SUSTAINABLE PLANNING &

ARCHITECTURE
UNIT : III 10 hrs
• Selection of materials Eco building materials and
construction – Biomimicry, Low impact construction,
and recyclable products and embodied energy. Life
cycle analysis.
• Energy sources – Renewable and non-renewable
energy.
SUSTAINABLE PLANNING
& ARCHITECTURE

UNIT : III

1) Eco building materials and construction

2) Biomimicry, Low impact construction
3) Life cycle analysis
4) Energy sources –Renewable and non-renewable
energy
 ECO BUILDING
MATERIALS &
CONSTRUCTION

1. Resource Efficiency
2. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
3. Eco friendly materials:
Resource Efficiency
• Resource Efficiency can be accomplished by utilizing materials that meet the
following criteria:
• Recycled Content: recycled from manufacturing waste (sawdust)
• Products with identifiable recycled content, including post
industrial content with a preference for postconsumer content.

• Resource efficient manufacturing process: Products

manufactured with resource-efficient processes including reducing
energy consumption, minimizing waste (recycled, recyclable and
or source reduced product packaging), and reducing greenhouse
gases.
Natural, plentiful or renewable: Materials harvested from
sustainably managed sources and preferably have an
independent certification (e.g., certified wood) and are
certified by an independent third party.

(Particle board)
Bagasse is the fibrous matter that
remains after sugarcane , stalks
Resource Efficiency

• Locally available: Building materials, components, and

systems found locally or regionally saving energy and
resources in transportation to the project site.

• Salvaged(recovering /restore), refurbished, or

remanufactured: Includes saving a material from
disposal and renovating, repairing, restoring, or
generally improving the appearance, performance,
quality, functionality, or value of a product.

• Recycled or recyclable product packaging: Products

enclosed in recycled content or recyclable packaging.
• Reusable or recyclable: Select materials that can be easily
dismantled and reused or recycled at the end of their useful life.
Durable: Materials that are longer lasting or are comparable to
conventional products with long life expectancies.
 Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
• Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is enhanced by utilizing materials that meet the
following criteria:
• Low or non-toxic: Materials that emit few or no carcino’gens (subtance
produce cancer), reproductive toxicants, or irritants as demonstrated by the
manufacturer through appropriate testing.
• Minimal chemical emissions: Products that have minimal emissions of
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs – organic compounds are chemicals
that contains carbon). Products that also maximize resource and energy
efficiency while reducing chemical emissions.
• Low-VOC assembly: Materials installed with minimal VOC-producing
compounds, or no-VOC mechanical attachment methods and minimal
hazards.
• Moisture resistant: Products and systems that resist moisture or inhibit the
growth of biological contaminants in buildings.
• Healthfully maintained: Materials, components, and systems that require
only simple, non-toxic, or low-VOC methods of cleaning.
• Systems or equipment: Products that promote healthy IAQ by identifying
indoor air pollutants or enhancing the air quality.
EPP- Environmentally preferable
purchasing .
EPA – Protection agency
(Diminished in
Quantity of
resources /
exhaust )
 MATERIAL
SELECTION

WHY ECO-FRIENDLY MATERIALS?

 Phenomenal EMBODIED
growth in the ENERGY
construction industry
that depends upon
depletable
resources.

 Production of
building materials
leads to irreversible
environmental
impacts.
Five categories of Eco – Friendly materials.
Eco friendly material grouped as :

• Products made from environmentally- friendly

materials
• Products that are considered green
• Products that reduce the environmental impact of
construction operations
• Products that reduce the environmental impact of
building operations
• Products that contribute to healthy indoor
environment
Cavity induced in
the wall
For better
thermal
insulation.
Resulting cooler
interiors
Embodied Energy

Embodied energy is the total non-renewable energy

that goes into the manufacture of a material and plays
a large role in the choice of building materials. It is an
important factor to consider when assessing the life
cycle of a building and it relates directly to the
sustainability of the built environment.

INITIAL EMBODIED ENERGY

EMBODIED RECURRING EMBODIED

ENERGY (EE) ENERGY

OPERATIONAL ENERGY
WE START HERE
Eco friendly materials:
Embodied Energy :
• Embodied energy is a measurement of the needed inputs to extract a given
material.
• It is defined as the total energy consumed by all the processes
associated with the material. These processes include the acquisition of
raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, and installation of the
material

• To include the energy inputs in the material life cycle, embodied energy
can also include all of the inputs of the material over the life span by
including renovation and maintenance.

• the greater the embodied energy, the greater the potential negative
impact on the environment due to all of the emissions due to the energy
consumption.

• The durability of the product can be measured if the embodied energy is

divided by its service life.
 Eco friendly materials:
Embodied Energy : measured by per unit weight ( kg / tonne )
• There are two measurements of embodied energy, the Gross Energy Requirement
(GER) and the Process Energy Requirement (PER).

• Gross Energy Requirement (total amount of energy required for product )

•is the idealistic ( uncompromising ) true measurement of the embodied energy of
a material.
This includes all measurements, such as;
the transportation energy, the construction energy, the manufacturing energy
and installation of the material

• The PER (Process Energy Requirement is energy required for processing the
product ex: the PER OF MILK IS 0.38 MJ/ Pint ) is comprised / consists of the
energy to transport the raw materials, and the manufacturing energy.
• This method is still yet impractical to define an exact number and should only be
used to assist in comparing materials.

