Principles of
Sustainable Built Environment
Mohammed Amir Amin 2nd Year Architecture Portfolio
Contents: -Task 1
Sustainablility Essay
-Task 2
Case Study Presentation
-Tast 3
Pomona Masterplan
Task 1- Sustainablility Essay This essay will be discussing critical concepts that help inform design for climate change, social inclusion and sustainability. Due to the increase in human population and the growing development of the world, issues like climate change are becoming an even greater challenge. Famous architects of the past like Frank Llyond Wright and Le Cobuiser have favoured transformative pieces of architecture instead of creating architecture that can offer some sustainable improvements to existing cities (Rapoport, 2014). Therefore, architects today have a major responsibility in ensuring that they are equipped with sufficient understanding to design for clients that take into account the wider implications of their work on the environment within a local and to an extent global context. As such architecture should aim to become sustainable, not just to meet building regulations and requirements but to achieve better long term effects from a social, economic and environmental point of view (Architects Registration Board).
The concept of sustainable development was developed during the modern times and gained popularity in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. When concerns about the limited economic growth, increase in pollution and decline in resources became widespread and critiques about the increase in industry during the post-war period and more recently became widely known to the public in 1980. During which the world conservation strategy was published by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), although this strategy was limited in its scope as it had mainly focused on the conservation of living resources instead of discussing socio-economic issues as part of sustainability (Baker. 2015).
Creating sustainable development projects of urban areas was difficult because of the lack of experimenting with ideas because of the amount of people that would be affected and as such proposals to create a standard model should be introduced being known as standard deviation. Theories of urbanism beginning with the idea of equilibrium introduced by Ebenezer Howard (1850-1928) create garden cities. These garden cities were considered separate communities that relied on a central city or core, these would mean that each city would rely on each other and create communication and connections between rural and urban areas (Tizot, 2018). Howard used a magnet diagram (fig 1) which displayed positive and negative traits of both the rural and urban spaces to create a utopia that combines and creates a balance between aspects including; 1. Greenspaces and urbanism, 2. Jobs and housing, 3. Public and private transport, 5. Food production and consumption, 6. Recreational and cultural facilities and the newer model also includes energy and water efficiency. However, this idea of urbanism is currently ineffective due to excessive housing sprawl and decisions that should be in the interest of maintaining the greenbelt is being taken by those in power to further their own interests (Johansson, 2012). Figure 1. Magnet diagram
Another idea is introduced known as ‘differentiation’ which features a triangle diagram (fig 2) which places urbanism at the top/centre and as you move to the bottom/outwards more greener spaces occur explaining where different activities take place at each stage. This can help link and describe correlation between demographics, as an example younger people living in the urban centre and moving more outwards as they begin to settle down. Although, in Howard’s garden city it would feature a range of demographics and this diagram can be seen as out of date as successional urbansim can change with time meaning it is impossible to begin with an ideal city because it will evolve, an example of this would be London in the 1800s to today. The masterkey diagram (fig 3) explains how different issues are being taken at different levels, in which most of the issues are being taken at the wrong level of subsidiaries. An example can be the construction of a school, with the neighbours of the site being asked for approval to build and in this scenario would decline because of the increased traffic and noise. This ‘not in my backyard’ attitude would lead to the school being built elsewhere far, meaning children may have to be dropped off and picked up by parents increasing pollution and unnecessary use of private transportation. This situation leads to an overall negative placement and the decision should have instead been taken by the community as a whole instead of a singular party (Gillette, 2011).
