Rsearch on Sustainable Architecture

Sustainable architecture is a general term that describes environmentally conscious design techniques in the field of architecture. Sustainable architecture is framed by the larger discussion of sustainability and the pressing economic and political issues of our world. In the broad context, sustainable architecture seeks to minimize the negative environmental impact of buildings by enhancing efficiency and moderation in the use of materials, energy, and development space. Most simply, the idea of sustainability, or ecological design, is to ensure that our actions and decisions today do not inhibit the opportunities of future generations. This term can be used to describe an energy and ecologically conscious approach to the design of the built environment.

GREEN ARCHITECTURE
Green architecture is a broad term that refers to the creation or restructuring of buildings so they have a minimal impact on the environment. There are a number of different approaches to green construction, with many of the ideas involving the responsible recycling of existing resources along with the efficient use of environmentally friendly systems to provide water and power services to buildings that are created using a sustainable design. As more people have become concerned about the wise use of the planet’s resources, the concept of green architecture has gained in both acceptability and interest. In general, a green architect will attempt to design or overhaul buildings so they provide all the necessary functions but do not pose a threat to the surrounding environment. In many cases, this means using building materials that are composed of organic compounds rather than synthetics. The building materials may be wood, bricks, or other elements that are harvested from older buildings scheduled for demolition. These harvested materials are joined with newer technology to create structures that fit into the surrounding landscape with greater ease and make the best use of available resources for heating, cooling, cooking, and water supply to the edifice.

LEED
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods.

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and spearheaded by LEED founding chairman Robert K. Watson, LEED is intended to provide building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.

Since its inception in 1998, the U.S. Green Building Council[4] has grown to encompass more than 7,000 projects in the United States and 30 countries covering over 1.501 billion square feet (140 km²) of development area. The hallmark of LEED is that it is an open and transparent process where the technical criteria proposed by USGBC members are publicly reviewed for approval by the almost 20,000 member organizations that currently constitute the USGBC.

The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) was established by USGBC to provide a series of exams to allow individuals to become accredited for their knowledge of the LEED rating system. This is recognized through either the LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) or LEED Green Associate (LEED Green Assoc.) designation. GBCI also provides third-party certification for projects pursuing LEED.

SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

BAHRAIN WORLD TRADE CENTER

Location
ComplexBahrain World Trade Centre
CityManama
CountryBahrain

Technical Data
Height (tip)240.00 m
Height (architectural)240.00 m
Height (top floor)168.80 m
Floors (above ground)45
Floors (below ground)1
Construction start2004
Construction end2008

The Bahrain World Trade Center (BWTC) is a symbol of achievement and a reflection of momentum behind the region’s fast growing economy. Its innovative design combines the essential elements of lifestyle and business to create a powerful emblem of aspiration and accomplishment. The Bahrain World Trade Center is more than its landmark commercial towers, offering amenities such as an exceptional shopping and dining environment, a five-star hotel and sophisticated office accommodation. The BWTC is the Kingdom’s first truly intelligent building and features an array of sophisticated SMART features. Reaching its point at over 240 meters in heights, BWIC’s two iconic 50-storey towers offer spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf and Manama’s cityscape.

Office Towers
More than a landmark, each of the towers offers 34 storey of lettable high specification office space, incorporating a fully integrated IT infrastructure operating the building management, parking, security and IT network systems. Each tower provides state-of-the-art office accommodation with impressive double height entrance lobby, high speed passenger lifts and balconies on every floor.

Shopping Mall
Already reputed to be the most exclusive shopping complex in Bahrain, the existing mall will be extended to provide around 150 luxury brand outlets, exquisite café and restaurant areas and a spectacular glass domed garden court for relaxing after a hard day’s shopping.

Other Facilities
The Bahrain World Trade Center will provide a fully integrated corporate and leisure experience with business, shopping and dining facilities. Visitors will be able to share the multitude of on-site facilities including a refurbished five-star Sheraton Hotel, Fitness Club, crèche and more, located throughout the finished development. With unique vision and thriving business and social culture, the Bahrain World Trade Center offers a world-class destination and an array of business and leisure facilities for companies, visitors and residents from around the globe.

ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION
Atkins was appointed to provide all master planning architecture and structural and MEP engineering design services for the Bahrain World Trade Center site, located on the main King Faisal Highway in Manama, Bahrain. More than half its area was previously developed, and comprised the Sheraton Bahrain Hotel, an associated single-storey luxury shopping mall, an office tower, car parking facilities, services and landscaped areas. They developed the master plan for the extended development that rejuvenates the existing mall and hotel and provides additional 50 storey twin office towers with unobstructed views over the Arabian Gulf, a new shopping mall with anchor tenant and several food outlets. The focal point of the development is the twin triangular shaped towers which sit above a sculpted three-story podium. Tapering to a height of 240m, each tower is visually anchored to the ground by a concertina of curved, sail-like forms, and provides 34 floors of office space and an exclusive viewing deck on the 42nd floor.

Unique to this building and rising to the challenge of incorporating renewable energy solutions within sustainable architecture, the Bahrain World Trade Center design includes three 29m diameter wind turbines horizontally supported on bridges. The turbines are expected to produce between 11 and 15 percent of the total electrical consumption of the towers. Bahrain World Trade Center Bahrain World Trade Center Bahrain World Trade Center Bahrain World Trade Center Many months of research, including extensive dialogue with turbine manufacturers, was conducted through the feasibility concept and design development stages of the project. Technical validation included computational fluid dynamics modeling, wind tunnel testing, vibration and acoustic assessments, electrical integration analysis and SARM analysis. Output from these was incorporated by design teams into an integrated building, bridge and turbine design. Atkins is also responsible for the supervision of construction.

WIND TURBINES (ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES)
The first skyscraper to integrate large-scale wind turbines suspends three 1,200-megawatt units between its matching 787-foot office towers. The turbines, which were completed in April, supply 15 percent of the electricity for the two buildings—roughly the same amount used by 300 homes. Bahrain World Trade Center

To maximize energy output, the tapered towers funnel wind between them, creating a negative pressure zone behind the buildings that draws more air through the gap. This suction effect increases wind speeds by up to 30 percent at each of the 95-foot-long rotors to boost electricity production. It also redirects wind gusts hitting the tower by up to 45 degrees off center so that they hit the turbines at a nearly perpendicular angle for optimal electricity generation.

THE TREVEIA

LOCATION
Treveia is located in Nuvali Central and is part of Brgy. Canlubang, Calamba City, Laguna. It is 4 kilometers from the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay spine road and 5 minutes away from the Abrio project.
Treveia will offer to its residents a 2.5-hectare Central Park featuring the Grand Clubhouse, a 40-meter lap pool, a kiddie pool with an interactive water play area, a reflection pond, basketball court, lounge areas, gardens, sculptural features and a multi-purpose open field for football games, kite flying, town fiestas and other large gatherings. The Grand Clubhouse comes complete with function rooms, fitness gyms, theater and snack bar. A big draw for those who value community interaction and neighborhood relationships are Treveia’s four themed pocket parks that represent different elements of nature: The Rain Garden Park representing water, The Woodland Park for wood, The Hillock Park for earth and The Wind Chime Park for wind.

CLUBHOUSE
Treveia, which stands for the main ideals of the project: urban conveniences, eco-friendliness, and a family-nurturing community, is Alveo Land’s first venture in Nuvali-a sprawling new metropolis seven times the size of Makati CBD to rise in the South. Nuvali is touted to be Ayala Land’s largest integrated regional hub to date that is designed to foster social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Being located at the center of Nuvali and just beside the future site of Xavier School, Treveia allows its residents easy access to the commercial, educational, civic and entertainment centers of the neo-metropolis. Nuvali’s tech-ready environment and infrastructure also assures residents of Treveia of a lifestyle that is fit for the future. Treveia offers these conveniences while still being able to remain faithful to their eco-friendly proposition by incorporating energy efficient and water conserving facilities in its design and construction. Technology such as double-piping and active stormwater management systems allows the re-use of water for irrigation, thus enabling the development to maximize its resources with minimal impact to the environment.