• Embodied energy is often reduced if the energy efficiency of the manufacturing

process is improved.
• The embodied energy also differs depending on whether the material is processed
from its raw components, reused, or recycled.
 Eco friendly materials:
• Asphalt, concrete, steel, aluminum, and wood are the only materials
that have been significantly recycled.
• Recycling reduces the embodied energy, material cost and keeps the
material out of the landfills longer. Since it is difficult to measure which
products are better candidates for recycling, the embodied energy will be
expanded to include the estimated life span including the recycling of the
material.
• There are a number of different tools available for comparing products
from an environmental perspective. These tools include ATHENA
Environmental Impact Estimator (EIE) and Building for Environmental
and Economic Sustainability (BEES). Most of these tools are based on
the
life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology which assesses the
environmental percussions of materials over their whole life cycle
measured by a wide range of potential effects
Questions from this Unit
•List four sustainable building material
•What is the need to study embodied energy
•Outline the significance of using recyclable products
Life Cycle Analysis
What is Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) ?
• United Nations Environment Programme -tool for the systematic
evaluation of the environmental aspects of aproduct or service
system through all stages of its life cycle.
( or)
Life-cycle assessment (LCA, also known as life-cycle analysis, eco
balance, and cradle-to-grave analysis) is a technique to assess
environmental impacts associated with all the stages of a product's life
from-cradle-to-grave .considering all the inputs and outputs
( or)
• LCA is used as a tool to assess the environmental impacts of a
product, process or activity throughout its life cycle.

From extraction of raw materials though to processing , manufacturing,

distribution transport , use, repair ,maintenance and disposal of the product.
often termed as “cradle to grave”-
RAW MATRIAL PRODUCTION DISPOSAL
 What is Life CycleAnalysis (LCA)cont..
• provides analysts with a quantitative data to
determine and analyses the environment impact of
such product / system and enable changes to be
made to justify in respect to the cost and
environmental impacts of the product/process.

Exp: What are the impacts of 9,000 tons of carbon

dioxide or 5,000 tons of methane emission released
into the atmosphere? Which is worse? What are the
potential impacts on smog? And on global warming?
 Background
• first developed in the 1960s whichwere
motivated by the economicstruggles
• 70s and 80s, this analytical process become
less popular due to lack of standardisation
• Now LCAhas been standardised within the
series ISO 14040 by The International
Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) which is
a world-wide federation of national standards
bodies.
 Why useLCA
• Calculate a product’s environmental impact
• Identify the positive or negative environmental impact
of a process or product
• Find opportunity for process and product
improvement
• Compare and analyse several processes based on their
environmentimpacts
• Quantitatively justify a change in a processor product.
 Useful for decision-making
 Product design guidelines can be
established based on the LCA data.
 General - Product’s life:
i. Raw material purchase /acquisition : material
harvestingand transportation to manufacturingsites;
ii. Processing : material processing and transportation to
production sites;
iii. Manufacturing : product manufacture andassembly,
packaging, and transportation to finaldistribution
iv. Product life : energy and emission during normalproduct
life (includes use and maintaince )
v. Waste management/end of life: recyling,liquid
waste and gas emission.
 LCA - SYSTEM BOUNDARIES
C TO G - C TO S – C TO G – C TO C
CRADLE TO CRADLE
Entire Systems, Cradle to Grave

purchase
 Life-cycle –
Identify theboundaries
• According to the ISO standards,
4 Main Phasesof LCA
a Life Cycle Assessment
is carried out in four
distinct / different
phases as illustrated in the
figure shown to the right.
• The phases are often
interdependent in that the
results of one phase will inform
how other phases are
completed.
LCA STEPS
Generally, a LCA consists of four main activities:

1. Goal definition (ISO 14040):

The basis and scope of the evaluation are defined.
2. Inventory Analysis (ISO 14041):
• Create a process tree in which all processes from raw
material extraction through waste water treatment are
mapped out and connected and mass and energy
balances are closed (all emissions and consumptions are
accounted for).
3. Impact Assessment (ISO 14042):
• Emissions and consumptions are translated into
environmental effects. The are environmental effects are
grouped and weighted.
4. Improvement Assessment/Interpretation (ISO 14043):
• Areas for improvement are identified.
 4 Main Phasesof LCA
Goal definition (ISO 14040):
The basis and scope of the evaluation are
defined.

Goal and Scope Definition:

1 Defining the goal and
scope of the study and
other relevant information
needed.
4 Main Phasesof LCA(cont..)

2 Inventory analysis:
• Making a model of the product life cycle
(process diagram) with all the
environmental inputs and outputs. ( The
more complete the diagram, thegreater
the accuracy the resultis)
• Data : data based on observation,
quantitative research, and
manufacturer information to calculate
national average.
• Data validity is important! current data
Inventory Analysis (ISO 14041):
Create a process tree in which all
processes from raw material
extraction through waste water
treatment are mapped out and
connected and mass and energy
balances are closed (all emissions and
consumptions are accounted for).
 Lifediagram
On site System
Function:
Construction &
Demolition
Material kWh Delivered
Storage &
Resource Handling
Disposal
Extraction
Water
Production &
Processing
Processing Transport Transmission Distribution

