Course: Climate Responsive Design (3672) Semester: Spring, 2020

ASSIGNMENT - 2

STUDENT NAME: ADEEL HAIDER RAZI

ROLL NO. CA565459

Q.1 Compare the salient features of both case studies with respect to climate friendly
design strategies.

1. Salient features of Ar. Shakeel Qureshi House:

70% of heat comes from rooftop, and 30 % of heat comes from boundary walls, ducts are made
under the ground for maintaining home cold in summers, in the sides of stirs the water falls
were made and that water was going through the ducts and the windows were made in rooms
that come from ducts. If the water goes through the ducts that produce coldness and cool air
will pass through the windows that were in rooms, instead of using colors paints , he used
bricks that were pores material, and pores is always active, because of pores material the cost
of construction is reduced. The outer layer of doors was made up of wooden shaped. 80% of
area of home was green.

In the meantime, here are nine key features found in most energy efficient homes:

1. Home insulation: Want a quieter, more comfortable home? Home insulation will help you
get just that. It will also reduce your heating and cooling energy costs.

2. Window replacement: Double pane, low emissivity (low-e) windows can also reduce
outside noise, drafts and heating and cooling costs.

3. Solar thermal: These systems harness the power of the sun to both heat water and the home.
Air sealing: Reduces drafts, saves energy costs, and keeps must, Mold and Allergens out.

4. Solar electric panels: Converting sunlight into electricity reduces the Collective
dependence on fossil fuel. Solar can immediately lower your Energy costs and protect from
rising electricity rates.

5. Energy efficient lighting: Replacing incandescent bulbs with more energy efficient CFLs
and LED lighting can reduce energy use in homes by 50-75%.

CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN 1

6. Duct sealing: If your furnace turns on and off, or if you have some rooms that are too hot or
too cold these are telltale signs that your ducts may be leaking. (The average home duct system
leaks 30% or more.) Properly sealing the ducts increases energy use by efficiently directing
the air inside your home.

7. Energy Star appliances: New Energy Star model appliances (washer, dryer and
refrigerator) can reduce the amount of energy use by half, compared to Models that are
over 10 years old.

8. Efficiency water heaters. Reduce your monthly water heating bills by selecting a high
efficiency or a tankless water heater.

2. Salient features of Ar. Ayesha Noorani House:

The home that was under observation for case study by Ayesha Noorani was her daughter’s
house and that home was under construction. Instead of using cement she used;

➢ Calcium Hydroxide
➢ Calcium Carbonate

Calcium hydroxide was mixed with hydronic lime simply known as kasoori chuna. Mr. Talib
Husain was mixing the material. And she can’t cover the bricks with cement. She used the
materials to cover the bricks. Hydrolic lime is a different from other materials. Lime plaster
was used to cover the bricks. Instead of using cement she used lime, lime is most important
material, it can be reused and recycled, and the walls were 20 inches thick World.

In architecture we are so caught up in creating something new, we often forget about what
happens at the end of a building’s life cycle the unfortunate, inevitable demolition. We may
want our buildings to be timeless and live on forever, but the harsh reality is that they do not,
so where is all the waste expected to go.

As with most non-recyclable waste, it ends up in the landfill and, as the land required for
landfill becomes an increasingly scarce resource, we must find an alternative solution. Each
year in the UK alone, 70–105 million tonnes of waste is created from demolishing buildings,
and only 20% of that is biodegradable according to a study by Cardiff University. With clever
design and a better awareness of the biodegradable materials available in construction, it’s up
to us as architects to make the right decisions for the entirety of a building’s lifetime.

CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN 2

Cork is something of a super food of construction materials, so much so that we've written
a whole feature on it. The harvesting of cork is a completely renewable process that causes no
harm to the tree and naturally regrows after ten years. It also boasts many desirable properties
as a fire retardant, acoustic insulator and is extremely waterproof. Its adaptive qualities have
seen it being used both for internal and external purposes.

