Sustainability

What is Sustainability?
• Sustainability means living within the resources of the planet
without damaging the environment now or in the future.
 What is Sustainable Development?

“ Development that meets the needs of the present without

compromising the ability of future generations to meet their
own needs. “ Bruntland Report for the World Commission on
Environment and Development (1992)
What is Sustainable Construction?
What is Sustainable Construction?
 What is Sustainable Construction?

What goes around

comes around...
 What is Sustainable Construction?
• The construction and development that will enhance the
resource usage and that applying the appropriate
construction technology(s) so that will not compromise the
needs of constructions and development in future.

• This includes following principles:

– Wise use of resources
– Applying appropriate Construction Technologies
Impact of Buildings?
Impact of Buildings?
 What is a Green Building?
• “Green Buildings” are high performance structures that also meet
certain standards for reducing natural resource consumption.
• Design and construction practices that significantly reduce or
eliminate the negative impact of buildings on the environment and
occupants in;
• Sustainable Site Planning

• Safeguarding water and water efficiency

• Energy efficiency and renewable energy

• Conservation of materials and resources

• Indoor Environment Quality

Site Planning
 What is Sustainable Site Planning?
• “A site plan that has the least environmental impact while still
meeting the client’s project goals.”
 What is Sustainable Site Planning?
• Site selection is environmentally responsible
• Control the soil erosion and sedimentation
• Development density and community connectivity had been considered
• Encourage the brownfield redevelopment
• Availability of alternative transportation options had been considered
• Site disturbance is minimized
• Storm water quantity and quality is considered
• Building orientation is optimized
• Impervious surfaces are minimized
• Landscaping is water efficient and active
 Site Selection
To protect green fields and preserve habitat and natural resources “DO
NOT” develop in;
• Prime agricultural land
• Land elevation is lower than 1,5 m above the elevation of the 50-year flood level
• Land use along the coastal belt shall be complied with the guidelines of Coast
(www.coastal.gov.lk)
• Land which is specifically identified as habitat for any species threatened or endangered
species by the Department of Wildlife Conservation – Ministry of Environment
• Land that is within the specified distance of any wetland as defined by Central
Environmental Authority or as defined by local or state rule or law or the Ramsar
Convention, which is the only global environmental treaty.
• Land which prior to acquisition for the project was public park land
 Soil Erosion and Sedimentation
• Control soil erosion while minimizing waterway sedimentation and dust
generation

Airborne
Dust

Disrupt aquatic habitat – Eutrophication

Flooding Loss of top soil

 Soil Erosion and Sedimentation
• Technologies & Strategies

Mulching Silt Fence

Earth Dam Sediment Basin Sediment Trap

 Development Density &
Community Connectivity
• Construct buildings on a previously developed site within 0.8km of a
residential or industrial zone or neighborhood.
• Construct buildings on a previously developed site and in a community
with a minimum density of 1500m2 per acre net.
 Brownfield Redevelopment

• Develop on a site classified as a Brownfield and provide remediation as

required.
Brownfield Redevelopment
 Alternative Transportation

• Locate projects within 1.0km of a railway station or 0.5 km of a public

bus route usable by building occupants.
• Encourage the use of public transport, fuel efficient vehicles and the use
of cycles.
 Reduce Site Disturbance

• Development foot print

• Exceed local zoning requirement by 25%
– Total land area of a commercial building = 670,000 sqft

– Open space requirement = 167,500 sqft

• Roof top garden

• Underground parking area
 Storm water quantity & quality

• To limit disruption of natural water hydrology by reducing the impervious

cover
• Limit discharge rate to 40 mm/hr (50 mm/hr in more pervious lands)

• Reuse storm water – Rain water harvesting

Building Orientation
 Landscape Design

• Limit potable water use

– Use native species

– Place landscape areas to receive runoff

– Use captured rain water

 Landscape Design

• Shade large hardscapes

• Place to filter and clean storm water
– Rain gardens in parking areas

– Bio retention rather than retention ponds

Water Efficiency
 What is Water Efficiency?

• Water is the essential component of all life.

• 97% of Earth's water saline, Freshwater only 3%.

• Of all fresh water use 98% is for industrial/ agriculture/

domestic purposes, only 2% for nutrition/ health of living

organism is used.
 What is Water Efficiency?

