The beginning of the presentation explains what is sustainable architecture, followed by case studies on examples of buildings built using sustainable architecture techniques. Buildings included in the presentation are, Oasia Hotel Singapore, ITC Maurya Hotel New Delhi, and Dixin Water Foundation Texas.
2. WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE?
• Sustainable architecture is the use of
design strategies that reduce the negative
environmental impact from a built
environment.
• Architects take the site landscape, energy
management, and stormwater
management into consideration when
planning, and then use environmentally
friendly systems and building materials
during construction.
INTRODUCTION
3. INTRODUCTION
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE TECHNIQUES
1.Passive Sustainable Design.
• Passive strategies, such as considering sun
orientation and climate when siting and being
thoughtful about window placement and
operation, are used to best manage
daylighting and natural ventilation and go a
long way in reducing energy requirements for
the building.
• In certain climates, thermal mass techniques
can be used to harness solar energy. In such
cases, thick walls absorb heat from the sun
during the day and release it into the building
at night.
4. INTRODUCTION
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE TECHNIQUES
2.Active Sustainable Design. Architects consult
with mechanical and electrical engineers to
implement high-efficiency electrical, plumbing,
HVAC, and other systems, which are designed to
have small environmental footprints.
5. INTRODUCTION
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE TECHNIQUES
3.Renewable Energy Systems. Renewable
energy systems, including those that harness
solar and wind energy, are also great options for
some buildings. These systems are often used in
conjunction with passive design strategies.
6. INTRODUCTION
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE TECHNIQUES
4.Green Building Materials and Finishes. By
making it a priority to purchase steel, lumber,
concrete, and finishing materials, such as carpet
and furnishings, from companies that use
environmentally responsible manufacturing
techniques or recycled materials, architects up
the ante on sustainability.
7. INTRODUCTION
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE TECHNIQUES
5. Native Landscaping. Landscaping choices can
make a big impact in civic building water
consumption. By using trees, plants, and grasses
that are native to the area, architects can greatly
reduce irrigation needs. Landscaping can also be
used as part of a passive energy strategy. By
planting trees that shade the roof and windows
during the hottest time of the day, solar heat
gain inside the building can be reduced.
8. INTRODUCTION
SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE TECHNIQUES
6.Stormwater Management. Stormwater, is
water that originates from rain, including snow
and ice melt. Stormwater can soak into the soil,
be stored on the land surface in ponds and
puddles, evaporate, or runoff. Most runoff is
conveyed directly to nearby streams, rivers, or
other water bodies without treatment.
Stormwater management is the effort to reduce
runoff of rainwater or melted snow into streets,
lawns and other sites and the improvement of
water quality.
9. OASIA HOTEL DOWNTOWN, SINGAPORE
Architects: WOHA
Area: 19416 m²
Year: 2016
Climate: uniform temperature and pressure, high humidity and abundant
rainfall. The average temperature is between 25 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees
Celsius. Thunderstorms occur on 40% of all days. Relative humidity is in the
range of 70% – 80%. April is the warmest month, January is the coolest month
and November is the wettest month.
10. • The tower consists of numerous sky gardens.
• Each sky garden is treated as an urban scale
verandah, sheltered at high level by the preceding
sky garden and open sided for formal and visual
transparency.
• The openness also allows breezes to pass through
the building for good cross-ventilation. In this way,
the public areas become functional, comfortable,
tropical spaces with greenery, natural light and
fresh air instead of enclosed, internalised air
conditioned spaces.
OASIA HOTEL DOWNTOWN, SINGAPORE
11. • Landscaping is used extensively as an
architectural surface treatment and
forms a major part of the
development’s material palette both
internally and externally.
• The tower’s red aluminum mesh
cladding is designed as a backdrop
that reveals itself in between 21
different species of creepers, with
colourful flowers interspersed among
green leaves, providing food for the
birds and insects.
OASIA HOTEL DOWNTOWN, SINGAPORE
12. • The creepers will form a
mosaic with each type taking
over its most suitable
conditions of light, shade and
wind. Instead of a flat roof,
the skyscraper is crowned
with a tropical bower; floral,
diverse, soft and alive..