Perhaps one of the biggest architectural crazes within the last few years,
countless bamboo projects have been shared across the internet thanks to the material's
aesthetic qualities, but more so for its sustainable credentials. If you needed a little reminder
about why it has become so popular, bamboo can grow up to four feet a day, regrows after
harvesting and is two to three times stronger than steel.

Objects made of Finite; a material developed by students from Imperial College London using
desert sand. Recently developed by students Carolyn Tam, Hamza Oza, Matteo Maccario and
Saki Maruyama at the Imperial College London, Finite is a composite material comparable to
concrete that uses abundant desert sand rather than the fine white sand usually used in
construction (and which is now running out). It makes for a biodegradable material that at the
same time is saving the world from the next sustainability crisis. Unlike concrete that can’t
biodegrade, Finite’s organic binders allow it not only to be left to decompose but it can also be
collected and reused for multiple life cycles, reducing material consumption.

Surprisingly, the floor covering is a lot eco-friendlier than it might appear. Not to be confused
with vinyl that contains a synthetic mix of chlorinated petrochemicals, linoleum is made
entirely from natural materials linseed oil, natural resin, ground cork dust, wood flour, and
powdered limestone resulting in a floor choice that is both biodegradable and can be incinerated
to provide a relatively clean source of energy.

As plastic accumulates in our oceans and rivers, it has become imperative that we both reduce
our consumption and find cleaner, biodegradable alternatives. Bio plastics break down much
faster than synthetic plastic at the same rate as paper does and produces biomass. One of the
main ingredients used is a soy-based adhesive that helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions
and the use of the carcinogenic pollutant formaldehyde, while also requiring significantly lower
temperatures during production. Although so far soy bio plastics have been limited to
disposable food containers and bin bags, with more research, there is certainly potential for
biodegradable plastics to be seen in the future of construction.

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As mentioned above, formaldehyde is a controversial material that has raised many questions
over the years regarding its effects on both health and the environment. As MDF’s primary
bonding adhesive uses the chemical, it cannot be recycled and the huge amount of MDF used
in shop displays and furniture ends up in either landfill or the incinerator. To tackle the problem,
new forms of medium density fiber board have been studied by the University of Leicester that
substitute the formaldehyde with a resin derived from potato starch.

It may not be a complete revelation to you, but timber is of course biodegradable and a
renewable material as long as it is sourced sustainably. However, when used in construction,
the timber treatment must be factored in, as much of it can end up as "special waste" that
requires extra treatment before heading to landfill an unnecessary process that can be
prevented.

Following recent projects that have explored the wonders of this curious
material, mycelium has risen in popularity, although its use is so far still limited to temporary
pavilions or installations. Mycelium is the vegetative part of the fungus, made up of hundreds
of interwoven fibers produced by the spores which make it an incredibly strong material when
dried. If combined with farm waste in molds, the fungus culture forms organic bricks that can
be used in construction that afterward decompose and return to the carbon cycle.

Reference:
1. Class Lectures

CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN 4

Q.2 Critically evaluate the following three features of the house designed by Ar. Shakeel
Qureshi:
i. Green Roof
ii. Rainwater harvesting
iii. Underground Tunnel System
1. Introduction

