A beautiful and highly sustainable home that requires a third of the cooling and half the heating of similar homes, the Thomas Home, set on an 11 acre site in the Cascade foothills and overlooking Mt. Rainier and Everett City in Washington state is a perfect example of passive house design.

This comes partly simply from the cube-like shape, putting a compact four stories on a relatively smaller footprint. But the Thomas Home, designed by Designs Northwest Architects, also boasts very high thermal insulation due to the construction with ICFs – two layers of rigid foam insulation into which concrete has been poured.

Thomas Home

In addition, the use of lots of glass also contributes to the home’s energy efficiency. Warming the Thomas Home in winter, and creating a solar chimney in hot weather, the glass rooms are not just beautiful but an intrinsic part of the design.

The Thomas Home employs a variety of strategies that reduce its energy use; 33% lower for cooling, and 44% lower for heating. Most importantly, a geothermal heat exchange brings up temperate air in pipes from underground to cool the house in summer.

The temperature underground hardly varies from a constant 55 degrees, summer or winter, and the pipes running through the house are able to cool the house to nearly that even in 100 degree heat outside. This means in summer, the house needs much less cooling.

Likewise, in winter, it is much easier to heat a house from a starting point near 55 degrees, than starting from the frigid temperatures outside. Materials selected are sustainable, low VOC, low maintenance materials like this flooring and durable steel banisters. But it is not all practicality and sustainability. An amusing touch in the house is a firemans’ pole. One last element of sustainable design is less tangible, but important too: the house is solidly constructed. It has been built to last. That is about the epitome of sustainability of this Thomas Home.

via homedesignidea.org

Sustainability has become one of those keywords that politicians bandy about to raise their profiles, and then conveniently forget when their contracts are signed or their tenure is secured. It’s a particularly popular concept among social development projects that always aim to be self-sustaining or have long term sustainability. It’s now being applied to the design, construction and management of buildings with the focus on the needs of developing countries.

In South Africa, which can be considered a developing country in many ways, the problem of sustainability in buildings is being addressed by CSIR Building and Construction Technology. One of the most important methods that they have developed is the Sustainable Buildings Assessment Tool (SBAT). SBAT collects information at all stages of the building lifecycle for analysis, which can then be saved on a database for use in future projects.

Sustainable development entails meeting the needs of those in the present while making provision for the continued existence of resources for future generations. Effects on the environment must also be considered and the natural surroundings preserved as far as possible.

SBAT addresses 15 areas in the construction of buildings that need to be assessed in terms of their relationship to the surrounding social, economic and environmental systems. These areas include:

Environmental areas:

· Water

· Energy

· Waste

· Site

· Materials and components

Economic areas:

· Local economy

· Efficiency of use

· Adaptability and flexibility

· Ongoing costs

· Capital costs

Social areas:

· Occupant comfort

· Inclusive environments

· Access to facilities

· Participation and control

· Local education, health and safety contractors

One of the most important considerations that need to be included in sustainability is the impact the development has on the local economy. To measure the extent of the effects SBAT has come up with 5 assessment criteria.

These criteria include:

· The use of local contractors and labour in the construction on the building.

· The volume of building material supplied locally.

· Whether or not local components, fittings and furniture were used.

· The extent to which local small businesses such as contractors, manufacturers and retailers were supported throughout the entire construction process.

· The local maintenance of the building and its systems.

For sustainability to be successfully integrated into a construction project, it needs to be addressed as early as possible. A meeting to brief all of the stakeholders in the project about sustainability and a shared vision of its future is imperative. A site analysis is important, as it helps to establish possible problems that will need to be addressed, and potential resources that can be drawn from social, economic and environmental assets.

All of the information gathered to date can be used to set feasible sustainability targets for the construction project. The client’s commitment to sustainability, as well as the design team’s understanding of the overall concept needs to be established. Information gleaned from the site analysis should have revealed the extent to which the project can rely on local businesses and how much work will have to be contracted. Similar projects can be examined to get an idea of the time frame and overall expenses required.

One of the focus points of sustainability is to do as little harm as possible to the environment. It’s recommended that when a building has ceased to serve its original purpose, it’s refurbished and reused. In some instances this is not possible, in which case as much of the building should be recycled as possible.

