This study departed from a research basis being somewhat lacking in the context of green building certification and especially the two-folded problem, regarding the characteristics of the network of business relationships and how an energy supply company should exploit opportunities in this network context and its relationships. As such, the purpose of this study is to investigate and analyse the network context and its business relationship characteristics, as well as to present recommendations of how an energy supply company can engage green building certification and cope with the business relationships in order to exploit business opportunities. Based on previous research regarding the real estate industry, energy service industry and the construction industry, a well-founded literature base could be extended further by applying theoretical concepts related to business relationship elements and strategy-making. The nature of green building certification and to fulfil the purpose of the study, called for a qualitative research strategy performed through a multiple-case study design. This led to the investigation of four certification projects, subject to certifications in the systems of EU GreenBuilding and Miljöbyggnad, where the most important actors, relationships and project contents constitute the empirical data. The findings of this thesis suggest that the relationships are characterized as having a short-term focus and an avoidance to become interdependent. In this manner elements such as commitment and adaptation are shown as rather shallow, where actions of commitment are not typically short-term sacrifices for a long-term mutual benefit and adaptations mostly occur with respect to specific projects. The adaptive behaviour is also more or less explained as a standardized procedure, avoiding relationship specific investments. Trust is an important element mostly in order to reflect the competence of the counterpart, where previous successful projects indicate the skill and knowledge. Despite the characteristics of the relationships, the benefits of long-term, high involvement, cooperative relationships were highlighted as good aspects to consider in this context. These characteristics, along with outspoken market demands, acted as the basis for the development of recommendations for an energy supply company in terms of a step-wise action framework. In this sense, the first acknowledgement of the framework is that the current position related to green building certification projects of an energy supply company is rather unestablished, with only one exception found. This implies a strategic approach in terms of understanding how to develop and maintain their business relationships, with respect to the previously mentioned characteristics. Through a successful utilization of the action framework (with respect to certain barriers to overcome), this thesis emphasizes a wide range of opportunities such as to have a proactive approach, maintain interactions between projects, to develop the knowledge, to offer a holistic approach and to utilize long-term cooperative relational benefits. The analysis and framework is highly suitable when applied by an energy supply company, but the authors also argue for the findings to be of relevance also for other practitioners in the context of green building certification. In addition, the authors believe that the orientation of this thesis might be a trigger for future similar research approaches, applied in different contexts.

Thermal mass can be successfully implemented in the hot‐humid region of Austin, TX especially when well designed and with supplementary aids like nightcooling and day‐lighting. This study shows that in some situations thermal mass can be actually more beneficial at reducing electricity demands in hot‐humid regions than in the hot‐dry regions that are so emphasized in the literature. / text

This thesis is based on two observations. First, that conventional buildings cause two major losses that involve non-human nature – the loss of native biodiversity and the loss of non-human nature experience for the buildings’ human inhabitants – and that these losses both contribute to a perceived separation between humans and the rest of nature. Second, that there appears to be a growing interest in connecting buildings with nature but there is little agreement on what it actually means to ‘design with nature’. As such, the purpose of this study is two-fold: (1) to describe the meaning of ‘designing with nature’ in current architectural practice and provide a working definition of nature-based design, and (2) to explore how this can be interpreted to encourage human connectedness with non-human nature, while addressing the two major losses mentioned above. It is thus an attempt to reframe the role of building as one that provides for all inhabitants of a site, both human and non. A framework was developed that captures and summarizes the dominant ways in which design draws on nature. The framework emphasizes the importance of using ecosystems not only as models, but foremost as context. The core concepts of the framework can thus be discussed from the perspective of buildings that act like an ecosystem and that interact with their ecosystem, and are described as: ecological sense of place, regenerative ability, ecosystem health, mutually beneficial relationships, context, appropriate management, functions, ecosystem principles, values, patterns, conditions, and adaptations. Although the concepts presented in the framework are themselves not new, the way in which they are organized does contribute a new perspective on the field of nature-based design. In addition to providing a graphic model that summarizes the essence of an evolving field, the research highlights the role of scale and place in linking building design, native biodiversity, nature experience and connectedness with nature. It thus acts as a backdrop on which to bring a discussion of ecological citizenship into the architectural dialogue.

