Sustainable Built Environments Senior Capstone / The goal of this study is to address the issues of sustainable residential housing in the United States, more specifically Tucson and the arid climate of the southwest. Until recent years the lack of awareness for sustainable practices has not damaged society, but currently, mankind’s impacts on the planet are unprecedented. As we progress into the future, acknowledgment of this problem needs to be addressed with innovation and solutions to secure a guaranteed healthy future for humanity, the species that humanity coexists with, and planet Earth. This study examines the principles of development that best produce sustainability and addresses building form and material use, solar orientation and shading, and land-use efficiency and governmental policy. These aspects of development are examined in detail by contrasting a typical University of Arizona rental development and a development that was constructed with sustainable consciousness for Tucson’s local population. Sustainable residential development is an issue that must begin on large scale with government policy and lawmakers, and end with individual home residencies and educated personal environmental decisions. The study found that, while there are many different aspects of sustainable development that are influenced by countless variables, a sense of cooperation among all phases of construction is the most effective way to guarantee a smooth transition into a more sustainable future.

The secondary energy use and GHG emissions have noticeably increased during recent decades in Canada; the residential sector accounted for the third largest portion of total energy use. The government and market turned to building highly efficient residential buildings for energy savings. However, premature technologies and designs brought countless issues from conception to operation stages resulting in performance discrepancies between the modelled results and field performance. This thesis looked into ten LEED Gold certified social houses in Victoria and Vancouver, BC to reveal their performance gaps, to investigate possible causes, to seek practical solutions and to summarize proper recommendations for the green building industry. It was accomplished by collecting LEED energy model and utility data for two years of each building, comparing their predicted and actual energy consumption, examining each site, discussing with facility managers and analyzing performance gaps. In addition, occupancy and building staff surveys served as robust support to the research. The assessment shows only two buildings realized their preliminary high-performance goals. Other buildings sustained an offset of energy consumption from the minimum of 22.1\% to the maximum of 281.7\% compared to their proposed models. The reasons for the discrepancy covered all the phases of a building’s life from design to construction, to commissioning and to post-occupancy. The most common concerns were the unexpected inefficiency of air source heat pumps and unpredictable occupancy behaviours such as leaving windows open in winter. In consideration of these, the calibration of energy models according to refined performance curves of heat pumps and particular inputs for social housings would provide a more accurate prediction. Together with improved designs, adequate commissioning and appropriate operation, performance gaps can be narrowed to a greater extent. / Graduate

Current water shortages in the United States and Texas are expected to only worsen so that by 2050, approximately 40% of both U.S. and Texas residents will live in areas of water scarcity (U.S. House Committee, 2003; Texas Water Development Board, 2003). In response to these grim projections, both lawmakers and environmentalists are calling for conservation measures so that future shortages or costly new supply initiatives are avoided. One area where substantial consumption decreases could be made is the municipal sector, which is projected to account for 35% of all water consumed in Texas by 2050 (Texas Water Development Board, 2002). Both organizations and voluntary programs have been established to reduce water consumption in this area. One of the largest and most innovative programs in the state is the Austin Green Building Program (AGBP). It was the first program of its kind in the U.S. that rates new homes and remodels in regards to five categories related to sustainability: energy efficiency, water efficiency, materials efficiency, health and safety and community (City of Austin, 2001). This research identified the factors (weather, home size, lot size, appraised value, and existence of a pool) that effect water consumption for residences qualifying as "Austin Green Homes", and identified those green features or designs that had the greatest effect on water consumption, that were most commonly included, and the reasons why contractors incorporated them. Non-green features such as temperature, rainfall, home and lot size, appraised value and a pool seemed to have the greatest impact on water consumption, from an analysis of R2 values, albeit a positive relation for each variable. When green features were investigated, findings showed that different features were effective in reducing water consumption for different builders and in many cases, water-conserving features actually led to increased use. Finally, results showed that large builders incorporated fewer water-related green features in their homes and achieved lower star ratings in general than small green builders.

