THE SUSTAINABLE LIVING PROJECT & AGL SUSTAINABLE LIVING COMPETITION

1. s u s t a i n a b l e s u s t a i n a b l e a r c h i t e c t u r e a r c h i t e c t u r e THE SUSTAINABLE LIVING PROJECT & AGL SUSTAINABLE LIVING COMPETITION This presentation was produced by SOLARCH in the Faculty of the Built Environment, UNSW. For more information about the AGL Sustainable Living Competition (open to all High School students providing $30,000 worth of rewards) please contact Ph: 02 9385 4979 or check out: http://www.sustainableliving.com.au SOLARCH- The Centre for a Sustainable Built Environment slides produced by: david tickledavidtickle@mail.com

2. s u s t a i n a b l e a r c h i t e c t u r e a r c h i t e c t u r e

3. windows allow sunlight and fresh air to enter the building and allow views outside roof and walls allow privacy, protect from rain and wind, and stop intruders a sense of place (within a community) kitchen has clean drinking water what do buildings provide ? kitchen for cooking and storing food outdoor space for recreation and relaxation table for gatherings and for eating food bathroom for washing and cleaning and for sewage removal couch for relaxing and talking raised floor keeps things dry and clean (not on ground) Images: COLORS magazine, issue 27 ‘home’ interior lighting and heating

4. things provided by buildings light and warmth energy clean water bathing and cleaning waste disposal protection from rain and cold privacy and security storage, cooking and eating of food socialising and recreation energy supply water supply all of these factors inter-relate and should be seen as contributing to and feeding from the others waste and water disposal building materials

5. the natural environment s u s t a i n a b l e a r c h i t e c t u r e

6. A FEW BASIC TRUTHS: • WE NEED A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR SURVIVAL • EVERYTHING IS INTER-DEPENDENT AND INTER-RELATED technology culture society the natural environment we are part of the environment, and not separate from it As a result of neglecting to consider the environmental consequences of our actions, we now find many serious environmental problems emerging. If we want to have ecological resources to use in the future, and ensure a high quality of life, we must start considering the broader environmental context in our designs and choices. atmosphere ‘resources’ soil sunlight Traditionally, decisions and designs have been based on economics, form and function. The broader environmental context – in which all things exist, and on which all things rely- has not adequately been considered. knowledge oceans water the built environment forests institutions + structures biodiversity the universe

7. In most cases, it is not our ‘needs’ relating to the built environment that cause environmental problems – rather it is the way we choose to meet them. waste and water disposal water supply building materials energy supply Where do present materials come from? How much do we currently use? Images: National Geographic, Vol 195, No 3, March 1999; Oz Green World Water Day Poster, 1997; “Greenhouse News”, Vol 3, Issue No 2, Winter 2000, published by the Australian Greenhouse Office; “The Challenge”, Issue No 16, Winter 2000, published by the Australian Greenhouse Office

8. what are the impacts of unsustainable design & building practices ? sustainable architecture looks to find new ways to provide our needs without creating these impacts INCREASED AIR POLLUTION - chemicals and gases EFFECTS ON PUBLIC HEALTH - we all need clean air and water, good food PRODUCTION OF WASTE - rubbish, materials, chemicals, etc GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS - global warming and climate change INCREASED WATER POLLUTION - raw sewage rubbish chemicals UNNECESSARYDELEPLETION OF NATURAL RESOURCES - forests, water, minerals, soil INCREASED SOIL CONTAMINATION - chemicals, dirty water, loss of nutrients

9. technology the design process s u s t a i n a b l e a r c h i t e c t u r e people sustainability

10. ecologically sustainable development: accommodating the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundtland Report, World Commission on Environment and Development 1987) appropriate technology: making and using technology that meets human needs while taking into account long and short term consequences for society and the environment sustainable design process: 1. understand the needs of the users of the building 2. look at the capacity of the site and the environment in supporting those needs 3. make design decisions and use appropriate technologies to fulfil the above

11. s u s t a i n a b l e a r c h i t e c t u r e using an environmentally conscious design process to achieve sustainable results c a s e s t u d i e s

12. General • from the street, the house looks like any other on the street • from behind, environmental design aspects can be seen • Solar access • windows face north to allow good natural sunlight inside (less energy needed for lighting and heating) • family room below is protected by overhanging bedroom above - this blocks summer sun, but allows winter sun to enter the room front of house • Rooftop Solar Panels • on north facing roof for maximum sunlight • photovoltaic panels are used to create clean and non-polluting electricity • hot water panels are used to heat water without using coal-fired (polluting) electricity summer sun angle sunlight winter sun angle Mobbs House, Chippendale Images: ww.abc.net.au/nr/science /earth/handouts/ chippendale.htm rear of house NORTH For more info, check out the website: www.abc.net.au/science/planet/house/default.htm

