Five Design Elements to Help Promote Sustainability
The pursuit of net zero carbon goals is influencing various aspects, such as the sector of commercial real estate. It is also inspiring cities to prioritize and examine the urban infrastructure more closely. An article in Urban Land magazine highlighted the importance of adopting a comprehensive sustainability approach by city planners, designers, and constructors. This approach should encompass not only infrastructure and transit-focused projects but also other factors.
While decreasing the usage of energy and depending on materials with low carbon content can aid the progress towards achieving net-zero objectives, a publication by Urban Land proposed that the subsequent five key factors play a crucial role in guaranteeing that buildings are constructed or improved in alignment with sustainable measures.
The choice of location should focus on areas that are supportive of transportation in filled sites. Instances shown were in the downtown regions of Detroit and Cleveland. These areas have gone through significant changes, shifting from their previous industrial areas to become economically thriving, socially strong, and diverse communities that are efficiently served by public transportation. Bedrock, the major owner of commercial properties in Detroit (and Cleveland's one of the biggest), has been at the forefront of these revitalization projects.
2. Techniques for Managing Construction Processes
In this blog post, it is proposed that local governments should mandate the use of building materials that are sourced from the surrounding areas and are environmentally friendly. It is recommended that these materials should ideally come from sources that can be quickly replenished. Additionally, it is crucial to prioritize the durability of the materials used, ensuring that they can withstand the test of time and be passed down for future generations.
3. Achieving Optimal Performance in Building Envelope Design and Implementation
Constructing designs need to be completely sealed, incorporate insulating components, and ideally contribute to energy production. This is particularly important when renovating extremely old structures. The article emphasizes that "removing thermal pathways and establishing more efficient, top-performing building enclosures play a crucial role in diminishing the energy consumption of these edifices."
Designing with Passive Inclusion Passive Design Integration Incorporating Passive Design
The objective of passive design is to establish indoor climate systems that operate based on natural occurrences. Buildings designed with a passive approach utilize minimal traditional energy sources to facilitate the movement of fluids and air within the structure, as mentioned in the article. The incorporation of passive designs can be done during the initial planning phase of a building. Additionally, the article emphasizes that both new constructions and renovations should take into account the specific weather conditions of the location in order to ensure sustainable functionality.
Clean Energy and Efficient HVAC Installations
Although the ultimate objective is to achieve 100% implementation of passive strategies, the article recognizes that this may not always be feasible. In such cases, it is important to complement high-performance mechanical systems with high-performance envelopes when relying on HVAC systems to fulfill some of the requirements. This is particularly crucial for buildings that operate based on clean energy principles and aspire to attain net-zero goals. According to the article, incorporating these measures can have significant and impactful effects in moving closer towards achieving net-zero objectives.
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