cambodian sustainable design toolkit - … sustainable design toolkit. ... approach that encourages...

CAMBODIANSUSTAINABLE

DESIGNTOOLKIT

This document was prepared for Wildlife Conservation Society by Building Trust international with the help of USAID funding.

DisclaimerThis publication was made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), under the Supporting Forests and Biodiversity (SFB) programme. The contents and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the US Government.

*Front cover image © Dean Croshere 2

Why Sustainable Design?Does it cost the earth?Think global build localThe Benefits: - Cost- Environment- Health + Well-being

Human Centred Approach

Community engagementNeeds assessmentQualitative researchContractors:- Sustainable tender process

Site Selection ProcessInitial site appraisalRenovate Adaptive reuseAccess for all:- New roadsUsability:- Bike hire- SignageEcological Assessment (EA)Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)NoiseFlooding + RainwaterParkingRainwater harvestingRainwater collectionOn site water treatmentBasins + PondsTrees + PlantingOn site food productionPerma-culture

ConstructionFormworkSite accessWaterHarmful materialsEducationBuilding envelopeClean upWasteUnused materials

Design StageReducing overheatingPassive solar designLayout + Orientation Natural lightingEnergy productionSolar powerSolar water heatersBio gasVentilationThermal massMaterials Recycle + ReuseLandscapingPrototype + Test

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Post Build

CompostingEnergy efficient lightingAdaptive reuseDemolition

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Why Sustainable design?

Building construction and operations can have extensive direct and indirect impacts on the environment, society, and economy, which are commonly referred to as the 3 P’s (‘People’, ‘Planet’, ‘Pocketbook’). The field of sustainable design seeks to balance the needs of these areas by using an integrated approach to create win-win-win design solutions.

Organisations, groups and communities that adopt forward thinking approaches increase opportunities for developing projects that can work in harmony with natural environment.

Socially responsible investment has placed pressure on companies to integrate social and environmental considerations into their working practices. By adopting environmentalmanagement systems, greater pressure is created from clients for buildings with reduced running costs and more attractiveand healthy working environments for their staff.

There is growing recognition that creating decent places for people to work and live, with high quality public spaces and amenities creates value and will lead to higher investment returns for developers.

Does it cost the earth?

The main objectives of sustainable design are to reduce, or completely avoid, depletion of critical resources like 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.

Essentially we must do more with less. Therefore it should be possible to create sustainable solutions that are lower if not similar in price to more unsustainable building practices.

By thinking about sustainable issues at the design stage we can identify no/low-cost solutions such as:

- Passive solar design- Passive ventilation strategies- Ensuring timber from renewable sources or other locally sourced materials- Good construction practice- Reduce water wastage and water re-use

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Adopting a strong sustainability strategy for all developments will save time and money when sustainability is required on individual developments. Sustainable buildings designed to make the environment within the building healthy for the people who work and live there assist in promoting health & well-being.

Utilizing a sustainable design philosophy encourages decisions at each phase of the design process that will reduce negative impacts on the environment and the health of the occupants, without compromising the bottom line. It is an integrated, holistic approach that encourages compromise and trade offs. Such an integrated approach positively impacts all phases of a building’s life-cycle, including design, construction, operation and decommissioning.

Developing ways for buildings to produce their own energy or heat, installing water-reduction measures, and finding ways to reduce waste can assist in ensuring a well designed sustainable building. Using materials that are sourced locally promotes the local economy and saves money and time in sourcing and transporting materials from another location.

“ “Sustainable design gives an authentic value to the consumer.

Katarina Graffman, ethnographer

Think Global - Build Local

Working together

In today’s interconnected world there are common themes that take president on a global scale. A drive towards more sustainable thinking and collective responsibility for the worlds limited resources has led to informal and formal agreements between nations and building codes that are recognised as addressing global concerns. That said it is still critically important to respond to local needs and forge local relationships when implementing new projects. Projects should strive to be created through close collaboration with the future users and incorporate local building traditions. Not denying the needs of those for whom and with whom the buildings are erected and ensuring a mutual transfer of knowledge.

Working closely with the local community from the beginning of the design phase ensures a sense of ownership and pride in the project. The buildings then become more than structures but become community hubs which are owned by the people.

UN Sustainable Development:

“Humanity stands at a defining moment in history. We are confronted with a perpetuation of disparities between and within nations, a worsening of poverty, hunger, ill health and illiteracy, and the continuing deterioration of the ecosystems on which we depend for our well-being. However, integration of environment and development concerns and greater attention to them will lead to the fulfilment of basic needs, improved living standards for all, better protected and managed ecosystems and a safer, more prosperous future. No nation can achieve this on its own; but together we can - in a global partnership for sustainable development.” Agenda 21

12© buildingtrustinternational

Cost

- Sustainable design projects can cost the same if not less than traditional construction projects- Reductions in operating and energy costs can be greatly reduced over time with a sustainably built project- If a building is designed well it can also be more cost efficient to maintain- Think about offsetting your carbon footprint

The Environment

Sustainable buildings are designed to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on the natural environment by:

- Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources- Reducing waste, pollution and environment degradation- Improving the natural eco-system by choosing correct plant types and installing correct water treatment

Health & well-being

- A well designed space can have a huge impact on the health and well-being of the buildings staff and visitors. As we spend 90% of our time living, working inside buildings.- Creating light and airy spaces within the building ensures greater human comfort and therefore increased levels of productivity.- NB: Classrooms with more daylight result in 7-18% higher scores on end of year results than classrooms with poor levels of daylight. (Heschong Mahone Group)

The Benefits

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When sustainability is viewed as being a matter of survival for your business, I believe you can create massive change.