Each of Howards diagrams shows the who, what, where and when of the development and decision making process in creating garden cities and a debate of which approach to urbanism is more successful. Either topdown such as the urban development of New Delhi, India or bottom-up such as Finhorn, Scotland. Both of these approaches to the cities are considered examples of garden cities but each have different variables applied. Present issues, such as climate change and global warming are too wide to be controlled at a local level but they can be adapted to, this puts more emphasis on housing to be improved in the new town-county theory. The induction of urban neighborhoods which incorporate the greenbelt in the centre or edge and new technology services like online shopping have made garden cities easier to implement (Lydon, Mike, Garcia, Anthony, & Duany, Andres, 2015). Figure 2. Triangle diagram, Howard (1898)
Sustainable urban development can be defined as a walkable transit-served urbanism integrated with high performing infrastructure (Farr, 2011). A measurement often used is LEED certification (Leadership in energy and environmental design) which began in the US in 1998 but has spread globally and gained credit for bringing greener infrastructure to the US mainstream. It's a certification which rates buildings from certified, silver, gold and platinum with a goal of making buildings more environmentally conscious in their design in terms of emissions, use of water, recycled materials and improving air quality (Suzer, 2015)(fig 4). On the other hand is BREEAM, which is a UK based method of assessment for projects and refurbishments for sustainability. Beginning in 1990, but has spread globally it assesses environmental, social and economic sustainable performance throughout the building's lifecycle (fig 5). Differences between the two begin with methods of assessment as LEED often has more stricter requirements, it offers additional points for incorporating greener architectural features like green-roofs whereas BREEAM can be seen as more flexible with simpler requirements for a minimum rating. However, debates around both of these methods of assessment and if they are still relevant to today's understanding of sustainable development have brought up issues such as if the buildings rated are actually saving energy (HPBS, 2020). More focus on the long-term implications of the projects on the community need to be addressed more prominently, commonly in LEED certified buildings is green-roofs and this idea that green-washing buildings are energy efficient building can be attributed to the LEED certifications and criticisms of it’s ‘tick-box’ method of assessment (Barth, 2018). Therefore, these methods of assessment need to take into account the importance of the circular economy, community and assessing projects' impact on the future in regards to carbon both operational and embodied being taken into account. Figure 3. Masterkey diagram, Howard (1898)
Architects' role in sustainable development is clearly outlined by the ARB sustainability statement as they are required to address issues with climate change through the creation of long-lasting, sustainable architecture. The UN notes that since 2007 half of the world's population are living in cities and is increasing to predictions of sixty percent by 2030 (United Nations). This means that because the world is becoming more urbanised and populated, sustainable designs solutions are becoming more important to implement in order to reduce the growing number of slums, inadequate services such as waste management and pollution because of the growing number of individual transportation being used in the home. As communities grow, it’s important to incorporate as many aspects in regards to economic development, sustainability and social inclusion in order to create architecture that is exemplary for the future. For example, architects are able to design buildings with the idea of passive design (fig 6), making use of natural daylighting to repurpose solar energy and reduce the need to extra heating or cooling systems. This being able to keep designs low/zero carbon whilst also saving money by using natural sources of energy and increasing the quality of life of the occupiers by having access to natural lighting. This shows designs created by architects can achieve more than one goal or policy in regards to sustainability and are able to follow in its principles for better economic, environmental or social benefits (Li, Shenghan, & Liu, Lei. 2019).
Figure 4. LEED credit categories, LEED (2020)
Figure 5. BREEAM categories, Oldenburgerfritom (2021)
Figure 6. Passive design sketch
Additionally, achieving sustainability does not only mean creating more green-friendly architecture but achieving better social value. According to Social Value UK, social value is a quantification of importance that people place on changes that they experience in life (Social Value UK). Applying this into the context of architecture is fundamental to creating sustainable architecture and communities because it means involving the stakeholders in the development process and understanding the importance of the different needs that each stakeholder would want. Furthermore, teamwork and communication between architects, project managers and occupants is crucial in creating and implementing an effective net zero carbon strategy. However, the difficulties in implementing a zero net carbon strategy and achieving better social value are to do with each stakeholders differences in goals. This is because net zero carbon strategies are based in-use rather than one that is modelled and lessening the performance gap between buildings accountability needs to be taken. Although it’s possible the price of incorporating net zero carbon strategies will be costly which stakeholders may be concerned with (Riggall, 2020). The importance of social value and inclusion when designing structures should be clear to architects. The buildings that architects design create social value to the surrounding community, as spaces that people would appreciate and feel adds to their quality of life adds to the buildings longevity. The users' different requirements also serve as trade offs with each other and because of this architects need to be critical when designing species with multiple users as not all aspects will be implemented (Clark, 2019).
