March 16, 2010

Column | Graham Murfitt

Search continues for sustainable architecture

While skeptics and environmentalists duke it out for the final word on global warming, thousands around the world are investing time and money in renewable energy and sustainable architecture. Grassroots “sustainable” organizations are forming at an increasing pace, with the positive effect of raising public awareness.

Municipalities are setting new “green” building standards, construction requirements and tax incentives. Provincial governments seem to be “out-sustaining” each other. Entire countries are setting ever-higher design and building standards, some with net-zero energy policies.

Everyone, everywhere is talking about energy, global warming, pollution, carbon capture, sustainability, LEED and everything is green.

Sustainable architecture is about buildings that can produce more energy than they consume and that leave a very small and careful footprint. Also in question are the sustainability implications of harvesting, creating or transporting building materials as well as the energy consumed during the construction process. These aspects and others are part of the life cycle assessment of sustainable buildings.

LEED has raised awareness of many important issues concerning sustainability in Canada. Unfortunately the silver, gold or platinum medallion has become more important than the original purpose of this green building evaluation system. If the objective is to reduce or eliminate the carbon footprint of our buildings, it matters little that the building has been rated silver or gold.

Although LEED-rated buildings may perform better, if sustainability is the long-term objective, a 25 per cent improvement in energy performance is inadequate.

In the future, the most difficult challenge may be to transform and upgrade the buildings we are building today. New buildings that are only 25 per cent better than “standard” may require complicated and substantial thermal and building envelope upgrades in order to become carbon neutral. It is easy to realize the economic benefit of renovating and upgrading buildings that consume extraordinary amounts of energy. When only the most expensive energy upgrade measures remain outstanding, the financial incentives to implement them will be extremely low.

Green theory has emerged as an important aspect in the study of humanities and international relations. My own theoretical perspective is better described as green-to-green theory. Green is neither created nor destroyed; it typically transfers from your wallet to sustainability. Conserving resources, whether energy, water, money, health or the environment is the balance we require to be sustainable.

Most clients will consider investments in building upgrades and energy-conserving technologies that have reasonably short simple payback periods (five to ten years). However, designers should expect periods of time in the future where energy supplies will be unavailable or unaffordable. The actual value of energy savings due to conservation measures is significant when considered over the life of a building; we should design buildings accordingly.

The current green movement seems fuelled by the notion that green doesn’t cost significantly more money than conventional building. However, energy-efficient, well insulated, carefully detailed and properly oriented buildings consuming 50 per cent less energy than so-called “standard” buildings, cost 10 to 20 per cent more money to build. Carbon neutral buildings may cost up to 50 per cent more. Almost everything better costs more money, and achieving carbon neutral energy status involves solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal systems and many other technologies.

The 2030 Challenge is simple – all new and renovated buildings that Canadian architects design should be carbon neutral by that year. Buildings that are designed in 2010 should be at least 60 per cent more efficient than “standard” buildings.

There are architects who are passionate about sustainability as there are others who are passionate about function and beauty. If we are to get to the 2030 goals, design passions must combine so that our functional, beautiful and sustainable buildings are not demolished fifty years from now, partway through their intended lifespan.

Graham Murfitt, MRAIC, is on staff as the RAIC practice specialist and a LEED accredited architect.

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