Generation
Manufacturing Maintenance
Maintenance

Fleet Operations
Fleet Operations

Pollution
Pollution
Control

Distributed generation
System Boundary
www.iere.org
 3 4 Main Phasesof LCA(cont..)
Impact assessment:
• Understanding the environment relevance /
bearing of the inputs and outputs,
• how the processes and product in theLCA
impact human health and environment,
• Calculate the weights sciencebased
characterization factors
= inventory data x characterizationfactor
Exp: if a process produces 20 pounds
(0.372 kg) of chloroform, the
impact indicator for the chloroform
in that process is 180

• 3 categories:
i.Global impact : polar melt, ocean
pattern changes, ozone depletion
Impact Assessment (ISO 14042):
ii.Regional impacts : photochemical
Emissions and consumptions are
smog , acidification to water resources
translated into environmental
and soil iii.Local impacts : human
effects. The are environmental
health , terrestrial toxicity and aquatic
effects are grouped and weighted.
toxicity
 Indicators for All ImpactCategories

Eutrophication
Eutrophication

www.iere.org
 Improvement

4 Main Phasesof LCA(cont..) Assessment/Interpretation

(ISO 14043):
Areas for improvement are
identified.

4 Interpretation / Explanation :
• Evaluating data
• making interpretation and conclusion
• Recommendations
• Data interpretation is an integral part of
all three steps and should be done after
each of the sub-analyses iscompleted.
 Conclusion

• LCA …….is an invaluable tool where environmental

impacts assessment is carried out on various product or
systems, and by being able to quantitatively assess the
environmentalimpacts, one can make necessary correction
to decrease the environmental impacts and find abetter
way to maketheir product or system,
it isthen awin- win situation.
LCA helps to avoid shifting environmental problems
from one area or medium to another.
 EXAMPLE

• Water Footprinting: How to AddressWater

Use in Life Cycle Assessment? by Markus
Berger * and Matthias Finkbeiner

• This paper provides an overview of a broad

range of methods developed to enable
accounting and impact assessment of water
use.
BIOMIMICRY
 Biomimicry originates from two Greek
What is Biomimicry ? words
BIOS (LIFE OR LIVING THINGS) +
“Bio = life or living things MIMESIS (COPYING / IMITATION).
“Mimicry” = copying, / IMITATION
Biomimicry is a new science that studies nature’s best
ideas and then imitates these designs and processes to
solve human problems – sustainably.
Biomimicry is practice of looking deeply in to nature for
solution to engineering, design and other challenges in
creating a long term sustainable world.

Biomimicry is a design tool based on the emulation / imitation

and strategies used by living things

“Biomimicry is the conscious emulation of nature’s genius.”

• Biomimicry uses an ecological / environmental standard
to judge the sustainability of our innovations.
• Biomimicry is a new way of viewing and valuing nature.

• FORM – relating to structure or anatomy

• PROCESS – regarding how things work
• ECOSYSTEM – involving relationships between
organisms in a system .

• Biomimicry is multi-disciplinary subject involving wide

diversity of other domains like architecture, electronics,
medicines, biology, chemistry, mathematics etc.
 HOW DID IT BEGIN?
• American writer and scientific
observer from Montana (in US).

• Wrote the book “Biomimicry:

Innovation Inspired by Nature” in
1997

• The books gives an insight on how

significant biomimicry is in shaping
the future.

• In 1998 Janine co-founded the Janine M. Benyus (b 1958)

Biomimicry Guild / organization
which helps to inform , inspire and
empower the bridging of nature’s
wisdom with human knowledge.
WHY BIOMIMICRY IN DESIGN?
Designs in nature are quite flawless (perfect), their inspiration
are now frequently employed in architectural design.

Energy savings,beauty,functionality and durability have

already been created in the natural world.

Biomimicry in architecture
• Nature runs on sunlight. PRINCIPLES OF BIOMIMICRY
• Nature uses only the energy it needs.

• Nature fits form to function.

• Nature recycles everything.

• Nature rewards cooperation.

• Nature banks on diversity.

• Nature demands local expertise.

• Nature curbs / limit excesses from

within.

• Nature taps the power of limits

 STEPS TO ADOPT BIOMIMCRY

5.Develop Biologize the

ideas and question: ask
solutions from nature’s
based on the perspective.
natural
model
1.Develop a
design brief of
EXPLAIN /
6. Find the human needs
repeating
patterns and 2.Look for
processes champions in
within nature nature who solve
that achieve the challlenges
/ copy
success
3.Evaluate the
design against
Life’s Principles
•Building inspired by plants /flower:
Self-sustainable
Energy efficient
Recycling
Aesthetically appealing
Low maintenance
•Building inspired by organisms:
Resistant to imposed forces
Structural stability
Controlled entry of sunlight
Regulation of internal temperature
Aesthetics
Acoustics
•Buildings inspired by natural forms:
 Effective channelling of wind
 Increase thermal mass capacity
 Dynamic form
 Acoustics.
 Energy efficiency
CONCEPT

Tepee – tall tent used by native

Americans
 CONCEPT

FLIGHT OF BIRD LEONARDO DA VINCI’S( artist ) FLYING

MACHINE

AEROPLANE TODAY WRIGHT BROTHER’S FIRST PROTOTYPE

 APPROACHES TO BIOMIMICRY

There are two approaches to Biomimetic design

APPROACHES TO BIOMIMICRY • More fuel efficient
DESIGN TO BIOLOGY due to aerodynamic
body mimicking BOX
FISH (HAVING SHAPE TO
MOVE EASILY IN AIR)

