Ecologically Sustainable Design Principles

8/8/2019 Ecologically Sustainable Design Principles

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D 1. ECOLOGICALLY SUSTAINABLE DESIGN PRINCIPLES

The construction and use of infrastructure can have a detrimental effect on the environment. As acorporate citizen, RailCorp wishes to minimise this impact when constructing or upgrading stationfacilities.

D31.1.1 ObjectiveStation Designs must reflect community concerns with, and RailCorps commitment to, minimisingthe impact of station infrastructure on the environment. Station designs should therefore aim to:

Use, reuse and conserve resources wisely

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Reduce consumption of non-renewable energy needed to manufacture, construct andoperate buildings

D31.1.2 Overview

To achieve the above objectives, the Consultant will need to:

identify appropriate opportunities to reduce the impact on the environment, and develop a station specific checklist from conception phase through to Development

Application phase that:- facilitates the delivery of green opportunities- reports, tracks and evaluates the appropriate fit of environmental opportunities.

For each station project, a checklist of Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) opportunitiesshould be developed, by the Design Team that identifies viable outcomes, and documents why somegreen options were not deemed appropriate. These station specific checklists will be delivered atevery stage (inception/PDR/DA) by all Consultants and Sub-Consultants (arch/SE/HE/EE/ME) and willwork towards building RailCorps information database reporting on green opportunities. The station

specific checklist will also ensure that effective delivery of sustainable initiatives, like dual flush toilets or sensor operated lights to store areas, once identified as viable, are carried over into the constructionphase.

Currently there are no rating tools for Station Buildings, however this is likely to change, and it is thearchitects responsibility to ensure that any mandatory rating and targets are complied with. The itemsnoted below are not exhaustive, nor will they necessarily always be current best practice, as technologyevolves. The purpose of this self-built designers checklist is to produce a dynamic framework that:

1. Encourages initiatives2. Allows for new technologies to be examined, costed, tested for appropriate fit, andtracked ensuring delivery.

Four primary resource categories are defined under The Environmental Performance Guide for Buildings and are as follows:

Land (and Landscape)EnergyMaterialsWater

D31.2 Detailed Requirements

D31.2.1 Land (and Landscape)

The amount of land used for buildings and for related developments is an important factor determining theamount of water naturally filtering to ground water reservoirs. Ground water conditions significantly impactthe biodiversity and effectiveness of local ecology.

Consider minimising the building footprint and related development where possible. Ground water run-off and pollution are dealt with under the water section.

D31.2.2 Energy used to operate buildings


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Energy associated with the building operation and use (eg lighting, heating, cooling, ventilation etc.) typicallyrepresents the largest proportion of life-cycle energy use. The reduction of operating energy potentially isone of the most critical performance requirements of green buildings.

Where possible, the Consultant should therefore:

Examine/adopt passive design solutions (includes orientation, thermal mass etc)Identify zones according to operational needs and occupancy patterns, and treat them separatelySelect suitable control systems (eg local switches, time switches, occupancy sensors, photoelectric

switches)Provide metering and monitoring systems, especially in larger stations, as energy consumption

management toolsIdentify/select efficient luminaries, appliances (including hot water), HVAC + ventilation systemsConsider alternatives to full air conditioning (eg displacement ventilation): ensure humidity controls are

in place, to protect IEQ (indoor environmental quality)Provide operable windowsAdopt energy-saving devices and systems (eg variable speed drives for fans and pumps, and waste

heat recovery)Specify high efficiency motors for all fan and pump applicationsUse gas fuelled systems, not electric where possible and in line with Station Safety Policies

Maximise energy use from clean renewable sourcesSpecify appropriate levels of insulation (hot water pipe runs, walls, roof and ceilings)

This information will be used to develop at a later stage, during the construction phase:

User-friendly instruction manuals, preferably fixed in a visible location, to assist staff understandwhat energy efficient principals have been employed, and how best to use them

Maintenance manuals to assist maintenance staff understand how to ensure performance ismaximised.

D31.2.3 Energy used to manufacture and construct buildings

Energy to manufacture and construct buildings is a relatively new field of inquiry, but one that is increasinglyimportant as operating energy is reduced.

The Consultant should therefore identify all opportunities to reduce the quantities of new materials by:

Selecting materials that can be reused or recycledSelecting materials on the basis of embodied energy / life cycle analysis: report using Ecospecifier or

similar ( www.ecospecifier.org )Reusing or recycling construction and demolition waste, and

D31.2.4 Materials

Minimise resource consumption through material selection, use and reuse initiatives.

Where possible, the Consultant should:

Investigate an option to avoid significant demolition if possible, or specify dismantle and recover for reuse or recycling

Give preference to manufacturers and suppliers who use high levels of recycled content in their productMechanically fix using vandal proof techniques where appropriate.Select/specify natural fibre alternatives to mineral glass wool insulationEliminate the use of CFCs, HCFCs and ODSs (ozone depleting potential substances) especially in

HVAC systems wherever possible.Avoid use of halogens wherever possible: provide complying alternative methods of fire suppression

such as carbon dioxide, water-spray, foams and powdersGive preference to interior materials and finishes that emit low-zero levels of VOCs.Reduce the amount of PVC by replacing with alternative materials of equal performance.

D31.2.5 Water

Australia is one of the driest continents in the world (published 2006 Australian Government Bureau of

Meteorology). Reductions in water consumption together with new water delivery solutions will enablesustainable development into the future.

Where possible, the Consultant should therefore:
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Collect roof water for reuse in landscape or toilets (preference: gravity feed)Investigate/propose/specify water-saving devices like dual flush toilets, waterless or sensored urinals,

sensored taps, tap aerators and slow close valvesInvestigate/propose/specify appropriate metering and monitoring systems on larger stations, or stations

with retail units, as water consumption management toolsDesign landscape layout to slow down run-off and encourage slow release (swales)Select native, water resistant hardy plantsInvestigate/propose/specify pollution traps for water run-off to control contaminated run-offs from

polluting sources such as car parksRe-stabilise and re-vegetate all areas disturbed by construction activities as soon as possibleInstall pre-treatment systems (eg in-floor dry basket arrestors) to minimise pollution loads on sewerage

systemEnsure that new works do not discharge stormwater to the track area (although this may occur in many

existing stations)Label drains storm water only fines apply

Documents

Ecologically Sustainable Design Principles