A systems framework for sustainability & its application to a construction project

1. A systems framework for sustainability & its application to a construction project at the University of Canterbury Lin Roberts

2. The Natural Step Framework Components Four System Conditions Systems ThinkingBasic Science Level of Approach The Funnel Strategic Planning

3. The Natural Step System Conditions In a sustainable society, nature is not subject to systematically increasing… • … concentrations of substances from the Earth’s crust • …concentrations of substances produced by society • …degradation of nature by physical means and in that society, people are not subject to conditions that systematically… iv) …undermine their capacity to meet their needs.

4. A Global Perspective: The Funnel

5. Backcasting: From Basic Principles

6. The Natural Step FrameworkRecap • Foundations in Basic Science: • The laws of Thermodynamics • Applied systems thinking: The Earth as a System • The four systems conditions (4SC) as a practicalguideline for sustainability • The funnel: a metaphor for current unsustainable practices • How to manage complex change? • Distinguish levels in the approach (Pyramid) • Strategic Planning process: • A 4-step planning process in the funnel • ‘Backcasting from Basic Principles’

7. Use of the Framework is widespread • Chemical sectore.g. ICI Paints, DuPont, HydroPolymers (PVC) • Mining and mineralse.g. BHP Bileton, Rio Tinto Zinc • Food & beverage e.g. Phoenix Organics, Curators House Restaurant, McDonald’s • Agriculturee.g. North Canterbury farmers, Lantmannen • Manufacturers e.g. Macpac, Tait Electronics, Interface • Communities e.g. Whistler, Canmore, Halifax, Stockholm, Robertsfors, Overtornea • Construction e.g. Skanska, Carillion, Crest Nicholson, Swedish McDonalds, University of Texas, University of Canterbury • Tertiary e.g. Lund, Blekinge, Canterbury, Otago Polytechnic

8. Creating Sustainable Buildings

9. Sequential design Client architect mechanical engineer electrical engineer etc • Difficult to retain vision • Difficult to optimise sustainability features – compromises • Harder to make it sustainable AND cost-effective AND meet needs of building users

10. Integrated Design 3 "E"s: Everyone, Everything, and Early: Engage all stakeholders; consider every aspect of the project in an integrated way; start early in the development process. Bill Reed, one of the developers of the LEED rating system Over a building’s first 40 years, construction costs amount to only 11 %, whereas operation and alteration costs total as much as 75%. By the time the first 1% of a project’s up-front costs are spent, up to 70% of its life-cycle costs may already be committed. (..and that’s as true about business strategy, product design, industrial processes, food system and transportation infrastructure as it is about buildings. )

11. Integrated sustainable design Owner Bring all the key players together Architect Invest up front in the design phase, workcollaboratively Occupant Mechanical engineer Project Manager Shared Vision based on sustainability principles Develop a shared understanding of sustainability and a shared vision for the building – use TNS framework Structural engineer Same framework works for client, design team, construction team, building usersetc Builder Landscape architect Electrical engineer Specialty consultants Interior designer Maintenance R. McDonald 2005

12. University of Canterbury • Began with a pilot programme in 3 departments in 2004 (2 days training for 30 staff) • This led to a decision in 2005 to develop a Pan-University Sustainability Plan; now working on a series of plans that flow from that strategy • Suite of projects in UC Opportunity • In 2005 a decision to apply The Natural Step Framework to the $60million BioSciences building project (7 year project)

13. University of CanterburyBioSciences building project • 2 day workshop in November 2005 involving building occupiers, maintainers, client, architects, mechanical, structural and electrical engineers, quantity surveyors • Came out with a clear shared vision for the buildings and over 150 allocated actions to help achieve the vision – and enormous enthusiasm, innovation and commitment! • A year later the team is still highly motivated and on target.

