Activity2.3.

2GreenBuildingandSustainableDesign
Introduction
Greenbuildingdesignandsustainablearchitecturearereshapingthepracticesandproductsof
modernconstructionandareprovidingsolutionsthatbalanceenvironmental,social,and
economicbenefits.
Climatechangeconcernsandasenseofstewardshipfortheeartharemotivatingtheuseofgreen
buildingproductsandsustainabletechniques.Energyuseinbuildingsisincreasingandcould
continuetorise.Byusingnewsustainablemethods,materials,andmechanicalcomponents,
architectsandengineersareabletocreatestructuresthatcancurbthattrend.Asustainable
buildingdesignreducespressureontheenvironmentbydecreasingenergyuse,reducingthe
consumptionofwater,andconservingandpreservingnaturalresourcesaswellasreducing
pollutionduringthelifecycleofabuilding.
Inadditiontoincorporatingsustainablefeatures,designersshouldalsoaddressoccupantneeds
andcomfortwhenplanningabuilding.Desirableworkspaceandlivingenvironmentsallow
userstobemoreproductiveandcomfortable.Carefulconsiderationmustbegiventonatural
lightandinteriortemperaturesaswellasmaterialsthatemitlowlevelsoftoxins.
Inthisactivityyouwilllearnaboutgreenandsustainablepracticesinpreparationforthedesign
ofyourAffordableHouse.Duringthedesignprocess,continuallyconsiderincorporating
sustainablefeaturesintoyourhomedesign.
Equipment
EngineeringnotebookComputerwithInternetaccess
Procedure
Ingroupsoftwotothree,youwilllearnmoreaboutgreenandsustainablepracticesandthen
respondtothequestions.Foreachstatementbelow,describeareasonableaction.UsetheUS
GreenBuildingCouncil(www.usgbc.org)andtheUSEnvironmentalProtectionAgency
(www.epa.gov)sitestobeginyoursearch,butseekoutreliableinformationoneachtopicfromat
leastoneotherwebsitesource.Besuretociteeachadditionalreference.
1.Rainfallfallsonmostparcelsofpropertythroughouttheworld.Describeone
methodthatcouldbeusedtocollectthisnaturalresource.
Using Mulch Basins. They are shallow trenches that are filled with wood chips. Direct
water with gutters into these mulch basins. It holds the water for long time periods,
before it is sunken into the grown. It protects against mosquitos and evaporation. It is
also good spots to plant agriculture in other things in the Mulch Basins
Website:http//:www.motherearthnews.com/homesteadingandlivestock/selfreliance/6methods
ofharvestingrainwaterze0z1404zjhar?pageid=4#PageContent4
2.Describealandscapedesigntechniquethatbenefitstheenvironment.
Rain Gardens. It is a depression that collects runoff from a roof, driveway, or yard and
allows it to infiltrate into the ground. Rain Gardens are typically planted with shrubs or
perennials and can be colorful, landscape areas in a yard that would benefit the
environment.
Website:http://www.ct.gov/deep/lib/deep/p2/raingardens/rain_garden_design.pdf
3.Energyuseishighincommercialbuildings.Whatmightabuildingdesignerdoto
reduceenergyconsumptioninabuilding?
Add Ecofriendly appliances to the house. Get rid of lighting and put sunroofs, plant trees
to block sun to reduce AC costs, Use Geothermal and Solar Heating as well. Use Energy
Efficient AVAC equipment. Geothermal Heat Pumps
Website:http://www.wbdg.org/designobjectives/sustainable/optimizeenergyuse
4.Describeadesignfeatureforaresidentialstructurethatwouldlikelyresultin
reducedwateruse.Water-efficient plumbing fixtures (ultra low-flow toilets and urinals,
waterless urinals, low-flow and sensored sinks, low-flow showerheads, and water-
efficient dishwashers and washing machines)Irrigation and landscaping measures
(water-efficient irrigation systems, irrigation control systems, low-flow sprinkler
heads, water-efficient scheduling practices, and Xeriscape)

Website:https://www.wbdg.org/resources/waterconservation
5.Describeaninnovativeconstructionmethodortechniquethatbenefitsthe
Environment.
CelluloseInsulation.A recycled product made from newsprint and other cellulose fibre. It
is one of the most favoured materials of natural builders because it can be blown into
cavity walls, floors and roofs; used as a loose fill; and is also available in quilts, boards
and batts.
Website:http://www.sustainablebuild.co.uk/InsulationMaterials.html
6.Duringtheconstructioncycleofthebuilding,materialsandcomponentsaredeliveredtothe
site.Listastrategythatyouwillusetorecyclethewasteproducedduringtheconstructionphase.
Recycling Asphalt Pavement.Asphalt pavement is crushed and recycled back into
asphalt, either in-place or at a hot-mix asphalt plant. Asphalt shingles can also be ground
and recycled into hot-mix asphalt. Recycling asphalt pavement and shingles produces
large energy savings over the life of the materials because of the energy-intensive
process of creating asphalt binder from oil. There are over 80 asphalt recycling centers
in the United States
Website:http://www.constructionbusinessowner.com/topics/law/construction
regulations/recyclingconstructionmaterials
7.Describeafeatureyoucouldincorporateinahomedesignthatwouldimprove
indoorenvironmentalquality.Install the Maytag M1200 iQ Series HVAC System in a house.
It filters out molds and bacteria,tobacco smoke,pesticides,vehicle exhaust,cleaning
products.
Website:https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/indoorenv/buildingventilation.html
8.Buildingsitesoffernaturalresourcesthatcanbeutilizedforthelifeofthe
building.Describeamethodtouseasitesnaturalresourcesintheconstructionofthestructure.
Use trees to be used as shade in the summer, position house in north and south position
for temperature difference. Insert open windows for airflow and use natural green ways
for infiltration.
Website:https://energy.gov/energysaver/passive-solar-home-design

ConclusionQuestions
1.Describeanoriginalgreenandsustainableideathatyouhave.Chooseonethat
isnotcurrentlyinuseasfarasyouknow.
10.Describeanimprovementthatyoubelievecouldbemadetothebuildingwhere
youlivetomakeitgreener.Explainwhyitisanimprovement.Start collecting rainwater and
to clean gutters to reduce water waste, as well as use less AC in my house, and use the
trees in my yard to offer shade. Use daylight instead of using lights to cut down on
electricity, and to open windows during the day to cool down the house.
2010ProjectLeadTheWay,Inc.Civil
EngineeringandArchitectureActivity2.3.2GreenBuildingandSustainableDesignPage4