SUSTAINAB

SUSTAINABILI
LE
TY REPORT
& GREEN
ON
ARCHITECT
MANCHITWAN
B14087

JAUHAL

What is Sustainability in Architecture?

Sustainability in architecture seeks to minimize what can be negative impact of the buildings on the
environment, with due diligence given to the usage of the kind of construction materials, energy utilization
while constructing such buildings and how the impact of the construction is on the surrounding eco-system
as such.
The purpose of such sustainability in architecture or ecological design, is to ensure that the impact of our
actions doesnt inhibit the future generations from living without the basic resources required to sustain
them.
What is Green Architecture?
Its primary usage depends on the area of application. The areas of application could be any of the
following; say energy use, materials, waste reduction etc.
The concept stems from the effective utilization of clean energy resources like sunlight, water along with
the electricity to create healthier and to some extent resource efficient methods of construction, renovation,
maintenance, operation and demolition. Examples of such effective methods include; use of local and
sustainable materials, water responsive techniques, climate sensitive and responsive designing etc.
The Benefits of Green Architecture
Listed down from recent-science.com, the following are the prime sector wise benefits of Green
Architecture:
Environmental Benefits

Enhance and protect biodiversity and ecosystems

Improve air and water quality

Reduce waste streams

Conserve and Protect Water Resources

Economic Benefits

Reduce operating costs

Improve occupant productivity

Enhance asset value and profits

Optimize life-cycle economic performance

Social Benefits

Enhance occupant health and comfort

Improve indoor air quality

Minimize strain on local utility infrastructure

Improve overall quality of life

Sustainable Construction Techniques

Sustainability in Construction consists of two parts;
a) Using Recycled and Environmental Friendly Materials in Construction
b) Construction Waste Recycling for other applications
1. Recycling Construction Waste:
The following construction wastes should be recycled instead of being dumped in wastelands and
sand fills:
a. Concrete from construction, renovation and demolition
b. Land clearing residuals: trees and brush
c. Wood: timbers, lumber, plywood
d. Gypsum wallboard can be used in cement manufacture
e. Metals
f. Non Asphalt Roofing
g. Asphalt Shingles can be used to make floorings
h. Bricks
i. Architectural salvage
j. Plastic
2. Using Recycled and Environment Friendly Materials
This includes the following points:
a. Using recycled steel for construction
b. Use of copper slag in non-structural components instead of sand
c. Use of drywalls as plaster boards or fiber cement boards as internal walls
d. Using curtain walls and glass facades instead of concrete walls increases insulation
e. Innovations include wool bricks, solar tiles, sustainable concrete, paper insulation and triple glazed
glass windows
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Some Key Strategies and Technologies for Sustainable Architectural Practices:

Efficient usage of existing space in buildings; re-usage of existing vacant building sites; design and
renovate to maximize future flexibility

During phases when new development is unavoidable, its sensible to steer clear of sites that play key
role in local and regional ecosystems. Protection of wetfield and greenfield sites from over use and
over development is the key

Optimization of passive solar orientation, and usage of external shading devices which are crucial to
optimal utilization of sunlight during both summer and winter months

Usage of High performance low e-glazing for high energy savings; selective coatings for optimal
energy transmittance and efficient design of window shades curtains etc, for optimal energy
performance.

Optimize building design and orientation, interior colors and finishes to significantly reduce use of
artificial lighting. Light shelf tech can be a good option in this regard.

Optimization of high end performance envelope building systems such as Structural Insulated Panel
Systems (SIPS) and Insulated Concrete Form Systems (ICFs).

Usage of State of the Art Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning Systems (HVAC), chillers etc.
Heat Recovery Ventilators and geothermal pumps can reduce energy consumptions by up to 40%.

Usage of efficient and Energy Star compliant equipment and HCFC and Halon based refrigeration.