The UN sustainable development goals are categorised into four overarching issues by the Royal Institute of British Architects being human rights, labour laws, the environment and anti-corruption and bribery. In order to achieve environmental sustainability, architects can explore and develop a range of different sustainable design solutions at each stage of the project, whilst looking for alternatives to provide a more sustainable design which takes into account the needs and requirements of the local community. Assisting local community groups on their sustainable projects as well as locally sourcing materials and providing employment. Those vulnerable groups who wouldn’t be able to afford funding or the resources for their sustainable projects instead can achieve them and the local economy can benefit from the employment and business opportunities. Therefore, increasing positive community interactions and further introducing sustainable projects. (Rowlands, Kenzie, 2017) Raising awareness is also important to achieving sustainability as architects are able to enter awards and competitions for sustainable design solutions and projects with the goal of introducing and encouraging the growth of sustainably designed architecture. This would increase the amount of sustainable architecture seen in projects. The BREEAM standard assessment for sustainable buildings is based on how well different projects are at addressing issues and aims in regards to; energy, health and wellbeing, innovation, land use, materials, management, pollution, transport, waste and water. Within these different categories, they each have their own credits and an overall score is given for how many targets are reached (BREEAM, 2021). However, critics have questioned weather this scoring system is outdated and how can each of these categories in which sustainability is assessed be done to a range of different use of buildings as well as issues regarding the format of assessment being simply tasks for each project to complete, instead of being sustainable as an example for the future (Armstrong, 2018). Globally, policies like the Paris Agreement also known as COP21 in 2015, which 195 nations including the UK have brought reducing climate changes impact to the forefront of global issues and a goal of reducing the climate change increase to less than 2 degrees was decided (Robbins, 2016). However, the issue within the architecture practice of how prepared current architects and firms are to meet these targets. It’s now important to address the leadership gap for architects and encourage greater movement to sustainably planned architecture (O’Connell, 2016). Social sustainability and inclusion is greatly influenced by the way architects design spaces. This is because altering an environment leads to changes in the behaviour and perception of the people and spaces being used. For example, Piccadilly Gardens was revamped to feature work created by architect Tadao Ando as a plan for redevelopement after the 1996 IRA bombings but this work was demolished in 2020. That area of Manchester had for years been considered an ‘eye-sore’ for people and fuels the city's drug users, even changing the landscaping to provide greater greenspaces did not stop the negative perception of the area as unsafe and dangerous (fig 7). This suggests that sustainable development cannot predict how spaces will be used by what users as in context the clean, minimalist lines of Andos wall structure served as perfect shelter for drug users (The Guardian, 2020). Defensible space theory by Oscar Newman (1972) (fig 8) argues that the physical features of public spaces around the home will encourage residents to take on responsibility by creating a sense of community in the area, this means that residents will likely intervene when a crime takes place in the community (Reynald, Danielle M, & Elffers, Henk. 2009). Therefore, they way architects design, plan and create security play a part in the way communities and areas are perceived and used. When planning sustainable communities it's important to address the politics that's involved. This means that physical features add to positive social value to an area such as schools, access routes and attractive public facilities are often placed in richer, wealthier areas that have the ability to generate income instead of areas which need the regeneration and rebranding. Whereas, landfills and other features which bring negative value to an area will be placed in the less affluent areas. Therefore, urban planning and development can have negative and positive implications in an area which can affect the social coercion and value of that space. As architects, it's important to understand the wider community and the impact the spaces we design have (Dempsey, Nicola, Bramley, Glen, Power, Sinéad, & Brown, Caroline, 2011).
Figure 7. Piccadilly Gardens Wall Graffiti, Ardfern (2020)
Figure 8. Dedensible space illustration
To conclude, the importance of sustainability should become a first priority when designing for architects because it is the only way forward to deal with local and global issues in the built environment. Therefore, architecture should not only aim to meet the goals of the present but also serve to meet the needs of the future.