13. Water Treatment • reused water and sewage from toilet is stored in a composting tank under the deck • within this tank, the water and sewage is ‘broken down’ to form clean and hygienic compost - this compost can be safely used on the garden • Water Supply • rainwater iscollected from roof and stored in a water tank under the house tank under house reeds • the cleaned liquid is treated further by reeds in the back yard - the reed help to remove any bacteria • if the system overflows, it goes straight into the mains sewage (just like normal houses) Mobbs House, Chippendale Images: ww.abc.net.au/nr/science/earth/handouts/chippendale.htm Rainwater collected from roof Water stored in tank under house Water used for drinking, cooking, showering ‘Used’ water stored filtered and stored in second tank • Water Recycling • within the house water is ‘recycled’ • used for cooking, drinking and showering • used water is then filtered and stored • used water is then used for flushing the toilet and washing clothes This water used for toilet and washing machine Reused water and toilet waste are treated in a composting tank on site Clean compost made for use on garden ‘Cleaned’ water treated further by reeds in back yard

14. Natural gas • used for the majority of the resort’s energy requirements • causes less pollution and greenhouse gases than coal-fired electricity production • less damage on site, no powerlines or cables needed to bring electricity onto the site • ENERGY MANAGEMENT • CONTROL SYSTEMS • used to integrate, monitor and control the different sources of energy in the resort • power used in the resort is two thirds of that used by most resorts of the same size • Solar hot water panels • used for heating water for use in buildings • additional heat used to heat up the swimming pool • solar hot water heating creates no pollution or greenhouse gases • Wind turbine • produces up to 12% of the resort’s energy requirements • used to supplement the main energy source - natural gas Images: Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Association, 1998 Couran Cove Resort, South Stradbroke Island • Landscaping and revegetation • any damaged areas of the site revegetated • plant types used were sourced from around the site, to minimise the effect on ecological systems

15. summer sun angle • Structure • buildings are supported on timber piers for minimal impact on the site • piers are made from hardwood timbers, which are resilient to saltwater - therefore have a longer lifespan than other materials (such as steel) winter sun angle • Verandahs - comfortable outdoor living area • roof blocks hot summer sun, allows winter sun to enter • opened to breezes for summer cooling • natural light and cross ventilation help to heat and cool and light the inside of the building cool breezes Couran Cove Resort, South Stradbroke Island Images: Forest and Wood Products Research and Development Association, 1998 • Timber • all timber sourced from plantations or from sustainably managed forests • timber is renewable and uses less energy in its manufacture and transport • has low greenhouse gas emissions

16. wind noise • Glass Roofs • allow sunlight and warmth deep into the building (reduce need for artificial lighting and heating) • allow plants to grow within the building (creates appealing and healthy interior) • Building height • kept to a minimum to prevent outdoor areas from being over-shadowed natural light to all levels sunny outdoor spaces close to the buildings • Sloping walls • deflect noise from busy road • redirect winds to prevent ground-level turbulence • made from brick (natural material) • Energy system • heating is via gas, rather than from a coal-fired plant (creates less pollution) • no air-conditioning in building is needed because of ventilation and gas heating (therefore much less electricity used) • Vegetation around building • helps to keep air cleaner • provide buffer to the wind • creates pleasant outdoor areas for workers Images: “Green Design”, Dorothy Mackenzie, (1991), London: Laurence King Publishing NMB Bank Headquarters, Amsterdam

17. NMB Bank Headquarters, Amsterdam water collected from roofs natural lighting • Rainwater • is collected from the roof (reduces mains water consumption) • used for water features and to water plants inside the building (creates a cool, healthy and pleasing environment) Hello!! natural breezes water fall • Windows • allow natural sunlight into the building (less electricity used for lighting) • can be opened to allow cross-ventilation (building has no air-conditioning, and uses much less electricity) • Staircases • designed to be appealing, in order to: • reduce reliance on lifts (reduces electricity consumption) • allow for interaction between co-workers (social benefits) • create an architectural feature Images: “Green Design”, Dorothy Mackenzie, (1991), London: Laurence King Publishing • Materials • include natural materials such as timber, marble and copper • create a warm and pleasing environment (social benefits) • are locally produced, therefore reduce transportation pollution and resources