Sustainability by Design

Section 1 Introduction to sustainability. Definitions and discussion on why it is important to consider such issues. Global warming issues. Resource depletion issues. Amount of waste produced. Recycling opportunities. Section 2 Sustainable methodologies used in different parts of the world. Discussion on how such systems have been developed focusing on their procedures, inputs, assessment methods and outputs. Examples drawn from: UK, USA, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, Brazil, China and India. A review of the methodologies used in different countries could help the designer understand the philosophy used in the development of a sustainable design tool. Suggested work to include Envest and BREEAM (UK), Spear (Arup Associates), LEED (USA), Swiss Balance programme, German planning packages - particularly Stuttgart and Kassel. It would also be of interest to see how a developing economy is tackling such issues and Brazil have a well developed methodology as do China, India. Australia are also very active in this area as is Canada and examples could be drawn from these methods. Section 3 Planning Buildings for Sustainability. Design guidelines covering design issues such as:- * Layout * Density * Orientation * Site planning * Urban or local context * Climate * Social and economic issues * Transport issues. These will include design issues similar to the ones in my book "Energy and Environmental Issues for the Practicing Architect" but focused more on the sustainable aspects and use of natural sources of energy such as wind, water and sun. Section 4 Designing Buildings for Sustainability. More detailed considerations for design: * Internal layout * Minimising the need for mechanical services * Selection of materials * Reuse of materials * Ventilation strategies * Creation of a healthy living environment both inside and outside * Ease of maintenance * Low running costs * Low embodied energy * Control of construction costs. Section 5 How to evaluate design and when in the process to do it. This section will bring together the above areas and suggest how and when they are used in line with the procurement programmes such as Design and Build and Traditional RIBA Route. A check list of what to do when during the design process would help designers. Buildings are designed in accordance to the RIBA Plan of work and there are several ways through this depending on whether or not Design and Build contracts are in place. It is therefore necessary to have clear guidelines in place so that at particular stages in the process the appropriate environmental issues have been addressed. A flow chart covering the process of analysis and refer back to the appropriate part of the text may help designers. . Section 6 Case studies. In many texts relating to buildings the case studies presented are often of "exemplar" one off building by well known architects. This is fine but the "jobbing" architect is not often involved in such high profile projects and therefore cannot use these buildings as examples for his/her design. So case studies should be of typical buildings so that both the architect and clients can see what has been achieved. The case studies should cover the common building types - domestic, offices, community centres, industrial, shops etc. The studies will be drawn from the countries whose methodologies have been discussed in Section 2.