The Sustainable Client

Communication

Opportunity Time Sustainable Window

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Architecture has evolved from a necessity to an art form to a business tool Learn how to work with your architect to achieve projects of greater value

Six Goals that Determine the Value of a Project 1. Reduce Construction Costs 2. Reduce Operation & Maintenance Costs 3. Increase Productivity of Occupants 4. Reduce Energy Costs 5. Shorten Construction Schedule 6. Increase the Return on your Investment All 6 goals can be achieved while maintaining high aesthetic design standards and meeting or beating time constraints

Achieving the 6 Goals Impacts 10 Areas of Design 1. Siting 2. Waste Management 3. Materials Selection 4. Energy Efficiency 5. Renewable Energy 6. Indoor Air Quality 7. Landscaping 8. Exterior/Building Design 9. Water Conservation 10. Water Quality

Goal 1: Reduce Construction Costs Rehabilitate an existing site Reuse/renovate existing structure Salvage materials for reuse/resale Use salvaged/refurbished materials Factory finishes over site finishing Concrete rubble as sub-base fill for pavement Fly ash or blast furnace slag in cement Use natural ventilation and passive energy design for heating and cooling Install waste heat recovery system to preheat air or water Eliminate permanent irrigation systems Siting Waste Management Materials Selection Energy Efficiency Landscaping

Case Study Pacific Place Shopping Mall Seattle, Washington Developing a comprehensive Construction Waste Management Plan achieved: 10,798 tons of concrete hauled offsite for recycling 1,157 tons of scrap iron and metal sold 12,034 tons of concrete crushed and reused for another project 764 tons of wood recycled to paper pulp Savings from tipping fees and monies from salvage were calculated at $140,000.

Pacific Place

Goal 2: Reduce Operation & Maintenance Costs Use light-colored, low-albedo finishes Provide recycling facilities for building occupants Select finishes for ease of maintenance Use a permanent monitoring system Design entryway to prevent contamination Use indigenous plantings Cluster plantings Eliminate permanent irrigation systems Siting Waste Management Materials Selection Indoor Air Quality Landscaping

Shade impermeable surfaces Implement on-site biological waste water treatment Specify water conserving fixtures Use gray water system Use water conserving cooling towers Implement water efficient landscaping Exterior/Building Design Water Quality Water Conservation (Continued) Goal 2: Reduce Operation & Maintenance Costs

Case Study Southern California Gas Company’s Energy Resource Center Energy Resource Center (ERC) provides: Recycling bin for cardboard & office paper Kitchen bins for cans, glass, & plastic Recycling containers in every workspace These programs recycle approximately 2 tons of materials monthly for a cost savings to ERC operations of $36, annually

Energy Resource Center

Goal 3: Increasing Productivity Orient buildings to capture natural light Limit volatile organic compounds (VOC) Allow tenants individual control over light and air Use of daylight Maintain high indoor air quality standards Limit VOC’s, dust/debris, bacterial growth Use of light shelves and shading devices Keep views to the exterior open Provide water filtration system for drinking water Siting Materials Selection Energy Efficiency Indoor Air Quality Exterior/Building Design Water Quality

Case Study Southern California Gas Company’s Energy Resource Center The Energy Resource Center (ERC) has implemented an approach to indoor air quality addressing four basic factors: HVAC design & operating considerations HVAC pathways kept from contamination sources Activities performed by the facilities occupants Implemented a strict “No Smoking” policy ERC staff averaged “sick” hours /employee vs “sick” hours/employee for field staff and “sick” hours/employee for the company wide management training group

Case Study Herman Miller SQA Building Three key concepts guided the design for this building: Occupant comfort, health, & communications Exterior/Interior environment integration Use of natural daylighting As a result of these design concepts, worker effectiveness rose from 98.54% to 99.53% and work quality rose from 98.97% to 99.23%

Herman Miller SQA

Comparison Between Window Proximity & Health Complaints

Goal 4: Reduce Energy Costs Use fluorescent fixtures in lieu of incandescent Use lighting sensors Natural ventilation for cooling Use a waste heat recovery system Use integrated renewable energy sources Use “net metering” Energy modeling Shade western facades Utilize tree lines to direct airflow Use sun-shading devices and light shelves Optimize building insulation Optimize glazing Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Landscaping Exterior/Building Design

Case Study Herman Miller SQA Building Extensive use of natural light: Use of windows and clerestory oriented to the south for maximum solar gain Use of light shelves Use of Highly efficient light fixtures Use of dimmable light controls with sensors As a result annual energy savings are calculated at $35,

Case Study Herman Miller SQA Building Electrical and mechanical systems were designed for maximum efficiency Use passive solar heating and natural ventilation for thermal comfort As a result natural gas costs have decreased 7% and electric costs have decreased 18%

Goal 5: Shorten Construction Schedule Rehabilitate an existing site Reuse/renovate an existing structure Use of locally manufactured materials Use of indigenous plantings Siting Waste Management Materials Selection Landscaping

Case Study Herman Miller SQA Building Use of building materials produced locally Use of landscape plantings indigenous to the area As a result, the 295,000 square foot building was constructed in only 18 months

Goal 6: Increasing Return on Investment Provide transit and pedestrian links to mass transit Design with future resale in mind Siting Exterior/Building Design

Case Study Offices for Gap Inc. San Bruno, California This building was designed to be reused as either commercial space, or a residential complex. Slab to slab clearances are held at 12 feet instead of 10 feet, and a modular plan for ease of reconfiguration to apartments.

Gap Building

Conclusion: You may have noticed that these efficiency gains are an outgrowth of environmentally sustainable design. This is no coincidence. Sustainable design yields benefits to your bottom line while increasing the goodwill your business enjoys locally and globally. A survey of architects suggests that they are knowledgeable of sustainable design principles and ready to provide these services to their clients. The next time you speak with an architect, consider the value of environmentally sustainable design services.