TIGblogs - Christopher De la Cruz

Site

The site selected must be accessible to mass transport.
Protect, restore and maintain the biodiversity if natural systems. Select locally available planting materials that have low water and pesticide requirements.
Use compost and mulches.
Restore and maintain the natural character of the site.
Use paving materials with recycled content.

Water Efficiency

Design for dual plumbing to use recycled water for toilet flushing or a graywater system that recovers rainwater or other nonpotable water for site irrigation.
Rain water may be harvested for yard cleaning and landscaping irrigation.
Minimize wastewater by using ultra low-flush toilets, low-flow shower heads, and other water conserving fixtures.
Use recirculating systems for centralized hot water distribution.
Install point-of-use hot water heating systems for more distant locations.
Use state-of-the-art irrigation controllers and self-closing nozzles on hoses.

Energy Efficiency

Lighting

Implement design strategies to provide natural lighting. Studies have shown that it has a positive impact on productivity and well being.
Install high-efficiency lighting systems. Motion sensors may be installed along hallways and foyers. Dimmable lighting may be used to fully control amount of lighting needed. Task lighting reduces general overhead light levels.

Cooling

Use a properly sized and energy-efficient cooling system (air conditioning system).
Install thermal insulating blankets along the building shell to control heat buildup.
Orient the building along east and west to reduce to minimize solar exposure.
Maximize the use of light colors for the building shell to reflect solar radiation.
Orient window openings along Northeast and Southwest to maximize natural ventilation.

Electricity

Minimize the electric loads from lighting, equipment, and appliances.
Consider alternative energy sources such as photovoltaics and fuel cells that are now available in new products and applications. Renewable energy sources provide a great symbol of emerging technologies for the future.

Green Materials

The use of permeable pavements (porous concrete, block pavers, porous asphalt, etc.) allows the recharging of water tables.
Earth bags may be utilized in the construction of building walls; it has a very low embodied energy.
Implement dimensional planning strategies. It reduces the amount of building materials needed, wastage and cuts construction cost.
If possible, reuse and recycle construction debris. Inert materials such as demolished concrete may be reused as site filling materials and/or as base material for parking lots, walkways and other landscaping features.
Select sustainable construction materials and products by evaluating several characteristics such as reused and recycled content, zero or low off gassing of harmful air emissions, zero or low toxicity, sustainably harvested materials, high recyclability, durability, longevity, and local production. Such products promote resource conservation and efficiency.
Require plans for managing materials through deconstruction, demolition, and construction.
Design with adequate space to facilitate recycling collection and to incorporate a solid waste management program that prevents waste generation.

Reuse and Recycling of Construction and Demolition Debris

Instead of hauling demolished concrete to the landfills, reuse it for site filling and/or base material. Network with other constructors and invite them to haul your construction and demolition debris as filling materials. You save on hauling costs, they save on material expenses.
Drywall scraps and used coco lumber may be grinded and used as soil amendment.
Rather than demolishing a building, try deconstructing it. Orderly dismantling building components promotes reuse. At the end of a building’s life, there are still lots of components that may be reused for future projects. It also saves on demolished material disposal costs.

Interior Environmental Quality

To improve indoor air quality, the building must be easy to keep clean, easy to control moisture and with ample ventilation.
Utilize low-VOC or no VOC paints. VOCs (volatile organic compounds) diminish air quality, and may be detrimental to your health. At present, available are alternative paint products that release low or minimal VOC pollutants and are virtually odor free.
Provide views that allow the user to have a connection to the natural environment.

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