PRACTICES FOR SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

Question 1
The LEED® Rating System is an example of a "relative" rating
system. Explain what a relative system is versus an absolute
system? (5 Points)

Relative system simply refers to a situation when a product or service performs better than an
assigned baseline while absolute rating system refers to a situation when a product or service
meets a specific target such as zero energy.

Question 2
The Living Building Challenge is an example of a Multi-Attribute
rating System. What is a multi- attribute system? (5 points)

A multi attribute system is a quality or characteristic of a system with a number of dimensions

and sub dimensions e.g LEED is a multi-attribute system that covers water performance, energy
performance, sustainable sites, materials and resources, indoor air quality, sensitive land
protection, innovation and regional priority and locations and linkages.

Question 3
Integrated Project Delivery has some key differences to traditional
design processes. Name at least three. (10 Points)

S/N INTEGRATED PROJECT DESIGN(IPD) TRADITIONAL DESIGN PROCESS

1 The builder is included in the earliest phase

of the design as are the key decision makers
and stakeholders in the client’s organization
and user group.
The design partners pass on design to each
other after their specialized input is done
then the next person takes over.
 2 Due to the involvement of all design
partners from the beginning of the project,
number of redesigns and change orders
reduce therefore the end result is
recognizable as fairly similar to what was
initially created during the initial design
charrette
The design passes on between design
partners who all create a new version of the
design. Due to the number of times the
design is being passed back and forth
between the design partners, conflicting
priorities and miscommunication leads to
diluted designs and “watered down
sustainability”

As a result of the reduction in the

number of redesigns and change orders,
3 Due to the number of times the design is
time and money will be saved.
changed, time and money would be
excessively spent.

Question 4
Design Charrettes rely on the basic premise of the 4 E’s by Bill Reid.
What are the four E’s and why are they critical to achieving a
sustainable design project. (10 Points)

Bill Reid’s 4 E’s of sustainable design

Everyone
Engaging
Everything
Early
Simply this refers to the early input of all participants affected by the design. Participants
should inform the designer of their budget, specific requirements (the designers(s) in turn
should take account of everyone’s input no matter how contradicting) and try to input it in
the design in order to save time and to satisfy everyone.
 Question 5
What is Indoor Air Quality? Name 2 strategies during construction
and 2 strategies during operations that could be implemented to
improve Indoor Air Quality on a project. (5 points)

Indoor air quality refers to the air quality within and around buildings as it relates to the health
and comfort of building occupants. The intent of improving indoor air quality is to prevent and
minimize exposure of building occupant’s indoor surfaces and ventilation air distribution system
to environmental tobacco and smoke.

STRATEGIES THAT COULD BE IMPLEMENTED DURING CONSTRUCTION AND

OPERATIONS

S/N CONSTRUCTION OPERATION

Use of Low emitting materials to reduce concentrations of

chemical contaminants that can damage air quality.
1. Compartmentalization of smoking area

Provide individual thermal comfort controls Shield the building from dust and fumes from work
for at least 50% of individual occupant activities outside the building.
2.
spaces.

Question 6
Explain at least 4 factors that affect material selection when
specifying green products. (5 Points)

1. Reduction of CO2 being emitted into the atmosphere

For every pound of Portland cement produced a pound of CO2 is generated which is
critical to the health of humans and the atmosphere. The increase in CO2 in the
atmosphere poses environmental and health dangers. Concrete must be 50% fly ash or
slag. Emission of CO2 into the atmosphere is also a primary contributor to the rising
global temperatures.
 Substitute use of fly ash and slag cement
This basically means the use of waste from coal burning, electricity generation and
factory processes mixed with a moderate amount of Portland cement. These waste
materials have a pozolanic ability to bond and form a strong material. Contractor must
work with concrete supplier to develop a mix design that maintains the compressive
strength of a given weight.
Advantages.
a) This offers higher short term and long term compressive strength.
b) Offers greater resistance to salts
c) Require less pressure to pump This is a light weight material so therefore it is
cheaper to pump.
d) Offers reduced shrinkage cracking

2. Use of rapidly renewable materials.

Using materials which are grown and harvested in ten years is better than using materials
which take a long time to grow and be replenished or ones which cannot be replenished.
This act curbs deforestation and desert encroachment in the areas the materials are
harvested as in for lumber.

3. Reduction of heat island effect on site.

Light coloured paving reflects harsh sun thereby reducing the overall temperature on the
site and also the cooling load on the surrounding buildings.

4. Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)

The SHGC measures how well a product blocks heat caused by sunlight. For example, a
0.2 rating equals an 80% reduction of heat gain for direct sunlight thereby reducing the
exposure of the occupant to the inward flow of radiation from outdoors.

  

Question 7
An Eco-District is made of 8 categories. List each one and provide an
example of a strategy for each. (10 Points)

a) Equitable development; Ensure neighbourhood investments provide direct community

benefit through job creation and investment opportunities.
b) Health and Well-being; Provide access to healthy, local and affordable food
c) Community identity; Develop local governance with the leadership and capacity to act
on behalf of the neighbourhood
d) Access and Mobility; Reduce vehicle miles travelled
 e) Energy; Use renewable energy
f) Water; Manage storm water and building heater discharge within the district.

g) Habitat and Ecosystem Function; Prioritize native and structurally diverse vegetation
h) Materials Management; Minimize use of virgin materials and minimize toxic
chemicals in new products

Question 8
Explain the difference between Biomimicry and Biophilia. Use
Integral Theory in your answer (10 Points)

Integral theory is referred to as the theory of everything i.e to draw together an already existing
number of separate paradigms into an interrelated network of approaches that are mutually
enriching.

BIOPHILIA DEMATERIALIZATION

URBIPHILIA BIOMIMICRY

Biophila refers to the love of live while dematerialization favors efficiency and reduced
embodied energy in projects and products i.e. doing more with less.

Biomimicry is the imitation of the models, systems, and elements of nature for the purpose of
solving complex human problems while Urbiphilia which refers to the love of cities.
 

Question 9
"Dematerialization will solve humanity’s fixation on materiality and lead to a more
sustainable planet." Explain what dematerialization is and argue for or against this
statement. Give 2 examples to support your argument. (10 Points)

Dematerialization will solve humanity’s fixation on materiality and lead to more sustainable
planet because when dematerialization occurs, things done using a lot of effort become more
easy tasks e.g;
1. Sending a message via the mail through a post office, the amount of paper waste that will
be generated from this and also the production would further harm the atmosphere
2. If mobile phones and automated machines are eliminated, we all will have to goto the
bank to make transactions and that would be very rowdy.
If dematerialization does not occur, a lot of physical waste will be generated and the disposal
and production of these material may further release CO2 to the atmosphere which is
hazardeous to human health and the environment.