A comprehensive approach to design that integrates sustainable principles and design strategies for decarbonized construction
Representing an international collaboration between academics and architects in the United States and Europe, Carbon: A Field Manual for Designers and Builders offers professionals in the field an approach to sustainable design that embraces building science principles, life-cycle analysis, and design strategies in carbon neutral construction. The book also contains background information on carbon in construction materials and in the building design process.
This book is filled with illustrative diagrams and drawings that help evaluate the potential impact of design decisions for creating carbon emissions. Written by and for designers and builders, the book includes a compelling pair of case studies that explore carbon-reducing strategies, suggests steps for assessing a building's carbon footprint, and reviews carbon storages and circulation of materials. The guidelines detailed in the book can be adopted, replicated, and deployed to reduce carbon emissions and create more sustainable buildings. This important book:
- Offers an effective approach to sustainable design in construction
- Integrates building science principles, life-cycle analysis, and design strategies in carbon neutral construction
- Describes a methodology for quantifying the flow of carbon in the built environment
- Provides an analysis of carbon-reducing strategies based on a case study of a building designed by the authors
Written for practicing professionals in architecture and construction, Carbon: A Field Guide for Designers and Builders is a must-have resource for professionals who are dedicated to creating sustainable projects.
Table of Contents
Preface viii
Chapter 1 Carbon? 2
Our Carbon Challenge 6
Building Elements 6
King Carbon 7
A Global Carbon Budget 9
The Carbon Cycle in Building History 10
Carbon Flows in Building 12
Staunching the Flow 14
Time Management in Carbon Mitigation 17
Re-balancing the Planet: Agency and Opportunity 18
About This Book: An Overview 19
Chapter 2 Measuring Carbon Flows 22
Life Cycle Assessment: What’s in It for Building Designers? 25
The Fundamental Concepts 27
The Process of Life Cycle Assessment 37
The Production Stage 46
The Construction Stage 53
The Use Stage 61
Service Life 66
End-of-Life Stage 74
Results, Interpretation, and Comparison 81
The Streamlined Life Cycle Assessment for Buildings 83
Chapter 3 Case Studies in Decarbonization 86
Notes from the Field 89
How Were the Calculations Per formed? 90
Case Study 1 Common Ground High School 92
Architectural Objectives (by Gray Organschi Architecture) 93
Common Ground High School: Key Figures 100
Materials 100
Site and Ground Works 104
Foundations and Ground Floor 106
Structural Frame 108
Façades and External Decks 110
Roofs 112
Internal Dividers 114
Space Surfaces 116
Internal Fixtures 118
Building System Installations 120
Mitigation Potential from Materials and Systems 130
Energy-Related Emissions 131
Case Study 2: Puukuokka Housing Block 135
Architectural Objectives (by OOPEAA Office for Peripheral Architecture) 137
Puukuokka One: Key Figures 142
Site and Ground Works 146
Foundations and Ground Floor 148
Modular Units 150
Hallway 152
Façades 154
Roofs 156
Building Service Installations 158
Mitigation Potential from Materials and Systems 168
Energy 168
Comparison of the Case Studies 172
Comparison of the Emissions 176
Chapter 4 De-carbonizing Design 180
A Context of Externalities: Pre conditions of the Decarbonized Design Process 185
The Decarbonized Design Process 188
Phases of Decarbonized Building Design 190
The Pre-Design or Project Preparation Phase: Laying the Groundwork for Decarbonized Building Design 190
Selecting a Low-Carbon Site 192
Programming a Low-Carbon Building 195
Anticipating the Lifespan of a Building 196
The Conceptual or Schematic Design Phase 197
The Design Development Phase 201
Material Classes and Their Carbon Consequences 203
The Decarbonized Building Assembly 208
The Later Design Phases: Contract Documentation, Bidding and Negotiation, and Construction Administration 212
Principles of Decarbonized Design 213
Understanding Design Agency: Shifting Roles and Responsibilities 218
Chapter 5 Re-Forming the Anthropocene 220
Beyond Sustainable 223
Thinking Outside the Building’s Life Cycle 224
Re-forming the Anthropocene 231
The Anthropocene Re-formed 240
Acknowledgments 243
Glossary 244
References 248
Index 252