Building sustainability is a growing industry in many developed countries, such as the USA and Australia. In developed countries the focus is on maintaining the current lifestyle while curbing the consumption of natural resources. In developing countries, the aim is to improve the quality of life of the citizens, while preserving resources and preventing a negative impact on the environment. Wherever building sustainability occurs, however, it must never be forgotten that in preserving our environment, we preserve humanity. Sustainability might be a politician’s word of the moment, but that doesn’t detract from its global value.

Recommended sites:

http://www.buildnet.co.za/akani/2002/nov/04.html

http://www.buildnet.co.za/akani/2002/nov/gibberd_sandton.pdf

Sandra wrote this article for the online marketers Sustainable Projects sustainable projects for the environment a site that features methods of using materials and resources in a way that ensures their continued existence and the sustainability of the communities that they serve.

Author: Sandy Cosser
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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All buildings, whether large or small, require the design and implementation of openings on most of their outside walls for potential doors and windows. These days, more often than not, during the construction, these holes are marked with PVC-U strips as the walls are built around them. The strips provide an airtight seal that stops hot or cold air from escaping or coming into the building. By avoiding this wasteful exchange of gas, other physical problems can be avoided, like the buildup of damp, causing mold and mildew to spread through internal walls and seriously ruin them.

PVC-U is obtained from old door and window frames that have been removed from buildings. The elements of these frames are extracted and the PVC-U is completely purified and recycled into weather-, damp- and leak-proof cavity seals. They are hardy and last a lifetime, so any worries about draughts and damp getting inside are a thing of the past. The PVC-U closers will fit into almost every door and window type, are flexible and are very easy to install. They require no extra materials or insulation and maintain installation flexibility on window fixtures.

Choosing the right type of seal is dependent upon the requirements of the structure being built. They are all made with recycled PVC-U, but have different properties. Among many purposes are the basic PVC-U cavity sealer; the insulation sealer – made with a tightly packed block of insulating material; the anti fire sealer – made with a flame retardant and also coated in a fire deterrent aluminum barrier. There are also strips designed to be fitted after the completion of a building; temporary fire deterring barriers that fit between inside wall gaps, giving about an hour of flame protection to inner walls; and ventilation strips that allow maximum airflow without disrupting any temperature system in place. So there is an insulating strip for almost every structural requirement.

So what happens when windows and doors do not have the proper insulation for their function? Basically, any indoor heating or air conditioning will escape through inefficient sealing around the hollow spaces that shape the windows. This in turn will not achieve the temperature set for inside a building, causing the cooling or heating system to work overtime in order to attain it.

Mold can be hazardous to the health and to items such as plaster on walls, upholstery, clothing and other fabrics, and a number of other things found indoors. Occupants of places afflicted by damp and mold could suffer from such ailments as asthma, chronic respiratory problems, headaches, constant fatigue and sleeping disorders, and other illnesses. If not taken care of, these conditions can cause permanent damage to any sufferer’s wellbeing.

All these conditions are what is referred to as thermal bridging. It means more damage to the environment caused by carbon dioxide emissions and higher utility bills are the product of this vicious cycle.

Homes and other buildings fitted with these PVC-U insulation gap fillers may cost a little more, as these materials are more expensive than regular internal frames on windows and doors, but in the long term, money will be saved on heating and cooling bills. Building materials that are no longer good for use will be recycled and kept out of landfills – reducing the environmental impact on such valuable space. Precious energy will not be overused or wasted. Serious health problems and uncontrollable, invisible damage to the inside of a property can be reduced. These are just some of the benefits of using sustainable building materials in new and old structures. There are so many reasons to invest a little more in the materials used for this type of construction – it should be implemented and encouraged in as many structures as possible.

Chris Coxon writes articles for Cavalok, a market leader in the UK for sustainable building materials that improves the efficiency of construction and thermal performance for openings in a cavity wall. Cavity closers from Cavalok are also the definitive solution to thermal bridging at openings in cavity walls of new buildings, and for an unobtrusive and effective way to deliver good ventilation to buildings, Cavaloks HeadVent trickle vents are the answer.

Author: Chris Coxon
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Saving Energy Saves the Environment and Money

You not only realize the trend of rising energy costs at the gas station, but also with the yearly increasing heating bills. Energy prices for oil and gas have almost doubled in the last ten years and many energy companies have announced further price increases. If you can imagine that more than sixty percent of the used energy in homes is spent for the generation of room temperature and hot water it becomes quickly clear that here are the biggest saving potentials. Therefore, the renovation of a home or building should not just include new paint, bathroom and kitchen renovations, and or flooring, but also measures which contribute to the reduction of heat loss and gains of the home or building. Energy savings mean cost savings. Money which will be invested into the renovation of a home or building will be paid back over the years and will immediately increase the resale value of a home.

