Unit 1
Sustainability in the built environment: sustainable development relative to ecological, economic and social conditions – efforts in sustainable development and construction – international organisations involved. Ethics and sustainability: environmental and resource concerns – resource consumption by construction industry – Green building movement. Ecological design – concept – major contributions. Building assessment and eco labels – standards (LEED, GRIHA) – assessment structure and process. Green building design process – documentation requirements.
Unit 2
Sustainable site and landscape – storm water management, heat island mitigation – assessment of sustainable sites. Building energy issues – building energy design strategy – building envelope – internal load reduction – energy optimisation – renewable energy systems. Reducing carbon footprint. Built environment hydrologic cycle – water resources issues – strategies for conservation and recycling – waste water and storm water handling strategies. Materials resources – Life cycle assessment – embodied energy – Green building materials and products – assessing for environmental impacts – design for deconstruction – LEED credits for different aspects.