The approach
requires designers • More material
to identify efficient due to
problems and mimicking tree
biologists to growth patterns form
match these to structure.
organisms that
have solved • The car not new
similar issues. approach to
transportation but
DaimlerChrysler’s Bionic Car improvement to
existing technology
APPROACHES TO BIOMIMICRY • Lotus flower emerges
clean from marshy waters.
BIOLOGY TO DESIGN
• Lotusan paint enables
buildings to be self
The approach cleaning.
requires to have
relevant • Biology can influence
biological or humans in ways outside
ecological predetermined design
knowledge and problem.
research rather
than design • This will result in
problem previously unthought-of
Lotus inspired’s Lotusan Paint technologies or systems or
approach to design
solutions.
 Lotus effect
Self-cleaning paints
German company, Sto AG, have developed a biomimicry inspired exterior
coating with a water-repellant surface based on that of the lotus leaf. Professor
Wilhem Barthlott, from the University of Born in Germany, developed the
surface after looking for environmentally benign alternatives to toxic cleaning
detergents in order to reduce environmental impacts. He asked the question
‘How does nature clean surfaces?’ It became obvious that nature doesn’t use
detergents
at all – instead it designs self-cleaning surfaces with hydrophobic properties
(tending to repel with water ).

Self-cleaning surfaces – by German professor

Wilhelm Barthlott of University of Born in
Biomimicry in architecture
Germany
Lotus effect

Lotus leaf are cleaner –

Lotus leaf are smooth and water

repellent but
rather have rough texture which
traps air
On its surface which water
droplets float in trapping all the
dirt material
Making the leaf cleaning itself.
Lotus effect for Self cleansing glass
• The lotus effect refers to the very high water repellency exhibited by the leaves of the lotus
flower. Dirt particles are picked up by water droplets due to a complex micro- and
nanoscopic architecture of the surface, which minimizes sticking / adhesion.
• The self-cleaning property of the lotus leaf – and applications
derived from nature’s model – requires the surface to have
roughness on two scales.
• When a raindrop falls on a lotus leaf, it forms a high contact
angle (greater than 90 degrees), which means that it beads up
rather than spreads out, as a liquid with a low contact angle (less
than 90 degrees) would.
• A lotus leaf can have a contact angle close to 170 degrees,
making it extremely hydrophobic ( repell ). (For reference,
human skin is slightly hydrophobic with about a 90-degree
contact angle.) In fact, as little as 2-3% of the raindrop actually
contacts the surface of a lotus leaf due to the waxy composition
of the leaf, and to the air trapped between the raindrop and the
leaf’s micro- and nano-structures. With such a small amount of
contact between water and leaf, the raindrop rolls – rather than
slides – down the leaf with little friction. The drop collects dirt
and bacteria on its way, and in effect cleans itself.
• Glass despite looking like a smooth surface has on a
microscopic scale, peaks and valleys which on untreated glass
attract and deposit dirt and grime. The coating or applications
of this type are silica based and create a nano scale film that
covers these valleys.( This form of glass works in a similar way
to "Teflon" on a frying pan. It produces a non stick surface and
water will run off of this surface quickly and not streak. )
• Advantages: Works on organic and inorganic dirt alike. These
type of coatings are scratch resistant and will reduces the need
for use of chemicals in any cleaning required as dirt will easily
wash off. This type of glass coating protects the glass from
graffiti and paint. This type of coating can be reapplied on site
if required.
• Disadvantages: This application, depending on the exact
product, has a life span of 5 to 10 years in external conditions.
FROM LEAVES TO SOLAR PANELS
 LEVELS OF BIOMIMICRY
ORGANISM LEVEL

BEHAVIOUR LEVEL

ECOSYSTEM LEVEL
involving relationships between
organisms in a system .
APLLICATION IN DESIGN
The termites build mounds reaching
multiple feet in order to farm a fungus that
Termite Mound Cooling:
feeds them. The finicky / Fussy fungus East Gate Tower,
must live at exactly 87 degrees F. While Zimbabwe
temperatures outside the mound walls vary
by about 70 degrees F,
They had a problem to solve. “The
termites achieve this remarkable feat by
constantly opening and closing a series of
heating and cooling vents throughout the
mound over the course of the day. With a
system of carefully adjusted convection
currents, air is sucked in at the lower part
of the mound, down into enclosures with
muddy walls, and up through a channel to
the peak of the termite mound. The
industrious termites constantly dig new
vents and plug up old ones in order to
regulate the temperature.
 APLLICATION IN DESIGN
East gate centre in Zimbabwe – Business center ,
a office complex and shopping mall
Architect : Mick Pierce created natural
environment in the building so that it cool
themselves ,
He work with 3 parameter : nature, resources
and aesthetic
Optimum temperature
No conventional air-conditioning or heating
for
Stays regulated year round with dramatically less Termites 75 F to 95 F (24
C to 35 C)
energy consumption using design methods by Above 100 F May die in a
indigenous Zimbabwean masonry and self matter of minutes
cooling methods of African termites.
Building cool itself – copied from nature Inside the building, the
low power fan pulls the
cool night air and
disperse to all floors
and the concrete
blocks absorbs the
cool air and insulate
the building
and it exchange the
temperature

• In the
morning
the hot air
is escaped
through
the
chimney
Use Night air cooling to cool building in night and
And get rigid of heat of previous day and then store that cool in
concrete structures – BY PRECAST CONCRETE FLOOR which has hollow
And it chimney and tunnels found in building.

