SUSD0002 – Resources, Materials and Sustainability

Group Assignment 2005

Mark Ayto Z3133960

Demis R Bhargava Z3108479
Malay Dave Z3140441
Mark Deverell
Prabhath Nandsena

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The Task:
You are to work in multi-disciplinary teams to first audit, then brief and re-design a 4-unit low-cost housing project to be developed in the South Sydney area so that as
far as possible – the project minimizes resource consumption, produces no waste and facilitates a one-ecological footprint life-style. Working in groups of 4, produce
the following:

1 – A Briefing Document 4 – A Performance Assessment of the Existing Scheme

- Development Context - Using your assessment checklist
- Sustainability Principles - Identifying major problem areas
- Project life-cycle phases - List of lessons learned
- Performance:
o Indicators
o Benchmarks
o Targets
o Monitoring
- References

2 – A Sustainability Assessment Checklist 5 – A New Concept Design for the scheme

- Decision-making methods, tools and process - Life-cycle & metabolism
- Relevant to each building life-cycle phase - Sketch design & specification
- References - Testing performance using your assessment checklist
- Verifying performance using other tools or methods
- Critique and lessons learned

3 – Resource Guide
- Guidelines for using information resources
- Information on sustainable materials
- Guides to/ tools for material selection
- Material databases and catalogues

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The group’s response:

Introduction

Methodology

In the group’s first meeting we identified the huge scale of the task ahead – that of not only re-designing a dwelling development but also converting the residents from
normal life to one-planet life-style. In the occupation, operation and performance of the buildings we would design a much higher proportion of total life energy is
consumed than in the construction of the buildings, and the occupant’s lifestyles would have a far greater impact on ecological footprint than our efforts in materials
selection could achieve. However, we also recognised that the design and construction of these new dwellings was the start of something new - a change from the
normal way of living – and they would make a huge contribution to and influence on the life-styles of the people that lived in them. The dwellings had to:

- Set a precedent
- Provide leading examples
- Be the source of inspiration

These early realisations made us think about our ways of working; how could we develop such designs and expect people to just “move in” when they were
completed? The answer to this is to involve the people who are going to live in the dwellings in preparing the brief from the outset, and in detail. Our core methodology
is therefore to engage with our client, to ask questions of him / her, to get him / her to undertake specific tasks related to the designs (tasks designed themselves to
provide answers for the brief – making the briefing process almost rhetorical). This is in essence a very practical exercise and requires straightforward understandable
processes to achieve a good result. Our methodology will therefore be practical, understandable and straightforward, enabling the client to be involved in the levels
mentioned earlier.

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Early conclusions

Our early group discussions also focused on some basic issues associated with one-planet living and its place in the suburbs of a major city such as Sydney. Two
topics helped us shape our brief:

1. Cars? Should our designs include for car ownership for the residents, some sort of shared car system, or no cars at all. Some basic research into one-planet
living criteria revealed to us the enormous burden car ownership and travel by car has on our ecological footprint. If we were to incorporate cars into our designs,
we would have to make considerable sacrifices elsewhere in the designs or expect the occupants to make very radical changes in their lifestyles. We decided
that we would “design out” cars in this project, basically for the three reasons set out above; we had to use this opportunity to set a precedent and use the design
to set an example.

2. Marketability / commerciality of the project: We agonised over how radical the buildings should appear. If they were so different from “normal” houses around
than there could be a risk that they would be labelled as “green”, with detrimental consequences (low value, poor investment, offering low quality of life, Etc). We
decided that we needed to achieve a high standard of quality in aesthetics and finishes, and provide an acceptable alternative to regular houses. In this way, by
providing opportunity for one-planet living as well, we would be providing a far superior product overall and over the life-span of the dwellings.

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Contents Description

Our response to the task is presented in five sections:

1 The Briefing Document, including a thorough description of the briefing process we propose, sustainability principles to be adopted, performance measuring
proposals, and the draft brief for the project. This section also demonstrates fundamentals for the design solution prompted by the brief.
2 A sustainability assessment checklist; derived and developed from the briefing process to enable us to assess the existing scheme and compare this with our
proposals for the new scheme. This section will include these assessments, and comments on the existing designs with our ideas of how our new proposals will
make improvements towards our client’s goals.
3 Our proposals for a new concept design. This will demonstrate how our brief will be converted into a living project
4 Finally, we offer a comprehensive resource guide, formatted using the practical, understandable and straightforward methodology mentioned earlier.
5 Conclusions, including BASIX assessments of both existing and new schemes, ecological footprint analyses, and recommendations for our client.

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1 Briefing Document
Contents

1.1 The Briefing Process

1.2 Analysis of Client’s Requirements
1.3 Context
1.4 Principles of sustainability
1.5 Goals and Objectives
1.5.1 Detailed Brief
1.6 Performance:
1.6.1 Benchmarks, Indicators, and Targets
1.6.2 Monitoring
1.6.3 Project life-cycle phases
1.7 References

Appendices

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1.1 The Briefing Process

We start by considering what we have been asked to produce; a “Briefing Document”. Research into guidance on the briefing process, and what constitutes a good
briefing document has revealed the following:

Strategic brief
The strategic brief will be drafted in response to a particular corporate need. Its exact content and structure may vary and many elements of it will only be defined
following completion of inward-looking studies and outward looking feasibility assessments.
However a well written strategic brief will generally incorporate the following:
• Corporate needs and objectives.
• A strategic statement of intent. This may be in the form of a mission statement.

• A statement of key design and aesthetic aspirations, with guidance on relative priorities.
• Outline design and construction requirements.
• An assessment of options, supported by the results of feasibility studies.
• An assessment of procurement options and the implications of each.
• Assessment of value for money and affordability.
• A project structure defining roles, responsibilities and the decision making process.

• An assessment of adaptability for change and growth (future proofing).

(Source: Constructing Excellence website: http://www.constructingexcellence.org.uk/)

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Design and Construction briefs
Design and construction briefs develop in incremental stages, with greater detail being added to draft documentation as the project evolves. This happens through an
incremental process of validation, evaluation and testing, with the strategic brief used as the benchmark against which ideas and proposals are measured.

The timing and formulation of design and construction briefs (and even their names) will depend on the nature, scale, complexity and procurement of the project.
Some projects may have a number of different briefs, or 'sub-briefs' covering specific aspects of the design and construction such as the urban environment or
equipping requirements.

The briefs allow the detailed design and construction requirements of a project to be clearly defined for all participants. Consequently the downstream detailed
design and construction activity is closely influenced by this document.

(Source: Constructing Excellence website: http://www.constructingexcellence.org.uk/)

The Brief is the key document for a project; it is a collation of the Client’s objectives and aspirations as well as specific requirements, it sets the standards that the
project should achieve and the benchmarks against which measurement is to be taken. It must therefore be a well written, clear, concise and easily communicable
document. The process of preparing the Brief is iterative over the stages of design and procurement. From initial “vision statements” the Brief will evolve, flex and bend
to absorb compromise and advantage arising from new design solutions and strategies for the achievement of the original objectives. The Brief must therefore be
presented in a format that can be easily updated, yet retain references to original thoughts or “vision statements”.

The Briefing Process for this project

The following diagram explains the process we have chosen to adopt for this project. We will:
• Analyse the Client’s requirements and their place in the local context.
• Establish some basic principles for sustainability.
• Define specific goals and objectives for this project, test the feasibility of these goals and objectives, by considering the implications, challenges and opportunities
presented in achieving them; and then re-define the objectives if this is appropriate.
• Agreeing strategies for achieving the final set of objectives.
• Compile the Brief document, collating all of the above, including benchmarks, targets and indicators; and setting all these over the framework of project phases.

This document attempts to lead a Client through this process, step-by-step in order to maintain his / her involvement throughout.

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The Briefing Process

Analyse
Client’s Examine Local Establish
Requirements Context Principles for
Sustainability

Define
Objectives / Check Set Strategies
Goals for Achieving
Feasibility!!
Objectives

Set Project life-

cycle phases
Compile Detailed
Brief
Set Benchmarks

Set Indicators
Set Targets

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1.2 Analysis of Client’s Requirements

The Client has spelt out his / her requirements “…. then brief and re-design a 4-unit low-cost housing project to be developed in the South Sydney area so that as far
as possible – the project minimizes resource consumption, produces no waste and facilitates a one-ecological footprint life-style”.

We can analyse the Client’s requirements as follows:

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1.3 Context

“You are to work in multi-disciplinary teams to first audit, then brief and re-design a 4-unit low-cost housing project to be developed in the South Sydney area so that
as far as possible – the project minimizes resource consumption, produces no waste and facilitates a one-ecological footprint life-style”.

The Client has specified that he / she would like to live a one-ecological footprint life-style in South Sydney. We must therefore consider the environmental pressures
and issues in this area in which the development is to be built, and attempt to determine which factors apply the most pressure, and where our development can add
value or contribute to the local authorities plans and policies.

The table overleaf shows issues of concern in the City of Sydney State of the Environment Report 2003 / 2004, and how this project may “interact” with these issues.