Pakistan is one of the countries with the highest energy consumption for domestic use. Annual
energy consumption by the domestic sector is 45.9 % of the total, while the industrial sector,
consumes about 27.5%. About half of the total energy consumed is used in buildings and/or
heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) and lighting appliances. The energy
consumed for the same purposes in China and UK is 25 to 30 % and 40 %, respectively, even
in extreme weather conditions. Energy deficiency in Pakistan is approximately 5,000 MWe,
which results in worst load-shedding in summers and, lately, even in winters. Building new
energy sources like dams, coal power plants and renewable energy power projects are some
possible solutions, but these are time taking and need at least 2 to 6 years to complete,
depending upon the nature of the project. Fast development of energy-efficient buildings is,
therefore, necessary to deal with exacerbating energy-crisis and related environmental impact
in Pakistan. Innovations in the prevailing building-design will help the country in reducing the
energy burden. These innovations may include improved architectural designs, energy-
efficient building materials, electrical appliances, and implementation of building energy-
efficiency codes.
For given question/assignment a famous architect in Pakistan history selected who did great
work by introducing green building techniques. Some features are given below:
i. Green Roof:
According to the Department of Energy, heating and cooling costs make up 48 percent of our
overall energy use. Unfortunately, much of our warm and cold air is lost due to poor building
insulation. They can improve storm water management by reducing runoff and improving
water quality, conserve energy, mitigate the urban heat island, increase longevity of roofing
membranes, reduce noise and air pollution, sequester carbon, increase urban biodiversity by
providing habitat for wildlife, provide space for urban Results suggest green roofs are currently
not cost effective on a private cost basis, but multifamily and commercial building green
roofs are competitive when social benefits are included. ... However, green roofs are not the
most competitive energy conservation techniques. Roofs that have reflectivity such as white
TPO, PVC and Elastomeric Coatings are the best. Cool roofing is probably the most popular
and effective energy efficient roof for commercial properties in Pakistan. You may save a little
money on your heating and cooling bills, but you'll spend upfront to have the green
roof installed. Extensive roofs require less watering and fertilizing, but they require at least
yearly inspections to remove unwanted self-seeding plants. Usually, green roof setups cost at
least $30 per square foot, while elaborate setups may cost as much as $200 per square foot. For
a specific estimate for your building and city, speak with a home improvement specialist or
professional landscaper. Reintroducing vegetation to urban areas through green roofs is one of

CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN 5

the most promising solutions to mitigate the problem of heat islands. Green roofs absorb less
sunlight than dark roofs, through the process of evapotranspiration and by providing a shading
effect to buildings. A green roof's plants remove air particulates, produce oxygen and provide
shade. They use heat energy during evapotranspiration, a natural process that cools the air as
water evaporates from plant leaves.

Figure 1: Green Roofing Technique

Green roofs replace a hard infrastructure with one that's not only more efficient, but also
beautiful and useful. By protecting the roof membrane, however, a green roof can extend the
life of a roof by two or three times beyond its typical lifespan. In Europe, where they have been
building with green roofs since the 1960s, green roofs have been known to last for from 30 to
50 years. Green roofs help reduce the Urban Heat Island Effect, a condition in which urban
environments absorb and trap heat. A green roof's plants remove air particulates, produce
oxygen and provide shade. Another important benefit of green roofs is their ability to reduce
and slow storm water runoff in urban environments. The most popular by far, asphalt shingles
are made of fiberglass sandwiched between asphalt and ceramic granules. Relatively light and
easy to install, they are a good choice if you're looking for style at a budget price. They may
last 30 years or more but can be vulnerable to high winds. In general, lighter-
colored roofs reflect away heat rays from the sun, but dark-colored roofs absorb much of that

CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN 6

heat and transfer it into the rooms below. ... This quality means even tan asphalt shingles may
welcome more heat into your home than a dark brown metal roof. But back to roof color.
ii. Rainwater Harvesting:
Rainwater harvesting (RWH) is a simple low-cost technique that requires minimum specific
expertise or knowledge and offers many benefits. For drinking water purposes in rural areas,
the most common technique is small-scale rooftop rainwater harvesting: rainwater is collected
on the roof and transported with gutters to a storage reservoir, where it provides water at the
point of consumption (for rainwater harvesting for agricultural use see also bunds, field
trenches, planting pits, micro-basins, retention basins, dams, conjunctive use, gully
plug, controlled drainage or fog drip).