Current water shortages in the United States and Texas are expected to only worsen so that by 2050, approximately 40% of both U.S. and Texas residents will live in areas of water scarcity (U.S. House Committee, 2003; Texas Water Development Board, 2003). In response to these grim projections, both lawmakers and environmentalists are calling for conservation measures so that future shortages or costly new supply initiatives are avoided. One area where substantial consumption decreases could be made is the municipal sector, which is projected to account for 35% of all water consumed in Texas by 2050 (Texas Water Development Board, 2002). Both organizations and voluntary programs have been established to reduce water consumption in this area. One of the largest and most innovative programs in the state is the Austin Green Building Program (AGBP). It was the first program of its kind in the U.S. that rates new homes and remodels in regards to five categories related to sustainability: energy efficiency, water efficiency, materials efficiency, health and safety and community (City of Austin, 2001). This research identified the factors (weather, home size, lot size, appraised value, and existence of a pool) that effect water consumption for residences qualifying as "Austin Green Homes", and identified those green features or designs that had the greatest effect on water consumption, that were most commonly included, and the reasons why contractors incorporated them. Non-green features such as temperature, rainfall, home and lot size, appraised value and a pool seemed to have the greatest impact on water consumption, from an analysis of R2 values, albeit a positive relation for each variable. When green features were investigated, findings showed that different features were effective in reducing water consumption for different builders and in many cases, water-conserving features actually led to increased use. Finally, results showed that large builders incorporated fewer water-related green features in their homes and achieved lower star ratings in general than small green builders.

Thesis (Master of Construction (Construction Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2019 / This study examines the influence of a green building concept on the value of a building. Comprehensive literature was carefully reviewed to provide an overview on the concept of green building and its influence on the value of a building, subject to its overall benefits in South Africa. Several studies have been conducted giving guidelines for the determination of the best capitalisation rates needed for valuing green building properties. However, the information is still inadequate in providing evidence of the relationship between green building features and its influence on the value of a building, leaving most buildings with green features undervalued. This is a peculiar concern this research seeks to bring to notice and with its limited scope proffer possible recommendations and conclusions. A quantitative approach was adopted, facilitating the collection of data through the use of a questionnaire survey that involved randomly selected construction professionals in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. The motive behind the adoption of the quantitative method is to facilitate a reliable manner of satisfying the established aim and objectives for determining current practices in valuing green buildings. The above description paved the way for the use of theoretical, statistical and mathematical techniques for computation and interpretation of data to support objective reasoning and measures. Data was analysed with the application of descriptive and inferential statistical analysis tools, wherein the mean values and one-way analysis of variance were carefully determined. The findings demonstrate that the benefits of green building are critical for enhancing a building’s value. The benefits are divided into tangible and intangible benefits to classify impact on a building value. The classification of the impact cut across reduction of the consumption of energy and water, lowering operating cost and developing flexible design options. Some of the significant features of the green building include water metering, a photovoltaic solar panel system, electrical sub-metering, high performance building façade and skylight and borehole water. Further findings indicate that kitchen and water-closet (WC) water efficient fittings is ranked highest with a mean value (MV) of 3.91, followed by megawatt photovoltaic solar plant with an MV of 3.79, and water metering for monitoring and leak detection with an MV of 3.74. In light of the MVs, it is evident that these features significantly influence the value of a green building. Subsequently, the features are classified as: eco-friendly materials and energy conservation feature; water saving and renewable energy feature; safety feature; natural day light and control feature; sun shade and light feature; water management and flooring feature, and special utility feature. Information as gathered in the study demonstrate that the current practices engaged in valuing green building projects do not specifically differ among construction participants, although the perceptions of construction professionals regarding the most significant green building features that enhance the value of a building is on the average. Modalities towards promoting the concept and value of green building require resolute actions that should be implemented by the Green Building Council of South Africa. This concerns the creation of new growth strategies to escalate the awareness and implementation of a green building concept. Based on the benefits and significant features of green building, as determined through respondent affirmatives, this study broadens the view of construction professionals on the influence of a green building concept on the value of a building in South Africa.

Sustainable Built Environments Senior Capstone Project / Climate change and resource availability are arguably the two biggest challenges humanity faces going forward. An unprecedented body of scientific work has been compiled over the past thirty years that indicates humans have and continue to be the largest driver of these environmental concerns, and therefore must also be responsible for any solutions. Buildings and their construction account for nearly 40% of the total energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Water consumption by both buildings and thermoelectric power generation is also an issue, especially in the Southwest and Western United States. Green building has been gaining steam in the U.S. for the past two decades, but the primary focus has been in the commercial and industrial sectors. The residential markets have not seen the efficiency gains, primarily due to the perception that the cost isn’t worth the benefit. This project examines the need, feasibility, and potential benefits of sustainably retrofitting existing homes as an alternative to new construction. It provides a broad definition of sustainability and then focuses into a more narrow description of its application within the built environment. Using precedents, 3D modeling, and energy simulation software it compares the energy and water savings of a retrofit versus a base case as well as the performance of the average Southern Arizona home. Finally, this capstone project provides a professional cost estimate for the implementation of the proposed changes and a side-by-side look at the available “green” housing market, the utility cost savings for the homeowner, and the environmental benefits of individual as well as large-scale adoption of sustainable retrofitting practices.