From this analysis, and the earlier analysis of the Client’s requirements, we are able to identify specific “context criteria” that the Brief should address. These are
tabulated on the succeeding page.

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 City of Sydney State of the Environment Report 2003 / 2004 Interaction with this project
Water Conservation Aim to exceed building codes on water conservation.
Supply Reduce reliance on mains water supply by using a greywater system for irrigation,
and rainwater storage systems to collect water from roof and hard-standing areas.
Demand Reduce demand for water by using efficient appliances and re-using water.
Groundwater level Minimize rainwater runoff to stormwater drains by limiting hard-standing areas.
Water pollution Minimize the use of detergents and chemicals in the home; therefore reducing
pollution in drainage systems.
Greenhouse CO2 emissions from the built environment Choose materials for construction with low embodied energy. Employ passive
and Air design solutions, with high insulation values in the design and construction.
Quality CO2 emissions from transport Provide “progressive” design solutions that support the one-ecological footprint life-
style, which would require minimal or zero reliance on the motor car.
Air pollution If a motor car is required in the project, then look for one with an efficient engine that
produces less particulate matter.
Biodiversity Protection Design to keep existing trees and shrubs on site, and to maintain “green” space.
Maintenance Provide design solutions that enhance education about biodiversity and enable the
residents to maintain the element of biodiversity at this address.
Waste Generation - sources of waste Use recycled or existing building materials in the project. Design for minimal waste
in construction. Provide design solutions that promote a “waste equals food” life-
style. Design for re-use of materials and components at end of life of the building.
Recycling Provide design solutions that make recycling a “way of life” for the residents.
Education Provide design solutions that create opportunity for learning and development for
the residents of the dwellings.
Land Use Population density Provide for at least the minimum density of residents at the dwellings expected by
South Sydney Council.
Built environment – sustainable buildings Provide design solutions that promote the idea of sustainable development and
living.

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Environmental pressures in the area

Ref Briefing comment

C1 Population density - the development must aspire to achieve or exceed recommended density.

C2 Reduction of water consumption – the development must recognise the local problem with water resource and make a contribution to alleviating this
problem
C3 Traffic congestion – the development must seek to have minimum impact upon local road traffic.

C4 Lack of “green” space in the local area – the development must seek to address this, both for the sake of the residents in the development and to
add value to the local community.
C5 Lack of “leading lights” for sustainable development – the new development should provide inspiration for the local residents, as an example of how
sustainability may be achieved in domestic dwellings.

Major concerns to be addressed

Ref Briefing comment

C6 Solutions should be compatible in their achievability; that is to say that no single design solution should stand out as an icon, or as a triumph of /
challenge to technology.

Fundamental “must haves”

Ref Briefing comment

C11 At least four dwellings, for four families of four persons.
C12 One of the dwellings should be designed for habitation by a disabled person or family.
C13 One of the dwellings should be designed for adaptation (at reasonable cost / effort) for habitation by a disabled person or family.
C14 The development must be “low cost”.
C15 As far as possible – the project must minimize resource consumption, produce no waste and facilitate a one-ecological footprint life-style.

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Potential and opportunities

Ref Briefing comment

C16 Innovation
C17 Example of sustainable living
C18 Contribution to the community
C19 A “living” project – designed for living in and living with evolving families within a community.

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1.4 Principles of sustainability

References and inspiration

This section commences with quotations from relevant literature and excerpts from appropriate documents. These lead the Client through common ideas and
understanding on sustainability issues, through more considered thinking, to more radical and idealistic expressions on the sustainability concept. These readings are
designed to develop the Client’s thinking and provide inspiration for choosing principles of sustainability to be adopted for this project.

Text Source

Basic principles – of good design, for healthy living, and towards sustainability
3.0 PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN BDP Environment Design guide – February 2005
FOR ADAPTABILITY
Based on a reading of theory for sustainable design a number of basic principles can be distilled as a
foundation for Design for Adaptability strategies. These principles, described in detail below are:
• Start with the end in mind
• Plan for change
• Design for long-life
• Design for loose-fit
• Design for deconstruction.

Site planning is a design process integrating a range of factors. It involves getting to know the context and The South Sydney Plan Part E; Environmental Design
character of the site and its surrounds to ensure development that: Criteria
• is compatible with the desired character of the locality, and considers the amenity of neighbours;
• takes advantage of the sites best attributes and recognises its constraints;
• satisfies reasonable needs for privacy, security and other justifiable user needs;
• makes good use of outdoor spaces;
• is environmentally sensitive;
• is attractive and functions effectively; and
• adds something new and positive to the streetscape and neighbourhood.

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Performance criteria The South Sydney Plan Part E; Environmental Design
The site analysis examines and records the significant characteristics of the site’s broad and local context, Criteria
including:
• climatic factors such as temperature range, relative humidity, prevailing winds, and solar access, which
directly affect thermal comfort and the energy efficiency of buildings,
• site orientation,
• existing vegetation,
• form, height, scale and type of surrounding and existing buildings,
• environmental constraints such as overshadowing of existing buildings and noise effects; and
• nearby heritage items and/or conservation areas,
• new development in the locality;
• street and block patterns,
• pedestrian linkages from surrounding areas,
• open space networks,
• significant view corridors,
• surrounding Public Domain and opportunities for its enhancement.

Site layout The South Sydney Plan Part E; Environmental Design

The arrangement of building and spaces on a site will have an important influence on the quality and Criteria
accessibility of the residential environment. Key components to be considered are:
• site features (including heritage)
• allotment size and shape;
• building footprint and site coverage;
• building scale and bulk;
• defining the massing of buildings and the enclosure of open spaces;
• building form and the external appearance of buildings;
• building design and orientation for energy efficiency;
• the need for visual and acoustic privacy;
• provision of open space and landscaping including retention of landscape features;

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• parking, access and servicing;
• the layout of pedestrian linkages and routes;
• on-site drainage; and
• site services and facilities

Objectives
To achieve a site layout that considers the opportunities and constraints of the site to provide a safe,
convenient and attractive environment that meets the diverse and changing needs of the community. For
Master Plan sites, to provide council and stakeholders with a planning framework for the most appropriate
form of development for the site.

Performance criteria
The site layout:
• Takes into account the site analysis.
• Ensures the attributes of a site eg views, substantial trees, solar access etc are maximised while
establishing a good fit and relationship between buildings on the site and with neighbouring properties and
buildings.
• Maintains similar lot sizes, subdivision and built form patterns to reinforce the existing urban fabric
• Includes lot sizes, shape and orientation that:
– reflect the intended land use, density and intensity of adjacent development;
– avoid the creation of battle-axe lots and long and narrow blocks at right angles to street frontages; where
allotments have irregular shapes, such as battle-axe lots, development is restricted to the principal area of
the lot that
has adequate dimensions for the siting of buildings;
– make adequate provision for parking, vehicular access, service facilities and useable outdoor space;
– protect environmental features and recognise site constraints and opportunities; and
– enable microclimate management and energy conservation.
• Incorporates existing buildings of conservation or heritage value and retains vegetation and natural site
features.

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• Fits into the surrounding environment and pattern of development by recognising:
– existing urban fabric,
– site topography and landscape,
– surrounding neighbourhood character and streetscape including buildings;
– potential view corridors, and
– potential pedestrian linkages.
• Maximises solar access to all parts of the development.
• Provides open space that:
– clearly delineates private and public areas;
– enhances the Public Domain;
– provides for a range of uses and activities;
– is cost-effective to maintain; and
– contributes to stormwater management.
• Integrates ecological processes such as on-site stormwater absorption, soil conservation, grey water
recycling, renewable energy harvesting and natural habitat restoration.
• Provides a mix of building types and sizes.
• Maintains the environmental amenity of adjacent development and the locality.
• Is designed to minimise environmental hazards such as noise and air pollution.
• Takes into consideration parking, access and servicing requirements.
• Enhances personal safety and minimises potential for crime and vandalism.

1.4 Private open space The South Sydney Plan Part E; Environmental Design
The design of private open space should focus on the quality of the space in terms of its outlook and Criteria
orientation, relationship to the building, size and shape of the space, its enclosure and landscape treatment.
The form and provision of private open space would depend on the location of the site and the specific
needs of the users. To be of use to the occupants it needs to be sufficiently large and therefore have
minimum dimensions and area depending on whether it is at ground level or above ground.

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Performance criteria The South Sydney Plan Part E; Environmental Design
Visual privacy Criteria
The main habitable areas and private open space are designed to be protected from direct overlooking, by
building layout, location and design of windows and balconies, screening devices, distance or landscaping.
Acoustic privacy
Site layout, building design and construction protect internal living and sleeping areas from high levels of
external noise and minimises the transmission of sound through the building structure.
Privacy is a key consideration of the site planning
and layout stage.

Ecological sustainability in an urban environment context, is a characteristic that is based on the The South Sydney Plan Part E; Environmental Design
philosophy of conserving and recycling resources to contribute to the restoration of underlying ecological Criteria – additional information
processes on which all life depends. It involves the integration of ecological processes such as on-site
stormwater absorption, soil
conservation, grey water recycling, renewable energy harvesting, natural habitat and air quality, with the
social, cultural and economic dimensions of human activities to achieve high levels of overall performance.

