Sustainable Building Consulting
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Sustainable Building Consulting: is a practice or service where an intermediary party or company is utilized as a way to forecast levels of sustainability during conceptual architectural stages. This forecasting consists of the identification of adherent building techniques and norms, as well as the identification of specific building materials.
Norms and standards have been justified by rating systems like LEED© [1] and Energy Star for Homes [2] which are performance based. They define benchmarks to be met and provide metrics and testing to meet those benchmarks. It is up to the parties involved in the project to determine the best approach to meet those standards. This in essence is where the act of Sustainable Building Consulting comes into play.
[edit] Stages
A broad stage outline:
Step one
Siting of the building with a low impact on the land, paying attention to solar gain, prevailing winds, and water issues is key. Good orientation is one of the greatest gifts for a high performance building.
Location provides for walkable neighborhoods close to services, solar potential, good density, reuse and adaptation of existing infrastructure. A building is not an island, it is part of a community.
Step two
Energy efficiency is a quality building envelope along with good insulation, low energy lighting and appliances throughout. Remember the environmental impact and operating expense for the building’s lifetime.
Water efficiency is for both the outside and inside. Along with hardy landscaping and low flow devices, being aware of how you use it is just as important.
Step three
Natural lighting means bringing the sun deep into the space, putting light where you need it. Free for all.
Natural heating/cooling begins with solar tempering a space, using thermal mass wisely, good overhangs for the summer’s heat, and natural ventilation. Engineer to the sun.
Step four
Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) means paying attention to air contaminants (IAQ), and providing a place that the body and mind function well in. Our health is a central concern when we design a building.
Step five
Recycled materials reduce our waste stream. Consider the cradle to cradle aspects of everything, building with recyclability in mind. This is an important goal of our future industries.
RENEWABLE MATERIALS are often low processed, natural, and local. Beautiful, hardy products and supplies meet our needs, and support local economies.
Step SIX
Solar power often is the best onsite renewable energy choice, both electrical and thermal[citation needed].
Wind power can be bought from a utility, or by putting up a generator in the back yard.
Step SEVEN
REGENERATIVE/ADAPTIVE is the future of building, utilizing technologies and techniques that positively respond to the greater environment.
