Environmental performance of buildings - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 07:22, 18 December 2020

2020-12-18T07:22:45Z

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	* U-value conventions in practice: Worked examples using BR 443.		* U-value conventions in practice: Worked examples using BR 443.

−	[[Category:~~Theory~~]] [[Category:~~Construction_techniques~~]] [[Category:~~Design~~]] [[Category:~~Products_/_components~~]] [[Category:~~DCN_Product_Knowledge~~]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:Theory]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]

Designing Buildings: moved Environmental performance to Environmental performance of buildings

2020-01-29T07:05:11Z

moved Environmental performance to Environmental performance of buildings

← Older revision

Revision as of 07:05, 29 January 2020

Designing Buildings at 15:04, 30 July 2019

2019-07-30T15:04:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:04, 30 July 2019
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	Some broader measures include aspects of personal, social and economic welfare although these can confuse the basic issue of the depletion of resources.		Some broader measures include aspects of personal, social and economic welfare although these can confuse the basic issue of the depletion of resources.

−	~~== Materials ==~~	+	Aspirations for the environmental performance of a project might be set out in an environmental plan. In addition, there are a number of third party schemes that can be used to certify levels of environmental performance:

−	~~The materials from which a building is constructed are important in determining its overall environmental performance~~. ~~Materials such as timber are sustainable as timber can be sourced responsibly and regrown relatively easily~~. ~~Its supply is almost limitless~~ and ~~its use does not deplete the earth’s resources~~.	+	* BREEAM.
		+	* Passivhaus.
		+	* Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

−	~~Stone, too~~ is ~~relatively sustainable as long as it is not transported to~~ the ~~job site over long distances. Materials such as brick, metal sheeting, concrete and steel may be less sustainable as large amounts~~ of ~~electricity are required for~~ their ~~manufacture~~, ~~releasing more carbon into the atmosphere~~. ~~Their use on~~ a ~~building could increase its carbon footprint~~.	+	Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a method for evaluating the environmental load of processes and products during their life cycle from cradle to grave (Ortiz, Castells et al. 2009). It attempts to identify the environmental effects during all stages of the life of a product and produces a figure (or several figures) that represents environmental load (Finch 1994).

−	However, it is also important to note the performance of materials in use: for example, brick may have high embodied energy but this is balanced by its relative longevity, minimal maintenance throughout its life and good thermal performance. Furthermore, the ability to recycle certain brick types and other building materials when it comes to demolish or reconfigure a building further increases its green credentials. Brick and other materials will therefore have a more favourable environmental performance when their entire life-cycle is considered, rather than just manufacture. Possibilities for re-use and recycling of materials can boost overall environmental performance and reduce carbon emissions as no new materials have to be produced and there could also be fewer deliveries to site	+	= Materials =

−	~~== Energy efficiency ==~~	+	The materials from which a building is constructed are important in determining its overall environmental performance. Materials such as timber may be considered 'sustainable' as it can be sourced responsibly and regrown relatively easily.

−	~~How much or how little energy a building uses will depend on its design~~, ~~workmanship~~, ~~orientation~~ and ~~the materials from which it is built. Generally, thermal performance depends on the materials used~~ for ~~roofs~~, ~~walls and floors, and~~ the way they are assembled. Increasing the amount of insulation in walls and roofs will reduce heating costs and greenhouse gases as well as saving money. Allied with thicker walls, and good workmanship throughout will produce a building with a good thermal mass: not only will it minimise heat loss, but in summer it will stay cooler for longer and thereby minimise the requirement for air conditioning.	+	Materials such as brick, metal, concrete and glass may be considered less sustainable as resources are required for their manufacture, releasing more carbon into the atmosphere.

−	~~== Thermal efficiency ==~~	+	However, it is also important to consider the performance of materials in use: for example, brick may have high embodied energy but this could be balanced by its relative longevity, minimal maintenance throughout its life and good thermal performance. Furthermore, the ability to recycle certain brick types and other building materials when it comes to demolition further increases its performance credentials.