What is Sustainable Building Design? Sustainable Construction CPD – Module 9 Site Issues &
1. Sustainable building design is applied good sense - an aspiration to build to the highest quality and Construction Processes Gaia Research 2002
functional standard, with maximum environmental and social benefit and with cost assessments that reflect
the whole building life cycle such that investment can be properly maintained.
2. Achieving sustainability requires us to live within the limits of the earth’s capacity to provide the materials
for our activities and to absorb the waste and pollution that our activities generate.
3. Sustainable building design means applying of a set of design parameters which have often had
insufficient attention in the past:- functional requirements – now and in the future, user needs and
aspirations, resource consumption, material sourcing, location and access, impacts on stakeholders
including building users and the local community, life cycle operation and costs, maintainability, building
life and end-of-life, pollution, waste, biodiversity and health.
4. The process of procurement, design, tendering, construction and handover is a vitally important aspect of

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delivering buildings that can be sustained. Many projects suffer from a failure to think through design
consequences in cost and management terms. There are many examples where this results in crucial
aspects
being edited, and undermining of project aspirations, late in the process. This is not inevitable but requires
strong commitment, planning and considerable expertise if aspirations are to be achieved.8
5. The intended outcome is buildings that: -
a. ….minimise adverse social, environmental and economic impacts by being efficient to operate, effective
in their use of resources, minimizing waste & pollution and protecting occupant health and the wider
environment during construction, operation, re-use and at the end of their useful life.
b. ….enhance positive social and economic impacts by providing an environment that is fit for purpose,
more responsive to individual, business and community needs and aspirations, more flexible and functional,
maintainable and cheaper to run, and more respectful of the environment on which we all ultimately depend.

• ! Design for minimum waste of materials. Provide facilities for the minimisation and management of Constructing excellence, UK: Demonstrations of
waste. sustainability; Sustainability Checklist
• ! Protect and enhance biodiversity using the biodiversity EPI. Ensure natural features can be easily
managed and maintained.
• ! Specify local and low environmental impact materials (e.g. use A-rated specifications from the
Green Guide or equivalent and timber from certified well-managed forests). Use the embodied
energy EPI.
• ! Optimise passive energy use (e.g. solar gain). Minimise energy use (e.g. lighting, heating/cooling,
ventilation, insulation). Consider CHP and renewable energy sources. Use the operational energy
EPI. Fit submetering
• and intelligent building monitoring systems.
• ! Specify flexible information and communication services.
• ! Ensure high indoor air quality through effective ventilation, and specifying materials, finishes and
cleaning products with minimal harmful effects.
• ! Specify zero ozone depletion and low NOx systems and materials.

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 • ! Ensure fittings are low water volume. Consider rainwater and grey water recycling. Consider
permeable design for hard landscaping. Use the water EPI. Fit sub-metering.
• ! Discourage single-occupant car use, through public transport and cycling provision, making the
development safe and secure, providing showers and changing rooms.
• ! Consider ease of operation and maintenance through commissioning time and documentation.
• ! Consider daylighting, ventilation, humidification, personal control, and space for well-being and
comfort. The DQIs consider a range of environmental criteria.
• ! Design for flexibility or deconstruction with minimum waste.

Next level thinking – sustainability in buildings and change in ways of living

Sustainability is characterised by language such as: Net benefit … Change … Ongoing management … Hargroves, K. & Smith, M. (ed.) 2005, The natural
Efficiency … Inclusive … Innovation … design … best practice … Long term … Participation …. advantage of nations, Earthscan, UK p178.
Engagement … Altruism … repair … Enhance … Sense of Place … Sacred … Economic Performance ….
Externalities …. Broad based Benefits … Partnerships … I’m responsible … Networks … Interdependence
…. Future …

It is the architectural integration of all the competing parameters that shape our daily lives that will sustain a Z-factory website: http://www.zedfactory.com/home.html
good quality of life for future generations. Each of us just has to make a personal decision on whether to be
part of the problem or the solution.

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Ideas on community living
Urban village is a compact, well defined community, featuring higher intensity development, a strongly The South Sydney Plan Part E; Environmental Design
pedestrianised environment, a clear and interactive community focus (usually transit/civic and commercially Criteria – additional information
based), housing and land use mix, generous public spaces and high quality urban design.

The process of formulating the common vision continues. Communicating by e-mail during the winter of From “What is an Ecovillage” by Hildur Jackson. (Based
1996 Declan Kennedy, Albert Bates and Linda Joseph came up with the 14 affirmations that were brought on a working paper presented at the Gaia Trust
in the summer 1996 special issue of In Communities Magazine, journal of co-operative living. Education
1. Humanity can live well on this Earth through the process of supporting individual self-realization and co- Seminar, Thy, Denmark in September 1998, with minor
operative interdependence. updates).
2. We recognize that to restore, sustain and protect the health and integrity of the environment, we begin by
changing our attitudes, actions, and lifestyle, individually and in groups.
3. We strive towards a life of honest, fulfilling work; caring and fruitful social interaction; and simplicity of
living coupled with abundance.
4. We support the movement toward locally self-reliant ecological communities and neighborhoods that are
sustainable socially, environmentally, economically , and spiritually.
5. We educate in ways that honor and empower the whole person and individual actualization- physically,
emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
6. We educate in ways that promote successful co-operative efforts by valuing diversity, and by developing
effective communication and community-building skills.
7. We recognize our dependence on the thriving of diversity and work to ensure the survival of all species
and cultures.
8. We work to safeguard human rights, and toward the achievement of equality and social justice.
9. We embrace methods of land-use planning and development that honor and protect the health of natural
eco-systems, such as permaculture, natural building, and preservation of wildlife habitat
10. We promote the research and use of non-toxic substances and methods in agriculture and industry, on
the small scale, individually and locally; and the large scale, corporate levels and community-wide.

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11. We resolve conflict by speaking truthfully and with kindness, seeking resolution by peaceful means, at
earliest time, with the appropriate people, and seek mediation when it is needed.
12. We support citizen diplomacy.
13. We work towards the establishment of free and responsible media, and expanding opportunities for
exchange.
14. We believe the potential of humankind to make the vision of sustainability a reality, and to apply our
creativity so that we and the Earth not only survive, but flourish and thrive

An ecovillage is a subdivision that will have a beneficial or minimal environmental impact and at the same From Somerville Ecovillage website:
time enrich people's lives. This is achieved through the application of sustainable design practices where http://www.greenedge.org/default.asp
the enhancement of community is paramount.

Sustainability is the measure of providing for the present in balance with the needs of the future. This should
be the main criterion for the development of any ecovillage. In any optimistic vision of the coming century,
emphasis on quality of life, rather than consumerism at any cost, is fundamental. The future rests on
educating ourselves and our children to see that the good life depends on quality rather than quantity. An
ecovillage is just such a setting to begin this education and to reclaim a balance with the land and within
ourselves.

To “practical issues” of community living:

All residents have a high awareness of energy efficiency. Most members have chosen to subscribe to From Pinkarri Community Inc. website:
Western Power's new renewable energy scheme, Natural Power. Sharing of equipment has a high priority http://members.iinet.net.au/~delilah/Pinakarri/about.html
amongst residents - transport, electrical appliances and a washing machine which maximises interaction
with each other. Food scraps end up in compost or worm farms, household items such as cans, paper etc
are recycled and communal food preparation through communal dinners three times a week saves time and
energy. Future planning includes the introduction of solar hot water systems and rain tanks for water
conservation.

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In search of principles of sustainability to be adopted

The context, references, and analyses above must somehow be “distilled” down to simple statements; targets at which strategies and methods can be developed and
aimed. These targets are our core principles for sustainability. They are unique to this project, and applicable only to this project, having been selected after the
process described above. In our group discussions, the overriding feature of the Client’s Brief seems to be the desire for “one-ecological footprint” living. Examples of
definition of ecological footprint are:

“The Ecological Footprint is a measure of the bio-productive area required to produce the resources we consume and assimilate the wastes we generate wherever in
the world they may be located. This includes all the land we use for crops, grazing, building and growing trees for wood products as well as the waters from which we
fish. In addition, there is the land used for the absorption of waste, much of which is comprised of forests for absorption of carbon dioxide.”

(Source: Sustainable Sonara County website: http://www.sustainablesonoma.org/keyconcepts/footprint.html)

“An individual’s ecological footprint comprises the footprints of all their work and leisure activities, food and products consumed and waste produced. It also includes
the area of forest required to sequester carbon dioxide emissions associated with that individual’s energy use, together with a share of the footprint of shared
infrastructure and services such as airports, roads, financial services, hospitals, schools and other public services. The diagram highlights the relative importance of
lifestyle choices compared with the impact of our buildings (i.e. our footprint associated with food consumption compared with the impact of materials used in our
home). It also shows the importance of our shared infrastructure, which is difficult to address as an individual but can be addressed at the community level.”

(Source: Report prepared by BioRegional Development Group

– “Z-squared: Enabling One Planet Living in the Thames
Gateway” – November 2004).