“ “

Cameron Sinclair, co-founder of Architecture for Humanity

Social impact

Through improving indoor environments we can:- Reduce the strain on local infrastructure- Improve productivity- Increase visitors and workers morale- Increase job satisfaction- Improve the quality of life within the community

© buildingtrustinternational

Human CentredApproach

Human-Centered Design (HCD)

HCD is a process and a set of techniques used to create new solutions for the world. The reason this process is called “human-centered” is because it starts with the people we are designing for. The HCD process begins by examining the needs, dreams, and behaviours of the people we want to affect with our solutions. We seek to listen to and understand what they want. We call this the Desirability lens. We view the world through this lens throughout the design process.

Once we have identified a range of what is desirable, we begin to view our solutions through the lenses of feasibility and viability. We carefully bring in these lenses during the later phases of the process.

It is important when meeting with the local community/client that everyone understands the HCD process. Observe the key user doing their daily tasks what are their needs and desires. It can be beneficial to carry out interviews and questionnaires to gain a clear understanding of the clients wishes. Information gathered can then be reviewed and analysed to find the best solutions. This is the best time to show prototypes and go through any storyboards, possible scenarios which may occur at the project.

The next stage is to refine the prototypes along with the client to ensure everyone is happy with the final solution. Testing of the final product should then occur in the field. Has the project worked, is it a success? Should it be further refined.

““

Meeting people where they are and really taking their needs and feedback into account. When you let people participate in the design process, you find that they often have ingenious ideas about what would really help them. And it’s not a one time thing; it’s an iterative process.

Melinda Gates

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“

Community engagement

For conservation needs to be met in close context to human development there needs to be acceptance from local people of the desires and goals from the conservation group. Of equal importance are the needs of the local communities. The best solutions are where these needs overlap to create new solutions where natural habitats of wildlife are preserved and local people can continue to survive and develop at a rate which does not restrict them their culture or their way of life. In remote rural areas where wildlife is threatened by hunting, deforestation, village sprawl, intensification of farming and a range of other human based activities there are increasing calls for sustainable development procedures to be put in place. It is critically important to engage community groups in this process .

Needs assessment

Designing meaningful and innovative solutions that serve both the needs of the conservation goals and the local communities begins with understanding their needs, hopes and aspirations for the future.

Qualitative research

QR methods enable the design team to develop deep empathy for people they are designing for, to question assumptions, and to inspire new solutions. At the early stages of the process, research is generative, used to inspire imagination and inform intuition about new opportunities and ideas. In later phases, these methods can be evaluative, used to learn quickly about people’s response to ideas and proposed solutions. 18

Community

“ The standard practice in humanitarian assistance is to foster ownership of a given project in the target community. According to the logic, this ensures that the end recipients have a stake in the project, mediates against inappropriate solutions, and encourages sustainability.

Taken from “Building the Humanitarian Imaginary”


Contractors

Sustainable tender process

Sustainable design can start with the appointment of contractors. With any tender process you should consider the following:

- Utilise contractors that have experience of design and build stages. This will enable them to identify sustainable improvements through the value engineering stage.

- Utilise contractors with ‘in-house’ fabrication facilities doing so will increase awareness of waste reduction and potentially cut down on transportation with more control over scheduled deliveries.

- Contract with contractors and sub-contractors that have successfully worked on sustainable projects in the past.

- Performance based fee incentive contracts can be a tool for encouraging innovative solutions through the design and build process and can improve the sustainable construction process. Using internationally recognised certification systems such as LEED Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is one such tool for ongoing assessment and goal orientated guidance.


Ensuring land is safe for development and what challenges the site may have are key considerations in the development of any site. Issues may include;

- Ownership and rights to land or access - Previous site functions and possible

contamination - Likelihood of flooding or other natural

seasonal events - Has the land been farmed or is it natural

wood, marsh or plain land?

The Site

Site location + Orientation

Choose a responsible location. Look at the context of the site. Sketch the orientation of neighbouring buildings, prevailing winds and any other features that will affect solar access, ventilation or shading of your building.

Orient your building to minimize or maximize solar heat gain, according to your heating and cooling needs. Design the shape of your building to optimize daylighting and reduce your electric lighting costs.

Site characteristics

Look at the topology, the soil type, trees and vegetation. Is there any water on the site, are any signs of flooding, surface run off or water marking?

Site significance

What opportunities does the site present and what constraints are there? Think about these when designing and use the resources you have already available to their greatest potential.

Street frontage

What does the site front onto a river, a road the sea, a hill, a mountain? All of these need to be addressed in some way by any new development. Look at the neighbouring building typologies and the materials used in construction.

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Renovate?

Renovation

Buildings use resources (energy, water, raw materials, etc.), generate waste (occupant, construction and demolition), and emit potentially harmful atmospheric emissions. Building owners, designers and builders face a unique challenge to meet demands for new and renovated facilities that are accessible, secure, healthy and productive. While minimizing their impact on society, the environment and the economy. Ideally, building designs should result in net positive benefits to all three areas.

