Sustainability Strategies & Tactics
The following “rules of thumb” for designing sustainably are offered as a point of departure in developing your understanding of some of the technological issues at the core of sustainability in construction.
- Embrace the Sun Understand the movement of the sun throughout the year. Orient most windows to solar south. Minimize windows to the north, east, & west. Shade all windows from the summer sun. Eliminate glare. Use radiation to heat spaces & water used for “domestic” use.
- Revere the Site Understand wind, rain, snow, & temperature. Understand natural habitat & protect it. Conserve soil & prevent erosion. Understand the lay of the land (contours) & minimize disturbances.
- Passive Techniques Understand direct solar gain, thermal mass, & types of thermal transfer. Understand natural ventilation and natural illumination. Understand the value of color & texture in material finishes. Use these techniques to passively heat, cool, & light spaces.
- Energy Understand R-Value & how to achieve energy code requirements. Become aware of different types of insulation & their properties. Understand reflectivity & how it can be used to heat, cool & light spaces. Understand air infiltration & how to reduce it. Understand alternative/renewable energy production (wind, PV’s, ground source heat pumps).
- Water Resources Reduce the amount of water used for “domestic” purposes. Collect rain water runoff. Replenish ground water. Recycle water for irrigation purposes.
- Material Resources Use materials that are rapidly renewable, have recycled content, & can be recycled after their effective life. Use materials that are locally produced/manufactured & appropriate for the region. Use materials that have low embodied energy.
- Indoor Environmental Quality Understand VOC’s & how to reduce/eliminate them. Provide individual control of personal comfort. Use plants to refresh air quality. Use high quality filters in the HVAC system. Provide smoke free spaces.
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