−	A thermally efficient building is one that reduces heat losses/gains and so requires minimal heating and cooling. This may be achieved by thicker, better insulated walls and either smaller openings or the inclusion of high-performance glass that has low heat emissivity. A building that has been poorly constructed is likely to have more ~~cracks and gaps through which heat can escape in winter~~.	+	For more information see: Sustainable materials.

−	=~~= Daylighting =~~=	+	= Energy efficiency =

−	~~Maximising daylight~~ will ~~help reduce heating and lighting costs~~, ~~especially in winter. A building that is designed for the best possible orientation allied with intelligent window~~ design ~~can maximise daylighting to reduce electricity reliance~~ and ~~also capitalise~~ on ~~solar heat gain~~ in ~~winter to lower~~ heating costs.	+	How much or how little energy a building uses will depend on its use, design, orientation, location, materials and so on. For example, increasing the amount of insulation in walls and roofs will reduce heating costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Thermal mass can help minimise heat loss, and even out peaks and troughs in temperature during the day.

−	~~== Indoor air quality ==~~	+	A thermally efficient building is one that reduces heat losses/gains and so requires minimal heating and cooling.

−	The quality of air inside a building is crucial to the well-being of occupants. It is frequently observed that in some instances, indoor air quality can be worse than outside. Good ventilation with frequent air changes per hour can make buildings far more ~~liveable~~.	+	For more information see: Passive design.

−	=~~= Flexibility for change of use =~~=	+	= Daylighting =

−	~~When it comes to change of use or ownership~~, the ~~ease~~ with ~~which a building~~ can ~~be reconfigured or deconstructed will give it a higher sustainability rating~~ and ~~therefore a better environmental score. But this will depend mainly~~ on ~~the design, the way materials have been assembled and the materials themselves~~.	+	Maximising daylight will help reduce heating and lighting costs, especially in winter. A building that is designed for the best possible orientation allied with intelligent window design can maximise daylighting to reduce electricity reliance and also capitalise on solar heat gain in winter to lower heating costs.

−	Timber for example can be easily reused – cut, stripped, planed or reshaped – to give it a new life as long as it has not been excessively fastened in place, say by over nailing or with a very strong adhesive. Bricks too can be reused if they were laid with a soft mortar – such as lime mortar – that is more ~~easily separated allowing the brick to be reused. Specifying materials that can participate in the circular economy will give more sustainable buildings~~.	+	For more information see: Natural daylight.

−	== ~~Water recycling ==~~	+	= Flexibility =
		+
		+	When it comes to change of use or ownership, the ease with which a building can be reconfigured or deconstructed will give it better 'sustainability'. But this will depend on the design, the way materials have been assembled and the materials themselves.
		+
		+	Timber for example can be easily reused – cut, stripped, planed or reshaped – to give it a new life as long as it has not been excessively fastened in place, say by over nailing or with a very strong adhesive. Bricks too can be reused if they were laid with a soft mortar – such as lime mortar – that is more easily separated allowing the brick to be reused. Specifying materials that can participate in the circular economy will give more sustainable buildings.

−	~~Minimising water usage through greywater recycling~~ and rainwater collection devices, allied with greater efficiency in water usage through plumbing fittings and fixtures, e.g low-flush toilets and water-saving showers, will greatly increase the water efficiency of a building. This is particularly important in housing. Minimising water usage also saves consumers money.	+	For more information see: Circular economy and Design for deconstruction.

−	=~~= Building design and geometry =~~=	+	= Water use =

−	~~The shape of a building~~ and ~~therefore its contact~~ with ~~the outside air can influence its environmental performance~~. ~~A minimal surface area~~ will ~~give lower heat loss – and gain – compared to~~ a ~~complex shape with projections and recesses~~.	+	Minimising water usage through greywater recycling and rainwater collection devices, allied with greater efficiency in water usage through plumbing fittings and fixtures, e.g low-flush toilets and water-saving showers, will greatly increase the water efficiency of a building. Minimising water usage also saves consumers money.

