Embodied carbon 2 Built-to-last
Properties that are built
to last will yield long-term sustainability benefits
We need to
learn lessons from the Victorians to achieve better, more sustainable, longer-lasting buildings
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for any specific component in a system, it does allow the economic life to be extended. The nuclear and aerospace industries have produced a substantial body of work on probabilistic life assessment to safely extend the life nuclear plant and aircraft. These tools are now being adopted for sustainable building design. Sustainable design is the practice of adopting the
principles of sustainable development to the design process. It involves seeking low environmental impact solutions – both now and into the future.
A sustainable building is therefore one that can be adapted, upgraded and continually improved to meet evolving performance requirements, by integrating some fundamental design principles. It means, in effect, learning lessons from the
Victorians in order to achieve better, more sustainable, longer-lasting buildings. l
Dr David Telford is a director at the multi-disciplinary consultancy, engineering firm hurleypalmerflatt
Design Principles for developing longer-lasting buildings
Flexibility in design parameters: Design-in flexibility in use to cope with varying demands and to future proof. Examples include multi-fuel biomass boilers capable of being retrofitted for different calorific value fuels or distribution systems that can support a wide range of uses and occupational densities.
Modular design: To allow key components to be swapped/upgraded to adapt to meet evolving best practice. This might include a distribution system that could take a range of renewable energy options.
Design for dismantling: To recover components and materials at the highest value point. Make sure the lifetime records contain information, specifically, labelling of components to identify those that can be recycled and setting targets on recyclable content of various types of building components.
Choose appropriate design solutions recognising projected building life: Design appropriate structural elements (depending on the projected life of the building). For example, the use of concrete rather
than steel structural elements for long-life buildings while using lighter weight and easier to recycle steel frames for shorter-life projects.
Design for longer life: Use probabilistic failure analysis for life extension programmes rather than using guides and specifying components that can be repaired and maintained.
Passive ventilation and high thermal masses: Make extensive use of passive techniques.
Flexible and adaptable design: Today’s office could be tomorrow’s hotel. The complete design should consider potential change of use during the design phase. For example, structure (column spacings), floor to ceiling heights, infrastructure, risers, plant positions/spacing.
Design for recycling: Specify materials/components that can be economically recycled. For example, raised access flooring that is 100% steel rather than containing composites.
36
CIBSE Journal July 2010
www.cibsejournal.com
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