Bibliography: Architects Registration Board (ARB) https://arb.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Strategic-Statement-Climate-Change-and-Sustainability.pdf?dm_t=0,0,0,0,0 Armstrong B, 2018 https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/building-control-news/is-the-sustainability-assessment-method-breeam-still-relevant/38886/ Baker S. (2015). Sustainable Development (Routledge Introductions to Environment: Environment and Society Texts). Taylor and Francis. Barth B, 2018 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-05/reconsidering-leed-buildings-in-the-era-of-climate-change BREEAM, accessed 2021 https://www.breeam.com/discover/how-breeam-certification-works/ Clark G, 2019 RIBA Sustainable Outcomes Guide https://www.architecture.com/-/media/GatherContent/Test-resources-page/Additional-Documents/RIBASustainableOutcomesGuide2019pdf.pdf Dempsey, Nicola, Bramley, Glen, Power, Sinéad, & Brown, Caroline. (2011). The social dimension of sustainable development: Defining urban social sustainability. Sustainable Development (Bradford, West Yorkshire, England), 19(5), 289-300. Farr, D. (2011). Sustainable urbanism (A Wiley book on sustainable design). Hoboken: Wiley Gillette, J. (2011). Civitas by Design : Building Better Communities, from the Garden City to the New Urbanism. HPBS, 2020 https://hpb-s.com/en/en_insights/leed-vs-breeam-2/ Johansson M. (2012). Place Branding and the Imaginary. Urban Studies (Edinburgh, Scotland), 49(16), 3611-3626. Li, Shenghan, & Liu, Lei. (2019). Social Benefit Evaluation of Passive Design of Green Buildings. E3S Web of Conferences, 118, 3047. Lydon, Mike, Garcia, Anthony, & Duany, Andres. (2015). Tactical Urbanism. Washington, DC: Island Press. Manchester prepares for fall of its 'Berlin Wall'; Tadao Ando's modernist work in Piccadilly Gardens has divided opinion since 2002. (2020). The Guardian (London), pp. The Guardian (London), 2020-11-16. O’Connell K, 2016 https://www.architectmagazine.com/aia-architect/aiafeature/after-cop21-where-we-go-from-here_o Rapoport E, (2014). Utopian Visions and Real Estate Dreams: The Eco-city Past, Present and Future. Geography Compass, 8(2), 137-149. Reynald, Danielle M, & Elffers, Henk. (2009). The Future of Newman’s Defensible Space Theory. European Journal of Criminology, 6(1), 25-46. Riggall. J, 2020 https://www.stantec.com/uk/ideas/the-challenges-to-making-zero-carbon-a-reality-in-new-housing-developments Robbins, A (2016). How to understand the results of the climate change summit: Conference of Parties21 (COP21) Paris 2015. Journal of Public Health Policy, 37(2), 129-132.
Bibliography: Rowlands C & Kenzie S (2017) RIBA Sustainable Development Goals in Practice https://www.architecture.com/-/media/GatherContent/UN-Sustainable-Development-Goals-in-Practice/Additional-Documents/UNSustainableDevelopmentGoalsinPracticepdf.pdf Social Value UK https://www.socialvalueuk.org/what-is-social-value/ Suzer O. (2015). A comparative review of environmental concern prioritization: LEED vs other major certification systems. Journal of Environmental Management, 154, 266-283. Tizot, J. (2018). Ebenezer Howard’s Garden City Idea and the Ideology of Industrialism. Cahiers Victoriens & édouardiens,87(87 Printemps), 1-20. United Nations Sustainable Goals 2030 https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/cities/
Image source list: Figure 1. Magnet diagram Gardenvisit 2021 https://www.gardenvisit.com/landscape_architecture/urban_design/garden_city_landscape_urbanism_howard Figure 2. Triangle diagram Howard E To-morrow: A Peaceful Path to Real Reform, London: Swan Sonnenschein & Co., Ltd., 1898. Figure 3. Masterkey diagram Howard E To-morrow: A Peaceful Path to Real Reform, London: Swan Sonnenschein & Co., Ltd., 1898. Figure 4. LEED credit categories LEED (2020) https://www.igbc.ie/certification/leed/ Figure 5. BREEAM categories Oldenburgerfritom (2021) https://www.oldenburgerfritom.nl/en/logistic-solutions/warehousing/breeam Figure 6. Passive design ideas Drawing by author Figure 7. Piccadilly Gardens Wall Graffiti Ardfern (2020) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Piccadilly_Gardens,_Manchester,_October_2020_(05).jpg Figure 8. Defensible space illustration Drawing by author
Task 2- Case Study Presentation Location: Bristol, UK Year: 2007
Architect: HTA Design