Figure 2: Rainwater Harvesting Technique

Collected rainwater can supplement other water sources when they become scarce or are of
low quality like brackish groundwater or polluted surface water in the rainy season. It also
provides a good alternative and replacement in times of drought or when the water table drops,
and wells go dry. The technology is flexible and adaptable to a very wide variety of conditions.
iii. Underground Tunnel System
How does rainwater harvest work?
Rainwater harvesting systems capture rainwater by directing it from large surfaces (e.g. roofs)
to an underground or over-ground holding tank. The harvested rainwater is filtered and then
pumped directly to the appliances or to a header tank. Domestic Rainwater Harvesting.

CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN 7

 The technique of rainwater harvesting is no longer new and has already been existing from
ages even from the biblical times. The rainwater harvesting systems are basically designed to
route surface water into a storage tank that is fitted either above or underground.
Common Types of Rainwater Harvesting Systems:

Water Butt this is one the most basic form of rainwater harvesting where the water collects in
the container from the drainpipes and/or natural rainfall.
➢ Direct Pumped.
Rs 4.5 lakh to harvest more than 170 million liters of water annually. Rainwater
harvesting methods are site specific and hence it is difficult to give a generalized cost. But first
of all, the major components of a rainwater harvesting system rain and catchment area are
available free of cost. The two major types of rainwater harvesting include roof based and land-
based rainwater harvesting. Rain harvested water can be used for watering livestock, laundry,
flushing toilets, etc. Water harvesting is the collection of runoffs for productive purposes.
Instead of runoff being left to cause erosion, it is harvested and utilized. In the semi-arid
drought-prone areas where it is already practiced, water harvesting is a directly productive form
of soil and water conservation. Rainwater tanks can range from around $700 to $2000, starting
from a small, freestanding model without pump or extras, to large, custom-built models. Costs
vary depending on the size, material, finish, and strength of the tank. If you choose a Ferro-
cement tank, costs will range between Rs 12,430 for 5,000 ltr and Rs 15,800 for 10,000 ltr
tanks. Installing a water harvesting system can cost between Rs 2,000 and Rs 30,000, for
buildings of about300 sqm, depending on the city you're in. Easy to Maintain Utilizing
the rainwater harvesting system provides certain advantages to the community. First of
all, harvesting rainwater allows us to better utilize an energy resource. It is important to do so
since drinking water is not easily renewable and it helps in reducing wastage. It can be purified
to make it into drinking water, used for daily applications and even utilized in large scale
industries. In short, Rainwater harvesting is a process or technique of collecting, filtering,
storing and using rainwater for irrigation and for various other purposes. How Rainwater
Harvesting is done.
This is done through catchment areas & conduits. The catchment of a water harvesting system
is the surface which receives rainfall directly. Conduits are the pipelines that
carry rainwater from the catchment or rooftop to the harvesting system. Rainwater
harvesting/Groundwater recharge.

CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN 8

Aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) is a specific type of groundwater recharge practiced with
the purpose of both augmenting ground water resources and recovering the water in the future
for various uses. A number of waters harvesting techniques are based along contours including:
contour ploughing; contour ridges; stone lines; grass strips and terraces. The technique used
depends on the steepness of the slope, soil type, conditions, crops grown and other factors such
as the availability of labor. Runoff is collected from within the basin and stored
in the infiltration pit. Micro catchments are mainly used for growing trees or bushes.
This technique is appropriate for small-scale tree planting in any area which has a moisture
deficit. Besides harvesting water for the trees, it simultaneously conserves soil.
Each type of tank material has its own advantages and disadvantages, so let's look at these
materials individually.
➢ Plastic tanks. The most common plastic tanks are made of polyethylene, often just called
'poly'.
➢ Aqua plate and galvanized steel.
➢ Stainless steel.
➢ Concrete.
➢ Fiber glass.
Based upon feedback from actual customers over 35 years, high-density cross-linked
polyethylene (XLPE) lasts 30-40% longer than linear polyethylene tanks. This translates into
ten additional years of useful tank service, with 15-20 years as the typical useful life of high-
density cross-linked polyethylene tanks. Rooftop Rainwater Harvesting is the technique
through which rainwater is captured from the roof catchments and stored in
reservoirs. Harvested rainwater can be stored in sub-surface ground water reservoir by
adopting artificial recharge techniques to meet the household needs through storage in tanks.