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Two aspects of these definitions help us to define our principles. These are:

1. Lifestyle choice is the single most important factor in the size of our ecological footprint. Our new dwelling must primarily provide for a radical change in
lifestyle, and should be designed to make this paradigm shift as bearable as possible in order that a reversion to previous bad practice can be averted.

2. Community living. There are inherent difficulties in trying to achieve one-ecological footprint on your own. Factors of scale practically preclude participation in
today’s daily life in South Sydney. The solution seems to, lie in a combination of resources and effort to overcome this problem – in a development designed
for co-ordination and co-operation in daily lives.

Coincidentally, concepts and principles of community living would also support a solution for the radical change in individual’s lifestyle that would be required to live in
this development. This “mutual appreciation” between these two core drivers for our principles of sustainability adds value to their importance and reason for their
adoption.

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Considering all of the above, after dialogue and discussion we have determined to adopt the following principles of sustainability:

Principles of sustainability to be adopted

Ref Principle to be adopted for the new development

P1 Development must be a net “prosumer” of energy.

P2 Must provide for community living
P3 Must provide freedom and flexibility in living space
P4 Creative use of materials
P5 Closed / semi-closed loops in all aspects
P6 Regenerative architecture
P7 Biomorphic architecture
P8 Life-cycle awareness
P9 Provides educative and stimulating living experiences for occupants
P10 Development is inextricably linked with nature

27
1.5 Goals, Objectives, and strategies

Our Client has set four goals to be achieved (as far as possible) in this development:

1. The project must minimize resource consumption.

2. The project must produce no waste.
3. The project must facilitate a one-ecological footprint lifestyle
4. The development is to be “low cost”.

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Our Interpretation: Narrow
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1. Minimize Resource Consumption:
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4. The rate of replenish output, of unusable substance on site, must not exceed the limits of natural absorption. The development, at any project life cycle stage,
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must not produce any waste, hazardous for human health or for the environment Narrow

5.3. Facilitate a one ecological footprint lifestyle: Formatted: Font: (Default) Arial
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The physical basis for productivity and diversity of nature must not be harmed; the use of resources and output of wastes must be fair and efficient with respect
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to meeting human needs within the carrying capacity of the earth. Narrow
7.4. To be ‘Low Cost’: Formatted: Font: (Default) Arial
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The development should be ‘low total cost’ compared to the existing scheme or any other similar typical scheme.
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1.5.1 Detailed Brief

29
30
31
1.6 Fundamentals for the design solution prompted by the brief:

We recognize ‘One-Planet Living’ as the most essential requirement of this project.

Through the research and subsequent discussions we recognized the significance of ‘community living’ and the inevitable role it can play in achieving one-planet
lifestyle.

One of the main design objectives for us would be to create an environment that can encourage and support community living. By community living we mean a living
that recognizes the strength of interdependence and attempts for unity in diversity. The design for community living will be for various socio-cultural as well as
economic backgrounds. It will also be an environment designed for all ages incorporating the issues of accessibility.

We recognize that built environment can be ‘just’ the provider of opportunities of sustainable living. It is only through personal attitudes towards consumption and
sustenance that ‘one-planet living’ can be achieved. Therefore we also recognize the importance of learning and education for sustainable development. Other design
objective, therefore, would be to design experientially rich, learning and educative environment for the residents and visitors, which can help sustain one-planet lifestyle
throughout the total life span of the building.

Use of local eco-materials (maximum use of reclaimed, salvaged materials or with maximum recycled content) and construction techniques for innovative passive solar
designs will help minimize the resource consumption. The use of active solar and wind technologies will be used to generate and provide large amount of energy
supply for the development. The use of prefabricated, modular, reusable and/or recyclable materials and components will help minimize waste. Selection of materials,
whose waste would be either technical or natural nutrient, along with minimum or bio-degradable packaged materials will significantly reduce construction waste
generation. All these strategies ultimately will contribute in maintaining low life-cycle cost.

The design will attempt a biophilic environment, which would integrate natural environment in the built environment where possible. All the attempts will be made to
eliminate the existent alienation between human being and nature. This active ‘oneness’ between human being and the natural environment will not only create
environment for physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing for the users and visitors but also will sow the seeds for the sustainable future development.

32
1.7 Performance
We wish to measure the performance of our project towards the goals and objectives we have set ourselves to achieve. To do this, we need to identify benchmarks for
issues relating to our goals, establish indicators that are relevant to these benchmarks, and targets which we must aspire to achieve in pursuit of our goals.
1.7.1 Benchmarks, indicators, and targets

Our benchmarks will be drawn from local and accepted / accredited sources of information in order that our comparisons will be accurate and relevant:

Goal Construction “In use” / Occupation

Benchmark Indicator Target Benchmark Indicator Target

The project must Energy Embodied energy GJ/ Dwelling Given 16 tonnes CO2 / All energy Consider aiming
in the constructed imperfections and annum for an consumed – for 4 tonnes CO2
minimize resource
dwellings – 1000 measurement average converted into per annum
consumption.
GJ / dwelling1 problems, household.2 equivalent tonnes
consider a target CO2.
of 800 GJ/
dwelling
The embodied Embodied CO2 BedZED achieves
CO2 in an average 675kg/m24
“volume
housebuilder”

1
Source: CSIRO and URL: http://www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/fs31.htm. Note there are imperfections in measuring and assessing embodied energy; refer to
the advice given on the website.

2
Please refer to appendix H.

33
 house in the UK is
600-800kg/m2.3
Recycled/ re- No benchmark % of total BedZED achieves Not applicable
used content available materials by 15%5
weight
Water Sydney Metro Kilolitres / year / Target 150
Water use in construction is considered insignificant in
comparison with the total water consumed in the life of the average is 250 household kilolitres per year
dwellings in-use. kilolitres per year per household
per household.6

3, 4, 5
Source: Beddington Zero (Fossil) Energy Development Construction Materials Report Toolkit for Carbon Neutral Developments – Part 1, Nicole Lazarus,
BioRegional Development Group
6
City of Sydney State of Environment Report 2003 / 2004, p. 11.

34
Goal Construction “In use” / Occupation

The project must Construction No benchmark Waste materials Suggest set a Not applicable
materials available removed from monthly target
produce no waste.
site as a % of based on the
total materials previous month’s
used in the figures.
construction.
No benchmark % of waste ABI Group
available removed to achieved 18%7
landfill
Average 4 tonnes Total waste Target to reduce
of waste produced produced in this by 50%
in the construction construction
of a house.8 (tonnes)
No benchmark Potential for Difficult to
available recycling / re-use measure and
assess – as future
events and trends
may dictate actual
results.
Packaging No benchmark Weight of Suggest set a Reflected in domestic waste, below.
available packaging for monthly target
construction based on the
materials that is previous month’s

7
From Resource NSW website: http://www.resource.nsw.gov.au/data/wpgabigroup.pdf
8
Source: Government of South Australia, Zero Waste SA, Construction and Demolition Materials.

35
 sent to landfill figures.
Domestic Not applicable 200 Kg / year / Landfill waste Suggest set targets
waste person9 produced per reducing in
year per person increments of 5%.
(Kg)
75 Kg / year / Waste recycled Suggest set targets
person10 per person per increasing in
year (Kg) increments of 5%.

9,10
Source: City of Sydney State of Environment Report 2003 / 2004, p. 55.

36
Goal Construction “In use” / Occupation

The project must Car Mileage Not applicable ??? Kilometres per BedZED suggests
year by the limit of 1,000 Km /
facilitate a one-
ecological footprint average year11
lifestyle household by car
Car 90% of Australians Target has to be
Ownership aged 16 or over zero: Shared car
own a car.12 scheme required;
20 people per club
car.13
Public ??? Km travelled by
transport public transport
per year per
person
Air travel ??? Km travelled by BedZED suggests
plane per person “holiday by plane
per year every 2 years”. 14
Food ??? % of food bought Aim to buy all food
from local from local
producers. producers.
Little or no food % of food grown Set targets
produced at home on site (calorie seasonally – to

11, 12, 14
Source: Desai, P. & Riddlestone, S. 2002, Bioregional Solutions for Living on One Planet, Schumacher Briefings, table entitled Ecological Footprints for UK
Lifestyle in Hectares per Person.
12
Source: AC Neilson website: http://www.acnielsen.com.au/home.asp

37
 content) reflect “growing
potential” of the
site.
The development is Development $650 / m2 $ Development Target cost could Not applicable
to be “low cost” costs (2001).15 Cost / m2 (gross be higher than
floor area) benchmark, but
must also
demonstrate how
low energy and
maintenance
costs will offset
this over time.
Maintenance ??? $ cost of annual Realistic target
costs maintenance should be less than
the benchmark to
take account of
natural materials
use, no paint
finishes, and no
“cosmetic”
gardening.

15
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics website: http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/31f2b26a0ba3db04ca256bb90082a5f1?OpenDocument. Note, this
data is as at year 2001, and is National data. We suspect that average costs for a suburban house will be more than this, due to increased construction costs and
smaller plot sizes.