14. The Challenge To create a building that is as sustainable as we can make it while also - meeting the very demanding technical high performance criteria (world class scientific research, HSNO legislation re GMOs and hazardous substances, temperature control for experiments and animal rearing, stability for electron microscopes, controlled access to labs etc) - meeting the needs for interaction of the building users (breaking down silos and research empires, fostering collaborative research, but flexibility to rearrange spaces as research priorities changed) - and also satisfying tight financial controls.

15. Feedback from the workshop attendees The best two days we have spent The cross pollination of ideas has been fantastic I am really inspired! I am convinced this group is going to do this job VERY, VERY well I’m so impressed by the buy-in from all the different players I’m looking forward to reading the Times article about our success! I was cynical, thinking sustainability was just a trendy thing – now it is real!

16. www.naturalstep.org natstep@naturalstep.org.nz For more information:

17. School of Biological Sciences Glass atrium joins new research building and Zoology building New research building Existing PAMS/ Geology Building New bike sheds with showers & composting toilets Existing Zoology Building New Link Building

19. Efficient use of resources(mainly System Condition 1) • Do we need a new building? • Efficient infrastructure layout • Modular and flexible internal layout • Reuse of materials and artesian water • Easy for building users to recycle

20. Energy Efficiency (System Condition 1) • Significant use of thermal mass • Wide range of energy efficiency measures • Extensive use of natural lighting and task lighting • Double glazed new external faces; automated shading; efficient, effective ventilation systems • Independent and audited commissioning of building services Target – under 100kWh/m2/yr cf. usual 300kWh for labs • Sustainable transport fostered

21. Renewable Energy(System Condition 1) • Coal & electricity currently very cheap relative to alternatives but this is expected to change within life of building • Future proofing - roof strong enough to carry PV panels and/or solar water panels • Ongoing monitoring of relative costs • A demonstration PV panel to run some of the systems e.g. pumps for rainwater harvest.

22. Persistent Chemicals(System condition 2) • No use of CFCs or HCFCs in the HVAC systems; • Landscaping will focus on low maintenance adapted plants that do not require pesticides and use timbers that do not require chemical treatment e.g. local plantation grown macrocarpa or Eucalyptus saligna; • Paints & internal fittings & finishes have not yet been addressed but sustainability will be a key consideration. • Department pilot for Green Laboratory practices

23. Ecosystems and Water (System condition 3) Okeover stream being restored stormwater treated through a water quality chain ~120 carparks replaced by green space Rainwater harvesting for toilets & irrigation Secure cycle shed with showers & composting toilets Permeable pavers under carparks New research block Use of plants & water in atrium – “lungs” of building, a living demo of bio principles lower pressure low flow fixtures to limit domestic hot and cold water consumption Atrium Existing Zoology Building timbers from sustainably managed forests Artesian cooling water from Commerce building reused

24. Social Sustainability(System condition 4) Design facilitates interaction & sense of community providing opportunities for building users to interact • Atrium, with various breakout spaces, generous air bridges and vertical circulation routes • Key areas such as the common room & administration located either in or adjacent to the atrium to draw people in there • Research laboratories designed as group rather than individual spaces • Office spaces largely transparent • Postgraduate study area - individual study spaces in an open plan format Building as Teacher • Living systems brought into and around building, demonstrating biological principles • Fish tank window from atrium, displays of research • Energy use meters, demonstration of renewable technologies, interpretation panels etc

25. For more information There are many other case studies – see TNSNZ website www.naturalstep.org.nz For example in the construction sector: • Videos of University of Texas Health Sciences Building & Carillion Swindon Hospital • Social housing scheme in the North of England - main success was showing TNS as a great tool for consensus building and really involving the tenants and local community. • Oregon Natural Step Construction Industry Group (includes architects, consulting engineers, construction and development companies, and Department of Energy) – “Using The Natural Step as a Framework toward the Construction and Operation of Fully Sustainable Buildings” 17pp. • Workshops on “Integrating The Natural Step and LEED” at the USGBC GreenBuild conference 2004 & in Oregon 2005. Also extensive resources around sustainable materials, SLCA etc