Ushering future residents home via its 40-meter grand entrance that boasts of double-tree lined roadways and special paving, the entire subdivision will be connected by tree-lined bike paths and pedestrian gardens. By providing pleasant tree-shaded walks and safe biking conditions such as bike racks for parking, residents will be encouraged to walk and use alternative means of transportation that will promote Treveia’s vision of an eco-friendly and energy efficient community. Designed also to foster and strengthen family as well as community relationships, Treveia will offer to its residents a 2.5-hectare Central Park featuring the Grand Clubhouse, a 40-meter lap pool, a kiddie pool with an interactive water play area, a reflection pond, basketball court, lounge areas, gardens, sculptural features and a multi-purpose open field for football games, kite flying, town fiestas and other large gatherings. The Grand Clubhouse comes complete with function rooms, fitness gyms, theater and snack bar. A big draw for those who value community interaction and neighborhood relationships are Treveia’s four themed pocket parks that represent different elements of nature: The Rain Garden Park representing water, The Woodland Park for wood, The Hillock Park for earth and The Wind Chime Park for wind.

Sustainability Elements

Energy Efficiency
•Clubhouse design incorporating natural lighting, natural ventilation and passive cooling. •Walkable community – all homes are within 200 meters from a park. Walks are pleasant and shaded, roadside walkways are tree-lined and parks are lush with trees. •Alternative transport is encouraged – dedicated bike paths, bike storage in parks and key areas, access to mass-transport system within Nuvali. Water Reuse and Stormwater Management

•Bioswales and permeable pavings allow stormwater to seep into the ground, recharging the water table. •Stormwater management system to channel stormwater runoff into water detention ponds, serving not only as aesthetic features but as water supply for irrigation and fire safety. Also minimized stormwater run-off that causes floods. •Double-piping system supplying non-potable recycled water to the homes and amenities for irrigation and flushing of toilets.

Environmental Programs
•Use of energy-efficient fixtures and appliances in the clubhouse
•Use of water-efficient fixtures (faucets and urinals) in the clubhouse
•The proven waste management system by APMC
•Partnering with suppliers of energy-efficient fixtures and appliances
•Interpretative panels that educate, explaining the sustainability elements in and around the community
•Educational programs

GREEN
ARCHITECURE

BANK OF AMERICA TOWER

LOCATION
CityNew York City
StateNew York
CountryU.S.A.

Technical Data
Height (tip)365.76 m
Height (architectural)365.76 m
Height (roof)290.66 m
Floors (above ground)58
Construction start2004
Construction end2009

Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park is a 1,200 ft (366 m) skyscraper in the Midtown district of Manhattan in New York City, in the United States. It is located on Sixth Avenue, between 42nd and 43rd Street, opposite Bryant Park. The US$1 billion project was designed by Cook+Fox Architects to be one of the most efficient and ecologically friendly buildings in the world. It is the second tallest building in New York City, after the Empire State Building, and the fourth tallest building in the United States. Construction was completed in 2009.

ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS
The tower’s architectural spire is 255.5 ft (77.9 m) tall and was placed on December 15, 2007. The building is 55 stories high and contains 2,100,000 square feet (195,096 m2) of office space, three escalators and a total of 51 elevators manufactured by Schindler Group – 50 to serve the offices and one leading to the transit mezzanine below ground. Several buildings were demolished to make way for the tower. Among them was the Hotel Diplomat, a 13-story structure which occupied the site at 108 West 43rd Street since 1911, and Henry Miller’s Theatre, which was rebuilt and reopened under its previous location.

ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES
The design of the building makes it environmentally friendly, using technologies such as floor-to-ceiling insulating glass to contain heat and maximize natural light, and an automatic daylight dimming system. The tower also features a greywater system, which captures rainwater for reuse. Bank of America states that the building is made largely of recycled and recyclable materials. Air entering the building is filtered, as is common, but the air exhausted is cleaned as well. Bank of America Tower is the first skyscraper designed to attain a Platinum LEED Certification. The Bank of America Tower under construction in October 2007. The Bank of America tower is constructed using a concrete manufactured with slag, a byproduct of blast furnaces.

