THE SUSTAINABLE LIVING PROJECT
&
AGL SUSTAINABLE LIVING COMPETITION
sustainable
architecture
This presentation was produced by SOLARCH in
the Faculty of the Built Environment, UNSW.
For more information about the AGL Sustainable
Living Competition (open to all High School
students providing $30,000 worth of rewards)
please contact Ph: 02 9385 4979 or check out:
http://www.sustainableliving.com.au
SOLARCH- The
Centre for a
Sustainable Built
Environment
slides produced by:
david tickle
davidtickle@mail.com
Teacher Resource: The Sustainable Living Project, UNSW
architecture
sustainable
architecture
Teacher Resource: The Sustainable Living Project, UNSW
roof and walls
allow privacy,
protect from rain
and wind, and
stop intruders
windows allow
sunlight and fresh
air to enter the
building and allow
views outside
a sense
of place
(within a
community)
kitchen has clean
drinking water
what do buildings provide ?
outdoor space for
recreation and
relaxation
kitchen for cooking
and storing food
table for gatherings
and for eating food
bathroom for washing
and cleaning and for
sewage removal
Images: COLORS magazine,
issue 27 ‘home’
raised floor keeps
things dry and clean
(not on ground)
interior
lighting
and
heating
couch for relaxing
and talking
Teacher Resource: The Sustainable Living Project, UNSW
things provided
by buildings
light and warmth
energy
clean water
bathing and cleaning
energy
supply
water
supply
waste disposal
protection from rain
and cold
waste and
water disposal
privacy and security
storage, cooking and
eating of food
all of these
factors
inter-relate
and should
be seen as
contributing
to and
feeding
from the
others
building
materials
socialising and
recreation
Teacher Resource: The Sustainable Living Project, UNSW
the natural environment
sustainable
architecture
Teacher Resource: The Sustainable Living Project, UNSW
A FEW BASIC TRUTHS:
As a result of
neglecting to
consider the
environmental
consequences of
our actions, we
now find many
serious
environmental
problems
emerging.
• WE NEED A CLEAN
ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR
SURVIVAL
• EVERYTHING IS INTERDEPENDENT AND INTERRELATED
Traditionally,
decisions and
designs have
been based on
economics, form
and function. The
broader
environmental
context – in
which all things
exist, and on
which all things
rely- has not
adequately been
considered.
‘resources’
soil
technology
knowledge
oceans
water
culture
forests
we are
part of the environment,
and not separate from it
society
biodiversity
If we want to have
ecological
resources to use in
the future, and
ensure a high
quality of life, we
must start
considering the
broader
environmental
context in our
designs and
choices.
the
natural
environment
Teacher Resource: The Sustainable Living Project, UNSW
In most cases, it is not our ‘needs’ relating to the built
environment that cause environmental problems –
rather it is the way we choose to meet them.
Where do
present
materials
come
from?
waste and
water disposal
water
supply
building
materials
energy
supply
Images: National Geographic, Vol 195, No 3, March 1999; Oz Green World Water Day Poster, 1997;
“Greenhouse News”, Vol 3, Issue No 2, Winter 2000, published by the Australian Greenhouse Office; “The
Challenge”, Issue No 16, Winter 2000, published by the Australian Greenhouse Office
How
much do
we
currently
use?
Teacher Resource: The Sustainable Living Project, UNSW
what are the impacts of unsustainable design & building practices ?
INCREASED
AIR POLLUTION chemicals and gases
PRODUCTION
OF WASTE rubbish, materials,
chemicals, etc
UNNECESSARYD
ELEPLETION OF
NATURAL
RESOURCES forests, water,
minerals, soil
EFFECTS ON
PUBLIC HEALTH we all need clean air
and water, good food
GREENHOUSE
GAS EMISSIONS global warming
and climate change
INCREASED
WATER
POLLUTION raw sewage
rubbish
chemicals
sustainable
architecture
looks
to find new
ways to
provide our
needs
without
creating
these
impacts
INCREASED SOIL
CONTAMINATION chemicals, dirty water,
loss of nutrients
Teacher Resource: The Sustainable Living Project, UNSW
technology
the design process
sustainable
architecture
people
sustainability
Teacher Resource: The Sustainable Living Project, UNSW
ecologically sustainable development:
accommodating the needs of the present without compromising
the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
(Brundtland Report, World Commission on Environment and Development 1987)
appropriate technology:
making and using technology that meets human
needs while taking into account long and short
term consequences for society and the environment
sustainable design process:
1. understand the needs of the users of the building
2. look at the capacity of the site and the environment in
supporting those needs
3. make design decisions and use appropriate technologies to fulfil
the above
Teacher Resource: The Sustainable Living Project, UNSW
using an environmentally conscious
design process to achieve
sustainable results
case studies
sustainable
architecture
Teacher Resource: The Sustainable Living Project, UNSW
water
collected
from roofs
Materials
• include natural
materials such as
timber, marble and
copper
• create a warm and
pleasing environment
(social benefits)
• are locally produced,
therefore reduce
transportation pollution
and resources
NMB Bank
Headquarters,
Amsterdam
Rainwater
• is collected from the roof
natural breezes
(reduces mains water
consumption)
Hello!!
• used for water features and to
water plants inside the building
(creates a cool, healthy and
pleasing environment)
water
fall
Windows
• allow natural sunlight into
the building (less electricity
used for lighting)
• can be opened to allow
cross-ventilation
(building has no airconditioning, and uses much
less electricity)
Staircases
designed to be appealing, in
order to:
• reduce reliance on lifts
(reduces electricity
consumption)
• allow for interaction between
co-workers (social benefits)
• create an architectural feature
Images: “Green Design”, Dorothy
Teacher Resource:
The Sustainable
Mackenzie,
(1991), London:
LaurenceLiving
King Project, UNSW
Publishing