During the past few years an increased attention has been paid to environmental issues in the construction and property sector in Sweden. In order to simplify the work with these issues a Swedish environmental certification system for buildings called Miljöbyggnad has been developed. This thesis aims to investigate the opinion of a selected number of selected property owners of Miljöbyggnad. From that basis recommendations and actions for the future work with the system will be presented. The investigation has been conducted through personal interviews with five property owners. The main issues that the interviews have been based on are their purpose, experiences, perceived complications and future prospects in terms of certification using Miljöbyggnad. The system intends to be cost-effective, simple and to offer a relevant environmental assessment of buildings and the result from the report indicates that this is largely fulfilled. All respondents believe that Miljöbyggnad offers a relevant environmental assessment. All of them also believe that the system is simple except for some complications and 80 % believe that the system is cost-effective. In terms of the future, all interviewed property owners will most likely certify buildings under Miljöbyggnad, some to a greater extent than others. The conclusion from this investigation is that the system needs to be dynamic. Adaption to the social, environmental, technical, economical and legal conditions that prevail is vital. However, it is recommended that Miljöbyggnad retains its simplicity and avoid growing to become too comprehensive.

xii, 145 p. : ill. (some col.), maps. A print copy of this thesis is available through the UO Libraries. Search the library catalog for the location and call number. / In an effort to confront global warming and the increasing scarcity of resources, the preservation community began several years ago to adopt sustainable and green building practices and metrics for historic rehabilitation projects. As a result, there is an ever growing number of rehabilitated historic buildings in the United States not only incorporating sustainable building designs but also achieving Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. Most of these are large, architect-designed buildings in urban settings rehabilitated for cultural and commercial uses. This thesis explores the application of the LEED 2009 New Construction and Major Renovation Rating System for the development of a sustainable rehabilitation plan for the modest vernacular 1897 Jeff. Smith's Parlor Museum in Skagway, Alaska. The goal of this research is to demonstrate how the LEED rating system might be applied to the rehabilitation of this building and other historic vernacular buildings. / Committee in Charge: Donald L. Peting, Chair; Grant Crosby, NPS Historical Architect

[pt] O Estudo das Contribuições dos Certificados vem salientar a relevância e suas consequências práticas na política Municipal do Rio de Janeiro, sobre as Mudanças do Clima e Desenvolvimento Sustentável, estabelecendo metas de redução de emissões antrópicas dos gases do efeito estufa, estimulando o aprimoramento dos conceitos e práticas estruturantes na construção de edificações residenciais, comerciais, mistas e institucionais. Iniciado com o Plano Estratégico da Prefeitura do Rio de Janeiro pelo disposto da Lei número 5.248 de 27 de janeiro de 2011 e posteriormente pelo Decreto Municipal número 35.745 de 06 de junho de 2012, foi criado o selo ambiental de qualificação nas construções, o QUALIVERDE, de aplicação opcional aos projetos de novas edificações e as existentes. Seu objetivo principal foi o de incentivar o crescimento de empreendimentos que contemplem ações e práticas sustentáveis de (Construções Verdes), com eficiência no uso e consumo de água e energia, destinadas a favorecer a redução dos impactos ambientais na Cidade do Rio de Janeiro. As contribuições dos parâmetros estabelecidos nos outros três selos internacionais mais aplicados, o Green Building-Leed, o Aqua-H.Q.E. e o Breeam, servirão para a análise e eficácia da aplicabilidade do Qualiverde, comparando-o as ações e medidas específicas utilizadas nos selos estrangeiros, avaliando seus conjuntos de estratégias, quanto a: a) Gestão no consumo de água; b) Eficácia energética e c) Soluções inovadoras nos Projetos Arquitetônicos. / [en] The theme is to stress the importance of the matter at the Master Course of Urban and Environmental Engineering and their practices in the Municipal policy on Climate Change and Sustainable Development consequences, establishing goals for reducing anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases in stimulating and disseminating concepts and structuring practices in the construction of residential, commercial, and institutional buildings mixed. It started with the Strategic Plan of the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro by the terms of Law No. 5,248 of January 27, 2011 and subsequently by Municipal Decree No. 35,745 of June 6, 2012, when the environmental seal QUALIVERDE was created as on option for new projects and existing buildings, residential, commercial, institutional or mixed use application.

