GREEN DESIGN
"GREEN DESIGN"
Barbados is a water scarce country. Additionally, 95% of the fossil fuels needed to drive our several industries are imported into the country. Our society depends in large measure on the importation of 80% of our building materials and all consumables for its sustenance.
The demands placed on us to make our society sustainable and productive demand that we, as architect, recognise our corporate, moral and individual responsibilities as the creators of the built environment to be in the vanguard of sustainable building design.
The primary objectives of sustainable design are to avoid resource depletion of energy, water, and raw materials; prevent environmental degradation caused by facilities and infrastructure throughout their life cycle; and create built environments that are liveable, comfortable, safe, and productive.
While the definition of sustainable building design will remain in a state of flux for the foreseeable future, fundamental principles persist:
Optimize the potential of the site and existing structures
Creating sustainable buildings starts with proper site selection, including consideration of the reuse or rehabilitation of existing buildings. The location, orientation, and landscaping of a building affect the local ecosystems, transportation methods, and energy use.
Optimize the use of energy.
With the world’s reserves of fossil fuel dwindling, concerns for energy independence and security increasing, and the impacts of global climate change arising, it is essential to find ways to reduce load, increase efficiency, and utilize renewable energy resources in all of our buildings.
Protect and conserve water reserves.
Barbados is considered a water scarce island. A sustainable building should reduce, control, and/or treat site runoff, use water efficiently, and reuse or recycle water for on-site use, when feasible. Consideration must also be given to landscaping using plants that can withstand the local environment with as little water & chemicals as possible.
Use environmentally preferred products.
A sustainable building is constructed of materials that minimize life-cycle environmental impacts such as global warming, resource depletion, and human toxicity. Environmentally preferable materials have a reduced effect on human health and the environment and contribute to improved worker safety and health, reduced liabilities, reduced disposal costs, and achievement of environmental goals.
Enhance quality of the internal environment.
The indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of a building has a significant impact on occupant health, comfort, and productivity. Among other attributes, a sustainable building maximizes day lighting; has appropriate ventilation and moisture control; and avoids the use of materials with high-VOC emissions.
Optimize operational and maintenance practices.
Considering a building's operating and maintenance issues during the preliminary design phase of a facility will contribute to improved working environments, higher productivity, reduced energy and resource costs, and prevented system failures.
Encourage building operators and maintenance personnel to participate in the design and development phases to ensure optimal operations and maintenance of the building. Designers can specify materials and systems that simplify and reduce maintenance requirements; require less water, energy, and toxic chemicals and cleaners to maintain; and are cost-effective and reduce life-cycle costs.
Additionally, design facilities to include meters in order to track the progress of sustainability initiatives, including reductions in energy and water use and waste generation, in the facility and on site.
