Sustainable Design in Building

Service Industry

A comprehensive cradle-to-grave analysis on different design

aspects and practices within the built environment industry
INTRODUCTION
According to a report published by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) in April 2023,
the built environment in responsible for 40% of UK’s carbon emission and 20% of global
emissions.
The goal of the World Green Building Council, a global network of green building councils, is to
reduce the industry’s CO2 emission by 84 gigatons and achieve net zero emissions for building by
2050 (Ahmed, et al., 2021).
The goal of this case study is to analyze current practices within building service industry and draw
conclusions that can help achieve sustainability targets of the industry.

The assessment is based on cradle to grave framework.

A thorough lifecycle analysis has been conducted that explained various aspects of an overarching
sustainable design concept.
 Sustainable Design
• An overarching process and an
environmentally conscious way to
approach architectural process by
putting sustainability at the forefront
of each building phase.
• Goal is to minimize built
environment’s negative impact on
Definition
climate and construct buildings that
work hand-in-hand with surrounding
Goal
biosphere instead of working against
it. Design
• Design principles that govern Principles
sustainable design, each impacting
one or two construction lifecycle
stages:
• Site planning
• Energy efficiency
• Water conservation
• Usage of sustainable building
materials
 Our Team

Site Building Water Energy

Planning Materials Conservati Efficiency
on

Syed El Abass Javohir Muhamma

Muhamma Taleb Khujamber d Hasnat
d Ali Abeydi deiv Rehman
Bokhari Mandra
 Construction site Green building is part
determines everything of the larger concept of
from building’s “sustainable building”,
orientation to what which is regarded as
construction materials

Site
the implementation of
are needed and what sustainable design
energy systems need (Montoya, 2010).
to be installed to
minimize building’s
carbon footprint.

Plannin The location and the context of

the construction is key to
maximizing the building’s

g
overall efficiency.

YOUR TEXT
Site Planning
& Design Site Planning and After the analysis These variables are an

Process Design (SPD) is a

comprehensive process
that help engineers
evaluate various variables
conducted Xiaosen Huo,
Ann T.W. Yu, and Zezhou
Wu (A comparative
Analysis of site planning
excellent guidelines for the
engineers and architects
while designing eco-
friendly buildings.
and create a sustainable and Design among
structure without hurting Green Building Rating
the surrounding Tools) on internationally
environment. recognized green building
rating tools, they
established 8 major
categories of variables
in the green building SPD
process.
 Site Assessment

Land Usage & Passive

Open Space Building
Design

Landscaping &
Ecological Irrigation
Value

Local Transport
& Green
Microclimate
Vehicle Parking
Neighborhood
Daylight
Access
Green SPD & Heat Island Effect
Picture Credit: ourenvironment.ac.nz
What should cities of the future look like?
Sustainable
Building Materials

 An overview of the most common

building materials with statistics
(graphs, charts etc).

 The meaning and importance of

sustainable building materials.

 A list of the most sustainable building

materials, accompanied by data and
comparison.
  The most common building materials used in construction: Concrete, Stone, Steel,
Aluminium,
 Building Copper, Wood,
and construction Ceramics,
industry Glass,
consumes Plastic
3 billion etc.. of raw materials a year, which is
tonnes
40% of all global resources.

 Six million tonnes of energy and 23 million tonnes of CO2 are emitted from manufacturing
and delivering these products.

 4 billion tonnes of cement worldwide, Emitting  Every year, the world produces over 240 kilograms of
more than 500,000 tons of sulphur dioxide, steel per person.  Glass manufacturing are emitting at least
nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide. 86 million tons of carbon dioxide every
 One of the most highly energy-consuming and year.
CO2 emitting industries in the world.
Figure.2 Carbon Emissions Percentage of different types of Figure.3 Life cycle environmental impacts of building materials
Building Materials (Kilgore, 2024) by material type for net-zero energy building (Thiel et al., 2013)

 The building materials are compared for their

environmental impact across various categories
such as..
 Hempcre
te
What do we mean by Sustainable Building
 With 1 hectare of hemp absorbing 8 to
Materials. 22 tonnes of CO2 each year.

 Price (520 pounds per square

meter).
 It is not maintenance-free, can be
easily repaired if it suffers any
damage.
 long lasting, expected to last between 50
and 100 years.
 It can be reused without any
difficulty.

 It can last up to 200 years

 Absorbing 20 tons of CO2

from the atmosphere.

