SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainable architecture

WHAT IS SUSTAINABILITY
It is the capacity to endure. The word is derived from the Latin sustinere (tenere, to hold; sus, up). The word sustain: to maintain", "support", or "endure "Meeting the needs of the present without comprising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." ___Bruntland Commission of United Nations "Sustainability is improving the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting eco-systems." ___IUCN/UNEP/WWF (1991)-Caring for the Earth

Sustainability has become a wide-ranging term that can be applied to almost every facet of life on Earth, from a local to a global scale and over various time periods. As the earths human population has increased, natural ecosystems have declined and changes in the balance of natural cycles has had a negative impact on both humans and other living systems.

There is now abundant scientific evidence that humanity is living unsustainably.

Limited energy resources Green house effect Ozone depletion

Returning human use of natural resources to within sustainable limits will require a major collective effort. Ways of living more sustainably can be in many forms;

reorganising living conditions (e.g., ecovillages, eco-

municipalities and sustainable cities) reappraising economic sectors (permaculture, green building, sustainable agriculture) re appraising work practices (sustainable architecture) using science to develop new technologies (green technologies, renewable energy)

adjustments in individual lifestyles

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

SUSTAINABILITY IN ARCHITECTURE

Sustainable building design involves the considered and logical evaluation of a buildings life cycle impact in terms of environmental pollution and resource depletion. By the application of rational and systematic design policies and strategies, it aims to reduce that impact to levels that are within the capacity of the environmental,social and economic support systems on which the building is dependent to manage without adverse affect on other life forms or their support systems.

During a buildings existence, it affects the local and global environments via a series of interconnected human activities and natural processes. At the early stage,

site development and construction influence indigenous ecological characteristics. the influx of construction equipment and personnel onto a building site and process of construction itself disrupt the local ecology. the procurement and manufacturing of materials impact the global environment. building operation inflicts long-lasting impact on the environment. For instance;
the energy and water used by its inhabitants produce toxic gases and sewage; the process of extracting, refining, and transporting all the resources used in building operation and maintenance also have numerous effects on the environment.

Once built,

As a societys economic status improves, its demand for architectural resources land, buildings or building products, energy, and other resources will increase. This in turn increases the combined impact of architecture on the global ecosystem, which is made up of inorganic elements, living organisms, and humans. The goal of sustainable design is to find architectural solutions that guarantee the wellbeing and coexistence of these three constituent groups.

SUSTAINABLE DESIGN PRINCIPLES

Sustainable design principles include but are not limited to:

Increase in energy and water efficiency and conservation; Increase in use of renewable energy resources; Reduction of elimination of toxic and hazardous substances in facilities, processes and their surrounding environment; Improvement of indoor air quality and interior and exterior environments leading to increased human productivity and performance and better human health; Use of resources and materials efficiently; Selection of materials and products that would minimize safety hazards and cumulative environmental impacts; Increase in use of recycled content and other environmentally preferred products;

Salvage and recycling of construction waste and building materials during construction and during demolition; Prevention of the generation of harmful materials and emmissions during construction, operation and decommissioning/demolition; Implementation maintenance and operational practices that reduce or eliminate harmful effects on people and the natural environment; Reuse of existing infrastructure, locate facilities near public transportation; Consider redevelopment of contaminated properties.

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE

To find existing and potential sustainable design strategies that can be implemented in Karachi.

Passive heating and cooling systems Manual ventilation systems Water conservation Energy conservation

RESEARCH FRAMEWORK

Main Field

Sustainable Design Sustainable Design strategies Existing and potential sustainable strategies for Karachi

Secondary Field

Research Focus

User Group

Citizens of Karachi

FINANCIAL BENEFITS OF GREEN BUILDINGS

Go Green and make profit

FRAMEWORK

Topic:

Financial benefits of green buildings To assess the profitability of green buildings in comparison to conventional buildings from stakeholders point of view.

Problem Statement

Proposal

Background Study
What is sustainability, evolution of the concept and benefits. What is a green building;

rating systems and criteria for green buildings Benefits of green buildings

Literature Review

CASE STUDIES

The Green Olympics, Sydney 2000, Australia

Olympic Building and project Olympic Parklands Impacts at urban level and building and systems level

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) Facility in Michigan {Reduces Water Consumption by 80%}. Facility at Sandia National laboratories {Reduces
Energy Costs}.

Argonne National Laboratorys Central Supply Facility {Reduces costs through Sustainable Landscaping}. The sustainability of High Density, Hong Kong, China. Habib University City Campus, Karachi.(Study of Proposal) Aga Khan Medical University and Hospital Complex, Karachi.

Bibliography

Environmentally Sustainable Buildings-Challenges and Policies.

OECD. Greg Kats, C., Alevantis, L., & Berman, A. (2003). The Cost and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings. California. Kim, J.-J., & Rigdon, B. (1998). Sustainable Architecture Module:Introduction to Sustainable Design. National Pollution Prevention Center for Higher Education. Payette, T. M. Designing the Aga Khan Medical Complex. In Architecture related to New Programs and Scales (pp. 161168). Pitts, A. (2004). Planning and Design Strategies for Sustainability and Profit. Architectural Press. Robinson, D., & Edwards, D. (2009). Sustainable Housing design: measurement, motivation, and management in Sutherland Shire, Sydney, Australia. Environmental and Planning B: Planning and Design , 36, 336-354. Saxon, I., Goldberg, N., & Kawai, D. (2006). An Economic

Feasibility Study of Green Buildings in Vancouver. Schumacher, E. F. (1973). Small is Beautiful: Economics as if people mattered. Newyork: Harper & Row. The Economic Benefits of Sustainable Design.