OASIA HOTEL DOWNTOWN, SINGAPORE
13. • The additional “ground” levels allow
generous public areas for recreation
and social interaction throughout the
high-rise, despite the inner city high
density location.
• The façade mesh creates a veil,
absorbing heat and providing up to 60
percent shade. The sky terraces are
huge overhangs that shade and reduce
heat gain, promoting fresh air and
reducing energy load for the common
areas.
OASIA HOTEL DOWNTOWN, SINGAPORE
15. ITC MAURYA, DELHI
CLIMATE OF DELHI: COMPOSITE
New Delhi lies on 215m above sea level The prevailing
climate in New Delhi is known as a local steppe climate.
During the year, there is little rainfall in New Delhi. This
location is classified as BSh by Köppen and Geiger. The
temperature here averages 25.2 °C | 77.3 °F. The annual
rainfall is 693 mm | 27.3 inch.
18. • ITC Maurya has come to be known as the “Greenest Luxury Hotel Chain In The World,” with all its 10
premium Luxury Hotels LEED (Leadership In Energy & Environmental Design) Platinum Certified.
• ITC Maurya Hotels, India’s premium hospitality chain has successfully incorporated its philosophy
of “Responsible Luxury” – combining elements of luxury & environment-friendly operations.
• The LEED Platinum Rating has been awarded on account of the hotel’s environment best practices
such as energy efficiency, water efficiency, sustainable site development, indoor environment
quality, sustainable materials & purchasing.
DESIGN AND INNOVATION
19. • ITC Maurya uses 23% less energy than USGBC’s national
average for large size Luxury Hotels.
• Usage of Solar Thermal system for hot water & low pressure
steam application.
• Usage of non-ozone depleting gases for refrigeration.
• Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system,
Thermal system, Water management
system & Building Management System underwent retro-
commissioning to enhance performance efficiencies.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
20. • Sensor operated & waterless urinals, dual flush
Water Closets have reduced the water
• consumption by 33% against USGBC standards.
• Only treated recycled water is used for landscape,
cooling tower & miscellaneous cleaning
• resulting in further reduction of water consumption.
• Excess treated recycled water is given to
Government Bodies for irrigation of landscapes,
• gardens & forests.
• Reduced water demand in Cooling Tower through
automation.
WATER EFFICIENCY
21. • 87% of associates travel by either public transport or
use pooled vehicles.
• The hotel’s rain water harvesting capacity, is 30% of
the peak rainfall. This helps in reducing
• water demand & run-off.
• Steps have been taken to protect the ecological
stability of the immediate surroundings &
• landscape.
• The building consciously promotes cultivation of
native plants (covering more than 25% of
• building area).
• Over 75% of roof area is covered with a special paint
that has a high Solar Reflective Index,
• thereby reducing the cooling demand.
• Exterior hardscape is maintained without use of
chemicals.
SUSTAINABLE SITE DEVELOPEMENT
22. • Increased treated fresh air infusion for higher
human productivity and better health.
• Enhanced occupant thermal comfort.
• Green Seal certified Housekeeping chemicals and
equipment.
• Mechanical means of elimination of rodents and use
of eco-responsible pesticides.
INDOOR AIR QUALITY
23. • More than 50% of ongoing consumables used at ITC Maurya are either local or recycled.
• Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paints & FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified wood is used
for refurbishments & renovations.
• More than 30% of the food & beverage used is harvested & processed locally within 160
kilometres of the hotel.
• Usage of LED lamps that are energy efficient & no mercury content.
• More than 99% of the total solid waste is either reused or recycled through Recycling programs
or converted into manure by Organic Waste Converter.
SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
24. • Internal water audits are carried out to highlight high consumption areas & an action plan is
formed to restrict the same.
• The company has installed water meters to track water consumption.
• In order to save pumping energy & for water bifurcation, the waterline is bifurcated into lower head & higher
head requirements.
• Pressure reducing valves have been introduced in lines, which have low pressure requirements.
