power-home/&usg
10. Energy resource, Wind Power, viewed on 01.08.2009
http://home.clara.net/darvill/altenerg/wind.htm -->
11. Tidal power - energy from the sea, viewed on 01.08.2009,
http://home.clara.net/darvill/altenerg/tidal.htm -->
75
76