Reference:
1. Class Lectures
2. Internet search

CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN 9

Q.3 Evaluate building orientation and appropriate roofing system in the case study of
Ar. Ayesha Noorani.

1. In the Ayesha’s daughter house roof was made up of bricks:

Anyone repairing or conserving old buildings should know about lime. Although lime mortars,
renders and plasters were largely superseded by cement based products in the first half of the
20th century, lime has a long and proven track record dating back to ancient times; we know,
for example, that the Egyptians were using lime by 4000 BC in the construction of pyramids.
This doesn't mean that lime is an outmoded technology, nor is it a complicated or difficult to
use material. In fact, lime has a growing place in modern construction with increasing numbers
of designers choosing to use lime-based products because of their special properties.
Unlike many modern materials, lime has the great benefit of allowing buildings to breathe, thus
avoiding problems of dampness and decay. Equally, lime produces wonderful soft looking
textures, weathers gracefully and, in the form of lime wash, can add striking colour and beauty
to buildings.
Lime based materials offer flexibility and could self-heal so allow a degree of movement,
saving the need for regular expansion joints. From sustainability perspective, when a building
is demolished lime mortar can easily be removed from bricks or stones, enabling their reuse.
When working with lime there is less waste than with cement mortars as mixes can remain
useable the following day and some may be stored indefinitely.
There are two main types of lime: non-hydraulic and hydraulic. Non-hydraulic lime is
produced by burning pure limestone (calcium carbonate) in a kiln. This results in quicklime
(calcium oxide) which is then slaked with water to produce calcium hydroxide in the form of
lime putty. This may be mixed with aggregate to create a mortar and becomes hard when in
contact with the air (carbonation), resulting in a material like the limestone it was made from.
This process is known as the ‘lime cycle’

CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN 10

 Figure 3: Lime putty used during construction

Hydraulic lime is produced in a similar way but from lime stones with naturally occurring
impurities and it’s these minerals that allow the mortar to set and harden through chemical
reactions with water (hydration). Available in powder form, hydraulic lime sets faster than non-
hydraulic lime and has a higher strength but a lower permeability. Natural hydraulic lime
(NHL) is sold in various strengths (NHL 2, 3.5 and 5) to suit different building’s needs.
In dealing with old buildings we shouldn’t ignore emerging innovations in lime technology. If
re-rendering, it’s certainly worth considering insulating lime renders as a way of increasing the
thermal performance of old walls. Should it be necessary to replace an inappropriate concrete
floor, a lime Crete floor can offer a viable alternative as it will provide a structural floor slab
that is vapor permeable and can include under floor heating?
Another non-traditional product is hemp Crete. This mix of hemp a natural plant fiber with
hydraulic lime and various additives offers excellent thermal insulation, thermal inertia and
humidity control. Its uses range from providing insulation to the walls of medieval
timber framed houses to constructing extension; in its panelized form it’s even been used to
build new superstores.

Reference:
1. Class Lectures
2. Internet research

CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN 11

Q.4 Define Biodegradable materials, their advantages and disadvantages. Which local
biodegradable materials are used by Ar. Ayesha Noorani in her house?