38
1.7.2 Monitoring

Quantitative issues

Measuring and monitoring all quantitative issues (waste, energy, transport, Etc) described above can be relatively easy to set up and undertake. However, in order to
make the results more relevant, and to ad to the educative process that this development tries to promote, we would attempt to present the results in a format that is:

• User friendly
• Easily updated
• Relevant to current thinking

An example is Beddington Zero (Fossil) Energy Development Construction Materials Report Toolkit for Carbon Neutral Developments – Part 1, by Nicole Lazarus,
BioRegional Development Group. This sets out the complete history and rationale for the material selection for their project.

Qualitative issues

These issues are traditionally more difficult to measure and monitor. Monitoring the “one-footprint life-style” will require a consistent approach to measuring changing
variables; and a degree of interpretation and tolerance will be required. “Quality of life” assessments can be made, but these must be restricted by the fact that
assessment is being made in the confines of the development, only commences when the development is occupied, and should only be compared with immediate
neighbours. However, such an assessment may include statistics and value judgements such as:

• Number of days sick, or off work

• Number of doctor appointments per year
• Number of visitors
• Variety of indigenous plants in the garden
• Leisure time spent at the development

39
1.7.3 Project life-cycle phases

The following project life-cycle phases will be adopted for this project in order to aid timely decision making, and to set a plan for monitoring the development:

Life-cycle Description Objective Actions and monitoring

phase (LCP)

LCP1 Inception To determine the requirement for the Check alternatives to constructing a new development.
development
LCP2 Briefing To confirm requirements of the development Refer to reference projects and advice on the Briefing process to set
relevant design criteria.
LCP3 Design To demonstrate how the requirements can be Monitor quantitative and qualitative issues against design criteria.
achieved
LCP4 Procurement To locate, and secure the supply of goods, Check track record of contractors and suppliers against criteria in the
materials, components, and services for the Brief.
construction of the development.
LCP5 Construction To construct the development in accordance with Monitor performance of the construction activities against criteria in the
designs and specifications. Brief and industry practice.
LCP6 Occupation To occupy the development and operate it in Monitor quantitative and qualitative issues against criteria in the Brief;
accordance with the designed intentions be prepared to continuously adjust targets as time elapses.
LCP7 Evaluation To evaluate the performance of the development Choose regular evaluation periods where results are assessed, new
and its occupants. targets set, and “direction” may be altered.
LCP8 Deconstruction To take the building apart in a managed process Monitor the dismantling and demolition of the buildings in accordance
to ensure all materials and components are with current regulations and best practice; yet adhering to the spirit of
returned to their designed / intended state the original plan.
(taking into account developments in recycling
and re-use during the lifetime of the building).

40
1.8 References

AC Neilson website: http://www.acnielsen.com.au/home.asp

Australian Bureau of Statistics website: http://www.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/abs@.nsf/0/31f2b26a0ba3db04ca256bb90082a5f1?OpenDocument
BDP Environment Design guide – February 2005
BioRegional Development Group – “Z-squared: Enabling One Planet Living in the Thames Gateway” – November 2004).
Constructing Excellence website: http://www.constructingexcellence.org.uk/)
Constructing excellence, UK: Demonstrations of sustainability; Sustainability Checklist
CSIRO and URL: http://www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/fs31.htm
City of Sydney State of Environment Report 2003 / 2004
Desai, P. & Riddlestone, S. 2002, Bioregional Solutions for Living on One Planet, Schumacher Briefings
Government of South Australia, Zero Waste SA, Construction and Demolition Materials
Hargroves, K. & Smith, M. (ed.) 2005, The natural advantage of nations, Earthscan, UK p178.
Jackson, H. 1998, “What is an Ecovillage (Based on a working paper presented at the Gaia Trust Education Seminar, Thy, Denmark in September 1998).
Lazarus, N. Beddington Zero (Fossil) Energy Development Construction Materials Report Toolkit for Carbon Neutral Developments – Part 1, BioRegional Development
Group
Pinkarri Community Inc. website: http://members.iinet.net.au/~delilah/Pinakarri/about.html
Resource NSW website: http://www.resource.nsw.gov.au/data/wpgabigroup.pdf
Salisbury, F. 1998, Briefing your architect, Architectural Press, UK
Somerville Ecovillage website: http://www.greenedge.org/default.asp
Sustainable Construction CPD – Module 9 Site Issues & Construction Processes Gaia Research 2002
Sustainable Sonara County website: http://www.sustainablesonoma.org/keyconcepts/footprint.html
The South Sydney Plan Part E; Environmental Design Criteria
The South Sydney Plan Part E; Environmental Design Criteria – additional information
Z-factory website: http://www.zedfactory.com/home.html

41
Appendices

A – Operational energy

(Source: Ashok B. Lall

Architects).

42
43
 B – Westwyck’s Worm Farm

The WestWyck worm farm, which was designed primarily to handle the site's sewerage, has the
additional advantage of being able to process all domestic organic material.

The worm farm is able to organically convert the sewerage, household waste paper and cardboard,
kitchen scraps and garden vegetation into clear, aerated, odour-free liquid and garden enhancing
worm castings.

WestWyck has installed a worm farm to handle site-generated organic waste including human
wastes. WestWyck believes this is the first large scale application of worm farm technology to an
inner urban site. Moreland City Council has granted planning approval of the system based on a
generic system approval from the Environment Protection Authority. Moreland requires the system to
have the capacity to discharge to sewer. WestWyck is currently renovating the system under the
watchful eye of Council to ensure an even flow of distributed liquid to the entire evapo-transpiration
system.

One beauty of this system is that it is able to make use of the otherwise useless carpark land to house
Figure 1 the worm farm and to play a role in the transpiration of the excess liquid.

The system actually enhances the landscape by providing scarce water to sustain the grass carpark,
the kanookas or water gums that border the carpark and a flourishing reed bed.

(Source: Westwyck website: http://www.westwyck.com/waste.shtml).

44
C – Doing More with Less

(Source: “TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION IN CONCRETE”

A paper written by David Clarke of Sinclair Knight Mertz)

6. DOING MORE WITH LESS

Construction systems are generally linear, take-make-waste systems.
Natural cyclical living systems are destroyed when resources are
depleted and waste accumulates in the biosphere. The need to use
materials more efficiently and to reduce, reuse and recycle waste is
fundamental to achieving sustainable construction. In the UK, 70 million
tonnes of construction and demolition materials and soil end up as
waste. Of that, 13 million tonnes (18%) comprises material delivered to
sites then thrown away unused.11 In Australia we send more waste to
landfill per head of population than any country except the USA. 12
It is important to design out waste during the construction, service life
and demolition of the building. This requires considering life cycle issues
(cradle to grave/reincarnation approach), involving the supply chain,
careful specification of materials and considering more efficient use of Figure 2 - Life Cycle of Materials in Buildings
resources (see Fig 2).

6.3 Avoid over specification of materials

Although stating the obvious, lean design will reduce material consumption. Lean design should not be at the expense of future adaptability. Designers and
builders should keep up to date with new technologies and systems which increase the efficiency of
building materials. In this age of fast-track design and construction, providing designers with sufficient time to explore innovative options and optimise designs
could be considered environmentally friendly – as well as reducing stress levels (a social benefit?).
6.4 Standardisation
Every building design does not have to be a prototype and adopting standardised solutions can reduce waste. This includes using standard details and
adopting standard dimensions such as 1.2m modules to avoid cutting formwork sheets and other standard
construction materials such as plasterboard sheets. The off-cuts invariably end up as waste.
6.5 Prefabrication
Precast concrete construction is very popular in Australia for industrial, commercial and residential developments. Fabrication generally occurs in a controlled
environment allowing more efficient use of materials and almost no waste on site, compared to insitu
concrete. Formwork is reduced or eliminated and buildings can be erected quickly. Consideration should be given to distances from the precast yard to the site,
with local supply being preferable from a transport energy and emission perspective. 45
D – Westwyck Project, Melbourne: http://www.westwyck.com/overview.shtml.

46
E – What is an Eco-village?

47
F – Construction Waste

5.6 Recycling and Disposal

Approximately 40% of all construction and related wastes are believed to arise from the repair, maintenance and new build of domestic buildings, the remainder coming
from other construction sectors.
5.6.1 Construction Waste
Table 13 shows the approximate quantities of waste predicted to arise from the construction process. The majority of this waste goes to landfill because of the way
construction sites are operated. Much of this waste is avoidable and reduces the already small profits of construction companies. Some estimates indicate that this
waste is a large proportion of those profits – typically 25%. If 10-20% reductions in waste could be achieved, 6 million
tonnes of material might be diverted from landfill saving approximately £60m in premium rate disposal costs. The cost of construction waste includes the cost of
materials, disposal, transport and labour to clear it up. Construction waste comprises inert and active wastes which if mixed, will incur the higher landfill tax rate.
Separated wastes can incur lower landfill tax rates, are much more suitable for recycling and reuse and can become an asset rather than a liability.

