Sustainable DesignPrinciples- Monica

This website outlines the five design principles that help make a building more sustainable, the article touches on the following issues that will optimize the buildings green potential.

1. Optimizing use of the sun
2. Improving indoor air quality
3. Using the land responsibly
4. Creating high-performance and moisture-resistant houses
5. Wisely using the Earth’s natural resources

By implementing the above practices it will make houses more sustainable, efficient and create a healthier environment.

Viking Sod Roofs vs Green Roofs- Steph M

Green roofs are not a new idea. People have been building green roofs in many countries for hundreds of years. This was mainly because of the insulation qualities that sod roofs have. In cold countries it kept the houses warm and in warm countries it kept them cool. In Canada, examples of these houses can be found in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sod House at L’Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland. (A viking Settlement)

Building your own green roof- Monica

Green roofs have many benefits and what better way to reep these benefits other than by building your own, here is a web site that takes you step by step through making a green roof for a garden shed of other small building. It is a quick and easy process that will have results in a relactively short period of time and also reclaims the land the shed takes up.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/gardenstructure_greenroof1.shtml

Relief Architecture+ Lauren Pritchard

As we learned from Edd’s lecture last Thursday, natural disasters such as flooding can have a huge impact on design, not only in the planning of the original structure, but also in what comes next.

Dealing for what comes after the tragedy is the next step. This summer I bought a book publsihed by Architecture for Humanity, “Design like You Give A Damn.”  Relief Architecture is an area I am very interested in.  I feel it is a way in which good design can improve the quality of peoples lives.

“Architecture for Humanity represents the finest of the new breed of architectural leadership, employing architectural skills and directing them for the larger good. Committed, unapologetic ally architectural in name and mission, Architecture for Humanity stands up for people in need.”
– Robert Ivy, Editor in Chief, Architectural Record

Architecture for Humanity is involved in everything from relief efforts the day after the disaster in providing the neccessary shelter to the displaced, to eventually helping communities rebuild the site, making it  a home once a gain. There work is invaluable, and appreciated by so many.

 

http://www.architectureforhumanity.org/node/875

 

Above is a picture of one of Architecture for Humanities projects in Sri Lanka.

“the team developed Safe(R) House, a dwelling designed to resist the force of a tsunami as well as flooding. The designers emphasized the use of locally available materials and building methods to make the house both cost effective and easy to replicate.”http://www.architectureforhumanity.org/node/875

Sound…

This site provides some useful diagrams and references for sound: http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/arts/linguistics/russell/138/sec4/acoust1.htm

A definition for the term “sound” was obtained from Websters online dictionary,

Main Entry:

³sound

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English soun, from Anglo-French son, sun, from Latin sonus, from sonare to sound; akin to Old English swinn melody, Sanskrit svanati it sounds

Date:

13th century

1 a: a particular auditory impression : tone b: the sensation perceived by the sense of hearing c: mechanical radiant energy that is transmitted by longitudinal pressure waves in a material medium (as air) and is the objective cause of hearing2 a: a speech sound <a peculiar r-sound> b: value in terms of speech sounds <-cher of teacher and -ture of creature have the same sound>3archaic : rumor , fame4 a: meaningless noise bobsolete : meaning c: the impression conveyed : import5: hearing distance : earshot <within sound of your voice>6: recorded auditory material7: a particular musical style characteristic of an individual, a group, or an area <the Nashville sound>

There is also some good information on sound at http://www.britannica.com/bps/search?query=sound&source=MWTEXT

Another site to check out is http://www.acoustics.com/ which is an online source for architectural acoustic information that pertains to our most recent lecture

I did a small investigation into the structure of the ear and how it is able to distinguish and interpret sounds.  Here is a diagram of the ear from

http://www.ich.ucl.ac.uk/factsheets/families/F010074/images/ear.gif

UBC Leading Sustainable University- Steph M

UBC is the number one sustainable campus in Canada. The campus offers many volunteer positions that work to make the campus more sustainable. A student run organic cafe and grocery store is found on campus which provides organic and locally grown food from around the Vancouver area. The campus also has its own organic farm which produces and sells its food at a weekend market. The farm is run by student and staff volunteers and targeted at retaining and re-create farm and forest land at the university ad within the Vancouver area. The university also has many other volunteer and green programs which are helping to make the campus more sustainable.

http://www.sustain.ubc.ca/students.html

Erosion Data

Some addition information about erosion…

1.  Effects off-site: http://www.fao.org/docrep/t1765e/t1765e0a.htm

2.  Effects on-site: http://soilerosion.net/doc/on-site.html

3.  Soil erosion:

http://public.globalnet.hr/~gvlahovi/ekologija/soil-erosion-10.jpg

4.  Wind erosion:

http://www.perceptions.couk.com/imgs/wind-erosion.jpg

5.  Riverbank erosion:

http://www.mlit.go.jp/river/pamphlet_jirei/kasen/rekishibunka/laos_6.jpg

6.  Glacial erosion:

http://www.geology.um.maine.edu/user/Leigh_Stearns/teaching/kelley_island.jpg

-Vikki Drapeau

Site Planning

I came across this site when looking for additional information on site planning.  It’s pretty much everything you want/need to know summed up in a solid lesson.

http://www.rri.wvu.edu/WebBook/McBride/section3.html

Also since site planning and zoning regulations vary from place to place, I looked into the procedures in Winnipeg thinking it was relevant.  So check out http://www.winnipeg.ca/ppd/zoning_6400review.stm and click on the various links for more information.