1. Introduction

In architecture we are so caught up in creating something new, we often forget about what
happens at the end of a building’s life cycle—the unfortunate, inevitable demolition. We may
want our buildings to be timeless and live on forever, but the harsh reality is that they do not,
so where is all the waste expected to go?
As with most non-recyclable waste, it ends up in the landfill and, as the land required for
landfill becomes an increasingly scarce resource, we must find an alternative solution. Each
year in the UK alone, 70–105 million tonnes of waste is created from demolishing buildings,
and only 20% of that is biodegradable according to a study by Cardiff University. With clever
design and a better awareness of the biodegradable materials available in construction, it’s up
to us as architects to make the right decisions for the entirety of a building’s lifetime. These are
the biodegradable building materials:

A. Calcium hydroxide (white)

B. Calcium carbonate (turned into limestone)
C. Calcium oxide.
D. Calcium hydroxide mixed with hydronic lime (Kasoori Chuna)
As could be seen from the composition of demolition waste, only a small percentage
is biodegradable. Timber, an extensively used biodegradable material, only makes up 3.1% of
the total materials used. To increase the use of biodegradable materials in buildings, a broader
range of products is required. Biodegradable. Capable of being broken down (decomposed)
rapidly by the action of microorganisms. Biodegradable substances include food scraps,
cotton, wool, wood, human and animal waste, manufactured products based on
natural materials (such as paper and vegetable-oil based soaps).
The Most Eco-Friendly Home Construction Materials:
➢ Recycled Steel. Producing and smelting steel takes a lot of energy.
➢ Bamboo. Bamboo is increasing in popularity as a building material.
➢ Sheep's Wool. Sheep's wool, of course, can also be regrown quickly.
➢ Straw Bales.
➢ Precast Concrete.
➢ Earth
➢ Plant – Based Polyurethane Rigid Foam.
Building materials typically considered to be 'green' include lumber from forests that have been
certified to a third-party forest standard, rapidly renewable plant materials like bamboo and
straw, dimension stone, recycled stone, recycled metal (see: copper sustainability and
recyclability), and other products that. Pound for pound, steel is
the strongest construction material available (unless you count exotic materials like titanium).
It is so much stronger than wood that the two cannot be fairly compared.

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Biodegradable polymers (BDPs) or biodegradable plastics refer to polymeric materials that are
'capable of undergoing decomposition into carbon dioxide, methane, water, inorganic
compounds, or biomass in which the predominant mechanism is the enzymatic action of
microorganisms, that can be measured by standardized tests Recycling Construction Materials.
As most contractors already know, construction and demolition (C&D) materials are those
items left over at a construction, renovation, or demolition site. The most common materials are
concrete, wood, and drywall, and asphalt shingles, asphalt pavement, metal and cardboard.
Elements or Components of Green Building-Material, Water, Energy Health. Agree
building has four main elements or components on which it is designed: materials, energy,
water and health to make green building more sustainable.
List of the Advantages of Biodegradable Plastics:

1. Biodegradable plastics offer reduces carbon dioxide levels.

We are producing more waste plastic today than ever before in human history. These items are
finding their way into our oceans and even contaminating our drinking water. Scientists
estimate that there could be more waste plastic in the ocean than fish by the year 2050, with
tap water containing micro plastics up to 80% of the time. Researchers at the University of
Bath have created a plastic that only uses sugar and carbon dioxide, resulting in polycarbonates
that no longer need to use petrochemicals and their CO2 emissions necessary for refinement.
Plastics like these break down naturally, only depositing the amount of gas back into the
environment that was used to create it in the first place.
2. Biodegradable plastics can reduce greenhouse gas emission levels.
When you use biodegradable plastics instead of items made through the traditional refinement
process, and then fewer greenhouse gas emissions escape into the atmosphere. We consume
over 100 million tons of plastic each year, which means the standard 5:1 ratio of production
indicates that this industry produces 500 million tons of carbon dioxide that goes into our
atmosphere each year. That number is equivalent to the annual emissions of 19 million
vehicles. If we were to recycle our plastics each year, then our net carbon savings alone would
be up to 30%, which some researchers suggesting the savings could be as high as 80%.
Switching to biodegradable plastics would help to reduce the number of greenhouse gas
emissions produced by the industry even further, despite the initial financial costs that would
be required to make the transition.
3. Biodegradable plastics are broken down by naturally occurring bacteria.
After plastics are formed, the traditional products will hold their carbon. When you dispose of
them and they begin to decompose in some way, then that gas is released into the atmosphere.
Because biodegradable plastics do not always require CO2 as part of the manufacturing
process, then this greenhouse gas release may never occur during the decomposition process.
When they begin to break down in the environment, bacteria in the soil begin to consume the
components. That leaves us with less waste to manage overall, reducing the potential for
pollution in every biome.
4. Biodegradable plastics do not release other dangerous items upon decomposition.
If you were to throw out a bucket-full of traditional plastics into a landfill, then you would have
methane and other forms of pollutants release as the product begins to decompose. Because
these items do not typically exist with biodegradable items, we would be able to take advantage
of this supplemental benefit immediately. Plastics make our lives easier in many ways, but they
can also contain potentially dangerous products that could harm our health at the same time.