(Source: Sustainable Construction – the Data, prepared by Nigel Howard, Centre for Sustainable Construction, March 2000)

48
G – Bedzed’s environmental footprint

Source: Desai, P. & Riddlestone, S. 2002, Bioregional Solutions for Living on One Planet, Schumacher Briefings

49
H – Domestic energy; CO2 and costs

"NSW green and typical detailed"

Greenhouse gas (tonnes CO2) Energy costs (dollars)
Green Typical Green Typical
Hot Water 0.6213 4.1018 183.85 443.49
Heating 0.3032 0.8241 40.28 233.82
Cooling 0.0171 0.0714 2.27 7.72
Refrigeration 0.4468 1.4503 59.36 156.81
Cooking 0.3750 0.7073 89.33 76.48
Lighting 0.1664 0.6544 22.11 70.75
Clothes Drying 0 0.3137 0 33.920
Other Appliances 1.1004 1.1535 124.72 146.20

HOUSE SUBTOTAL 3.0302 9.2765 543.40 1147.71

Waste 0.1966 1.3193 0 0

Transport 1.5752 6.2650 333.82 1889.51

TOTAL 4.8020 16.8609 $877.23 $3,037.22

(Source: Australian Greenhouse Office website: http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/coolcommunities/audit/appendix1.html)

50
"NSW green and typical detailed"
Greenhouse gas (tonnes CO2) Energy costs (dollars)
Green Typical Green Typical
Hot Water 0.6213 4.1018 183.85 443.49
Heating 0.3032 0.8241 40.28 233.82
Cooling 0.0171 0.0714 2.27 7.72
Refrigeration 0.4468 1.4503 59.36 156.81
Cooking 0.3750 0.7073 89.33 76.48
Lighting 0.1664 0.6544 22.11 70.75
Clothes Drying 0 0.3137 0 33.920
Other Appliances 1.1004 1.1535 124.72 146.20

HOUSE SUBTOTAL 3.0302 9.2765 543.40 1147.71

Waste 0.1966 1.3193 0 0

Transport 1.5752 6.2650 333.82 1889.51

TOTAL 4.8020 16.8609 $877.23 $3,037.22

51
2 Sustainability Assessment Checklist

52
Principle: One Ecological Footprint – Community Learning - Passing on the lessons learnt – A Living Project

Core Key Components/ New Existing Comparison/ Comment

Parameters Principles Design Design Improvement
*x5 +/-
Energy - Passive ***** ** +4 - Using Technology only when/where appropriate and
Design/Orientation costed
- Self Sufficiency - We considered numerous innovations for self
- Closed Loop sufficiency in Energy consumption, but concluded that
Sustainability Checklist

- Modular/Pre Fab the energy required to design and produce the equipment
components/design = was likely to be greater, due to economies of scale, than
Minimises site waste signing up with a Green Energy provider,
- Low/No Emissions
- Emphasis on functional
design

Low Cost - Cost in Use **** * +3 - Differentiate between In Use and Construction periods.
- Cost in Operation Analysis looks at the cost of a product/ material over its
- Life Cycle Costing lifecycle, therefore enabling a real cost benefit study.
Techniques – Using
DCF/NPVs

53
Water and - Designing with end in **** * +3 - The ‘hot topic’. The approach we have embraced for
Waste mind water contrasts with our recommendations on energy.
‘Cradle to Grave’ concept The design tries to harness all on-site water through
- Design with selling in collection systems and use of grey water.
mind, No building - We considered the idea of recycling black water, but the
Sustainable if not in use cost and energy consumption for a site of this scale were
- Design for adaptability prohibitive.
- Embracing ‘Waste into
Food’ concept
- Introduces shared
systems embracing our
core concept of
Community.
- Use of grey water, goal to
exceed conservation

Materials - In Use/ During **** * +3 - All materials sourced from locally accredited
Construction manufacturers. Precautionary Principle adopted.
- Ecological Rucksack
- Low Embodied Energy
- Pref for natural materials
- Recycled/Renewable
- Re-use considerations
- Consideration of
manufacturing process
- Durability

54
Secondary Key Components/ New Existing Comparison/ Comment
Parameters Principles Design Design Improvement
* x 10 +/-
Community - Design Embraces * x7 *** +4 - One of our core innovations of the design is to draft and
Impact Local community living and the have available a Manual for Use and a Manual for
concept of sharing Construction
resources
Impact of - Reflects local design **** * +3 - Concept embraces a naturalistic approach
Buildings whilst embracing the core
principles
Impact upon - Promotes the use of **** ** +1 - Although we recognized the advantages of promoting
Infrastructure alternative forms of the use of alternative modes of transport the design
transport and a shift away realises the limitations within a Automobile City
from the Automobile

Personal - Design for comfort with a * x7 *** +4 - No real focus on these parameters in existing scheme.
Health, Welfare, focus on occupant’s - Core consideration. It is fundamental to the successful
Spirituality welfare, both mental and operation of the project that the occupants are content,
physical. Concept therefore are more likely to work in harmony with the
appreciates and is tailored development.
to the clients unique
circumstances

55
Tertiary Key Components/ New Existing Comparison/ Comment
Parameters Principles Design Design Improvement
* x 20 +/-
Market - Reduce reliance upon ***** ***** /
Land Use, Form transport, reducing * x6 ** +4
and Design pollution noise and air and
Impact upon reducing energy * x6 * +5
Ecology – Local consumption. This will
Impact upon reduce the impact on both * x6 * +5
Ecology - local and global
Global environment.
Community - Marketing. The * x6 ** +4
Impact Global development has been
designed to embrace the
concept of sustainability,
and with a view to adding
value.

Additional
Innovations
* N/A
Education - A Living Project Additional factors cannot be weighted, but enhance the
livability of the overall scheme

56
Weighting Glossary: Embracing the Pareto Principle

Red indicates key parameters and therefore those that carry greatest weighting
Orange indicates secondary parameters and carry half the weighting the Red parameters
Green indicates tertiary parameters and carry half the weighting of the Orange parameters

2.2 Comments on deficiencies of the existing scheme – and how our proposals will deal with these

ES: Existing Scheme, PS: Proposed Scheme

ES: does not consider urban issues related to sustainability

o PS: recognizes urban pressures, environmental issues and concerns of the area and urban issues related to sustainability

ES: Does not respond to its physical surrounding
o PS: Well designed edges of the plot, responds well to the corner meeting the cross-road creating an inviting community space

ES: layout, massing and orientation do not respond to physical and climatic contexts
o PS: Location of built mass and massing as well as orientation respond to the site topography, achieve maximum green landscape, appropriate
solar exposure for passive design, maximum natural cross-ventilation, maximum solar exposure for on-ground and on-terrace vegetations,
maximum solar heat-gain for solar energy production

ES: Does not respect existing trees on site
o PS: Works out the layout in such a way to conserve all existing trees on site and enhances the biodiversity on site with regional species of vegetation

ES: Allocates more than 20% of site area to car-parks and driveways.
o PS: Eliminates car-use. Utilizes that 20% of site area for vegetation, farming, water harvesting and other permaculture features.

ES: Provides less than 35% of site area for vegetation. Extensive hard paved surfaces disturbs natural absorption of rainwater in the ground, contributes to
the urban heat-island effect
o PS: Provides essentially more than 85 % of area for vegetation (including roof gardens). Extensive soft landscape and vegetation discourage urban
heat-island effect, promote natural ground water re-charge.

57

ES: Building layouts and space planning does not reflect response to climatic factors
o PS: Building layout and space planning reflects consideration of climatic and larger environmental issues. It achieves maximum day light and
eliminates the use of artificial lights in any area during day time. Provides for maximum natural cross-ventilation. Orientation in response to solar
movement to achieve appropriate natural cooling and heating.

ES: Fragmented massing of isolated houses create unusable residue spaces in between two houses and around them
o PS: Layout and site planning and compact two storey massing encourages full utilization of available space without wasting any space

ES: Fragmented massing of isolated houses consume large amounts of resources for construction, increase the costs of construction, increase the
operational costs as well as energy consumption for heating and cooling
o PS: Compact massing with two floors minimizes the resources for construction, decreases the cost of construction, and helps create a climate
appropriate environment eliminating artificial heating and cooling and thus significantly contributing to the reduction of costs, energy consumption
and green house gas emissions.

ES: Building design does not show any innovative approach to achieve sustainability
o PS: Building design explores the innovative passive design strategies for its maximum benefit. Utilizes, natural cooling and heating through
orientation and massing. By creating buffer zones, architectural layers, roof top vegetation, evaporative cooling systems, thermal mass as well as
insulation using a single construction assembly. The scheme also uses solar and wind energy for a significant amount of its energy requirement.
Apart from that it relies on the ‘green energy’ for other requirements.

ES: Uses conventional construction materials and techniques high in embodied energy with high environmental impact
o PS: Utilizes innovative materials and assemblies with low embodied energy and no adverse environmental impact. The scheme, as much as
possible, utilizes used, reclaimed or recycled materials with low embodied energy. Other materials are with high recycled content.

ES: Does not attempt to utilize rain water or the grey-water produced on site.
o PS: Provides rainwater storage systems along with on site natural grey-water treatment facility.