For more detailed information on the zoning by-laws in Winnipeg, go to http://www.winnipeg.ca/clkdmis/DocExt/ViewDoc.asp?DocumentTypeId=1&DocId=3943&DocType=C

From: http://www.cityoforlando.net/housing/orlandohouse/images/siteplan.gif

-Vikki Drapeau

Rescuing our Resources

I figured I would take this opportunity to do some research on the topic of sustainable design.  The issue of re-thinking the way we design is frequently enforced in lectures while the importance of sustainable and green building as alternatives is stressed.  What I know about this design practice is that it is an essential factor in deacreasing our use of the earths natural and non-renewable resources.  This topic is large and always evolving, but some point I found interesting are:

1.  It has 3 dimensions

image from: http://www.arch.hku.hk/research/BEER/sustain.htm

2.

Main Entry:

sus·tain·able

Pronunciation:

\sə-ˈstā-nə-bəl\

Function:

adjective

Date:

circa 1727

1: capable of being sustained2 a: of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged <sustainable techniques> <sustainable agriculture> b: of or relating to a lifestyle involving the use of sustainable methods <sustainable society>

— sus·tain·abil·i·ty \-ˌstā-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— sus·tain·ably \-ˈstā-nə-blē\ ad

3.  By designing Environmentally friendly buildings, we are only solving a part of the large problem of resource depletion.  We have to reconsider the way we live and not just the buildings we live, work, etc in.  Some ways to lead a sustainable life include:

a) Using environmentally friendly cleaning products.

b) Being energy efficient and conservative with water.

c) Changing the way we get from place to place.  (Alternative transportation)

d) Implementing better design strategies into our infastructure and buildings.  Some statistics I pulled from http://www.sustainablebuilding.com/Why_Green.htm:

The Building Sector consumes:

• 40% of the raw materials used globally each year – over 3 billion tons!

• 40% of the energy consumed in the world

• 60% of the world’s electrical consumption

• 25% of virgin wood

Other Impacts:

• Building emit about 50% of global C0₂ through construction and operation

• Cement production accounts for 8% of global GHG’s

• A 10% increase in worker productivity would offset all office lease costs

-Vikki Drapeau

The healing properties of colour – Vikki

Some sites to check out on this topic

1.  http://www.colourtherapyhealing.com/

2.  http://empressempress.tripod.com/healing_properties_of_color.html

This one lists what colours are known to represent and their healing properties which are:

RED
VITALITY, COURAGE, SELF CONFIDENCE.

It is used in photodynamic therapy to erradicate cancer.
Red is a warm color that promotes healing. It will warm
cold areas to reduce pain and releave stiffness.
Red stimulates circulation of blood and flow of adrenaline.
Persons with high blood pressure should use with caution.
Red energy governs the ROOT CHAKRA.

ORANGE
CHEERFULNESS, CONFIDENCE, RESOURCEFULNESS

also a color of energy. Orange stimulates mental enlightenment.
It is used to increase immunity, sexual potency and aid digestive
ailments. Stimulates digestion. Orange can be used to help heal
conditions of the kidney, bladder and lungs.
Orange governs the SPLEEN CHAKRA

YELLOW
WISDOM, CLARITY, SELF-ESTEEM

mentally stimulating. It strengthens the nervous system. Helps cure
dermatitis and other skin problems. Yellow can be used for conditions of the stomach,
liver, and intestines.
Yellow governs the SOLAR PLEXIS CHAKRA

GREEN
BALANCE, LOVE, SELF CONTROL

promotes calmness. Green is a good general healing color because it
stimulates growth. The ancient Egyptians and Chinese used green as the
primary color of healing. A good color to help create an atmosphere of
serenity.
Green governs the HEART CHAKRA.

BLUE
KNOWLEDGE, HEALTH, DECISIVENESS,SERENITY and HARMONY

Blue is helpful in cooling, calming, reconstructing and protecting.
It is very good for burns. Solarized blue water is an excellent tonic for laryngitis or
inflammation of the larynx.
Blue governs theTHROAT CHAKRA

INDIGO
INTUITION, MYSTICISM, UNDERSTANDING

Indigo is used for conditions of the ears, nose and eyes and has
anesthetic properties. Indigo is cool, electric, and astringent.
Indigo governs BROW CHAKRA

VIOLET
BEAUTY, CREATIVITY, INSPIRATION,

expands divine understanding It is good for mental and nervous problems.
Helps with pain, is used in deep tissue work and helps heal the bones.
Violet governs the CROWN CHAKRA

WHITE
Purity, Truth, Protection, Spirituality

White is all color in perfect balance and harmony. It is the color of the
awakened Spirit; the light of perfection; the light of the Christ and Buddhic
consciousness. It is also the Divine Light.