Poorly insulated homes loose heat and cooled air mainly over the roof, poorly insulated walls, windows and doors. Those temperature losses could be easily prevented through a gapless insulation of the building envelop. All areas which are heated and cooled should be properly insulated. Areas without climate control like basements, garages, or unused attics do not need to be insulated.

Another point to capitalize on is the US EPA and Department of Energy newly expanded tax credit program. Keep in mind that energy efficient products and methods pay back in a reasonable amount of time and the tax credits are just an added bonus.

Andrew Morrison is the founder of Greenhaus Construction, home builder and remodeler specializing in energy efficient and sustainable building in the San Francisco Bay area.

Andrew Morrison is founder of Greenhaus Construction, a home builder and remodeler in the San Francisco Bay area. The company specializes in energy efficient and sustainable building.

http://www.greenhausconstruction.com
am@greenhausconstruction.com

Author: Andrew Scott Morrison
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Sustainable building, also known as ‘green’ building, is a structure designed, built and operated in an ecologically friendly manner. Whether you are building new, adding on or just renovating, there are many products and practices you can use to reduce your carbon footprint. The savings are not only ecologic, but economic as well.

Building ‘green’ may cost more up front to build, but brings continuous savings throughout the life of the structure. This approach uses a life-cycle cost analysis determining the manageable up front costs and compares that to the useful life of the building.

There are many benefits. Not just for the environment and your wallet. But, improvements in your health, the well-being of the wildlife surrounding the structure and a reduction in landfill wastes. Reducing pollution ranks up there on the top level of the benefit chart, but a healthy living environment is just as attractive to most as well.

With all the alternative energies, green building products, geothermal heating systems and indoor-air-pollution control systems, one can build a 500 year, healthy home for very reasonable costs. All the alternative energies will eventually begin paying you. The expected longevity of the structure will retain value. So…

By sticking with the three “r”s, your sustainable building is cost effective, ecologically effective and you will be more proud of your home than you can imagine. There is no feeling quite like living off-the-grid. To know, when the lights go out in town, yours are the only ones on. While everyone is complaining about their utility bills rising, you care not. What could be better?

So, when building, remodeling, or adding on, do yourself and your environment a favor….go ‘green’!

Written by R. D. Ratliff

Author: Roland Ratliff
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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As the green movement started to develop, they have encouraged more and more people to build environment-friendly homes. Their members have started to educate people about the different health hazards that toxic building materials could bring. They have also explained how the irresponsible use of these harmful materials could actually become a big threat to our environment.

If you do not want to have a home filled with toxic and harmful building materials, you should think of a way to find environment-friendly supplies that you could use to construct your home. Here are some characteristics of sustainable building materials that you should watch out for while canvassing for the best construction products.

Minimal energy needs

One of the most important characteristics of sustainable building materials is their minimal energy needs. This means that they do not need to consume a lot of energy while they are being processed, harvested, or delivered to your location. Local materials that could be immediately located in your local area possess this characteristic. Since they are found in almost any corner of your area, they would have less need for transportation and nonrenewable oil.

A perfect example of a local material that fits these characteristics is adobe. Since it is found almost anywhere in neighborhoods, it has minimal energy needs for transportation. In addition, it could also serve as an insulator that could reduce intense heat and cold inside your home. Hence, its thick nature would allow you to minimize the need for using air conditioners during summer and furnaces during winter. You would definitely feel the difference of living in a home made from adobe once you see how much money you were able to save due to its insulating properties.

Renewability and Reusability

Other important characteristics of eco friendly construction materials are renewability and reusability. Renewability pertains to their capacity to renew themselves after a period of harvest. Unlike nonrenewable products such as oil, renewable materials are not susceptible to depletion or complete exhaustion.

On the other hand, reusability pertains to its potential to be used for other purposes or for future construction plans. Another example of a material that fits these qualities is adobe. Its ability to withstand almost any temperature makes it possess a long shelf life. Once you were not able to use up all your adobe supplies for your home, you could still safely reseal them and use them for other future projects. A few mixing and stirring would make it come back to its elastic and flexible form.

Absence of toxic emissions

As previously mentioned, more and more modern homes have been relying on materials that emit toxic chemicals to our surroundings. Examples of such products are chemicals found in paint, sealants, and glues. Once their harmful chemicals are released into the air, any person who accidentally ingests such toxins through his nose and mouth would experience health risks and problems.