CASE STUDY: HANHAM HALL HOUSING PROJECT Principles of Sustainable Built Environment Mohammed Amir Amin 2nd Year Architecture
Task 3- Pamona Masterplan Site Analysis:
Site vistas
Photographic collages
Landscaping around site
Main routes around site
Sunpath Diagram
Connectivity
Between MediaCity Salford and Manchester
1900s Site Map
Pomona Island was historically used as an escape from the city centre as the island had been used for leisurly activies and complete with multiple gardens. It was even branded as the ‘Countryside without the need for a train journey’
Brown B (2020) https://www.manchestersfinest.com/articles/pomona-island-from-a-palace-to-a-nightclub-on-a-ship-and-now-forgotten/
Development of ideas Zone 4
-Presevation of the environment area -Unappealing in vistas, unlikely to be used for social activity -> Create and promote social interations -New allotments, gardens and parks to create a balance between urbanism and nature -Include cycle tracks to incourages communication and healthy lifestyles
Zone 3
-Commercial hub for increase tourism -Variety of shops, businesses and resturants -Increase investment and create new employment for the area -Easily accessable from both sides of Pomona Island via train or car -Create limited on-street parking spaces to encourage walkabity between buildings
Zone 2
-Residential area with aparments -Ideally for students and young adults because of close proximety to MediaCity -Create a safe space for residents, whilst incoperating aspects of the natural environment
Zone 1
-Main enterence to site and way of transport -Creating a welcoming and friendly environment -Extend current Pomona station -Include limited residential parking which is both safe and secure
Aims and Goals for the Masterplan
Stratagies for reducing Embodied Carbon-Use of low energy/carbon materials Example: Timber instead of Steel
-Simply designs to minimise material use Effect: Avoids waste and unnessary cost for materials
-Effective schemes implemented to save energy Example: Solar pannels
-Follow regulations and environmental policies Effect: Reduces the impact of design on climate on local level
-Local sourcing of materials Effect: Helps reduce transportation emissions and boost local economy
-Recycle, reduce and reuse created waste Effect: Maintains and manages waster produced in construction
-Adaptability of buildings for reuse in the future
Effect: Helps with the longevity of a buildings lifespan in regards to materials and usage
Concepts for Masterplan - Placemaking Development The importance of maintaining and improving greenspace is key to developing the island not only to become visually more eco-centred but by reflecting upon Pomona’s history of attractive garden spaces. Although some commercial sections of the island will be developed on, these areas will be minimal and affordable to local businesses to set up which will help create investment and employment within the community. Residents in the area would also be able to engage with nature through cycle tracks, gardens and allotments throughout the island, which not only promotes healthy sustainable food production but also healthy living. Therefore making sure that majority of the island remains true to its history, the rest will serve as a catalyst for community interactions and engagement and in both the development of the ‘greenspine’ along the canal is crucial to a successful masterplan and branding.
- Transit Oriented Design Due to the location of Pomona being between Manchester and Mediacity, Salford. Both being major economic hubs and with high urban density. It is important that the current station of Pomona is expanded on and more networks are established to other areas in Greater Manchester to improve tourism into the area. This will be because of the idea of Pomona being an escape from the busy city to nature as it was once was.
Zone 4
Zone 3
Zone 1 & 2
Final concept sketch
Concept Masterplan
Natural Landscaping and Gardens Commercial Areas
Visualisations
Commercial + Recreational Use
Residential Area Transit Stop Main enterence onto site
Pedestrian pathways Cycling tracks
Trainline
Roads
Streetscape Section Solar pannels
Public transport
Residential Apartments
Cycle Pathway Roads
Underground Parking for security
Rainwater Harvesting for irrigation + appliance usage
Garden landscaping
Walkable Spaces + Leisure Activies
ALL IMAGES USED IN TASK 3 WERE CREATED, EDITED OR DRAWN BY AUTHOR