• Flow restrictors/aerators are introduced at all guest rooms (in wash basins & shower fittings).
• W/Cs cisterns, with dual flushing arrangement is used in place of conventional flush valves.
• Treated effluent discharged from ETP is utilised for horticultural purposes and cooling towers.
WATER CONSERVATION
26. DIXON WATER FOUNDATION, TEXAS
Architects: Lake|Flato Architects
Area: 5400 ft²
Year: 2014
Summer High: the July high is around 88 degrees
Winter Low: the January low is 33
Rain: averages 53 inches of rain a year
Snow: averages 2 inches of snow a year
27. • A comfortable meeting and education facility to
shelter those that come to learn how the Dixon
Water Foundation uses livestock as a tool to restore
our native prairies and create healthier watersheds.
• The facility was to have no active heating or cooling
and be designed to adapt according to the weather
conditions on any particular day.
• This led to a building that could fold and unfold
based on temperature and wind conditions. A
building that embraced the simplicity and serenity of
the North Texas prairie while serving as a lens
through which the land is better understood and
appreciated.
DESIGN AND INNOVATION
28. • The first Living Building
project in Texas, this 5,400-
square-foot open-air pavilion
is an education and meeting
center that serves as a
demonstration site for the
Dixon Water Foundation.
• The building has a simple, low
lying form.
DIXON WATER FOUNDATION, TEXAS
29. • The complex consists of two
similarly scaled buildings
connected by a shady porch; one
includes a herbarium, restroom
and kitchen, while the other
houses a multi-purpose space for
education events. Designed to be
flexible and adapt to climatic
conditions year round, the
structure captures cool breezes in
summer and blocks cold winter
winds.
DIXON WATER FOUNDATION, TEXAS
30. • The structure’s deep overhangs and
existing heritage Live Oak provide shade
and shelter in the central gathering
space.
• Gapped wood doors can be opened to
allow maximum ventilation through the
central gathering space and along the
porches.
• The rooftop cupola provides daylight for
the central pavilion while also drawing
hot air out.
DIXON WATER FOUNDATION, TEXAS
31. • Rainwater is collected from the roof and stored in
a 13,000-gallon cistern. This water is used for
sewage conveyance and occasional irrigation
needs.
• The constructed wetland cleanses and returns all
of the water used in the pavilion back to the
aquifer. Thus the groundwater pumped into the
pavilion’s sinks eventually becomes groundwater
again.
• In this way, as guests interact with the project’s
water systems, they are connected with a small-
scale water cycle that parallels how rain is
collected in a watershed, used by plants and
people, processed by wetlands—nature’s kidneys
— and returned to aquifers belowground.
WATER MANAGEMENT
• 100% of wastewater is treated onsite and returned
to the natural water cycle. At least 100% of the
energy used is produced by solar panels and
testing has confirmed that indoor air quality is
almost indistinguishable from surrounding outdoor
fresh air.
32. • Only building materials that
have a low environmental
impact and no adverse effects
to human health were used in
the entire project. Natural
materials and human scaled
spaces create a tranquil
environment that connects
people with the landscape in a
holistic, non-intrusive way
DIXON WATER FOUNDATION, TEXAS
33. • All 186 materials that comprise the Josey Pavilion
were thoroughly vetted to ensure that materials
were red list free, locally sourced and
manufactured, and harvested sustainability.
• The Sinker Pine wood structure and siding required
no chemical treatments.
• The steel was allowed to rust, naturally forming a
protective layer without the need for chemicals or
maintenance.
• The low, unfinished concrete perimeter walls were
designed for sitting but also act as a durability
element by raising the base of the wood columns
and walls up and reducing the wood’s exposure to
rain and sun.
MATERIAL
35. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• A large shared gutter celebrates the value of water.
• Upon entry, visitors see the termination of the
shared gutter where rain chains descend into a
concrete trough fed by recirculating collected
rainwater.
• This shallow trough provides habitat for birds and
mammals while serving as an element of enjoyment
for visitors that sit along the porch, hear the
trickling of the water, and appreciate the role the
water plays in cooling the summer breezes that pass
over the trough.