Earth’s Fresh Water Reserves

 What is Water Efficiency?

World’s Per Capita Fresh Water Resources

 What is Water Efficiency?

Global Water Conflict

 What is Water Efficiency?

• Water efficiency is reducing water wastage by measuring

the amount of water required for a particular purpose and
the amount of water used or delivered.
• Ways to make water use more efficient.
 What is Water Efficiency?

• Water Use Reduction

• Water Efficient Landscaping

• Water efficiency in Air-Conditioning
• Innovative Wastewater Technology

• Innovative Water Transmission

 Definitions
• Wastewater
– Domestic wastewater =sewage =all wastewater
– Industrial wastewater = process wastewater
• Grey water
– Domestic wastewater except toilet & kitchen wastewater
• Black water
– Domestic wastewater from toilets and kitchens
• Reclaimed Water
– Derived from sewage
– Treated to a standard satisfactory for intended reuse
• Bio solids
– sludge – not “solid waste”
 Alternate Water

• Gray Water

• Reclaim Water

• Rainwater

• Condensate recovery

• Discharge water re-use

 Where Alternate Water Can be
Used
• Irrigation,

• Green roofs,

• Cooling tower makeup water,

• Toilet and urinal flushing,

• Makeup for an ornamental pond/fountain

• Swimming pools,

• Laundry,
• Process use
• Aquifer recharge and wetlands maintenance.
 Water use reduction

• Use high efficiency fixtures / appliances (eg: WC, Urinals)

• Use dry fixtures (eg: Water less urinals)
• Use alternative on site sources of water (eg: rain water, grey
water) for non potable applications (eg: toilet & urinal flushing)
• Use of foot operated or electronic sensing valves for water
fixtures.
• Promote the use of sub-metering and leak detection system for
better control and monitoring.
• Management practice
Water use reduction
 Water Efficient Landscaping

• Limit or eliminate the use of potable water for landscape and

irrigation.
• Use only captured rain water or treated grey water to
eliminate all potable water use for site irrigation.
• Use of automatic water efficient irrigation system with rain
sensor.
• Design the landscape with native (indigenous) plants to
reduce or eliminate irrigation requirement.
 Water Efficiency in AC

• Limit or eliminate the use of potable water for AC make-up

while using condense water for irrigation.
• Select water efficient chillers and cooling towers.
• Consider use of rain water or treated grey water for AC
make-up.
 Innovative Water Transmission

• Limit the use of non-renewable energy for water

transmission.
• Optimize the energy use in water distribution by adopting
direct pressure boosting systems.
• Use wind pumps, solar powered pumps and etc.
Energy Efficiency
 What is Energy Efficiency

• Energy efficiency means using less energy to provide the

same service.
• Buildings are responsible for at least 40% of energy use in
most countries.
• The absolute figure is rising fast, as construction booms,
especially in countries such as China and India.
• It is essential to act now, because buildings can make a
major contribution to tackling climate change and energy
use.
What is Energy Efficiency
What is Energy Efficiency
What is Energy Efficiency

Electrical Energy
balance of a typical
commercial building
 Impact of Buildings

• 40-50% primary energy use

• 70% electricity consumption

• 40% CO2 emissions

• 15% potable water use

 Energy Efficiency in Buildings

• Architectural measures
• Lighting
• Air-conditioning

• Electrical
• Lifts and escalators
• Plumbing & drainage
 Architectural Measures

• Building orientation with reference to sun path diagram,

wind rose diagram and interaction of the space and
surrounding
– To enhance natural ventilation and natural lighting
– To reduce solar gains
– To satisfy user expectations

• Sun shading devices

• Improving OTTV (overall thermal transfer value)
 Architectural Measures

• Better glazing: low-E glass vs. reflective glass

• Green roof / wall

• Better insulation of external facade
• Reduce infiltration

• Central location of plant rooms to minimize losses

 Lighting

• Having considered energy efficiency, cost & colour rendering, the

lightings that are suitable for commercial uses are mainly
fluorescent lighting.
• Energy efficiency in lighting can be achieved by:
 Self luminous exit sign

 Compact fluorescent lamp

 Dimmable electronic ballast

 Occupancy sensor

 Induction lamp (for external usage)

