Sustainable Building
The article for review explores a campus building known as Singer building-Building 22 which is situated in Melbourne, Australia. The idea of the project was to add an extra story to the existing structure while creating sustainable accommodation for the International and development portfolio staff. This has been achieved by the addition of a reception and conference center within the third and fourth levels. The building has two conference rooms, kitchens, toilet amenities, and an outdoor terrace with sustainable design features. The gallery area is strategically located and overlooks Swanston Street in the direction of the City.
The selection of Singer-Building 22 for this assignment is based on the sustainable features that have been employed to ensure maximum efficiency and satisfaction. In the civil engineering profession, the measure for sustainability is attained by how best a structure can serve its purpose during its useful life, and save on resources. Therefore, Singer-Building 22 is relevant because it is designed to serve its intended purpose sustainably and efficiently.
An example of a sustainable feature within the building is the service system, circulation system, and landscaping. Firstly, a sound sprinkler system has been installed to effectively respond to fire outbreaks within the structure. The lighting system is extensive, well designed with strategically located lighting points that provide effective lighting. The arrangement ensures ease of circulation within one level, and from one level to another.
Installation of energy-saving bulbs in the building ensures that sustainability is attained with maximum efficiency. Despite its location between busy streets, green building has been effectively practiced through the surrounding trees and green Penrose motif façade at the top-level.
The U.S Green Building Council and the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED)
The U.S Green Building Council (USGBC) is a body that developed LEED. LEED was developed to provide operators and building owners with a base for selecting and implementing measurable green building designs. It is recognized internationally as a green building certification system that verifies that a particular construction was put up in a way that improves performance in vital areas: Water efficiency, energy savings, CO2 reduction, and improved indoor environment among other functions.
The LEED certification program recognizes performance in key areas, thus, it promotes a whole-building approach to sustainable building and construction. There are nine possible dimensions of LEED measure namely: Water efficiency, sustainable sites, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, locations and linkages, awareness and education, innovation in design, and regional priority.
According to the LEED 2009 addenda, there are five sets of the LEED Rating Systems as listed below:
- Green Building Design and Construction.
- Green Interior Design and Construction.
- Green Building Operations and Maintenance.
- Green Neighborhood Development.
- Homes.
The LEED 2009 New Construction System uses distinct prerequisites for certification, and each level of certification requires certain points as shown in the examples below.
- Minimum Energy Performance – credit EAp2;
- Fundamental Refrigerant Management – credit EAp3;
- Measurement and Verification – credit EAc5;
- Innovation in Design – credit IDc1.
The Nationals Park Washington, DC, has many interesting and beneficial features to the environment, residents, and visitors as a whole. Firstly, its location on the bank of Anacostia River in Southeast Washington, DC, is strategic for the 1.1 million square feet Major League Baseball Stadium. The idea of green building is also a bright one for such a big structure. This has been achieved by the use of green roof covers to achieve the green building effect, which ensures that the park is the greenest as well as the greatest in the region.
Energy and water-saving measures that have been put in place is also a good move to sustainability. 3.6 million gallons of water is projected to be saved every year by the use of low-flow faucets and dual-flush toilets. Furthermore, $440,000 is projected to be saved over 25 years by the use of efficient field lighting. Professionally, this shows the achievement of sustainability and efficiency in the design and construction works.