So that following day we can cool the air coming before coming into rooms
Zimbabwe :There is a dry season including short cool season.
Green facade moderate the temperature

Form copied from nature

Prickly surface can disperse the heat
 The Eastage Centre, largely made of concrete, has a ventilation
system which operate in a similar way.
Outside air that is drawn is either warmed or cooled by the
building mass depending on which is hotter, the building
concrete or the air.
It is then vented into the building’s floors and offices before
existing via chimney at the top.
The complex also consists of two building side by side
,separated by open space from where the air can be
continuously drawn.

FORM : Building looks like, it was

made by termite
Biomimicry in architecture
 Interior temperature becomes
Application in design hot,
vents can be opened thus rising
 The building is designed with a warm air has stack effect
unique ventilation system,
which draws outside air and
cools or warms it depending on
temperature.
 The central open space draws
more air with help of fans and is
pushed up through ducts
located in the central spine of
the buildings.
 The fresh air replaces stale air
that rises and exits through
exhaust ports in the ceilings of
each floor. Ultimately it enters
the exhaust section of the
vertical ducts before it is flushed Problem solved
out of the building through
Temperature remains regulated
chimneys. all year around without using
conventional air-conditioning or
heating systems.
• The Eastgate Centre, largely made of concrete,
has a ventilation system which operates in a similar
way. Outside air that is drawn in is either warmed or
cooled by the building mass depending on which is
hotter, the building concrete or the air.
• It is then vented into the building’s floors and
offices before exiting via chimneys at the top.
• The complex also consists of two buildings side by
side that are separated by an open space that is
covered by glass and open to the local breezes.
• Air is continuously drawn from this open space by
fans on the first floor. It is then pushed up vertical
supply sections of ducts that are located in the
central spine of each of the two buildings.
• The fresh air replaces stale air that rises and exits
through exhaust ports in the ceilings of each floor.
Ultimately it enters the exhaust section of the
vertical ducts before it is flushed out of the building
through chimneys.
“DIVERSIFY AND COOPERATE TO FULLY USE THE HABITAT”

Same amount of
foliage / greenery
on the building as
original state of site

Harvests
sunlight, cool
night air, water,
wind and rain

Use of natural
convection,
thermal mass,
ventilation
stacks and
water for
cooling
 Process/function mimicry at BEHAVIOUR LEVEL

Eastgate Council
Centre , House 2,
Harare Melbourne
 APLLICATION IN DESIGN
Hydrological center at University of Namibia (In SW Africa )
Inspired by a Namibian beetle that has adapted to trap
moisture from fog (one and only one sources of humidity in
arid / dry country).
The beetle capture moisture from the swift moving wind, by
tilting its body into the wind.
This biomimicry at the organism level inspired by the beetle
is incorporated in the fog catcher design for the university by
Matthew Parkes of KSS Architects.
Surface of the beetle has been studied and mimicked to be
used for other applications such as to clear fog from airport
runways .

Biomimicry in architecture
 The climate in Namibia is intense and is one of the driest places in
the world with only approximately one percent of the land arable.

Matthew Parkes found out about the Stenocara beetle by talking

with some of the native Namibian people. He was impressed with
the practicality of the beetles innovative shell design and how it
survives in such Image Source: www.thecistern.com 15 harsh
conditions.
So he tried to mimic the same type of technology into a building
design to turn water droplets collected from fog into usable
water.

Hydrological center at University of Namibia

Biomimicry in architecture
Low Impact Construction and
recyclable products
Low impact construction
• All buildings which aim to reduce their impact on the environment
could be called, at least, ‘lower impact’ but the term has come to
mean those buildings using largely natural or organic materials.

• ‘Low Impact Construction’ serves to describe a body of work which

takes in most of the more radical (fundamental ) attempts to produce
‘deep green’ buildings with a quite different approach to
construction and the creation of comfort.

• Low impact buildings are almost always buildings with low embodied
energy. Such buildings tend to be energy efficient as well.
• Low Impact Construction starts with fundamentally ecologically benign
materials and systems and seeks to adapt and develop their use towards
being truly sustainable, rather than simply environmentally improved,
construction.

• As sustainability applies an increasing influence over design and

construction thinking, approaches that appear radical at present will no
doubt begin to permeate mainstream practice. Indeed there is evidence
that they are already doing so.
Low Impact Building
Low Impact Building:
• Housing using Renewable Materials is about changing the way
we build houses to reduce their ‘carbon’ footprint and to
minimize environmental damage.