In addition to including sustainable design concepts in new construction, sustainable design advocates commonly encourages retrofitting existing buildings rather than building anew. Retrofitting an existing building can often be more cost-effective than building a new facility. Designing major renovations and retrofits for existing buildings to include sustainable design reduces operation costs and environmental impacts and can increase building resiliency. The embodied energy of the existing building, a term expressing the cost of resources in both human labour and materials consumed during the building’s construction and use, are squandered when the building is allowed to decay or be demolished.

Adaptive reuse

Adaptive reuse refers to buildings that are re-purposed for a use that is different than the original builders intended. These projects have lower embodied energy than new construction and help preserve existing, architecturally relevant and historic buildings.

The recycling of buildings has long been an important and effective historic preservation tool.

““Sophie Francesca Cantell


Access

Access for all

The project should identify opportunities to improve access and the accessibility to natural places, through support for public transport, cycling, walking and improving access and facilities for disabled people. Bus parking will be provided in the parking area alongside cycle parking, which could be extended over time to allow for bicycle hire. By providing one main vehicular route through the site frees up the rest of the site for pedestrian scale routes and pathways. It should be possible to create a step free environment across much of the site and any proposed buildings. Introduction of ramped walkways should be considered for any areas with changes in site level.

New roads

Vehicular access may be needed to some remote areas and design of any roads should consider alternatives to tarmac or concrete so as not to effect surface rain water run off. Alongside roads rain water ditches may need to be dug to address further flashflooding risks. Access may need to be safe guarded and future proofed to allow for public access to additional areas and this should be carefully considered in any development.

The importance of access

While it is the priority of WCS to provide sanctuaries for wildlife and the preservation of native species that are critically endangered, it is also important to provide access for people to visit and understand the wider importance of protecting the natural habitat of endangered wildlife species.

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Accessible design is good design.“ “

Steve Ballmer

© www.eaiadventure.com

Usability

Bike hire

The creation of a bike hire system will bring many benefits to the new centre:

- Bring a new revenue source for WCS- Ensure that facilities are not destructive to the natural environment- Promotes health and outdoor activity to visitors- Creates a variety of trails/paths around the site- Provides visitors with a different way of viewing the project- Allows visitors to explore the project for themselves taking in the environment and new surroundings

Clear signage

To ensure all visitors have an enjoyable experience and learn from their visit it is very important to have clear signage throughout the project. This includes a clearly labelled and perhaps colour coded map showing the different areas of the project. By having clear visual aids throughout the project allows guests to read and learn about the natural environment, the flora and fauna and why it is important that they visit the WCS sites. This will assist in promoting conservation and the protection of wildlife and ecosystems to fellow Cambodians and foreign visitors.

Ensuring boards/sign-age are full of informative facts and are bi-lingual will assist in promoting WCS’s aims throughout Cambodia and beyond.

30© www.travel.stackexchange.com

Ecological Assessment (E.A)

A complete ecological assessment of the site and its natural flora and fauna would be a starting point for any new development with areas highlighted for retention and possible interventions to increase numbers of wildlife passing through and residing on any site.

Why keep ecological features?

It is very important to maintain and keep as many ecological features as possible to:

- Conserve and maintain the existing ecosystem- Protect existing wildlife- Educate visitors on current flora/fauna- Reduce any unnecessary damage/removal of current surroundings

Ecological Assessment

Environmental Impact Assessment (E.I.A)

Each project should ensure environmental factors are considered in the decision making process ensuring possible adverse environmental impacts are identified and avoided or minimised.

According to a United Nations Environment Program Training Resource Manual the main advantages and benefits of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) are:

- Improved project design/siting;- Informed decision-making;- More environmentally sensitive decisions;- Increased accountability and transparency during the development process;- Improved integration of projects into their environmental and social setting;- Reduced environmental damage;- More effective projects in terms of meeting their financial and/or socio-economic objectives.- A positive contribution toward achieving sustainability.

32© croxfibre

Considering noise

The sound scape should be assessed, what are the levels of sound? Is the site close to a road with fast moving vehicular traffic? Is there an opportunity to move any development further towards the back of the site and use denser vegetation to mask any unwanted sounds. Buildings whose main uses are not susceptible to noise should be located to act as screens or baffles between any noise sources. Any additional planting and building design should take this into consideration and areas for wildlife should be screened, and taken into account.

A positive sound feature or ‘soundmark’ is a flow of a river or some other such feature, which may be heard when standing on a site.

Given the desire to encourage public interaction and education at WCS projects (alongside the conservation work) it is important to divide sites into areas that are public and private. At the same time this should generate acceptable levels of noise in some areas.

Service in areas will be unavoidable in some public areas but these should be screened and located away from main public footpaths, etc.

Alongside the design of internal spaces and over all site layout, the materials used in construction are a very important consideration in noise reverberation. Roof materials for example in heavy rain can have huge effects on the noise levels for both wildlife and visitors.

