Green Building Projects Awards
The first measurement for the “Top 10 Green Projects Awards” is based on Sustainable Design Intent and Innovation. Here the jury looked at the concept and innovative programming opportunities within the project. The key issues l covered how and why certain environmental issues became important priorities. Other topics included how goals and concepts were expressed in the design and how sustainability measures lead to a better overall project designs.
The second measure is the Regional/Community Design and Connectivity. Here, sustainable design “values the unique cultural and natural character of a given region”. They measure this by focusing on transportation policies, regional and community connectivity and how the design relates to local context.
Land Use and Site Ecology is the third measure. Here the jury look at the watershed, air, and water quality in the context of ecological design. They explore the project in terms of benefits for the ecosystems and wildlife habitat in the presence of human development.
The Bioclimatic Design measures the project were its conservation leans towards resources of regional climate conditions. This is measured through the site and climatic analysis, and strategies used that reduce or eliminate the need for non-renewable energy resources.
The first award for Green Projects was presented to the Yale Sculpture Building and Gallery. The project is on a former brownfield site, and has included various transportation options with bicycle stalls, and five bus line stops.
As part of their design they have installed waterless urinals, dual-flush toilet and collecting rainwater from the roof as part of their grey water solution. For energy, they designed the structure to include as many south facing windows to provide daylight without glare in the summer.
Here in South Africa, Green Building Media and Conferences, with Schneider Electric and the University of Johannesburg, launched their Green Building Award competition in the retrofitting area. They will be recognising excellence in relation to retrofitting of buildings for energy efficiency.
Energy Solutions For Various Types Of Buildings – Part 3
If you have been following along the past couple of days, you will know that Building Technologies Program aspect of the Department of Energy is attempting to make buildings across the nation “greener.” In their quest to do so, they have provided tips at their website to help various types of businesses cut their energy bills and become more energy efficient. ; If you have not been following along, check over the last 2 posts that give energy solutions for single family houses, multifamily homes, office buildings, retail buildings, and health care buildings.
Lodgings
Lodgings, the places we go stay at when we just want to “get away,” are based on pleasing the customer. In fact, if it was not based on this, the lodging simply would not stay in business. Those customers that frequent the facility want to be able to use the air conditioner, swim in heated pools, takes showers, and many other things, and, depending on how large the building is, you can probably see how much energy could potentially be consumed. Here are some tips that lodging owners can work with in order to do their part to reduce energy costs:
* Save energy and water with solar water heating systems and low-flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets
* Encourage guests to reuse towels and linens
* Save on utility bills and maintenance costs by installing centralized energy management systems
* Install digital thermostats that monitor room occupancy and automatically adjust the temperature when guests enter or exit
* Save on lighting costs with energy-efficient lighting and occupancy sensors
* Educate cleaning and maintenance staff to turn off lights and adjust thermostats, and implement preventive maintenance programs
School
Although the Department of Energy did not list tips in the way they did for the other building sections, the website did give much information on the EnergySmart Schools program. This program has been implemented to build new energy efficient schools, as well as renovate existing schools so that they are also energy smart.
The goal of the EnergySmart Schools initiative that is currently in place is to create buildings that:
* Save $2 billion annually
* Provide healthier learning environments, through better indoor lighting, temperature control, acoustics, and air quality
* Familiarize parents, teachers, and students with affordable, advanced energy-efficiency technologies and practices
* Help slow the demand for new power plants, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions
* May serve as emergency community shelters during grid power outages
This section of the Department of Energy’s website contains information to help with planning, financing, design and building, and operation and maintenance. The site even has a section that incorporates links to over 350 lesson plans and activities for students in kindergarten through 12th grade that teach about energy efficiency and renewable energy.