Sustainable Design Principles Adam Krason, Zmm

Sustainable Design Principles

The U.S. Green Building Council

Mission:

• to promote the design and construction of buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work

The U.S. Green Building Council

National non-profit organization

Diverse membership of organizations

Integrate building design sectors

Lead market transformation

Educate owners & practitioners

LEED Green Building Rating System

Sustainable Sites Water Efficiency

Energy & Atmosphere

Materials & Resources

Indoor Environmental

Quality

Innovation & Design Process

Leadership in Energy and

Environmental Design

Sustainable Sites

Intent:Limit expansion of developed areas, preserve ecologically productive land

Prevent site disturbance during construction

Do not develop on inappropriate sites

Develop in areas with existing infrastructure, not greenfields

Redevelop brownfield sites

site selection

Sustainable Sites

Intent:Reduce emissions & land development impacts from vehicle use

Public transportation access

Bicycle storage & changing rooms

Preferred parking for fuel efficient vehicles & carpools

Reduce parking capacity (minimum zoning requirements)

transportation

Sustainable Sites

Intent:Reduce pollutants & strain on infrastructure,

Reduce stormwater quantity, improve quality (wetlands & vegetated filtration)

Maximize open areas on the site

Protect or restore habitat Eliminate heat island

effect Light pollution reduction

stormwater / development

Water Efficiency

Intent:Eliminate potable water use for irrigation, reduce demand on infrastructure & natural resources

Use native vegetation Capture rainwater for

irrigation Eliminate site irrigation

systems Reuse condensate water

from HVAC systems

landscaping

Water Efficiency

Intent:Eliminate potable water demand for conveying wastewater

Treat wastewater on-site Use stormwater/graywater

for sewage conveyance Use high efficiency/dry

fixtures Reduce demand on

infrastructure

wastewater

Water Efficiency

Intent:Conserve water – it is a natural resource

Standard:Energy Policy Act of 2005

Use high efficiency/dry fixtures

Recycle graywater Dual flush toilets/low flow

shower heads

reduce water consumption

Energy & Atmosphere

Intent:Many systems are designed correctly, but installed or operated improperly

A quality-oriented process for achieving, verifying and documenting the performance of facilities, systems and assemblies to meet defined objectives and criteria

Cost of fundamental commissioning +/- $1/SF

Owner develops project requirements

Designer develops basis of design

commissioning

Commissioning

Energy & Atmosphere

Commissioning requirements should be incorporated into the construction documents

Enhanced commissioning includes systems manuals, training & a 10-month review

commissioning

Commissioning

Energy & Atmosphere

Intent:Reduce energy consumption (reduces pollution)

Includes building envelope, HVAC, lighting

Minimum standard:ASHRAE 90.1-2007

Up to 19 points available for 48% energy reduction

Over 20,000 SF requires whole building energy simulation

optimize energy performance

Energy & Atmosphere

Building orientation, improved building shell

Appropriately-sized HVAC systems

Energy recovery from exhaust air

Harvest on-site energy: solar, wind, geothermal

optimize energy performance

Energy & Atmosphere

Intent:CFC’s deplete the ozone layer

No CFC’s permitted, phase out of old facilities

Reduce use of CFC’s, HCFC’s, HFC’s

Consider use of natural refrigerants: carbon dioxide, ammonia, propane

reduce refrigerants

Energy & Atmosphere

Maintain equipment: prevent leakage into the atmosphere

Depleted ozone layer permits ultraviolet rays to penetrate the atmosphere

reduce refrigerants

Energy & Atmosphere

Intent:Measure building energy consumption over time

Establish a base year of operation

Compare future performance to the base

M&V period starts after reasonable occupation & stability

measure & verify

Energy & Atmosphere

Intent:Promote alternative energy sources

Purchase at least 35% of electricity from Green-e certified provider

Tradable renewable energy certificates (REC’s) can be used

green power


Intent:Reduce materials extracted, reduce their transportation

Reduce: materials extracted

Reuse: existing products Recycle: demolition &

construction waste

ReStore: Habitat for Humanity

Regional: sustainable for the environment & the economy

the 3 R’s + 2


Intent:Reduce waste hauled to & disposed of in landfills

During construction: develop waste management plan

Operation: provide an area within the building for storage & collection of recyclables

Minimum: paper, corrugated cardboard, glass, plastic & metals

recycling


Intent:Extend life cycle of existing buildings, reduce impact of new buildings as they relate to materials & transportation

Reuse structure & envelope Reuse interior partitions &

products where possible Do not reuse contaminants

& hazardous materials Upgrade HVAC, windows &

plumbing fixtures for increased efficiency

building reuse


Intent:Reuse building materials, reduce demand for virgin materials

“One man’s trash….” Consider furnishings Other options: posts &

beams, flooring, doors, brick, cabinetry

materials reuse


Intent:Reduce demand for virgin materials

Post-consumer: generated by households & businesses

Pre-consumer: generated by manufacturing process

Many suppliers list recycled content

Establish goals during the design phase

recycled content


Example:Steelcase “Context” furniture

40% recycled content 8% post-consumer

recycled content 92% recyclable Context also incorporates

water-based adhesives with low VOC’s

recycled content


Intent:Reduce impact of transportation

Options: concrete, block, brick, wood products

West Virginia is in a great location (500 mile radius)

Creates healthier local economy

regional materials


Intent:Reduce depletion of finite raw materials

10-year plant-to-harvest cycle

Options: bamboo, wool, linoleum, cork, wheatboard, even poplar

rapidly renewable materials


Intent:Encourage environmentally responsible forest management

Current standard: Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)

Most West Virginia forests adhere to Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) standard

USGBC is reviewing this credit to possibly include SFI

certified woods

Indoor Environmental Quality

Intent:Enhance indoor air quality in buildings

Indoor air can be 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air

Prevent “sick building syndrome”

Standard for fresh air:ASHRAE 62.1-2007

Eliminate or contain tobacco smoke

minimum performance

IAQ


Intent:We all need fresh air!