The mixture used in the tower concrete is 55% cement and 45% slag. The use of slag cement reduces damage to the environment by decreasing the amount of cement needed for the building, which in turn lowers the amount of carbon dioxide greenhouse gas produced through the normal cement manufacturing process. Each ton of regular cement produced creates about one ton of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Temperature control and the production of some of its energy are accomplished in an environmentally friendly manner for the tower. Insulating glass reduces thermal loss, lowering energy consumption and increasing transparency. Carbon dioxide sensors signal increased fresh air ventilation when elevated levels of carbon dioxide are detected in the building. The Bank of America Tower Exterior Lobby/Subway View

Conditioned air for the occupants is provided by multiple air column units located in the tenant space that deliver 62 degree air into a raised access floor plenum. This underfloor air system provides users with the ability to control their own space temperature as well as improving the ventilation effectiveness. When building churn occurs, workstation moves can be performed easier with lower cost and less product waste. The cooling system produces and stores ice during off-peak hours, and allows the ice to melt to help cool the building during peak load, similar to the ice batteries in the 1995 Hotel New Otani in Tokyo, Japan. Ice batteries have been used since absorption chillers first made ice commercially available 150 years ago, before the invention of the electric light bulb. Water conservation features in the tower include waterless urinals, which are estimated to save 8,000,000 USgal (30,000,000 l) of water per year and reduce CO2 emissions by 144,000 lb (65,000 kg) per year (as calculated with the Pacific Institute water-to-air model).[14] The tower has a 4.6-megawatt cogeneration plant, which provides part of the base-load energy requirements. Onsite power generation reduces the significant electrical transmission losses that are typical of central power production plants. In June 2008, the New York Academy of Sciences launched a podcast which highlights these green features.

THE TREVEIA, GREEN HOME
LOCATION
Treveia is located in Nuvali Central and is part of Brgy. Canlubang, Calamba City, Laguna. It is 4 kilometers from the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay spine road and 5 minutes away from the Abrio project. This Green Home was conceptualized to merge sustainability with cutting edge architectural design. We thought of creating a design that is simple with modernist character and looks like a regular house that could outperform the typical Filipino home in energy performance and that would take advantage of our climate and its natural elements . At the same time improve the living condition of the occupants. Our core green design includes taking advantage of the wind, water and solar energy.

ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES:

Wind
* Orientation of the house and use of fin walls that act as wind scoop to catch the prevailing winds and direct the air flow towards the house. * We maximize the use jalousie windows and louvers for effective natural ventilation.

Water
* We have rainwater collection for flushing toilets
* Storm water management by using grey water for irrigation.

Solar Energy
* Solar energy harvesting by providing solar panels for air-conditioning and lighting. * Optimizing daylighting and connection to outdoors thru corner windows and daylight harvesting by using solar tube skylight.

CONCLUSION
In the Bahrain World trade Center the three wind turbines are expected to provide around 10-15% of the power for both towers, representing about 3.5% of the total cost of the project. By these they were able to be ace-friendly and very efficient to the users and to the environment.

In the Bank of America Tower’s design of the building makes it environmentally friendly, using technologies such as floor-to-ceiling insulating glass to contain heat and maximize natural light, and an automatic daylight dimming system. The tower also features a greywater system, which captures rainwater for reuse. Bank of America states that the building is made largely of recycled and recyclable materials.[9] Air entering the building is filtered, as is common, but the air exhausted is cleaned as well.

While the Treveia, also, is very eco-friendly to the user and to the environment. Nowadays, the UAP (United Architecture of the Philippines) are doing a movement in sustainable architecture and green architecture and this village (Treveia) is a very good example in sustainable architecture. It is more efficient to the user and it does not harm the environment.

The buildings that I have researched are very good examples of green architecture and so as sustainable architecture. They do not harm any environmental species and it is very safe for the users.

REFERENCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY

* http://www.e-architect.co.uk/bahrain/bahrain_world_trade_centre.htm * http://www.bahrainedb.com/bahrain-wtc.aspx
* http://www.popsci.com/bown/2008/product/bahrain-world-trade-center *
http://www.treehugger.com/renewable-energy/worlds-first-building-integrated-wind-turbines.html’ * http://www.emporis.com/building/bankofamericatower-newyorkcity-ny-usa * http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=3197

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank_of_America_Tower_%28New_York_City%29 * http://mynuvalihome.com/2011/05/treveias-green-home/
* http://www.cachoconstructions.com/project-green-home-treveia-nuvali/ * http://www.alveoland.com.ph/Treveia.php