Submitted by Cristiano Oliveira (cristiano.cittadino@gmail.com) on 2013-06-14T18:14:56Z No. of bitstreams: 1 CRISTIANO H C C OLIVEIRA.pdf: 2555140 bytes, checksum: 862cc1f6f83ff8a1bcb98ffd004df1d5 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Vera Lúcia Mourão (vera.mourao@fgv.br) on 2013-06-14T18:18:25Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 CRISTIANO H C C OLIVEIRA.pdf: 2555140 bytes, checksum: 862cc1f6f83ff8a1bcb98ffd004df1d5 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-06-14T18:19:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CRISTIANO H C C OLIVEIRA.pdf: 2555140 bytes, checksum: 862cc1f6f83ff8a1bcb98ffd004df1d5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-05-17 / The increasing public interest about the sustainability debate shows the importance of how investments in environmental projects are linked with business strategy and how managers perceive their value creation. This research investigated why real estate managers, more specifically the company Sonae Sierra Brazil (Shopping Centers industry), decide to adopt environmental prerogatives, specifically on Green Buildings. This exploratory research contributes to a better understanding of when adoption of this type of project creates value, by analyzing perception of company’s executives, competitors, and one of its main stakeholders: retail operations (tenants). Thus, interviews were conducted to observe different expressions of value normally perceived, or contrasting factors limiting these values, and compare if these values perceived by company managers are shared by their counterparts. The results indicated primarily intangible values such as corporate identity creation, enterprise integration and knowledge transfer and signaling to the market, to which it was not observed any specific restriction. The results also showed that certain types of value usually taken as relevant in motivating the adoption of these projects, such as differentiation and enhancing the brand values are often highlighted, but accompanied by questions and restrictions. It is expected, therefore, that the findings will contribute to deepening the understanding of how organizations realize demand for projects that are environmentally efficient and increase the perception of value that such projects provide, in order to foster informed decisions and formulating better public policies. / Esta pesquisa investigou as razões pelas quais gestores da empresa Sonae Sierra Brasil decidem adotar prerrogativas socioambientais; especificamente, em projetos de edificações sustentáveis (Green Building). O estudo almejou contribuir para o entendimento de quando a adoção desta modalidade de projetos gera valor na sua cadeia na percepção de diversos executivos da empresa, concorrentes e um de seus principais stakeholders: operações do varejo (lojistas). Assim, foram realizadas entrevistas que forneceram subsídios para a observação das manifestações de valor normalmente percebidas, fatores contrastantes ou limitantes destes valores e, por fim, observar se os valores percebidos por gestores da empresa são compartilhados por estes gestores externos a ela. Os resultados apontaram, principalmente, para valores intangíveis, como criação de identidade empresarial, integração empresarial e transferência de conhecimento e sinalização ao mercado, para as quais não foi observada qualquer ressalva. Relevou também que manifestações de valor, normalmente tidas como relevantes motivadores na adoção destes projetos, como diferenciação, e benefício de imagem e marca são frequentemente destacadas, mas acompanhada de questionamentos. Os resultados da pesquisa contribuem para o entendimento da forma como as organizações percebem os valores de projetos socioambientais. Com isso, auxilia administradores de empresas a tomar decisões embasadas em experiências passadas, e gestores públicos na formulação de regulamentações que visem à redução do impacto ambiental de edificações.