ES: The building design, materials or construction assemblies does not attempt to achieve flexibility in use
o PS: The innovative use of materials and construction techniques create an interesting use of fixed architectural elements with reusable materials
and flexible architectural elements with either predominantly recycled or recyclable materials to achieve adaptability as well as design for
disassembly. The design maximizes the use of pre-fabricated, modular materials for adaptability, disassembly as well as for minimizing the
construction waste. Only those waste producing materials are selected whose wastes are either technical or natural nutrients.

ES: The building design does not reflect any attempt to respond to any socio-cultural issues related to the occupants or the surrounding area.

58
 o PS: The building design is achieved with participatory design process with clients and surrounding dwellers to achieve socially and culturally
sensitive development in the region.

ES: Encourages materialistic, individualistic life style without any attempt for personal as well as social sustainability. Encourages automobile dependence
and contributes to personal and urban unsustainability.
o PS: Through selection and location of functions, material and construction technique selection, bio-regional and regenerative development the
scheme provides experientially rich learning environment, provides local employment possibilities along with the use of sustainable modes of
transport. Ultimately it encourages participatory and interactive community living environment for all ages and socio-cultural backgrounds.

ES: The design does not attempt to give any positive contribution to the health of the residents as well as environment.
o PS: The design acknowledges physical, mental or spiritual health of the residents as an important part of sustainability and attempts to positively
contribute to it by employing design principles to achieve biophillic environment.

To test out these principles, we have prepared a conceptual design for a site in South Sydney. The following images highlight the principles of design we have
followed, which have come out as a natural progression of our sustainability goals. Each image represents possible strategies to deploy at different stages and
parts of a new building design:

Site planning

Community

Building layout

Interfacing between Inside and Outside

Materials and finishes

Systems

59
3. Our proposals for a new concept design

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3.1 SITE PLANNING: CONCEPTS, PRINCIPLES AND IDEAS FOR OVERALL PLANNING WITHIN A NEIGHBOURHOOD

(Data taken for New Delhi climate)

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3.2 COMMUNITY: CONCEPTS, PRINCIPLES AND IDEAS FOR FOSTERING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY WITHIN THE DEVELOPMENT AND WITH THE
SURROUNDING NEIGHBOURHOOD

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3.3 BUILDING: CONCEPTS, PRINCIPLES AND IDEAS FOR A FUNCTIONAL, SUSTAINABLE AND COMFORTABLE LIVING ENVIRONMENT INSIDE

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3.4 INTERFACE: CONCEPTS, PRINCIPLES AND IDEAS FOR A LIVING ENVIRONMENT - BIOPHILIA

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3.5 MATERIALS AND FINISHES: CONCEPTS, PRINCIPLES AND IDEAS FOR SELECTING SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS

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3.6 SYSTEMS: CONCEPTS, PRINCIPLES AND IDEAS FOR SYSTEMS (BIOLOGICAL AND MECHANICAL) THAT PROMOTE PROSUMER LIFESTYLES

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3.7 BIOPHILIA: CONCEPTS, PRINCIPLES AND IDEAS FOR SPACES THAT ARE ENJOYABLE AND FULFILLING BECAUSE THEY FOSTER ONENESS
BETWEEN MAN AND NATURE

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4 Resource Guide

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Resource Guide is a collection of resources that can be useful references through out the life cycle of the project. It consists of the references of documents, articles,
books, as well as web links containing useful information for designing, constructing, using and maintaining as well as de-constructing sustainable housing project.

The guide is divided in two main parts as per the life cycle stage of the project. First part Design & Construction predominantly contains resources relevant to design
and construction phase of the project, especially for design and construction professionals. The second part, incorporating the information relevant to In Use and
After Life phases of the project, is more useful for the end user. This contains valuable information about the building itself, its maintenance, availability of
sustainable materials, other references and the information of the issues related to the end of the life of the product or material.

GUIDELINES FOR USING INFORMATION RESOURCES:

• The Resources are listed in the last column of the resource guide table.
• The table itself is designed as ‘guidelines’ to help navigate and decide for the right recourse.
• The resources are categorized in terms of the two main life cycle stages of the project.
1. Design & Construction
2. In Use and After Life
• Each stage consists of issues related to that particular life cycle stage. The awareness of these along with basic sustainability brief is essential in selecting
the resource as well as a particular material.
• The resources are segregated in three sections.
1. Information on Sustainable Materials
2. Guides/Tools for Selecting Sustainable Materials
3. Material Databases and Catalogues
• A separate column showing the ‘focus area’ of each information resource further helps in selecting right type of material resource. Which along with ‘Related
Issues’ helps in material selection process.

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5 Conclusions & recommendations

5.1 BASIX assessments

We have undertaken BASIX assessments of existing and proposed schemes in order to provide a comparison. Our comments on the process and indications from
this exercise follow the reports:

For the existing scheme

Description of project
Project address and type

Project name Existing Scheme

Street number
Street name and type
Suburb
Post code 2016
Local government area Sydney City Council
Deposited Plan number 1234

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 Strata Plan number
Lot number 2121
Section
Project type Detached dwelling
Nature of project

Project details

Site area 370 m2

Gross floor area 115 m2
Roof area 115 m2
Number of bedrooms 3
Total area of vegetation (garden and lawn) 150 m2
Concession claimed (if applicable) not applicable

Commitments
CDC/CC
DA Certifier
Commitments plans &
plans check
specifications

WATER

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Showerheads
The applicant must install showerheads with a minimum rating of 3A in all
showers in the development.

Toilets
The applicant must install a toilet flushing system with a minimum rating of 3A
in each toilet in the development.

Tap fittings
The applicant must install taps with a minimum flow rate of 3A in the kitchen
in the development.
The applicant must install bathroom taps (other than showerheads) with a
minimum flow rate of 3A in each bathroom in the development.

THERMAL COMFORT - Deemed to Comply

General
The applicant must construct the dwelling so that it is not significantly
overshadowed.
The applicant must construct the dwelling so that the total skylight area of the
dwelling is less than 2% of its gross floor area.

Construction
The applicant must construct the dwelling in accordance with the following
specifications:

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· Ground floor(s): 108 square metres of concrete slab on ground floors
· External walls: 102 square metres of brick veneer
· Walls shared with garage: 12 square metres of plasterboard
· Ceilings: 90 square metres of ceiling area with roofspace over it.
· Roof space: a large roofspace
The areas referred to above are the maximum permitted and must be
calculated in accordance with the BASIX Specification.

Cross ventilation
The applicant must construct the dwelling in accordance with the
requirements for ventilation in the BASIX Specification.

Glazing and shading

The applicant must install the glazing and shading set out below:
· North sector: 9.5 square metres of clear, single glass, shaded by not
applicable
· East sector: 6 square metres of clear, single glass, shaded by not applicable
· South sector: 6.5 square metres of clear, single glass
· West sector: 7 square metres of clear, single glass, shaded by not
applicable
The areas specified above for glazing are the maximums permitted.
Note: 5% of total glazing in the development is exempt from the shading
requirements referred to above.
The glazing and shading referred to in this commitment must meet the
requirements set out in the BASIX Specification.
The applicant must construct the dwelling so that a minimum of 50% of the
glazing has aluminium frames.

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Required insulation and roof colours
The applicant must construct the dwelling in accordance with the following
insulation requirements:
· External walls: insulation with an R-value of R1.5 must be added to the brick
veneer walls or, alternatively, these walls must have an R-value of R1.7.
Insulation is not required in walls adjacent to a garage or the external walls of
a garage.
· Ceilings: insulation with an R-value of R2.5 must be added to each ceiling
which has a roofspace over it, except ceilings directly above a garage. (If a
roof is insulated with a foil-backed blanket, then the R-value of the insulation
to be added to the ceiling under that roof may be reduced by R0.5).
· Roofs: all roofs must be insulated with foil.
The applicant must construct the dwelling so that all roofs are medium
coloured, as defined in the BASIX Specification.

Energy

Active cooling
The development (as constructed) must not incorporate an active cooling
system or any ducting which is designed to accommodate an active cooling
system.

Active heating
The development (as constructed) must not incorporate an active heating
system or any ducting which is designed to accommodate an active heating

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system.

Lighting
The applicant must install standard or compact fluorescent lighting as the
primary type of artificial light in each of the following rooms:
· at least 3 of the bedrooms / study
· at least 2 of the living / dining rooms
· the kitchen
· all bathrooms / toilets
· the garage
· the laundry
· all hallways
The applicant must install a window in the kitchen of the dwelling for natural
lighting.
The applicant must install a window in each bathroom and toilet in the
development for natural lighting.

Design enhancements
The applicant must install a fixed outdoor clothes drying line as part of the
development.
END BASIX COMMITMENTS

1. In these commitments, "applicant" means the person carrying out the development.
2. Commitments identified with a in the "DA plans" column must be shown on the plans
accompanying the development application for the proposed development.
3. Commitments identified with a in the "CC/CDC plans and specs" column must be shown in the

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 plans and specifications accompanying the application for a construction certificate / complying
development certificate for the proposed development.
4. Commitments identified with a in the "OC" column must be certified by a certifying authority as
having been fulfilled, before a final occupation certificate for the development may be issued.