 Metal halide for display lighting

 Lighting

• Self luminous exit signs

– Beta ray on fluorescent coating
– Rated life: 15 years
– Radioactive tritium gas in glass tube
– Payback less than 2 years if licensing fee is excluded
– Eliminates power supply & wiring
– Eliminates maintenance on battery
 Lighting

• Compact fluorescent lamp

– The principles of operation of CFL are similar to fluorescent lamp
– CFL is designed as substitute for incandescent lamp
– A 20W CFL is as bright as a 100W incandescent lamp i.e. saves
80% energy
– Pay back period is less than a year
– It has a longer lamp life than incandescent lamp
 Lighting

• Dimmable electronic ballast

– Conventional electro-magnetic ballasts for fluorescent lamp do not
provide dimming function
– Due to advances in electronic circuitry, electronic ballasts are now
dimmable
– It provides better lighting effect for different uses of a space
– It is energy efficient as well
 Lighting

• Occupancy Sensor
– Occupancy sensors are installed to switch off lighting when the
occupants have left the room
– It can be a CO2 sensor (detects occupant) or a infrared sensor

(detects motion)
– It can save more than 20% energy
 Air Conditioning

• Energy efficiency in HVAC can be achieved by:

– Variable speed drive – VRV (variable refrigerant volume)

– High efficiency motor – Water-cooled condenser
– Heat pump – Automatic condenser tube
– Heat recovery cleaning device
– Free cooling – District cooling

– VAV (variable air volume) – Occupancy sensor

– Variable water flow – CCMS (central control &

monitoring system)
 Air Conditioning

• Variable Speed Drive (VSD)

– A variable speed drive is a equipment that regulates the speed and
rotational force, or torque output, of an electric motor.
– VSD saves energy by changing the speed of the motor to suit
variable loading conditions.
– The pay back period is around 2 to 4 years
– VSD is suitable for pump, fan motor, chiller motor & compressor
 Air Conditioning

• High Efficiency Motor

– The higher the efficiency of the motor, the less is its power
consumption.
– It is worthwhile to consider the life-cycle costing of different options.
– It is quite normal for a more expensive equipment to achieve lower
life-cycle cost.
 Air Conditioning

• Heat Pump
– Heat pump works as a revered cycle refrigeration unit
– Heating provided by the heat pump is the heat rejection from the
condenser
– heat pump as a heat transporter constantly moving warm air from
one place to another, to where its needed or not needed, depending
on the season.
– When it's cold outside a heat pump extracts this outside heat and
transfers it inside. When it’s warm outside, it reverses directions and
acts like an air conditioner, removing heat from the built
environment.
 Air Conditioning

• Passive Cooling (Free Cooling / Fresh Cooling)

– If provisions are properly allowed, free cooling saves substantial
energy during fall and winter
– Fresh air (FA) that is low in temperature and humidity is used to
provide cooling of the space without the help of the cooling coil
– Areas of the FA intakes, FA ducts and FA dampers should be large
enough for the amount of FA required for free cooling
– For free cooling to be effective, it is necessary to evaluate the
comfort conditions of the space
 Air Conditioning

• Variable Water Flow System

– Variable water flow system is most suitable for supplying different
quantity of chilled water to space with variable load conditions
– The motor of the chilled water pump is served by a variable speed
drive (VSD)
– VAV system can save up to 30% of the pump power
– The supply water to AHUs and fan coil units is controlled by
regulating valves that supplies variable quantity of water to suit the
loading requirement.
 Air Conditioning

• Water Cooled Condenser

– Water-cooled condenser is more efficient than air-cooled condenser
due to lower condensing temperature
– If sea water is available, direct sea water cooled condenser is used.
The used sea water is returned back to the sea. It is about 30%
more efficiency than air-cooled system.
– Water-cooled condensers are installed inside building and have
lower noise and thermal pollution though it is having larger unit
sizes.
 Air Conditioning

• Automatic Condenser Tube Cleaning Device

– Scales are formed on the inner surface of the condenser water tubes
due to chemicals used in water treatment and other impurities in the
water.
– Periodical cleaning of the condenser tube can improve heat transfer
efficiency and saves about 10% of energy.
– Cleaning can be done manually in which case sufficient
maintenance space is required at one end of the condenser.
– Automatic condenser tube cleaning device is more desirable. It
consists of cleaning balls usually of metal that is stored in vessel in a
by-pass pipe-work.
 Air Conditioning

• District Cooling System

– A district cooling scheme (DCS) consists of a central plant room normally
near the sea or a river.
– The main water-cooled chillers are very large and can have a total capacity
in excess of 100,000 kW.
– Chilled water is distributed to premises by underground pipelines.