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Noise

Internal spaces and noise

Figures show that a significant number of people have problems with noise fromroad traffic/neighbours/people outside. Men tend to react with outwardly directedaggression/annoyance/aggravation/bitterness/anger etc.. Women tend to suppresstheir reactions saying they are tense/fraught/anxious. It appears that night-timetraffic noise is more dangerous to health than day-time noise exposure.

Noise can affect both physical and mental health. Physical health effects includeraised blood pressure and headaches. Mental health effects include stress/sleepdisturbance, lack of concentration/anxiety. In extreme cases, victims can be drivento suicide and assault due to aggravation.

Preventative design measures can include

- Double/secondary glazing and lobbies to external doors where there are highoutside noise levels (e.g. traffic);- Possible triple glazing near airports/sources of very high noise levels;- Insulation of upper floor/ceiling/roof space where aircraft noise is likely;- Plumbing from WCs/cisterns sited away from separating walls;- Bathrooms/WCs in flats not sited above living rooms/bedrooms; and


Flooding + Rainwater

Flooding

Much of Cambodia is characterised by the presence of seasonal flooding. In dry season you can see evidence of natural run off and dips in which ponds may have collected rainwater.

Any proposal should make use of the rainwater and contain a strategy for retaining water for the year round operational uses of any building.

Surface water

Gravel trenches, walkways and channels should be constructed to distribute surface water to collection ponds and rainwater harvesting points. This in turn should alleviate the issues of unwanted flooding of internal areas.

Where possible roofs should act as collection

Filter strips and swales

These are vegetated surface features that drain water evenly from impermeable areas. Swales are long shallow channels, whilst filter strips are gently sloping areas of ground.

Both devices mimic natural drainage patterns by allowing rainwater to run in sheets through vegetation, thereby slowing and filtering the flow. Swales can also be designed for a combination of conveyance, infiltration, detention and treatment of runoff.

Swales are usually designed as conveyance systems, but can also be designed with check dams to increase attenuation and, where applicable, infiltration. Filter strips only attenuate the flow slightly but they can be used to reduce the drained impermeable area.

Swales and filter strips are effective at removing polluting solids through filtration and sedimentation. The vegetation traps organic and mineral particles that are then incorporated into the soil, while the vegetation takes up any nutrients.

Swales and filter strips are often integrated into the surrounding land use, for example public open space or road verges. Local wild grass and flower species can be introduced for visual interest and to provide a wildlife habitat. Care should be taken in the choice of vegetation as tussocks create local eddies, increasing the potential for erosion on slopes. Shrubs and trees can be planted, however, in this case the vegetated area will need to be wider and have a gentler slope.

38 Wikimedia Commons/Juni

Parking

Retention of as much green space as possible would be of benefit to surface rainwater and reduction of flooding risk. The main exception to this may be the parking area where one of the following ideas could be implemented:

- Gravelled areas- Solid paving blocks with large vertical holes

filled with soil or gravel- Solid paving blocks with gaps between the

individual units- Porous paving blocks with a system of voids

within the unit

Benefits of new paving styles

By using permeable materials the ground can capture water runoff, absorb it and clean the ground surface during the process. By allowing water to seep into the ground, the direct and surrounding areas will need much less man-produced irrigation. This reduces the amount of water sitting on the ground and saves money in additional irrigation.

Using permeable materials which are light in colour helps reflect the sun and allows the heat to further reduce the local ambient temperature, which assists in improving the health of local vegetation and air quality. Allowing water to filtrate into the ground, the surface and surrounding area temperatures will be cooler than a hard impervious surface.

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Parking

Immanuel Giel

The Climate Change Act

The Climate Change Act of 2008 sets legally binding greenhouse gas emission reductions targets of at least 80% by 2050 (with an interim target of 26% by 2020) Part of this relies on the reduction of car use with real alternatives alongside more sustainable building practices.

Additional benefits

- Reduces local flooding- Prevents problems with subsidence - Promotes local vegetation

© www.lastormwater.org

commons.wikimedia.org

Rainwater collection

Roof gutters can transport water from roofs to down pipes and by using a first flush system (shown on the left) remove dirt caught in the first stages of a downpour. The first flush system is a simple sluce pipe and filter which once the first few litres have been caught allows the rest of the roof run off to pass through to storage tanks which can be used at a later date.

The domestic consumption of fresh water varies greatly between regions from 12l in Bhutan up to 1600l in Australia. On global average consumption is 160l per day, but with dry toilets the consumption can easily be cut to less that 50l.

Rainwater storage

Storage tanks should be located on higher ground if possible allowing gravity to be used to distribute water when needed. If this is not possible then solar pumps can be installed to move water around any project site.

RainwaterHarvesting

© www.RainwaterCambodia.com

In Numbers

18,000l of rainwater are needed per person annually. In Cambodia, the total annual rainfall average is between 1,000 and 1,500 millimetres so roughly 20 m2 (18m3/1,25m/0,7(runoff coefficient)) of roof surface is needed to provide enough water annually per person.