−	~~Minimising the total glazed area will reduce solar heat gains and losses. This is particularly pertinent when allied with constructions that have a high thermal mass.~~ For ~~example, masonry, when compared to lightweight construction, can regulate the flow of heat far~~ more ~~efficiently. This means interiors that are generally warmer in winter and cooler in summer, resulting in less energy used for heating and air conditioning and so, a better environmental performance~~.	+	For more information see: Water consumption.

	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =		= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =
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	* U-value conventions in practice: Worked examples using BR 443.		* U-value conventions in practice: Worked examples using BR 443.

−	[[Category:Theory]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]	+	[[Category:Theory]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Products_/_components]] [[Category:DCN_Product_Knowledge]]

Designing Buildings at 14:46, 30 July 2019

2019-07-30T14:46:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:46, 30 July 2019
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	= Introduction =		= Introduction =

−	Environmental performance comprises an ~~aggregation~~ of ~~various~~ factors that can be measured to give an idea of a building’s environmental impact during ~~construction~~, use and demolition. The factors usually involved give an indication of the quantity of resource consumed by a building, whether it will consume more resource during demolition and the degree to which materials can be recycled.	+	Environmental performance comprises an combination of factors that can be measured to give an idea of a building’s (or project's or product's or process's) environmental impact during manufacture, use and disposal.

−	~~Typically~~, factors ~~that measure environmental performance include:~~	+	In relation to buildings, the factors usually involved give an indication of the quantity of resource consumed by a building throughout its life and the degree to which its materials can be recycled or re-used.

−	* Use of materials	+	Typically, factors that can be used to measure environmental performance include:
−	* Energy ~~efficiency~~	+
−	* ~~Thermal efficiency~~	+	* Source of materials.
−	* ~~Daylighting~~	+	* Use of materials.
−	* ~~Indoor air quality~~	+	* Energy source.
−	* Flexibility ~~for change of use~~	+	* Energy consumption.
−	* ~~Water usage~~	+	* Water source.
−	* ~~Building design~~ and ~~geometry~~.	+	* Water consumption.
		+	* Flexibility, durability and resilience.
		+	* Pollution and waste processing.
		+	* Transport.
		+	* Landscape and ecology.
		+	* Deconstruction and disposal.
		+
		+	Some broader measures include aspects of personal, social and economic welfare although these can confuse the basic issue of the depletion of resources.

	== Materials ==		== Materials ==

Editor at 18:12, 12 June 2019

2019-06-12T18:12:01Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:12, 12 June 2019
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		+	= Introduction =
		+
	Environmental performance comprises an aggregation of various factors that can be measured to give an idea of a building’s environmental impact during construction, use and demolition. The factors usually involved give an indication of the quantity of resource consumed by a building, whether it will consume more resource during demolition and the degree to which materials can be recycled.		Environmental performance comprises an aggregation of various factors that can be measured to give an idea of a building’s environmental impact during construction, use and demolition. The factors usually involved give an indication of the quantity of resource consumed by a building, whether it will consume more resource during demolition and the degree to which materials can be recycled.

Editor: Created page with "Environmental performance comprises an aggregation of various factors that can be measured to give an idea of a building’s environmental impact during construction, use and dem..."

2019-06-12T18:11:37Z

Created page with "Environmental performance comprises an aggregation of various factors that can be measured to give an idea of a building’s environmental impact during construction, use and dem..."

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Environmental performance comprises an aggregation of various factors that can be measured to give an idea of a building’s environmental impact during construction, use and demolition. The factors usually involved give an indication of the quantity of resource consumed by a building, whether it will consume more resource during demolition and the degree to which materials can be recycled.

Typically, factors that measure environmental performance include:

* Use of materials
* Energy efficiency
* Thermal efficiency
* Daylighting
* Indoor air quality
* Flexibility for change of use
* Water usage
* Building design and geometry.

== Materials ==

The materials from which a building is constructed are important in determining its overall environmental performance. Materials such as timber are sustainable as timber can be sourced responsibly and regrown relatively easily. Its supply is almost limitless and its use does not deplete the earth’s resources.