– It is very energy efficient due to the improved efficiency of large plants and
the ability to reduce the total plant size as a result of diversity.
– The other main benefits are saving of plant spaces, less maintenance
requirements, saving of operation costs and less environmental problems.
 Air Conditioning

• Center for Computation, Modeling and Simulation (CCMS)

– The CCMS is usually part of a building management system (BMS) which
provides computerized control of the various systems of a building.
– With good computer hard-wares and soft-wares, the CCMS enables the AC
systems to operate as designed and at the optimum efficiency level.
– Examples of the functions of a CCMS are:
• Closer control and monitoring of equipment and systems

• Optimum starting of chillers and other main plants

• Scheduling of plant operation

• Remote operation of systems in various buildings from a central control room

• Exceptional reports for preventive maintenance

– The CCMS can provide a potential savings of 10 to 25%.

 Electrical

• Energy efficiency in Electrical can be achieved by:

– Energy efficient office equipment

– High efficiency transformer and motors

– Energy efficient cabling system

– Review of tariff, power factor and quality

 Electrical

• Energy efficient office equipment

– The energy consumption of office equipment (telephone, fax, photocopier,
computer, monitor, etc.) increases every year and has exceeded that used
by lighting.
– Energy efficient office equipment has low standby power consumption. The
poor equipment can have standby power several times that of an efficient
equipment.
– It always pays to use office equipment with highly rated energy efficiency
label.
– Set office equipment to energy saving mode.
 Electrical

• High efficiency transformer and motors

– Distribution transformer should have efficiency in excess of 98%.
– The full load efficiency for small motors should be at least 85% and
for larger motors it should be at least 90%.
– Avoid over-sizing of motors. It is preferable to size motor by not
more than 125% of the anticipated system load.
– Soft starter is recommended to limit starting current.
 Electrical

• Energy efficient cabling system

– Use of energy efficient cabling system that will reduce energy
consumption through, lowering copper losses and improve safety
through better power quality at the same time.
– The location of the transformer room and main switch room should
be immediately adjacent to, above or below each other.
– The copper losses should not exceed 0.5% of the total active power
transmitted along the circuit conductors at the rated circuit current.
 Electrical

• Review of Tariff, Power Factor and Quality

– Conduct tariff review and apply to supply company for a special
charge rate other than general tariff
– Power factor should be improved to not less than 0.85
– Power factor correction capacitor bank must be designed to avoid
over current.
 Lifts & Escalators

• Energy efficiency in Electrical can be achieved by:

– High efficiency driving system
– Intelligent lift grouping and control system
 Lifts & Escalators

• High efficiency driving system

– The system should also be designed with more concern for the
possible impact on polluting the power quality of the building supply
system.
– Dedicated feeders should be provided for the lifts and escalators
circuits to facilitate future energy management and auditing
purposes
 Lifts & Escalators

• Intelligent lift grouping and control system

– Energy efficiency can be achieved by intelligent control of lifts and
escalators.
– Good lift zoning, grouping and response method can reduce the
waiting time and provide opportunity for dispatch of lift with energy
efficiency as the first consideration.
– Energy efficient mode for lifts during no load condition can be
designed to suit the management.
– Escalators can be controlled to provide reduced speed during no
load operation.
 Plumbing & Drainage

• Energy efficiency in P&D systems aims at reducing the

consumption or wastage of water.
• Ex :
– Self-closing taps

– Taps with sensor control

– Automatic flushing cisterns with sensor control

– Low flow WC
Conservation of Materials
and Resources
Availability of Resources
Depletion of Resources
Resources Consumption by Building Sector
Estimated Resources Usage in Buildings
 Resources Consumption