Basins and Ponds

Ponds contain water in dry weather, and are designed to hold more when it rains. They include:

- Balancing and attenuation ponds- Flood storage reservoirs- Lagoons- Retention ponds- Wetlands

Basins and ponds tend to be found towards the end of the surface water management train and are, therefore, used if source control cannot be fully implemented, or in the case of the site if water collection is an asset required for wildlife reasons. Basins and ponds treat runoff in a variety of ways:

- Settlement of solids in still water, having plants in the water enhances calm conditions and promotes settlement

- Absorption by aquatic vegetation or the soil- Biological activity

If the ponds are to be used for care of wildlife species careful consideration should be paid to cross contamination of ponds and use of solar pumps should be used where appropriate to change water. Waste water can be pumped directly to the neighbouring agricultural area for use on crops.

On site water treatment

Mechanized wastewater treatment is energy intensive and requires advanced skills for maintenance. Water treatment through constructed wetlands provides a viable solution for wastewater treatment, especially in developing environments.

Natural wetlands act as a biofilter, removing sediments and pollutants such as heavy metals from the water, and constructed wetlands can be designed to emulate these features. By mimicking nature through the use of reed beds, wetlands or natural filtration ponds and through using a range of plants, insects and animals you can create a cyclic system by which grey and black water can be cleaned and reused.

Recommendations

These ponds and eco-systems can become a feature that visitors can witness and become educated on more sustainable ways in which water can be treated and be beneficial to the environment.

Public toilets could be used alongside a small wetland feature that can explain the process and act as a buffer between the staff areas and public spaces.

Using plants such as bamboo and banana which are known for taking pollutants out of the ground and water would also create an extra screening and sound buffers.

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Ponds


Trees & Planting

The project should attempt to improve climatic conditions by the retention of natural vegetation and well designed landscaping. This can result in reduced wind speeds, appropriate shading and shelter, increased moisture retention and even local cooling of the air. The design should take into account details of surrounding landscape that affect wind patterns and solar gain.

Details of tree uses:

- Define routes and paths- Offer shade to visitors and wildlife- Provide noise protection- Create new habitat for new wildlife and further flora and fauna development- Help prevent soil erosion- Create cleaner air by absorbing CO2 and other odours and pollutant gases- Reduce atmospheric heat by releasing water vapour into the air through their leaves.

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The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.

Trees +Planting

““John Muir

Types of trees:

- Locally sourced- Provide shade- Provide fruit or natural oil (which could be sold as additional income)- Possibly have future for adding platforms for higher viewing of wildlife

© Picaboo

Creating a self sufficient site

The benefits of this are clear by creating food on site not only do you sustain the staff and the animals but also the visitors. Following the example of the successful organic picnic areas in Cambodia projects should strive for self sufficiency. The aim may even to go beyond this and sell food from a public restaurant or shop generating a source of revenue for individual projects.

Permaculture

Permaculture is a design approach to create regenerative, sustainable systems. Permaculture seeks to create interdependent relationships that are site specific and sustainable by bringing together elements such as orchard, water system, farmer, cow, etc.

Techniques of organic framing and natural building along with strategies for micro-climate, relative placement, etc. can provide a system based on regenerative relationships. It is these regenerative, beneficial relationships that allow for a holistic approach and thus, resiliency.

Onsite Food Production

One of the most important things about permaculture is that it is founded on a series of principles that can be applied to any circumstance —agriculture,urban design, or the art of living. The core of the principles is the working relationships and connections between all things.

““

Juliana Birnbaum Fox

50commons.wikimedia.org

Design Stage

Following the initial site analysis and discussions with the local community alongside thought and consideration to the environment we begin the design phase. First we must look at:

- Orientation off the site for solar gain - Passive Solar Design - Layout - Ventilation - How best to maximise natural lighting - Material consideration - Who will build it, what are their skills?

There are 5 key phases to the design phase of a project and each should be carefully distinguished and understood.

Phase 1: Originate - Discussions, first thoughts and exploration of

possible ideas and solutions to best fit the site and its conditions

Phase 2: Focus - Define the project, what are its key

features, what is the buildings main purpose and function

Phase 3: Design - Look at the projects requirements and start

thinking as how best to meet them - Develop ideas which best suit both the site

and the clients needs

Phase 4: Build - Key to a well designed building is good

communication on site with all individuals ensuring everyone is aware of any design changes and the small details of the design

Phase 5: Occupy - The project is complete, was it a success? - Who will manage the project to ensures it is

maintained - How can you quantify if the project is a

success?


Reducing overheating

It is important to design buildings so that excessive solar gain is minimised. Initially this should be through the orientation of thebuilding. This could include the use of solar shading, louvres and careful tree planting to allow excess sunlight to be blocked out.

Passive Solar Design (PSD) ensures that buildings capture maximum light and heat from the sun whilst acting as a buffer against the worst of the elements. PSD can only be considered at the design stage; it provides a one-off opportunity to save energy during the lifetime of a building, generally at no cost. In the case of public buildings PSD functions such as ventilation stacks and atria can be designed in ways that add interest and character.