Stone, too is relatively sustainable as long as it is not transported to the job site over long distances. Materials such as brick, metal sheeting, concrete and steel may be less sustainable as large amounts of electricity are required for their manufacture, releasing more carbon into the atmosphere. Their use on a building could increase its carbon footprint.

However, it is also important to note the performance of materials in use: for example, brick may have high embodied energy but this is balanced by its relative longevity, minimal maintenance throughout its life and good thermal performance. Furthermore, the ability to recycle certain brick types and other building materials when it comes to demolish or reconfigure a building further increases its green credentials. Brick and other materials will therefore have a more favourable environmental performance when their entire life-cycle is considered, rather than just manufacture. Possibilities for re-use and recycling of materials can boost overall environmental performance and reduce carbon emissions as no new materials have to be produced and there could also be fewer deliveries to site

== Energy efficiency ==

How much or how little energy a building uses will depend on its design, workmanship, orientation and the materials from which it is built. Generally, thermal performance depends on the materials used for roofs, walls and floors, and the way they are assembled. Increasing the amount of insulation in walls and roofs will reduce heating costs and greenhouse gases as well as saving money. Allied with thicker walls, and good workmanship throughout will produce a building with a good thermal mass: not only will it minimise heat loss, but in summer it will stay cooler for longer and thereby minimise the requirement for air conditioning.

== Thermal efficiency ==

A thermally efficient building is one that reduces heat losses/gains and so requires minimal heating and cooling. This may be achieved by thicker, better insulated walls and either smaller openings or the inclusion of high-performance glass that has low heat emissivity. A building that has been poorly constructed is likely to have more cracks and gaps through which heat can escape in winter.

== Daylighting ==

Maximising daylight will help reduce heating and lighting costs, especially in winter. A building that is designed for the best possible orientation allied with intelligent window design can maximise daylighting to reduce electricity reliance and also capitalise on solar heat gain in winter to lower heating costs.

== Indoor air quality ==

The quality of air inside a building is crucial to the well-being of occupants. It is frequently observed that in some instances, indoor air quality can be worse than outside. Good ventilation with frequent air changes per hour can make buildings far more liveable.

== Flexibility for change of use ==

When it comes to change of use or ownership, the ease with which a building can be reconfigured or deconstructed will give it a higher sustainability rating and therefore a better environmental score. But this will depend mainly on the design, the way materials have been assembled and the materials themselves.

Timber for example can be easily reused – cut, stripped, planed or reshaped – to give it a new life as long as it has not been excessively fastened in place, say by over nailing or with a very strong adhesive. Bricks too can be reused if they were laid with a soft mortar – such as lime mortar – that is more easily separated allowing the brick to be reused. Specifying materials that can participate in the circular economy will give more sustainable buildings.

== Water recycling ==

Minimising water usage through greywater recycling and rainwater collection devices, allied with greater efficiency in water usage through plumbing fittings and fixtures, e.g low-flush toilets and water-saving showers, will greatly increase the water efficiency of a building. This is particularly important in housing. Minimising water usage also saves consumers money.

== Building design and geometry ==

The shape of a building and therefore its contact with the outside air can influence its environmental performance. A minimal surface area will give lower heat loss – and gain – compared to a complex shape with projections and recesses.

Minimising the total glazed area will reduce solar heat gains and losses. This is particularly pertinent when allied with constructions that have a high thermal mass. For example, masonry, when compared to lightweight construction, can regulate the flow of heat far more efficiently. This means interiors that are generally warmer in winter and cooler in summer, resulting in less energy used for heating and air conditioning and so, a better environmental performance.

= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =

* Active thermal mass.
* Computational fluid dynamics.
* Decrement delay.
* Ground energy options.
* Heat loss.
* Heat transfer.
* Insulation.
* k-value.
* Kappa value.
* Natural ventilation.
* Night-time purging.
* Passive building design.
* Stack effect.
* Thermal admittance.
* Thermal labyrinth.
* Trombe wall.
* U-value.
* U-value conventions in practice: Worked examples using BR 443.

[[Category:Theory]] [[Category:Construction_techniques]] [[Category:Design]] [[Category:Products_/_components]]