 Price ( 3 to 6 pounds per

Bamb square foot)

 sweep or vacuum
 oo
Absorb 60 tonnes of CO2 per
sand and dirt
particles.
hectare
 Price (2 to 4 pounds per one Kg). Reclaimed  The product is part of a special
collection program.
 Keeping bamboo indoors, elevated and  Wood
More sustainable than virgin wood,
covered will prevent damp and rotting Reclaimed Wood Can Last For Decades
 It can last up to 25 to 100 years.  Price ( 5 to 20 pounds per square foot). Cork
 It must be free of chemicals and artificial  1 Kg of wood is holding about 1.65 to 1.80
materials. Kg of CO2.
 Clean Regularly, Keep Away From Heat,
Avoid Harsh Cleaners.
 Reclaimed
Aspect Bamboo Hempcrete Wood Cork
CO2
Absorptio High Moderate Low High
=> Figure.4 Comparison
n
of Sustainable Building
25-100 50-100+ Decades to
Lifespan 200+ years
years years century Materials
Highly
Recycling Limited Limited Limited
recyclable

Price Moderate Higher Varies Moderate

Maintena Regular
Minimal Routine Regular
nce checks

 Each material has its own characteristics and applications, so

the choice depends on the specific needs and goals of the
construction project.
WATER IN • 40% of total water
consumption accounts for
BUILDINGS buildings (UN, 2023)

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

TYPES OF WATER NEEDED FOR
BUILDINGS

EMBODIED OPERATION
WATER AL WATER

(Stephan and Crawford, 2014)

CIRCULATIO
N OF WATER
IN
BUILDINGS

(Mannan and Al-Ghamdi 2020)

EMBODIE
D WATER
•35,881 kL or 20.83
kL/m2 floor area
(Crawford and Pullen, 2011)
OPERATIONAL
STAGE

• kitchen and bathroom

• 34.9 and 101.6 L per capita
• the flush toilets
• showering

Proença and Ghisi (2010)

(Wills et. al., 2013)

 ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACT

• pumping power contributes 86% to the

global warming in Columbia
• Desalination method MSF (multi-stage
flash distillation) - 23.41 kg of CO2 per
cubic metre
• 3% of global warming – because of pipes
• nearly 97% of the energy – heating water
in the buildings
(Rodriguez O. O. O, Villamizar-Gallardo R. A., García R. G.
2016)
(Alhaj et. al., 2017)
(Raluy et al., 2005)
(Arpke and Hutzler, 2006)
 SOLUTIONS TO
MINIMIZING WATER
USE IN BUILDINGS
• Use DUAL FLUSH
TOILETS reduces water
spending from 13 to 4-6
litres
• AERATED
SHOWERHEADS - 15 litres
per min. to 6 litres
• WATER NEUTRAL
BULDINGS
(Waterwise, no date)

WATER NEUTRAL BULDING’S SCHEME

(Energy.gov, no date)
ENERGY
EFFICIENCY
Plays an important role in construction as well as building services.
Buildings that are energy efficient help reduce energy consumption,
minimize environmental impact, and lower utility costs. The best way to
reduce carbon footprint and contribute to a sustainable future is to have
energy efficient buildings.
ADVANTAGES OF
ENERGY
EFFICIENCY

• Environmental Impact:
Reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions, combat against
climate change.
• Cost Savings: Energy Efficiency
 Lower Utility Bills
• Comfort & Productivity: Better
Indoor Air Quality, Comfortable
Lighting Control
•Calculating Energy Efficiency of a
building:
• Energy used in normal applications
like heating, lighting, ventilation
during a year under normal conditions
is measured.
• This measured energy is calculated
both in kWh/m2 year and in CO2/m2
year.
• Based on the calculated data, the
building is given an energy certificate
that rates from A to G.
• If a building obtains A energy rating, it
shows that the building consumes
90% less energy than the building
that obtains rating G.
ENERGY PERFORMANCE
CERTIFICATE (EPC)
In England and Wales, the median EPC rating of
houses is D. The average scores are between 67 to
65. Among all residential properties, flats and
maisonettes are considered to be the most energy
efficient. Average flat EPC rating in England is 72
and in Wales, its 73. Both are equivalent to band C.
In England and Wales, every fourth house uses gas
as the main source of energy for heating.
(ons.gov.uk)
KEY CONSIDERATIONS
Implementation of
Maximization of energy efficient Inclusion of
natural light & materials and renewable energy
BUILDING DESIGN: minimization of heat insulation in sources, like
loss by optimizing construction in order windmills and solar
building orientation. to reduce heating panels.
needs.

Consideration of life Inclusion of

Efficiency Lighting,
EQUIPMENT cycle analysis and automation systems
HVAC and other MEP
SELECTION: energy consumption to improve usage
equipment.
of equipment. and monitoring.