Always remember these qualities when looking for sustainable building materials. Keep in mind that your green home would never be complete once you fail to find the best sustainable building materials that suit your budget, needs, and noble goals.

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Author: Maria Faith
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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In the UK the requirements to build sustainable homes become more and more onerous. Proposals for medium and large development have been subject to strict environmental and sustainability requirements for some time now. However, recently even planning applications for small development such as single houses need to be accompanied with a raft of documentation, such as evidence that a certain level of the Code for Sustainable Homes will be achieved, an energy statement and a flood risk assessment.

The trouble is that most of the requirements have been written with large development projects in mind. The complexity of the matter makes buying in specialist advice inevitable. The consultants that provide the advice are also used to dealing with large developments. All this originally meant that the cost of the advice required to prepare the supporting documents was out of sync with the size and complexity of the proposed development.

It is now a few years since the first of these requirements were imposed on all new development proposals and the sector, both planning officers and consultants, has now learned how to address the sustainability requirements of small development proposals effectively. For instance the advice required to submit an adequate energy statements is now streamlined and standardized and the cost has come down from around £2000, to under £300 for the smallest proposals.

The same is true for flood risk assessments. Where the cost for the most basic advisory report in a low risk area would be around £1500 a year ago, today it is possible to get a basic report for a one unit residential plot in a low flood risk area for under £500.

I believe this is a good thing. For small development proposals the cost for these supporting documents used to be out of proportion. At last it becomes possible for promoters of small developments to build highly sustainable buildings and obtain appropriate advice at an affordable price.

Paul Giesberg is principal director at Planning for Sustainability: a firm that provides advice on how to achieve a high standard of sustainable development in land use project. Recently the firm launched a specialized service to help developers of small scale projects with meeting the sustainable building requirements.

Author: Paul Giesberg
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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A Ghanaian’s heart seems always to be with Ghana. Though many of Ghana’s citizens leave their native country for the purpose of earning money to support their families, many still dream to build their homes in Ghana. Being exposed to certain building technologies, Ghanaians may take more than money back home.

One of those technologies is the use of insulated concrete forms or ICFs. ICFs are a stay in place foam block that stacks to form foundation and structural walls. Once rebar is placed, concrete is poured into the cavity creating a 4 inch solid concrete wall with 2 ½ inches of insulation on each side. At 6.5 pounds each, the ICF straight block is 4 feet long and 1 ½ feet high covering 5.33 square feet.

Organizations such as Energy Star rate the ICF block as meeting sustainability and energy efficiency goals having an effective R-value of 32. Manufacturers report consumers as experiencing a 50 – 80% reduction in energy costs annually. Thermal imaging shows homes built with ICF blocks as having a temperature change of less than 2 percent. This means that during hot months, once the ICF home gets cool, it stays cool for longer periods of time as compared to a conventional built home. This feature further reduces the operating time of cooling or heating units. Conventional built homes show temperature changes of 11 – 20 degrees. The ICF home in Ghana would use roughly half of the energy as needed for conventional built homes. This is a necessary benefit in a country known for its fledging infrastructure.

Until now, concrete or sandcrete block has been the Ghanaian building material of choice. This is a Ghanaian age old tradition that has changed little over the years. In the age of the Sustainable Revolution, Ghana may be poised to make the transition to building with ICFs quicker than developed countries.

The insulating concrete form is a concrete product. The skill set to build with concrete block is easily transferrable to stack ICF blocks. Crews accustomed to the weight of CMUs can work with greater speed with the 6.5 pound ICF block. Not only is the ICF block lighter, it also replaces 6 concrete blocks and covers 5.33 square foot of exterior wall space. That’s no small benefit to the Ghanaian owner who would in turn save on the cost of labor.

New construction technologies takes a strong market demand before becoming common in the marketplace. With the scarcity of ICF block manufacturers in Ghana, the transition may be a little slow. However, Africans in America are increasing becoming aware of the ICF block and wish to build with ICFs should the cost prove to be cost effective with the additional shipping charges.

Ghana has been called an underdeveloped country when compared to countries such as the United States or Canada. However, because of their customary concrete building practices, Ghana and other West African countries may very well become the leader in sustainable building.

Lakisha David, construction manager with Light Ready Construction, LLC. and supplier of ICFs to Ghana. [http://www.lightreadyghana.com]

Author: Lakisha David
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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