This thesis is based on two observations. First, that conventional buildings cause two major losses that involve non-human nature – the loss of native biodiversity and the loss of non-human nature experience for the buildings’ human inhabitants – and that these losses both contribute to a perceived separation between humans and the rest of nature. Second, that there appears to be a growing interest in connecting buildings with nature but there is little agreement on what it actually means to ‘design with nature’. As such, the purpose of this study is two-fold: (1) to describe the meaning of ‘designing with nature’ in current architectural practice and provide a working definition of nature-based design, and (2) to explore how this can be interpreted to encourage human connectedness with non-human nature, while addressing the two major losses mentioned above. It is thus an attempt to reframe the role of building as one that provides for all inhabitants of a site, both human and non. A framework was developed that captures and summarizes the dominant ways in which design draws on nature. The framework emphasizes the importance of using ecosystems not only as models, but foremost as context. The core concepts of the framework can thus be discussed from the perspective of buildings that act like an ecosystem and that interact with their ecosystem, and are described as: ecological sense of place, regenerative ability, ecosystem health, mutually beneficial relationships, context, appropriate management, functions, ecosystem principles, values, patterns, conditions, and adaptations. Although the concepts presented in the framework are themselves not new, the way in which they are organized does contribute a new perspective on the field of nature-based design. In addition to providing a graphic model that summarizes the essence of an evolving field, the research highlights the role of scale and place in linking building design, native biodiversity, nature experience and connectedness with nature. It thus acts as a backdrop on which to bring a discussion of ecological citizenship into the architectural dialogue. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Architecture and Landscape Architecture (SALA), School of / Graduate

Green Building Councils (GBCs) have been established in many different countries in recent years. This paper discusses the role such organizations can play in the respective construction and real estate industry and under what circumstances a GBC can contribute positively to the development of a "greener" or "more sustainable" stock of buildings. The paper investigates the main informational problem of the industry by looking at the relation between a developer and an investor from an economic point of view. We argue that the investor's uncertainty about the true quality of a building and the corresponding incentive for the developer to cheat may lock them into a prisoners' dilemma trap. The corresponding barriers for a transition toward a "greener" buildings market are analyzed. GBCs are described as institutions of economic governance that can assist the economy in overcoming these problems. They can act as third party institutions in transactions between developers and investors. By certifying the quality of a building, they can reduce the risk for the investor to be cheated by the developer and also increase the incentive to develop good quality buildings for the developer. This task, however, raises some severe management challenges for the GBCs. (author's abstract) / Series: SRE - Discussion Papers