Benefits of PSD

Using PSD should:

- Ensure that a comfortable interior climate can be maintained without active heating and cooling systems- Limit the variation in temperature from room to room- Keep electric/maintenance costs to a minimum (cost efficient)- Provide large open areas with good internal natural lighting- Use renewable energy therefore not contributing to global warming- Form of heating/cooling is completely renewable and clean, creating an efficient and integrated building envelope system

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Solar Gain + PSD

commons.wikimedia.org

Layout

A sustainable building strategy should look at a layout that minimizes the environmental burden of the building;

- Address orientation issues during site planning.- Provide natural light to every room where possible- Elongate the building (if possible) along the east-west axis- Plan active living or working areas on the North side of the building and less frequently used spaces, such as storage and bathrooms, on the south side- Locate obstructions, such as landscaping or fences, so that full exposure to the sun is available to south windows- Regulate temperatures with natural ventilation through operable windows if possible and/or shades - Lightweight structures supporting deciduous vegetation or adjustable blinds can make exterior spaces liveable all year round

Layout +Orientation

Orientation

The orientation of buildings can be critically important in dealing with overheating. In Cambodia it is good practice to align the longer side of the building along the east west axis this reduces the level of overheating on any one large expanse of wall during the morning or the evening. The heating of the building is restricted to the roof plains which can be insulated to protect from overheating and noise in heavy rain.

EastWest

North

South

Sun pathEast- West orientation

Importance of natural light

Where possible natural lighting should be employed as much as possible. Places with good levels of daylight are more pleasant and habitable. The challenge is to provide daylight while controlling glare and summer heat. Working within daylight hours as much as possible should account for this. In areas where higher more constant lux levels need to be achieved artificial lighting will be needed. Effective illumination should be well directed and almost invisible from a distance. The lighting scheme should not exceed that which is required for the satisfactory undertaking of the task involved.

Good practice includes;

- South facing windows maximise daylight and solar gain- Strategic placement of windows will reduce energy consumption- Providing appropriate shading for windows- Installing skylights in rooms with no external walls- Using light coloured external and internal finishes to reflect available light

Natural Lighting


Biogas:

Biogas is produced by bacteria bio-degrading organic matter under anaerobic conditions. The gas is a mixture of gases mainly composed of: 40–70 % of Methane (CH4) and 30–60% of Carbon dioxide(CO2).

A Biodigester needs enough wet waste to generate a useful amount of biogas. Adults only make 0.2 kg per day of sewerage, so even a family of 6 only produces 1.2 kg of waste per day. A cow (non-dairy) produces 10-12 kg per day; pigs produce 4-5 kg per day. A small 3 cubic meter plant needs 75 kg of waste material per day to produce 3 cubic meters of gas, which would be sufficient for the requirements of a family of five.

To obtain 75kgs of waste the family would need to own 5 to 8 cattle depending on how they are fed.

Biogas could form part of the energy strategy for the project if other animals are anticipated on being kept on site for example deer, or other large mammals. Alternatively human waste could be an option if visitor numbers are expected to reach high enough levels.

Energy production: The benefits

There are many benefits of using natural and/or solar lighting including:

- In Cambodia the hours of sunlight are very long therefore power gained from sunlight is very strong and long lasting- After initial cost outlay solar power is very cost efficient in the long run- Solar power systems are almost maintenance free- Solar and natural lighting allows the project to remain off grid - Making use of solar and natural power helps the environment by reducing carbon emissions.

Solar water heaters (SWH):

Use free energy to heat and distribute water. Each m2 roof panel area will need between 30 and 60 litres of water tank volume.

In a “close-coupled” SWH system the storage tank is horizontally mounted immediately above the solar collectors on the roof. No pumping is required as the hot water naturally rises into the tank through thermosiphon flow. In a “pump circulated” system the storage tank is ground or floor-mounted and is below the level of the collectors; a circulating pump moves water or heat transfer fluid between the tank and the collectors.

Due to the heat and levels of sunlight in Cambodia either SWH system would be a very good idea for any project.

Energy Production


Ventilation of spaces

Unnatural ventilation should be minimised to prevent excess maintenance costs and energy consumption. Instead natural ventilation such as operable windows and passive stack ventilation should be maximised.

A: One way air ventilation relies on one opening allowing cool and hot air transfer through the same opening.

B: Cross ventilation allows for passage of air through a space this can dramatically improve ventilation when thought is paid at the design stage to orientation of openings.

C: Convection cooling as hot air is lighter than colder air high openings will allow a greater percentage of hotter air. In some circumstances this can be more effective than a larger window at a lower height.

D: Using the same principal of hot air rising cooler air can be increased by opening lower level openings.

E: Louvred screens can be full height creating more air changes per hour in some spaces.

A

B

C

E

D

Good ventilation design strategies:

- Siting windows and doors to promote cross flow ventilation from prevailing winds - Taking advantage of the ‘stack effect’* to vent hot air from upper storey windows, skylights or other openings- Using landscaping and water features to provide evaporative pre-cooling.

*Stack Effect: Using stairwells and vertical connections can be a good way to use the stack effect which relies on hot air rising and drawing cooler air through the building.

Ventilation

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Insulation

Insulation provides a barrier to heat flow throughout the year, keeping rooms more comfortable and saving energy. Insulated thermal mass absorbs direct heat gains for later re-radiation. Concrete floors, internal masonry walls and ‘reverse’ brick veneer walls can absorb winter warmth from direct sun, then release it back into the room when the sun has gone. In the hottest months they can absorb excess heat and make the home more comfortable.

Effectively draught-proofing the building bysealing all gaps and cracks during construction(E.g. between window frames and walls) is vitalto achieve all the benefits of insulation and passive design.