• One of the ways this can be done is by reducing the energy

and environmental impact of the materials and resources used
to construct buildings by choosing alternative products and
systems.
• In particular, we need to recognise the potential for using
natural and renewable construction materials as a way to
reduce both carbon emissions but also build in a more caring
(benign ) and healthy way.
Waste Reduction and Recycling
• site clearing and excavation. Determine the waste products of each
activity and the potential to avoid waste. Balancing the site’s earthwork
cut and fill to avoid haul-off or imported soil will achieve both reduced
costs and minimal environmental damage. Use onsite material for backfill
and paving base.
• Adopt purchasing procedures that promote minimal and/or returnable
packaging. Survey local waste transporters to determine their level of
experience in construction waste recycling.
Site & Materials Management
• (GGHC v2.2 Materials & Resources Credits 2.3)
• Plan to minimize impacts for on- and off-site traffic.
• Consider the flow of material and workers through and around existing
occupied space. Consider the possible impact to natural features and
amenities of the site and implement protective measures.
• Develop a designated area for equipment washing, fueling and oiling
activities and prevent spills from contaminating soil and water. Confine
laydown and shakeout areas for project deliveries to minimum practicable
areas.
Infection Control Project
Common practices to reduce infection control concerns during
construction include:
• Dust control
Dampen dust-producing material on a regular basis to prevent airborne
dust and particulate matter. Clean up promptly – a best practice is to
vacuum drywall dust after sanding joints smooth. Proper ventilation and
filtration.
Fumes
Use low-emitting alternative materials and fuels. Use electric
equipment. Proper ventilation and carbon filters – a best practice is to
monitor and initiate correction of high fume levels. Noise Establish a noise
control plan. Ensure proper scheduling for noisy construction activities.
Consider alternative construction methods that produce less noise.
Relocate sensitive functions. Post and comply with decibel limits for noise-
producing equipment. Provide ear protection for all site workers and
visitors. Comply with equipment idling rules.
Spills Consider potential inside and outside spills. Prepare a wet clean-up
kit. Establish abatement procedures.
Waste Negotiate reduced or returnable packaging. Establish
segregated waste collection and loss prevention.
Damage Properly sequence construction activities. Negotiate
just-in-time delivery. Require pre-install inspections.
Energy Install energy controls – a best practice is to segregate
construction security and working lighting on different circuits.
Feed work lighting from a single disconnect so that all work lights
can be switch off when no one is working. Use permanent electric
equipment and a raceway system to feed temporary lighting
circuits. Enclose portions of the project that are mechanically
heated or cooled. Use low-emitting alternative fuel fleet
vehicles. Provide energy efficient staff accommodations.

Moisture Implement a moisture control protocol – a best practice

is to remove and dispose of any gypsum wall board that has been
wet. Prepare a wet clean-up kit.
Benefits low impact construction :
• Health
Research has correlated significantly higher rates for serious disease in populations living
near landfill sites.1 2 Disruption of the physical environment within and near hospitals
due to construction and demolition has been linked to infection outbreaks. Byproducts of
construction activity include: noise, vibration, dust and fumes from materials and
equipment operation that may affect patient recovery and worker health. Health care
workers, patients, visitors and the community-at-large benefit from the industry’s
implementation of low impact construction practices.
Ecologic
Attention to the waste stream from construction and related activity keeps harmful
materials out of the environment and conserves natural resources. Construction and
demolition waste may contain contamination from common health care practices. PCBs
(polychlorinated biphenyls), mercury, lead, and infectious material residues that are
dormant within existing structures may be released to the environment during
demolition, landfilling or incineration. Proper disposal practice and sensitive site
management practices avoid environmental damage.
Economic
The construction waste stream has value and can be managed as effectively as any other
project activity. National waste haulers are pursuing this business aggressively and may
offer reduced hauling charges or revenue sharing contracts for segregated waste.
Carefully consider the risk reduction potential of low impact construction practices.
Where there are significant risks with high probability of loss, review them .
“Low Impact Construction “
Chris Morgan
Chris Morgan explains... Small scaleand rural
One of the pleasures of most low impact
• One characteristic of almost all
constructions is that materials are safe and the
processes are easy. low impact construction is that it
remains small scale and usually
rural. This often diminishes its
value and relevance so it is
worth stressing that there are
few technical reasons why most
of the construction types
discussed could not be
employed on both a large scale,
and in urban situations.
All buildings which aim to reduce their impact on the environment could be
called, at least, ‘lower impact’ but the term has come to mean those
buildings using largely natural or organic materials. ‘Low Impact
Construction’ serves to describe a body of work which takes in most of the
more radical attempts to produce ‘deep green’ buildings with a quite
different approach to construction and the creation of comfort. Chris
Morgan explains...
Very low embodied energy
Low impact buildings are almost always buildings with low
embodied energy in their fabric, where the use of natural
materials is often the starting point for clients and designers
alike. Such buildings tend to be energy efficient as well, but this
is often secondary

. Local, unconventional materials

Sourcing materials can be problematic. Simply finding the
material(s) can be difficult, particularly in urban areas.
In addition, materials are rarely standard, nor have any
recognised performance criteria (in a conventional sense). This
puts the responsibility ( onus ) onto someone involved in the
construction to be sufficiently expert in the field to be
confident when it comes to sourcing the right material.
In addition there is often no commonly recognised framework
for cost so it can be difficult not only to budget, but to know if
you are getting a good deal. And the issue of cost is
complicated by transport, storage and by the seasons.
• Low material costs, high labour costs:
Generally speaking the material costs of low impact constructions tend to be low, but
these are usually offset by higher costs associated with labour and time.
This often means that the anticipated lower costs of low impact buildings are not
realised. Many self builders get involved in building in order to offset some of the
labour costs associated with builders and the normal mark-ups by developers and so on.
However, the costs of materials remain broadly the same