Purpose: The study relies upon the development of green buildings due to an increased level of acknowledgement of environmental impacts, caused by the building industry. Building materials are one big factor that have a negative impact on the environment. Building Information Modeling (BIM) are constantly being developed in the construction industry because of unlimited technology. The purpose of this study is to see a digitalization of documentation of materials by using BIM, and what consequences this meets regarding coordination. Method: The study used three qualitative methods: literature study, interviews and document analysis. The literature study is based on current research on the subject. An analysis consisting of documents including requirements from three green building certification systems has been done to present how they differentiate. The interviews complete the work with a practical point of view. It presents the work towards green buildings and on what level BIM may be included in the building industry. Respondents are people working with environmental questions, construction management and experts within the field of BIM. Findings: Green building certifications in Sweden are developing to be much more alike, because they are starting to relay on the same kind of requirements. This means there are not many differences when using one or several types of green building certification systems. The combination leads to effects of synergies. The results from Aspö Eko-logi shows that its time consuming and cost inefficient since documentation is required. BIM is established in the construction business, but not with regards to material documentation. Several issues regarding coordination could be solved through BIM. Research on BIM connected with green building certification has been studied on an international level, regarding LEED. This study shows how this could be adapted with Swedish environmental certification systems and also proves that the technology exists. The study presents benefits from using BIM with regards to coordination. Implications: Implications of the study shows that more than one environmental certification system on a project does not have big difference on the documentation of materials. The study creates awareness within the building industry regarding the potential of BIM and its implementation on environmental certification. A BIM-based method could cause benefits such as efficiency, improved coordination, more clarity and digital documentation. Limitations: The study examines a project, which is one of the first in Sweden that uses more than one green building certification system. The report does also only examine LEED, Miljöbyggnad and Svanen. The study has produced a possible BIMbased method regarding material documentation, which partly is based on interviews with persons in the construction process of a project. This will affect all the involved professions throughout the building project, none of which has been interviewed in this study. This makes the result not applicable to other professions. However, they will still be applicable to similar companies and projects within construction manufacturing. / Syfte: Studien granskar utvecklingen gällande miljöcertifiering av byggnader. Detta beror på allt större medvetenhet kring byggindustrins miljöpåverkan. Byggmaterial är en av byggindustrins största faktorer till miljöpåverkan. Tillika rusar Building Information Modeling (BIM) med framfart inom byggbranschen på grund av teknologins utveckling de senaste åren. Syftet med rapporten är att studera hur materialdokumentation vid miljöcertifiering kan kopplas till BIM och vilka konsekvenser som det leder till i byggprocessen. Arbetet behandlar till stor del samordning vid materialdokumentation, med och utan BIM. Metod: Undersökningen har genomförts med tre kvalitativa metoder; litteraturstudier, intervjuer och dokumentanalys. Genom litteraturstudier har information kring aktuell forskning tagits fram. Dokumentanalysen informerar om skillnaderna mellan olika miljöcertifieringssystem. Intervjuerna bidrar med hur arbetet fungerar i praktiken utan BIM och hur aktuellt BIM är gällande materialdokumentation. Respondenter var personer inom miljösamordning, produktion samt experter inom BIM. Resultat: Miljöcertifieringar i Sverige utvecklas mot att bli allt mer lika varandra, eftersom de ställer allt mer lika krav. Det betyder att skillnaden mellan att använda fler certifieringar jämfört med att bara använda ett, inte blir stor. Kombinationen leder till synergieffekter. Det riskerar att orsaka extra kostnader på grund av att mer tid och resurser läggs på att dokumentera fler miljöcertifieringssystem, baserat på ett referensprojekt. BIM har etablerats i byggbranschen men inte när det gäller materialdokumentation. Flera problem angående samordning hade lösts med hjälp av BIM. Internationell forskning visar att kopplingen mellan BIM och materialdokumentation är aktuell. Denna studie visar på hur kopplingen kan anpassas till svenska miljöcertifieringssystem. Studien visar fördelarna med BIM när det gäller samordning. Konsekvenser: Denna studie visar att användningen av fler än ett miljöcertifieringssystem inte har någon större påverkan på materialdokumentation. Det skapar medvetenhet hos aktörer i byggbranschen gällande potentialen som finns med koppling mellan BIM och miljöcertifiering. En BIM-baserad arbetsmetod hade medfört fördelar som effektivitet, förbättrad samordning, ökad tydlighet och digital dokumentation. Begränsningar: Studien undersöker ett projekt, som är bland det första i Sverige, att använda fler än ett miljöcertifieringssystem. Endast miljöcertifieringssystemen Miljöbyggnad, Svanen och LEED har granskats som grund till rapporten. Studien presenterar en möjlig BIM-baserad arbetsgång vid miljöcertifiering baserat på intervjuer med personer som har kopplingar till produktionen. Detta skulle beröra hela byggprocessen, men projektörer, förvaltare och beställare har inte intervjuats i denna studie. Detta gör att resultatet inte är applicerbart på dessa arbetsgrupper. Denna studie kommer däremot kunna vara applicerbar på liknande entreprenadföretag samt projekt med liknande rutiner.