Heavy, well insulated walls such as concrete and brick, work by absorbing & storing excess heat and re-radiating this supply during cooler periods, usually from day to night.

Thermal Mass


Building resilience

The resilience of a building is the capacity of a building to continue to function and operate under extreme conditions, such as (but not limited to) extreme temperatures, sea level rise, natural disasters, etc.. As the built environment faces the impending effects of global climate change, building owners, designers, and builders can design facilities to optimize building resiliency.

Building flexibility

Building in flexibility is the capacity of a building to be used for multiple uses and in multiple ways over the life of the building. For example, designing a building with movable walls/partitions allow for different users to change the space. Additionally, using sustainable design allows for a building to adapt to different environments and conditions.

Resilience + Flexibility

70© NLÉ architects

Materials

Environmentally Preferable Products (EPP) and services

These products and services are less harmful to the environment than their standard counterparts. Building materials have environmental impacts throughout their life cycle (from the sourcing of the raw materials to the post use disposal.) While the issues are complex for the selection of the least damaging materials there are beneficial steps that can be taken in the specification and design process.

Any project should strive to use as many locally sourced materials as possible to ensure the project is sustainable. This will inherently build local skills and brings jobs/funds to the local economy. Materials that harm the environment should be challenged and only used where there is no other economically viable solution.

Products with a high embodied energy such as brick, concrete and steel should be avoided in small scale building projects and the local community, workers and end users should be advised and educated on the global effects of such materials and on the benefits of more sustainable materials.

Materials to avoid

- CFC’s and HCFC’s, avoid ozone depleting substances which can be found within mechanical equipment and insulation. Reclaim CFC’s when servicing or replacing- VOC’s volatile organic substances found in paints and coatings, adhesives and sealants, carpet and composite wood.- PVC- Wood treated with CCA Copper chromium arsenic

- PBT (Persistant Bioaccumulative chemicals) Eg. Mercury, lead, cadmium. - Asphalt shingles (hard to recycle) - Fibre glass insulation using formaldehyde products

Considerations:

- Retain any existing built structures if possible- Design multifunction rooms to reduce overall building size and the likelihood of future renovations- Select dimensions to suit standard material sizes (to reduce wastage)- Favour construction systems that allow for offsite prefabrication- Avoid expensive building materials to reduce embodied energy - more expensive materials usually require more energy to produce.- Select materials that require minimal finishes and maintenance- Prefer recycled and low embodied energy materials- Select durable, high quality materials which will extend the lifetime of the building- Choose materials which match the projects budget by weighing up their impact on energy efficiency, affordability, etc- Select materials which could possibly be recycled at the end of the buildings lifetime- Select materials which are locally sourced to reduce transportation and fuel costs- Avoid using timbers harvested from nativeforests


Recycling

Establish and require recycled content thresholds for readily available recycled materials such as steel, re-bar, fly ash, aggregate, etc. Require recycled documentation from suppliers if possible.

Use recycled materials in construction;

- Wooden pallets- Recycled plastic bottles- Reclaimed products such as building materials, carpets etc.

There are other less obvious recycled products that can be specified such as coal ash which can make up to 60% of a traditional Portland cement mix.

On site recycling

Design a space to facilitate recycling both during and after the construction process.

Waste hierarchy

Use the hierarchy below to classify waste and try and keep to the top sections as much as possible.

1. Reduce waste generated2. Reuse materials and products3. Recycle as much as possible4. Composting5. Burning6. Landfill

Recycle + Reuse


Landscaping the site

Each project should try and document and plan to retain existing site natural features. Integrated landscaping can contribute to sustainable outcomes by providing shading, insulation, improved air quality and contributing to the overall biodiversity.

Landscape design strategies to consider include:

- Minimise site erosion - Using deciduous plants to shade windows from summer sun whilst allowing winter sun access- Using native vines to green building façades- Integrating planting into screening elements- Providing built-in planter boxes on balconies- Using native species in preference to exotic plants

Landscaping


Prototype +Test

Prototyping

When the range of important design factors have been considered there should be a further stage of consultation with the keyplayers and the community. This stage allows for testing of abstract design ideas and for conceptual models to be agreed upon before the construction phases.

It may highlight areas that can be carried out by the community and local specialisms/crafts that can be further incorporated into the design if they have not already been picked up.

Scale three dimensional models have more impact that plans and sections and are far more easy to understand. They should be tools for discussion not finished models and therefore should be rough representations or show specific areas of the design.


Formwork

Where possible use low impact formwork for foundations with biodegradable form releasing agents. If possible use pre-cast elements or reusable formwork otherwise there are paper/card products on the market.

Site access

Draft a site access plan for all stages of construction that minimise impervious site effects during construction phases. Limit top soil erosion and retain pervious areas.

Water

Chances for contamination through spillage, leakage, on site run off, etc. of on site water sources, rivers, streams, etc. should be eliminated. Use storm water assessments to locate construction areas accordingly and prevent ground water contamination.

Harmful materials

The use of harmful adhesives and protective coverings should be minimised and where possible more natural alternatives should be used. Toxic materials are not only a hazard to the on-site workers but also may let off noxious fumes throughout the lifetime of the building.

Building envelope

Sequence and expedite the building envelope so that interior materials do not get over exposed and reduce the risk of mould.