• Maintenance
• Maintenance has become a dirty word for some, and much talk is made of
“maintenance free” construction and products. Maintenance is regular, but
simple, and in the process the building and its elements are able to be kept in
good order far longer ‒ and therefore far more cheaply in the long run.
• Passive environmental control
• Most of the natural materials and coatings associated with low impact
construction are hygroscopic( substance have tendency to absorbs moisture
from air ). Clay in particular absorbs and desorbs (release through pores )
• moisture freely and as such can act as a moderator of the humidity in the air,
though ventilation remains the key tool for this. This function of balancing the
relative humidity in the room is particularly valuable for occupant.
 A cob( mixture of
compressed clay and
straw ) building being built
A completed straw bale This shows a gridshell up in stages. A lime and
wall with the first coat of roof construction which stone foundation wall has
lime plaster being uses a very small layers of a mix of earth and
applied. Note the use of amount of timber to straw laid over. The lower
chicken wire over the form a substantial span. parts have been ‘shaved’
corners to form a firmer The gridshell is braced to form a (relatively) neat
substrate for the plaster by the overlayers of surface, while the most
and help protect the recently added top section
timber boarding.
is ‘as trodden in’ .
corners.
This shows the gridshell
building from the previous
page but from the outside,
with stone walls using both
lime and clay mortars, and
clay external render under a
large roof overhang.
A building built largely of
waste tyres and tin cans,
submerged into a hillside
and using clay internal
plasters to attempt a zero
energy input construction
through the use of large
amounts of thermal mass.
• Common materials and systems of low impact construction

• Earth : Earth is still the most widespread

• construction material known and one third of humanity still live in earthen
buildings. The material even gave its name to the entire planet ‒ or was it the other
way around - but in any event comes with significant pedigree.
• Vernacular forms of earth construction survive in many parts of the world
and remain
instructive (useful) on the most efficient way to produce earthen buildings even
today.
• There are a number of techniques but broadly they can be divided into three. The
first involves stacking and compressing earth to form a monolithic wall ‒ examples
are ʻcobʼ and rammed earth (using shuttering).
• The second uses earth pre-formed and dried into blocks or ʻadobesʼ and then built
up. Both techniques employ earth as the principal load-bearing material. The
principal advantage of the latter is that it avoids most of the problems associated
with shrinkage, whilst the main disadvantage is that it entails double handling.
• The third alternative is to mix earth
with some filler material like straw and apply it to
a framework which takes the structural loads. This was more common traditionally
where timber supplies were plentiful.
• The common disadvantage of all earth constructions nowadays is that it
is difficult to
attain the thermal insulation values required by the Building Regulations
• Light earth and hemp(fibre of plant)-lime
• One way around the above problem
• of insulation is to increase the level of insulating filler, and usually the depth of the mix
so that the overall wall complies with modern requirements for thermal performance.
This can be done in a number of way, but the main techniques employed use earth / clay
and straw, or in one example lime and hemp, to form a solid, non-loadbearing fairly well
insulating mass wall.
• Both techniques require drying out times and are still fairly labour intensive, though
more mechanised, and pre-fabricated options exist.
• Straw bale construction
• Straw bale construction normally involves placing rectangular bales exactly as bricks are
placed to form a wide, hairy wall which can be either load bearing or infill to a structural
frame, and which is normally plastered on both sides with a clay or lime-based render.
Straw bale construction has a number of advantages over earth and insulated
• earth construction types. It is a dry system and so has none of the (admittedly minor)
problems associated with drying out and shrinkage. It is also a very good insulation
material which, when combined with the sensible placement of thermal mass, makes a
lot of sense overall in the UK.
• Third, it is quite quick to construct, but possibly more involved than the other techniques
to adequately finish. There is no doubt however that straw bale construction is relatively
quick, cheap and easy to do, and increasingly easy to get through the legislative and
financial hurdles which often bedevil low impact projects.
Other crops
• A number of bio-based materials have found

• theirway into the building material supply chain, though these are mostly
imported into the UK. Among these are hemp, flax, and sheeps wool, all
used for insulation while flax is also used in the manufacture of linoleum.
sisal, coir and jute are used in carpet manufacture, and reeds are
becoming a little more common not only for traditional thatching, but bound
and used as backings to plasters and renders.
• Timber