Conducting energy Investing in training

Implementation of efficiency audits to of building operators
MAINTENANCE: regular maintenance find out where and occupants on
and inspections. improvements can behavior and energy
be made. efficiency practices.
EFFICIENT HVAC SYSTEMS

Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems

Geothermal Heat Pumps

Radiant Heating & Cooling Systems

Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery Systems

EFFICIENT LIGHTING SOLUTIONS

LED Lighting Natural Lighting / Smart Lighting

Daylighting Controls / Sensors
INSULATION &
THERMAL
PERFORMANCE

WHY INSULATION:
• Important to achieve energy efficiency.
• Prevent heat to transfer through walls.
• Comfortable / Constant indoor temperature
THERMAL PERFORMANCE:
• Defined as the ability of a building to resist
heat flow.
• It can be improved by several factors like
building design, construction techniques, and
insulation materials.
• Better Thermal Performance  Constant Indoor
Temperature
INTEGRATION OF
RENEWABLE
ENERGY

SOLAR PANELS:
• PV cells convert sun energy into electricity.
• One of the best renewable energy sources.
• Can be installed on rooftops either as
standalone systems or as hybrid systems.
WIND TURBINES:
• Convert wind energy into electricity.
• Installed in open areas where wind flow is
generally higher.
GEOTHERMAL SYSTEMS:
• Convert earth’s heat into electricity.
• Can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions
significantly.
CONCLUSION

There is no future without sustainability. As the world faces increasing

environmental challenges, it is important for the construction industry to
adopt sustainable practices. By prioritizing energy efficiency, reducing
waste, and incorporating renewable material, we can create buildings
that are not only environmentally friendly but also economically viable.
Sustainable construction not only benefits the environment but also
improves the quality of life for occupants, reduces operating costs, and
enhances the reputation of construction companies. Embracing
sustainability is not just a choice but a necessity for the future.
ANY QUESTIONS
 REFERENCES:
• Alhaj M. et. al. (2017). ‘A techno-economic review of solar-driven multi-effect distillation’. Desalination And Water Treatment, 90, pp. 86-98. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2017.21297 (Accessed: 07 Apr 2024).
• Arpke A. and Hutzler N. (2006). ‘Domestic Water Use in the United States: A Life‐Cycle Approach’. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 10(1-2), pp. 169-184. Available
at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1162/108819806775545312 (Accessed: 06 Apr 2024).
• Crowford R.H and Pullen S. (2011) ‘Life cycle water analysis of a residential building and its occupants’. To be published in Building Research and Information,
39(6) pp.589-602. Available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09613218.2011.584212
• Mannan M. and Al-Ghamdi S.G. (2020) ‘Environmental impact of water-use in buildings: Latest developments from a life-cycle assessment perspective’. To be
published in Journal of Environmental Management, 261, article number 110198. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110198
• Proença L.C. and Ghisi E. (2010) ‘Water end-uses in Brazilian office buildings’. To be published in Resource, Conservation and Recycling, 54(8), pp. 489-500.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2009.10.005
• Raluy R. G., Serra L., Uche J. (2005). ‘Life cycle assessment of desalination technologies integrated with renewable energies’. Desalination, 183(1-3), pp. 81-93.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2005.04.023 (Accessed 06 Apr 2024).

• Rodriguez O. O. O, Villamizar-Gallardo R. A., García R. G. (2016). ‘Life cycle assessment of four potable water treatment plants in northeastern Colombia’.
Ambiente e Agua - An Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Science. Available at: https://www.scielo.br/j/ambiagua/a/bVjSnfPPsJyBhbzRytsygtL/?lang=en (Accessed:
07 Apr 2024).

• Stephan A. and Crawford C.R. (2014) ‘A Comparison of the Life Cycle Energy Profile of Residential Buildings in Different Countries’. World Sustainable Building
2014 Conference, Barcelona, October. Available at:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283347163_A_Comparison_of_the_Life_Cycle_Energy_Profile_of_Residential_Buildings_in_Different_Countries
• United Nations (2023) Partnerships and cooperation for water. Paris: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Available at:
https://unesdoc.unesco.org/in/documentViewer.xhtml?v=2.1.196&id=p::usmarcdef_0000384655&file=/in/rest/annotationSVC/DownloadWatermarkedAttachment/att
ach_import_e8318e48-5f78-4381-a85b-2ed30f1d9af3%3F_%3D384655eng.pdf&updateUrl=updateUrl9643&ark=/ark:/48223/pf0000384655/PDF/384655eng.pdf.m
ulti&fullScreen=true&locale=ru#WWDR%202023%20EN%20report%20v01.indd%3A.411487%3A4562
(Accessed: 24 Feb 2024).
• Waterwise (no date) Save Water. Available at: https://www.waterwise.org.uk/save-water/ (Accessed: 24 Feb 2024).

• Wills M. R. et. al. (2013) ‘End use water consumption in households: impact of socio-demographic factors and efficient devices’. To be published in Journal of
Cleaner Production, 60, pp. 107-115. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2011.08.006