BASIX Report

The following scores have been achieved for this development:

Water 21 %

Thermal FAIL

Energy 6%

Appliance
Score Total
score
Water 21 0.0 21
Energy 6 0.0 6

These scores are based on the following commitments relating to appliances:

Appliance Selections
No appliance commitments have been made
END APPLIANCE SELECTIONS

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For the proposed project

Description of project
Project address and type

Project name Proposed

Street number
Street name and type
Suburb
Post code 2016
Local government area Sydney City Council
Deposited Plan number 1234
Strata Plan number
Lot number 2121
Section
Project type Attached dual occupancy dwelling
Nature of project Erecting a new residential building

Project details

Site area 370 m2

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 Gross floor area 115 m2
Roof area 115 m2
Number of bedrooms 3
Total area of vegetation (garden and lawn) 150 m2
Concession claimed (if applicable) not applicable

Commitments
CDC/CC
DA Certifier
Commitments plans &
plans check
specifications

LANDSCAPE

Landscaping
The applicant must plant at least 500 square metres of indigenous vegetation
on the site. Vegetation is indigenous if it is listed in the BASIX Specification
as indigenous to the local government area in which the development is to be
constructed.

WATER

Showerheads
The applicant must install showerheads with a minimum rating of 3A in all

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showers in the development.

Toilets
The applicant must install a toilet flushing system with a minimum rating of 3A
in each toilet in the development.

Tap fittings
The applicant must install taps with a minimum flow rate of 3A in the kitchen
in the development.
The applicant must install bathroom taps (other than showerheads) with a
minimum flow rate of 3A in each bathroom in the development.

THERMAL COMFORT - Deemed to Comply

General
The applicant must construct the dwelling so that it is not significantly
overshadowed.
The applicant must construct the dwelling so that the total skylight area of the
dwelling is less than 2% of its gross floor area.

Construction
The applicant must construct the dwelling in accordance with the following
specifications:
· Ground floor(s): 108 square metres of concrete slab on ground floors
· External walls: 102 square metres of brick veneer

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· Walls shared with garage: 12 square metres of plasterboard
· Ceilings: 90 square metres of ceiling area with roofspace over it.
· Roof space: a large roofspace
The areas referred to above are the maximum permitted and must be
calculated in accordance with the BASIX Specification.

Cross ventilation
The applicant must construct the dwelling in accordance with the
requirements for ventilation in the BASIX Specification.

Glazing and shading

The applicant must install the glazing and shading set out below:
· North sector: 9.5 square metres of clear, single glass, shaded by not
applicable
· East sector: 6 square metres of clear, single glass, shaded by not applicable
· South sector: 6.5 square metres of clear, single glass
· West sector: 7 square metres of clear, single glass, shaded by not
applicable
The areas specified above for glazing are the maximums permitted.
Note: 5% of total glazing in the development is exempt from the shading
requirements referred to above.
The glazing and shading referred to in this commitment must meet the
requirements set out in the BASIX Specification.
The applicant must construct the dwelling so that a minimum of 50% of the
glazing has aluminium frames.

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Required insulation and roof colours
The applicant must construct the dwelling in accordance with the following
insulation requirements:
· External walls: insulation with an R-value of R1.5 must be added to the brick
veneer walls or, alternatively, these walls must have an R-value of R1.7.
Insulation is not required in walls adjacent to a garage or the external walls of
a garage.
· Ceilings: insulation with an R-value of R2.5 must be added to each ceiling
which has a roofspace over it, except ceilings directly above a garage. (If a
roof is insulated with a foil-backed blanket, then the R-value of the insulation
to be added to the ceiling under that roof may be reduced by R0.5).
· Roofs: all roofs must be insulated with foil.
The applicant must construct the dwelling so that all roofs are medium
coloured, as defined in the BASIX Specification.

Energy

Active cooling
The development (as constructed) must not incorporate an active cooling
system or any ducting which is designed to accommodate an active cooling
system.

Active heating
The development (as constructed) must not incorporate an active heating
system or any ducting which is designed to accommodate an active heating
system.

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Lighting
The applicant must install standard or compact fluorescent lighting as the
primary type of artificial light in each of the following rooms:
· at least 3 of the bedrooms / study
· at least 2 of the living / dining rooms
· the kitchen
· all bathrooms / toilets
· the garage
· the laundry
· all hallways
The applicant must install a window in the kitchen of the dwelling for natural
lighting.
The applicant must install a window in each bathroom and toilet in the
development for natural lighting.

Design enhancements
The applicant must install a fixed outdoor clothes drying line as part of the
development.

Alternative energy supply

The applicant must install a photovoltaic system as part of the development.
The system must have the capacity to generate at least 8 peak kW of
electricity. The applicant must connect this system to the development's
electrical system.
END BASIX COMMITMENTS

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 1. In these commitments, "applicant" means the person carrying out the development.
2. Commitments identified with a in the "DA plans" column must be shown on the plans
accompanying the development application for the proposed development.
3. Commitments identified with a in the "CC/CDC plans and specs" column must be shown in the
plans and specifications accompanying the application for a construction certificate / complying
development certificate for the proposed development.
4. Commitments identified with a in the "OC" column must be certified by a certifying authority as
having been fulfilled, before a final occupation certificate for the development may be issued.

BASIX Report

The following scores have been achieved for this development:

Water 181 %

Thermal PASS

Energy 130 %

Appliance
Score Total
score
Water 181 14.0 195
Energy 130 7.8 138

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These scores are based on the following commitments relating to appliances:

Appliance Selections

Clothes washer
The applicant must install a clothes washer with a minumum water efficiency rating of 5A and a
minimum energy Star rating of 4.5 in the dwelling.

Dishwasher
The applicant must install a dishwasher with a minumum water efficiency rating of 4A in the dwelling.

Refrigerator
The applicant must install a refrigerator with a minimum energy Star rating of 6 in the dwelling.
END APPLIANCE SELECTIONS

Comments on the BASIX reports

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BASIX provides a standard method of assessment for a project and enables a comparison of a sort to be made. We found fundamental problems with the
application of BASIX in this exercise were that assumptions had to be made on both schemes, and “choices” available for construction details and systems were not
necessarily representative of our proposed scheme (E.G. rammed earth walls do not feature in BASIX).

The results therefore have to be taken with a pinch of salt. They demonstrate that the existing scheme fails – on a number of issues:

• The quantity of glazing to the West elevation exceeds the maximum allowed.
• The shading provided by the eaves projection appears to be insufficient.
• Insulation in the roof appears to be insufficient, and should be foil backed.

The proposed scheme scores are heavily influenced by water harvesting and conservation measures which may be relatively easy and cost effective to install and
maintain. The conservation of water on this site is also essential for the plans for permaculture.

5.2 Ecological Footprint analyses

The following results were achieved by using Earthday 16to measure the footprint of a person living in the existing scheme and the proposed scheme. In the existing
scheme, we have tried to depict the lifestyle of a typical suburban commuter – the lifestyle that the existing scheme would seem to perpetuate. For the proposed
scheme, we anticipate that the new designs will stimulate a more ecologically sustainable lifestyle:

Existing scheme footprint analysis

HERE ARE YOUR FOOTPRINT RESULTS:

CATEGORY GLOBAL HECTARES

FOOD 2.6
MOBILITY 0.7
16
Earthday website: http://www.earthday.net/footprint.stm

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SHELTER 0.7
GOODS/SERVICES 1.4
TOTAL FOOTPRINT 5.4

IN COMPARISON, THE AVERAGE ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT IN YOUR COUNTRY IS 7.6 GLOBAL HECTARES PER PERSON.

WORLDWIDE, THERE EXISTS 1.8 BIOLOGICALLY PRODUCTIVE GLOBAL HECTARES PER PERSON.

IF EVERYONE LIVED LIKE YOU, WE WOULD NEED 3 PLANETS.

Proposed scheme footprint analysis

HERE ARE YOUR FOOTPRINT RESULTS:

CATEGORY GLOBAL HECTARES

FOOD 1.5
MOBILITY 0.2
SHELTER 0.2
GOODS/SERVICES 0.3
TOTAL FOOTPRINT 2.2

IN COMPARISON, THE AVERAGE ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT IN YOUR COUNTRY IS 7.6 GLOBAL HECTARES PER PERSON.

WORLDWIDE, THERE EXISTS 1.8 BIOLOGICALLY PRODUCTIVE GLOBAL HECTARES PER PERSON.

IF EVERYONE LIVED LIKE YOU, WE WOULD NEED 1.2 PLANETS.

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These results clearly demonstrate the potential for the proposed scheme to play a significant role in the clients desire to live a one-footprint lifestyle.

5.3 Final comments and recommendations

Our group recognises that the biggest contribution to living a one-planet lifestyle will come from the occupants of the new development. Our role in this is therefore
to provide designs that will enable this lifestyle to begin and to perpetuate throughout the life of the development. Our designs are therefore innovative, employing
reclaimed materials but producing quality end products. Materials are chosen to be cost effective over the life-cycle of the development, with low embodied energy.
We propose to maximize the site’s potential by orienting the buildings to obtain maximum advantage from the sun and shade, and using the natural slope of the site
to collect water at the low point.

This group’s recommendation is to proceed with designs for a development along the lines of the concept designs included in this report.

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