Measure fresh air delivery Increase natural

ventilation… can be difficult while reducing energy use

Monitor air quality during construction to keep workers safe

Protect systems during construction

ventilation

IAQ


Intent:Reduce harmful contaminants released by many materials

Adhesives & sealants (GreenSeal standard)

Paints/stains (low VOC) Flooring (Green Label,

Floor Score) Composite wood (no urea

formaldehyde)…remember Katrina trailers

materials


Intent:Minimize exposure to pollutants in the indoor environment

Entryway systems Housekeeping, copy/print

rooms & laundry areas: separate HVAC systems

MERV 13 filters

reduce pollutants


Intent:Promote productivity, comfort & well-being of occupants

Controllability of lighting & HVAC systems

Set increased HVAC design parameters for temperature & humidity

Give a majority of occupants access to daylight & views

occupant comfort

Innovation & Design Process

Intent:Be rewarded for exceptional performance above LEED requirements

Innovation Education of the users &

general public Life cycle cost analysis

additional items…

Initial

Cost

Service

Costs

Prevent.

Main. Costs

Operating Costs

Disposal

Costs

ZMM Case StudiesLincoln County High School

Awarded commission in October 2000 Presented green design study to the Superintendent in

2002 Incorporated affordable green design features Construction bids received in March 2004 Building occupied fall term 2006


Sustainable Sites:

Building orientation Erosion and

sedimentation control Stormwater

management Stormwater filtering Holding pond


Explored, but not incorporated:

Bicycle storage Reflective roof to combat

heat island effect Bid add alternate was $95K –

not accepted Preferred parking for

energy efficient vehicles Could be implemented now at

no cost


Water efficiency:

No landscape irrigation Water use reduction

Dual flush fixtures Water saving fixtures


Graywater system Bid add alternate was $200K,

not accepted Graywater sprinkler system

Bid add alternate was $250K, not accepted


Energy & Atmosphere:

High efficiency equipment Condensing boilers (95%+

efficient) Chiller heat recovery Fluorescent lighting, high CRI

CFC reduction No ozone-depleting

refrigerants

Explored, but not incorporated: Full system commissioning

Estimated cost was $200K Measurement & verification

Estimated cost was $20K


Materials & Resources:

Storage & collection of recyclables Educational opportunities of

recycling Local & regional materials


Construction waste recycling Estimated cost was $50K

Rapidly renewable materials Wood from managed forests


Indoor environmental quality:

CO2 monitoring/control Construction IAQ

management Low VOC-emitting

adhesives, paints & carpets

HVAC digital control system

Daylighting Building orientation Automatic light level control Benefits of natural light Reduce energy consumption


Cost breakdown:

Sustainable Sites Nominal

Water Efficiency Estimated at $50K

Energy & Atmosphere Estimated at $50K

Materials & Resources Nominal

Indoor Environmental Quality Estimated at $625K

(daylighting & lighting controls make up $600K of this cost)


First costs vs. long-term benefits:

First cost of green features $700,000 $3.23 per square foot

Percent of construction costs $700,000$31,400,000

= 2.25%


and the numbers demonstrate…

Water 4 Consolidated HS Used

2,156,900 Gallons New HS used 618,600

Gallons in the 2nd Year 71% Savings

Natural Gas Previous Use: 11,592 MCF New: 7,195 MCF 38% Savings


Long-term benefits:

Lower natural gas consumption

Lower water consumption Lower electricity

consumption Longer life of HVAC

equipment Lower absenteeism Higher student & teacher

performance Much better indoor air

quality Lower impact on the

environment

ZMM Case StudiesWV State Office Buildings 5, 6 & 7

Sustainable Sites:

The project site has access to public transportation

A bicycle storage & shower area (potentially a campus-wide facility) should be developed to encourage bicycle commuting for employees who live nearby

Prime parking areas should be developed for employees who carpool, as well as for alternative fuel vehicles

The new roof will be highly reflective to reduce heat island effect


Water Efficiency:

Low flow & dual flush fixtures will be used throughout

All new landscaping plans should utilize native vegetation


Energy & Atmosphere:

New windows will help reduce solar heat gain

New, more efficient HVAC system will replace the perimeter induction units

Systems will be commissioned to ensure that all mechanical and electrical systems operate properly



Recycling areas are developed for each floor, and should be developed for the entire campus

A recycling program should be established, and all employees educated in the process

A construction waste management plan will be implemented Included in the specifications Has already included recycling

of the demolished demountable partitions



Recycled content materials will be utilized, including drywall, steel & acoustic ceiling tiles

Locally & regionally produced materials will be used, including acoustic ceiling tiles, plywood,carpeting & resilient flooring

Cradle-to-Cradle certified furniture systems are specified

Raised floor with a modular, “plug & play” wiring system will eliminate future demolition waste


Indoor Environmental Quality:

Smoking will be prohibited near entryways & near air intakes

An indoor air quality (IAQ) management plan will be implemented during construction

Air quality will be measured & verified in all occupied areas to ensure that occupants are receiving enough fresh air

All paints, mastics & sealants will contain low VOC’s

Regular replacement of mechanical filters should be implemented

Final thoughts….

SUSTAINABILITY

It’s not about doing

less…

It’s about designing

better!

2008

Business

Sustainable Design Principles Adam Krason, Zmm