Over the next 40 years, the world is expected to build 230 billion square metres of new construction – adding the equivalent of Paris to the planet every single week –
UN Global Status Report 2017 as quoted by London Energy Transformation Initiative LETI
90% of any building’s ecological impact upon the Earth is defined by the very earliest design decisions - such as location, orientation, massing, form factor etc.
Hosey, 2016 as quoted by Architects! Climate Action Network ACAN
Urban & Suburban has drawn an initial framework to achieve appropriate timing in decision making and engaging forward-thinking clients. This course of action is largely based in the 2019 RIBA Sustainable Outcomes Guide and LETI’s Climate Emergency Design Guide (Jan 2020). It aims to be ambitious yet achievable, scalable and verifiable. The proposed approach will evolve over time and requires commitment and collaboration from all parties involved, we hope you are willing to take this journey with us.
Chart taken from London Energy Transformation Initiative
Construction Principles
Prioritise passive and efficient design principles starting on the very setting based on geography, geometry, massing and fabric prior to considering systems optimisation.
Efficient form.
Using solar gains, good daylight and built in shading
Appropriate natural ventilation.
Reducing heat loss through the fabric using very high levels of insulation, draught-free construction and thermal bridge free construction.
Efficient services, hot water, lighting and appliances. Appropriate water cycle.
Whole house mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR).
Graphics taken from London Energy Transformation Initiative
How and When
Optimised design process in accordance to the Stages of the RIBA Plan of Work. Key tasks:
Stages 0-2 to Concept Design
Definition of aspirations and sustainability goals, benchmark the design and appoint sustainability champion and consultants.
Stages 3 -4 to Technical Design
Modelling, analysis and specification.
Stages 5-7 Construction, Handover and Use
Construction monitoring, review and update. Post occupancy evaluation.
Graphics taken from RIBA Sustainable Outcomes Guide 2019
What (measurable units)
Besides the direct impact of the construction, the following is to be assessed in accordance with the with the 2019 RIBA Sustainable Outcomes Guide:
Operational Energy and CO2
(kWh/m2/year and kgCO2/m2/year)
Embodied Energy and CO2
(kWh/m2/year and kgCO2/m2/year)
Sustainable Water Cycle
(litres/person/day)
Good Health and Wellbeing
(various)
Sustainable Communities and Social Value
(various)
Sustainable Land Use and Biodiversity
(increase in species)
Sustainable Connectivity and Transport
(kgCO2e/km/person/year)
Sustainable Life Cycle Value
(£/m2)
Definitions
Operational carbon (kgCO2e): The carbon dioxide and equivalent global warming potential (GWP) of other gases associated with the in-use operation of the building. This usually includes carbon emissions associated with heating, hot water, cooling, ventilation, and lighting systems, as well as those associated with cooking, equipment, and lifts (i.e. both regulated and unregulated energy uses).
Embodied carbon (EC): The carbon emissions associated with the extraction and processing of materials and the energy and water consumption used by the factory in producing products and constructing the building. It also includes the ‘in-use’ stage (maintenance, replacement, and emissions associated with refrigerant leakage) and ‘end of life’ stage (demolition, disassembly, and disposal of any parts of product or building) and any transportation relating to the above.
Whole life carbon (WLC): Sometimes referred to as Life Cycle Assessment or LCA describes the combined impacts of both operational and embodied emissions over a building’s entire life and its ultimate disposal.
Circular economy: A circular economy is an industrial system that is restorative or regenerative by intention and design. It replaces the linear economy and its ‘end of life’ concept with restoration, shifts towards the use of renewable energy, eliminates the use of toxic chemicals and aims for the elimination of waste through the design of materials, products, systems that can be repaired and reused.
Carbon sequestration: A natural or artificial process by which carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and held in solid or liquid form, e.g. reforestation or, in the built environment through using timber.
Key references
Mesh Energy Consultancy - https://www.mesh-energy.com
London Energy Transformation Initiative - Climate Emergency Design Guide - https://www.leti.london/publications
RIBA Sustainable Outcomes Guide 2019 - https://www.architecture.com/knowledge-and-resources/resources-landing-page/sustainable-outcomes-guide
Passivhaus Trust - https://www.passivhaustrust.org.uk/what_is_passivhaus.php