Since 1998, the United States Green Building Council, via the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, has established the premiere set of guidelines for construction ethics from the standpoint of eco-friendliness and occupant safety and health in the U.S. and around the world. These guidelines are skyrocketing in use due in part to two reasons: · increased awareness of a need for reducing, reusing, and recycling in order to save resources and natural areas for future generations; and, · increased amount of time spent indoors in work places and homes. The LEED guidelines encourage sustainable and responsible use of land, water, energy, and materials, and promote a safe and healthy environment through use of innovative designs and technology. As part of the responsible use of materials, the LEED guidelines encourage the use of rapidly renewable materials such as cotton, straw, wool, and cork as insulation products. Although these products can be produced naturally and quickly from nature, they are also cellulose or carbohydrate based products. Cellulose and carbohydrate based materials are typically optimal food sources for mold in the presence of moisture, ironically destroying facilities and creating poor living and work environments. Samples of wool, cork, straw, and cotton--rapidly renewable materials used as exterior wall insulation products--were exposed to different moisture amounts in an encapsulated environment, representing the environment within a wall cavity when exposed to water from pipes, leaks, condensation and absorption, or from initial construction. The samples were monitored over time for mold growth. The data logged from the samples were analyzed to determine the degree of mold susceptibility of each material. In addition, samples with increased amounts of moisture were examined to determine increased promotion of mold growth. The results from this study showed that all of the above mentioned materials were highly susceptible to mold growth and that the moisture amount did not increase the rate of mold growth. Based on the data collected from this study, recommendations were made to review the current use of rapidly renewable and other cellulose and carbohydrate based materials in wall construction.

The “green jobs for all” movement aims to make “green collar” jobs – those that support families and the environment – accessible to every working man and woman. This report investigates the potential role of the green building sector in this movement in Austin, TX through a literature review and interviews with sixteen green building professionals. The findings suggest that Austin’s green building sector does appear to offer quality green collar jobs with few barriers to entry in the market. As such, it stands to play an important role in the green for all movement locally and nationally. Unlike some other sectors of the green economy, the green building sector, at least in Texas, does not appear to be limited to “eco-elites,” a.k.a., the white, wealthier Americans who tend to dominate mainstream environmental movements. Although it is not clear that the green building sector is growing the environmental movement by involving people whose demographic background is different than most mainstream environmentalists, it does appear that contractors and subcontractors who build “green” take particular pride in their work. New jobs are expanding tin the green building sector and green practices among existing trades often gives firms a competitive edge. There are many potential roles for the city to take in its support of the green building sector. Voluntary programs are the most popular on all fronts, but the case can also be made in some cases for mandates. Rating systems are essential to resolve imperfect information in the market, but rating systems using nationally standardized codes might facilitate the efficiency of real estate markets by giving appraisers and lenders a rating system they can trust. / text

This report is an exploration of the theoretical and applied aspects of green affordable housing. First, it presents an in-depth examination of the current status of green affordable housing by exploring the synergy between green rating systems which guide and certify developments and the financial and policy mechanisms which either support or curtail them. Second, this report will analyze diverse case studies from around the country in order to examine how green affordable housing is developed in various real-world contexts. Two-tiers of case studies are presented: secondary and primary. Secondary case studies receive a brief overview while the primary case study examines in-depth an ongoing development in Austin, Texas. The primary case is also an example of current innovative movements and provides a glimpse into what the future of green affordable housing might look like. And lastly, conclusions are drawn from the research that itemize best practices in green affordable housing. The report concludes that green affordable housing is not an easy development practice and thus, recommendations are provided to ease some of the existing barriers to further development. This report also concludes that while costbenefit analyses and arguments for energy-efficiency are salient, concerns for public and environmental health need equal weight in the argument and advocacy for green affordable housing. I argue that green affordable housing should be developed with an integrated design process specific to local context, with a local visioning process that cultivates community connections. And most importantly, education for housing providers and tenants regarding on-going operations and maintenance is a crucial part of that integrated design process. / text

An exploration of sustainable architecture and environmental philosophy with the aim of developing a high-tech sustainable building system, research and development centre. The unit should address job creation and access to commercially viable green building systems, information and skills. / Dissertation (MArch(Prof))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Architecture / unrestricted