Few Examples of Green Technologies Currently in Use

a) Green Roof
It reduces fluctuations in room temperature, and increases life of the roof membrane because of
protection from intensive Ultra Violet Radiation. It is partially or completely engulfed in vegetation
and consists of a growing medium planted over a waterproofing membrane.
Other benefits include Lower cooling costs, Noise Reduction, and increase in property value.
b) Rammed Earth Brick
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Portions of even the Great wall of China were constructed using the rammed brick technique. A moist
mixture of earth, clay and gravel, combined with a stabilizing element like concrete are used to form
dense, hard walls. Rammed earth is then cured for months to cure and harden.
Benefits include water damage prevention and environmental friendliness and low costs of
production.
c) Passive Solar Systems
Absorbing and using the solar system without relying on devices mechanical or electrical in nature
like pumps, fans etc. It reduces the total overall energy requirement of the building
d) Passive Heating Cooling
Involved absorption and storage of incoming solar radiation, Vents and Dampers to enhance cooling
systems, use of insulating materials to avoid heat loss, awnings and eave shades to reduce energy
loss, and is primarily divided in to two systems, direct gain and indirect gain systems.
e) Roof Spray and Roof Pond
The roof pond consists of a shaded water pond over a non insulated concrete roof. Evaporation of
water to the dry atmosphere occurs during day and nighttime. The temperature within the space falls
as the ceiling acts as a radiant cooling panel for the space, without increasing indoor humidity levels
f) Earth Cooling tubes along with Earth Sheltered Buildings
Consist of long pipes buried underground, up to 3-4 m below the surface. They draw the hot exterior
air and leave the cool air inside the house. Conduction and convection are the primarily physical
processes that occur to induce these phenomena in the homes. They also provide additional benefits
like protection form noise, dust and radiation and potential safety from fires.
Sustainable Interiors and Designs
A sustainable building also includes usage of environment friendly materials inside the in and around the
building. Thus, the following materials must be used in sustainable architecture project:
a) Flooring: Bamboo, Palm, Eucalyptus, Sorghum, Natural Linoleum, Recycled Aggregate Flooring,
Cork.
b) Carpeting: Wool, Sisal, Sea Grass
c) Wall Finishes: Zero VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) Paints, Low VOC Paints, Clay Plaster,
Hydraulic Lime Plaster, Clay Paint, Lime Paint, Milk Paint
d) Cabinetry: Sorghum, Bamboo, Palm
e) Solid Surfaces: Waste Based Countertop Materials, Paper Based Countertop Materials
f) Tile: Recycled Stone Tile, Recycled Ceramic Tile, Recycled Glass Tile
g) Insulation: Blown Cellulose Insulation, Cotton Insulation
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Examples of Green Buildings Worldwide

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)

The German Reichstag, Berlin

The Birds Nest, Beijing
Ecological Building, Oregon
K2 housing Project, Australia
LEED Gold Building
The Crystal, London
Pixel Building, Australia
Bullitt Centre, Seattle

Conclusion
The housing construction and architecture industry is witnessing a steady progress in terms of awareness and
attitudes towards sustainability. Consumers and contractors have both begun to realize the importance of coexisting with the environment, in order to ensure a safe, serene and sustainable way of life. New innovations
are therefore arriving fast that cater to both sustainability and comfort needs of the consumers. Recycling
and green initiatives are the major weapons of governments to ensure sustainable utilization of resources in
the future.
With such developments in what could potentially be considered one of the most environment-hostile
industry is an indication of the growing actions towards sustainability and certainly augurs well for the
present and future generations
APPENDIX

SOME FACTS FOR GREEN BUILDINGS

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GREEN BUILDINGS BY COUNTRY

HOW TO MAKE YOUR BUILDING GREENER

GREEN BUILDING SNAPSHOT

REFERENCES
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a) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_architecture
b) http://web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=867491f0-4fa0-4967-8010-2bbaf0f6906f
%40sessionmgr113&vid=1&hid=118
c) http://web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=93746fc4-659c-46b8-bdeb66fbbb19e8af%40sessionmgr111&vid=1&hid=118
d) http://web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=6e6e5da6-f161-49f6-830986ce2330c807%40sessionmgr114&vid=1&hid=118
e) http://web.b.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=2433ee0e-dfab-4044-8b76880aa235a60d%40sessionmgr198&vid=1&hid=118
f) http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0019/001937/193773e.pdf#193800
g) http://search.proquest.com/docview/1277299813
h) http://recent-science.com/index.php/rrst/article/view/18706/9424
i) http://recent-science.com/index.php/rrst/article/view/17043/8809
j) http://library.uniteddiversity.coop/Ecological_Building/Green_BuildingGuidebook_for_Sustainable_Architecture.pdf
k) http://www.umich.edu/~nppcpub/resources/compendia/ARCHpdfs/ARCHsbmIntro.pdf
l) http://210.59.19.199/mediafile/101project/english/eng_a8.pdf
m) http://knowledge.allianz.com/environment/energy/?657/ten-great-examples-of-green-buildingsworldwide-gallery
n) http://whenonearth.net/10-coolest-examples-of-green-buildings/
o) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_building

DECLARATION: I declare that this written submission represents my ideas in my own words and where
others ideas or words have been included, I have adequately cited and referenced the original sources. I also
declare that I have adhered to all principles of academic honesty and integrity and have not misrepresented
or fabricated or falsified any idea/data/fact/source in my submission. I understand that any violation of the
above will be cause for disciplinary action by the institute.
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