Clean up

If there are a number of subcontracts make sure the interior sub contractor is in charge of on site clear up and that they are clear on the recycling strategy.

Waste

Unlike operational waste, which is made after a building is built, construction waste refers to materials and debris generated during construction, renovation, demolition, or dismantling of structures, buildings and associated infrastructure. Material types in operational and construction waste differ from operational waste, so reduction and diversion strategies also differ.

Whatever the case there should be a strategy for waste and where possible this should be minimised through the design process by selecting materials and specifying sizes that can be found easily while leaving little waste.

Where waste is unavoidable it should be sought to deal with it on site. Mulching timber for landscaping, utilizing waste concrete for aggregate or using excavations for back filling are a couple of common examples.

Return unused materials to suppliers

In most cases materials can be returned to suppliers at 50% cost for restocking fee. End users/owners should make agreements to do this at the start of the project which will hopefully reduce the amount of wastage on both parts.

Construction

Best Practice

- Be mindful of retaining the topography and trees on the site, preserving natural vegetation, estuaries and habitats- Work during daylight hours to reduce energy consumption- Protect environment from emissions produced through the construction process- Control and reduce noise pollution

Education in construction techniques

We all want to improve the quality of construction in Cambodia and this guidance highlights the important contribution that can be made by those involved in the design and construction of new developments. It is important to create developments that are more cost effective to run, more secure, and that minimise their environmental impact and provide healthy living/ working conditions, while respecting the area’s rich heritage and distinctiveness.

Delivering new solutions means we will need to build the capabilities and financial models that will ensure that the solutions are implemented well and can be sustained over the long term. We also need to create a plan for on-goinglearning and iteration. Building Trust internationals previous projects have used local skills to great affect and new skills have been shared in the construction process. Community engagement is key throughout the development of projects from the formation of the design all the way through the build and ongoing assessment.

Education

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In practice

- On site sustainability meetings each month or fortnight depending on length of the build to share information and get feedback- Implement incentives for sustainable practice amongst site workers- Educate the team on material selection and on the environmental impacts of materials over the life cycle of the building


Composting

Composting is the process of decomposing organic waste such as paper plates, food waste and yard trimmings. By composting, materials are diverted from the landfill. Compost can be used as a soil amendment, organic fertilizer, a natural pesticide and for erosion control.

Energy Efficient Lighting

Using energy efficient lights and sensor switches is the best practice in creating a more sustainable operational building. Motion sensor lights can also be effective in the security strategy for the site.

Solar powered lighting is a good alternative to grid connected power, especially in Cambodia with high levels of sunlight all year round. Returns on initial capital costs are not so high when looking at new builds in comparison with normal grid connections.

Post Build

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- Need less cleaners to maintain- 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.

Adaptive Reuse

In the event that the buildings primary use changes, the building design should provide the flexibility to offer a range of other uses. Demolition should be a final resort and only in the needs for complete changes to land use or dramatic increase in density.

Demolition

Every effort should be made to recycle and reuse as much material as possible on any new build.

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(USA)Codes and Laws- Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA 2007)- Energy Policy Act of 2005- Executive Order 13423, “Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management”- Executive Order 13514, “Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance”- IGCC-2012 International Green Construction Code, International Code Council

Standards- ASTM E2432 Standard Guide for the General Principles of Sustainability Relative to Building- ASHRAE 189.1-2011 Standard for the Design of Green Buildings, except Low-Rise Residential Buildings- LEED

Guidance- How design works by the American Institute ofArchitects- Human Centred Design Toolkit (IDEO)

(UK)Codes and Laws- Dept. Communities & Local Government- Health & Housing Safety (2006)- Sustainable Design and Construction SPG (2014)-Building Regulations Part L

StandardsBREEAM

(AUS)GuidanceYarra Council - Sustainable Design Guidelines

(NZ)StandardsCreating our future: Sustainable development for New Zealand

(GLOBAL)GuidanceUN Environment Program Training Resource Manual

References

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Building Trust International in Cambodia

Building Trust is a non-profit charity founded in 2010. We believe in good design for all and that design at its core is about developing skills for problem solving and creating better solutions. We use these skills in tackling real World issues and in the delivery and design of our projects, having a positive impact upon people, wildlife and the planet.

In Cambodia, Building Trust have worked with a number of NGO’s and government departments on projects related to new social housing, health centre facilities, schools and conservation based developments.

WCS

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) saves wildlife and wild places worldwide. During the last 114 years, WCS have forged the power of their global conservation work and the management of their five parks in New York City to create the world’s most comprehensive conservation organization. WCS currently manage about 500 conservation projects in more than 60 countries; and educate millions of visitors at the five living institutions in New York City on important issues affecting our planet. The WCS parks include: the Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo and Queens Zoo.

With a commitment to protect 25 percent of the world’s biodiversity, WCS address four of the biggest issues facing wildlife and wild places: climate change; natural resource exploitation; the connection between wildlife health and human health; and the sustainable development of human livelihoods. While taking on these issues, WCS manage more than 200 million acres of protected lands around the world, with more than 200 scientists on staff.The WCS parks in New York City welcome 4 million visitors each year, including helping the city to educate millions of schoolchildren in science and conservation issues.

Authors

www.buildingtrustinternational.org

www.wcscambodia.org

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