• So widespread it is easily overlooked that timber forms the mainstay of

much conventional, very high impact construction, but has the capacity
also to be an integral part of very low impact construction if used wisely.
• If
sourced from local (at least, not imported) and certified forests, and if
used efficiently and without chemical treatment, and if detailed well so as
to be durable, timber represents a low used, such as with ʻBrettstapelʼ
construction where good use is made of a material which has little other
value.
Masonry
• Traditional stone and brick construction,using lime and clay
mortars probably counts as a low impact strategy, depend-
ing on how the insulation required is achieved. Reclaimed
elements such as tiles and slates reduce the overall impact, and it
is becoming possible in some parts of England to reproduce
traditional footings with stone and lime in what may be termed low
impact foundations. People are becoming more familiar with the
use of lime, and increasingly, clay for mortars and plasters.
Perhaps the main advantage of these materials for mortars, unlike
cement, is that the bricks or blocks can more readily be re-used at
the end of their lifetime, and that is the real tragedy of cement
(which acts as a type of glue).
Re-used and recycled materials
• A few constructional techniques have been developed to deal directly with
some of the waste arisings from industry. One of the most enduring has
been the common tyre. Rammed full of earth and tied together these have
become symbols, especially in the US, of ecological design through the re-
use of waste (Earthships). Drinks cans and bottles, short logs and many
other unlikely mate- rials have been similarly employed to create walls,
which are often however sadly little more than a matrix of cement mortar.
However, the principal of using waste materials is a sound one, and be it
tyres or recycled paper insulation there is no doubt the impact of
development is reduced.
Conclusion
• Many of the ideas and techniques employed in
these constructions appear strange or even
affected, but a great deal of genuine innovation
in sustainability abounds, and it is not
unreasonable to imagine the lessons being
learnt now in remote fields and forests
becoming familiar to the mainstream
construction industry.
 NON RENEWABLE
AND
RENEWABLE RESOURCES
 HMMMM....
What do you think
nonrenewable resources
are?

Break it down...

Nonrenewable?
Resource?
 NONRENEWABLE RESOURCES

A nonrenewable resource is a natural

resource that cannot be replenish /re-
made or re-grown at a scale comparable
to its consumption.
NUCLEAR ENERGY
Nuclear fission uses
uranium to create
energy.

Nuclear energy is a
nonrenewable resource
because once the
uranium is used, it is
gone!
 COAL, PETROLEUM, AND GAS

Coal, petroleum, and

natural gas are
considered nonrenewable
because they can not be
replaced in a short period
of time. These are called
fossil fuels.
HOW IS COAL MADE ???
HOW ARE OIL AND GAS MADE ???
WHAT WAS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
COAL AND OIL/GAS?

petrol
 HMMMM....

If nonrenewable resources are

resources that cannot be re-
made at a scale comparable to
its consumption, what are
renewable resources?
 RENEWABLE RESOURCES
Renewable energy / resources is energy which
comes from natural resources such as sunlight,
wind, rain, tides, and geothermal heat, which are
renewable (naturally replenished) in a short
period of time.

● Solar ● Geothermal
● Wind ● Biomass
● Water
 SOLAR Solar Energy : Thermal ,Photo
Voltaic,Chimney.
Solar energy is the energy derived from the
sun through the form of solar radiation. Solar
powered electrical generation depend on
photovoltaic and heat engines
Energy from the sun. Solar: Photo Voltaic
Why is energy from the Photovoltaic solar cells, which directly convert sunlight
sun renewable? into electricity, are made of semiconducting materials.
Solar: 'Chimney'
The solar chimney basically operates like a
hydroelectric power plant, but instead of water it
uses hot air . These are designed primarily for desert
location and consists of a tall column surrounded by
a glass solar collector or greenhouse
Solar: Thermal Concentrator
Concentrating solar power technologies use
reflective materials such as mirrors to concentrate
the sun's energy. This concentrated heat energy is
then converted into electricity.
 GEOTHERMAL
( Internal heat of the earth )

Energy from Earth’s heat.

Geothermal energy is heat energy
generated and stored in the Earth

Why is energy from the heat of the

Earth renewable?

Geothermal hot water can be used for

many applications that require heat.
Its current uses include heating buildings (either
individually or whole towns), raising plants in
greenhouses, drying crops, heating water at fish
farms, and several industrialprocesses, such
as pasteurizing milk.
WIND Energy from the wind

Why is energy from the wind

renewable?
Wind Energy :
Airflows can be used to run wind turbines.
Modern wind turbines range from around 600
kW to 5 MW of rated power
Turbines / Generators :
Wind turbines convert wind energy into
electricity. The electricity may be used in D/C
or A/C form to supply equipment, lighting and
other systems
 BIOMASS ( organic matter used as fuel )
Bioenergy
Energy from burning organic or living matter.
Bioenergy technologies
Uses : liquid fuel, or gaseous fuel production. use renewable biomass
resources to produce an
array of energy related
Why is energy from biomass renewable? products including
Biomass is organic material that comes from plants and electricity, liquid, solid,
animals, and it is a renewable source of and gaseous fuels, heat,
energy. Biomass contains stored energy from the sun. chemicals, and other
materials.

The term "biomass" refers to raw organic material used to generate a

number of energy resources, including heat, liquid or gaseous fuels, and
electricity. Chemical energy stored in biomass can be converted to heat
through combustion (burning).

Biomass: The term "biomass" means any plant derived organic matter
available on a renewable basis, including dedicated energy crops and
trees, agricultural food and feed crops, agricultural crop wastes and
residues, wood wastes and residues, aquatic plants, animal wastes,
municipal wastes, and other waste materials.
 WATER or HYDROELECTRIC

Hydropower
Energy in water can be harnessed and used.
Since water is about 800 times denser than air,
even a slow flowing stream of water, or
moderate sea swell, can yield considerable
amounts of energy. Flowing water creates
energy that can be captured and turned into
Energy from the electricity

flow of water.
Why is energy of
flowing water re A hydraulic turbine converts the energy of
flowing water into mechanical energy.

newable? A hydroelectric generator converts this

mechanical energy into electricity.
 SUMMARY

What are the

differences
between
nonrenewable and
renewable
resources?