• Construction industry consumes 25% of virgin wood and 40% of raw

stone, gravel and sand, 16% water used globally each year, (Hobbs
2001, p 52).
• In Sri Lanka, construction is the largest buyer of Forestry sector –
77% and Mining & quarrying sector –76% (Input-Output table, 2000)
• “Approximately 40% of waste generated globally originate from
construction and demolition of buildings.” (Roach 2001, p 24)
 Other Issues

• Cement - The current average energy need for this production

process is around 20–25 GJ fuel and ~450 kWh per ton produced;
emits about 900 kg CO2eq per ton. In 2002 the U.S. cement industry
released 214,000 tons of NOx.
• Aluminium - The production of 1 kg of Al uses 12 kg of input
materials and 290 MJ of energy. This leads to the release of about15
kg of CO2 eq (Gutowski2004).
 Other Issues

• Physical disturbance to the landscape due to mining

 Other Issues

• Waste Rock Disposal

 Other Issues

• Toxic Emissions
 Other Issues

• Acid Mine Drainage

Contribution to Pollution
 Embodied Energy

• Embodied energy is the energy consumed by all of the processes associated

with the production of a building, from the mining and processing of natural
resources to manufacturing, transport and product delivery.

Source : Lawson 1996.

Overall Environmental Impact
 Selecting Materials

• Non toxic materials;

• Materials with low embodied energy;
• Recyclable materials;
• Materials containing wastes from other industries;
• Materials obtained from renewable resources;
• Materials responsible for low ‘Green House Gases’
• Materials with high durability;
• Materials with self-cleaning ability and capable of reducing
air pollution.
Indoor Environmental
Quality
Where we were…
Where we were…
Then…
Then…
Now…
 Challenges of Living in Built Environments

• Closed environments
• Limited space
• High temperature (need to cool)
• Pollution (air, water, soil)
 SBS and BRI

• Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)

• Building Related Illness (BRI)
 Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)

• SBS is associated with acute discomfort

- Headache - dry cough

- eye, nose, or throat irritation - fatigue

- dry or itchy skin

- dizziness and nausea

- difficulty in concentrating

- sensitivity to odors

• The cause of the symptoms is not known.

• Most of the complainants report relief soon after leaving the building.
 Building Related Illness (BRI)

• Indicators of BRI include:

• Building occupants complain of symptoms cough

• chest tightness

• fever and chills

• muscle aches

• The symptoms can be clinically defined and have clearly identifiable

causes.

• Complainants may require prolonged recovery times after leaving the

building.
Limited Space
Limited Space
Urban Heat Island Effect
Urban Heat Island Effect
Emissions cause for Indoor Air Pollution
Solution???
 Challenges face by plants

• Limited space
• Pollution (air, water, soil)
• Limited / expensive good quality water
• Lack of time to attend (maintenance)
• Low light environment
 Potential Solutions

• Vertical gardens (to solve the limited space problem)

• Green roofs (to reduce HIE)

• Phytoremediation (to deal with IAQ)

• Low-maintenance landscaping

• low water requiring plants

• low light requiring plants

 Vertical Gardens - Living Walls

• Concept is from the Vikings (6th Century)

• Large green wall concept – Patrick Blanc, a French
Botanist (in 1988)
 Benefits of “Living walls”

• For the space problem (space saver)

• Ecological benefits
• Added value (for companies)
• Energy saving - cooling
• Building protection
• Sound insulation
• Air purification
• Food sources
Living walls
Living walls
Living walls
 Living walls

• New plant cube in

Getafe, Spain
• World's First Vertical
Cube Garden
 Living walls

• Hotel Virrey in Bogotá., Colombia

Living walls
Living walls
Living walls
Living wall Construction
 Living wall Construction
- Design -

• Is it for indoor or outdoor use?

• What is the size of the wall? (To extract quantities and cost)
• Where is the wall located? (Sun exposure, wind load, place for
maintenance)
• Is the wall able to stabilize the green façade? (Type of fixation)
• Is there place for the frame’s foundations? (Wind load, min self
load 10kg/m2)
 Living wall Construction
- Services -
• Where are the connections to water, electricity?
• Is there sufficient water pressure? (Necessary in case of high
installation)
• Is there a place for an equipment room for the computerized system?
(If necessary)
Time:
• When is completion time?
• Do the plants need to be pre-grown?
Plants:
• Type of plants (Color, design, adapted to environment, growth rate)
Questions ????
Thank You!