Appendix 10:The Environment and Sustainability
A10.1 Sustainability and the Built Environment
A10.1.1 Buildings account for over 40% of all energy used in
Ireland and correspondingly large amounts of other materials and
resources. The building sector permeates all other sectors (such
as transport, industry, agriculture, etc.) as there is hardly any
activity that does not require a building of one sort or another.
A10.1.2 The residential sector alone is responsible for
approximately 29% of CO2 emissions (1998) and 20% of all
greenhouse gas emissions, when emissions from electricity for the
sector are included. Emissions of greenhouse gases attributable to
the sector are almost exclusively CO2, from energy use consumed
domestically for space heating, etc. and electricity consumed in
domestic appliances.
A10.1.3
Processing and manufacturing building products
accounts for 70% of all energy used in constructing buildings
(Energy Related Issues, BRE). Attempts to assess in financial
terms the overall environmental impact of building materials
suggest that in many cases it may be four or five times the market
price paid for them (Netherlands Ministry of Housing, Physical
Planning and the Environment, 1995). It has been estimated that
up to 75% of the building materials used in Europe are potentially
recyclable. Currently only 5% is in fact recycled.
A10.1.4 Life Cycle Analysis is a systematic way of assessing the
influence on health, environment, and resources throughout the
whole life cycle of a product. The objective of a life cycle cost is to
assist in optimising the value of a construction project over its
lifetime, having regard to all the direct and indirect project costs.
Building environmental costs such as the emissions of greenhouse
gases, the consumption of finite resources and the creation of
construction waste are not reflected in initial or ongoing
construction or servicing costs. This analysis is becoming a more
financially viable option, as taxes on waste, water and energy are
introduced.
A10.1.5 The life cycle of a building consists of several phases. In
all these phases energy is consumed and emissions to air, water
and soil take place. The service life is very long compared with
other products and is subject to many uncertainties throughout the
lifetime.
A10.2
Assessment Tools for Environmental
Performance and Sustainability
A10.2.1 Building Research Establishment Environmental
Assessment Method (BREEAM)
BREEAM is an environmental assessment methodology developed
by BRE (Building Research Establishment) in the UK. It is a widely
accepted and respected scheme that sets a benchmark for
environmental performance and provides a wide range of benefits.
Appendices
A10.1
It is independent and authoritative, being based on many years of
construction and environmental research carried out at BRE
together with the input and experience of the construction and
property industries, government and building regulators.
A10.3
EcoHomes-The Environmental Rating for
Homes
A10.3.1 EcoHomes is a straightforward, flexible and independently
verified environmental assessment method, with environmental
performance expressed on a scale of pass to excellent. It is an
easily understood, credible label for new and renovated homes
including houses and apartments. It rewards developers who
improve environmental performance through good design, rather
than high capital cost solutions.
A10.3.2 EcoHomes considers the broad environmental concerns
of climate change, resource use and impact on wildlife, and
balances these against the need for a high quality of life, and a
safe and healthy internal environment. The issues assessed are
grouped into seven categories :
Energy
Transport
Water
Ecology and land use
Pollution
Health and well being
Materials
A10.3.3 In terms of timber frame housing, credits are given for the
use of timber from FSC approved forests and extra credits are
awarded for the use of recycled timber products such as plywood
and OSB.
A.10.4 Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED)
A.10.4.1 The LEED Green Building Rating System™ is a priority
program of the US Green Building Council. This body is a coalition
of leaders from across the U S building industry working to promote
buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and
healthy places to live and work.
A.10.4.2
The LEED SystemTM evaluates environmental
performance from a ‘whole building’ perspective over a building’s
life cycle, providing a definitive standard for what constitutes a
‘green building’.
A.10.4.3 LEED™ is based on accepted energy and environmental
principles and is a performance-oriented system where points are
earned for satisfying the intent of each criterion.
A.10.4.4 Similar to EcoHomes the LEED SystemTM offers credits
for the use of certified sustainable wood, harvested from managed
sources, whilst extra credits are available for using recyclable
products.
Appendices
A10.2
A.10.5
Green Building Tool (GBTool)
A.10.5.1 GBTool is a software tool, implemented on an Excel ‘97
spreadsheet, for use in assessing predicted or ‘potential’
performance of a building before occupancy. It has been
developed as part of the Green Building Challenge process, an
international effort to establish a common language for describing
‘green buildings’. The software has been developed by Natural
Resources Canada on behalf of the GBC group of countries and
was used to adjudicate on the Green Building Challenge 2002 in
Oslo in September.
A.10.6
Sustainable Project Evaluation
Assessment Routine (SPeAR™)
and
A.10.6.1 SPeAR™ is an assessment tool devised by ARUP
Consulting Engineers. Through its use of indicators, SPeAR™
provides a framework for the understanding and assessment of
sustainability. Indicators include the encouragement of social
progress that recognises the needs of all, the effective protection of
the environment, the prudent use of natural resources and the
maintenance of strong and stable economic growth. The program
is an effective bridge between the theory and practice of
sustainability.
A.10.6.2 The SPeAR™ assessment for Cork County Council’s
new Environmental Offices at Inniscarra has recently been carried
out and is illustrated in the adjoining diagram. The methodology
adopted by the design team was to do a preliminary assessment of
the appropriate technologies, materials and building forms that
might best be used to achieve the target of a sustainable project.
To score well the solutions had to be better than current best
practice. The choice of a timber frame structure supported
objectives outlined by the SpeARTM assessment including:
Form and structure compatible with the rural and wooded
landscape of the development
Timber frame expressed on front elevation
Develop a minimum/low maintenance structure and site
Little or no maintenance of the structure
Ensure that the building is easily extendable
Structural timber framing lends itself to modular expansion
of the building in small or large modules
High quality internal working environment without a
premium capital cost
Exposed glum laminated beams with a high quality of
detailing give a sense of a new and sophisticated space
Utilise natural materials where possible
Timber from FSC accredited forests have been specified
Provide a design that supports an efficient construction
waste management plan
The use of a timber framing solution to maximise the
amount of off-site prefabrication
Appendices
A10.3