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 Bisphenol a (BPA) is a key ingredient in resin and plastic manufacturing. In the past, this
substance was used in plastic tableware, water bottles, and sports equipment. Phthalates soften
the plastic to turn it into PVC. Both are endocrine disruptors that are toxic to the reproduction
cycle of humans. Biodegradables eliminate these substances from being needed.
5. Biodegradable plastics consume less energy during the manufacturing cycle.
Although biodegradable plastics offer a slightly higher cost in the production cycle, we
consume less energy to produce them. We no longer need to go through the processes of
finding, accessing, and transporting hydrocarbons to create plastic items using this technology.
That means we are burning fewer fossil fuels, consuming less of them during the manufacturing
process, and releasing fewer contaminants when the plastics reach their end-of-life stage.
Because of this energy savings, the long-term cost of using biodegradables could be
substantially less than traditional plastics especially if the cleanup costs from plastic pollution
are added to that calculation.
6. Biodegradable plastics reduce the amount of waste we produce.
Plastics make up approximately 13% of our current waste stream. That figure represents about
32 million tons of waste each year, with only 9% of that amount directed into recycling
programs. The remainder goes into landfills and other waste disposal programs, where it could
take up space for more than a century. When facilities have the correct composting equipment
available to manage biodegradable plastics, we can experience an entire breakdown of the
product in 18-36 months, depending on what method is used. Even if a complete breakdown
does not occur, we would achieve a reduction in the amount of space needed to dispose of the
materials. That would create fewer pressures on the overall waste stream.
7. Biodegradable plastics would direct petroleum consumption to other needs.
Traditional plastic products come from the heating and treatment of oil molecules. This process
turns them into polymers that become useful for the industry. Roughly 3% of petroleum
consumption in the United States is due to the number of plastics that we consume each year.
Biodegradables come from products like switch grass or corn, which means we could redirect
the petroleum being used by the industry to our transportation or heating needs instead.
8. Biodegradable plastics can mix with traditional products.
We do not need to make completely new products using biodegradable plastics to create an
environmental benefit with this technology. Once the natural materials are turned into
polymers, they can work with the ones that were manufactured using oil molecules. That means
we can mix the traditional manufacturing cycle with the natural one, reducing the percentage
that comes from fossil fuels. When we create this mixture, the plastic products often have more
strength as well.
9. Biodegradable plastics require less energy during the manufacturing cycle.
Corn-based plastics represent approximately 40% of the biodegradable source materials that
are used for these products in the United States. When you compare the polymers made from
this crop to those using raw petroleum, it requires 65% less energy to create a similar-quality
biodegradable product. That is in addition to the 68% reduction in greenhouse gases that occur
during the manufacturing process.
10. Biodegradable plastics could create new export industries.
In 2016, China produced approximately 290,000 tons of biodegradable plastics. They
consumed about 130,000 tons domestically, and then exported the remainder during that year.

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 The growth rate in local sales was 13% from the year before, with the entire value of this
segment worth over $350 million. Many of the mature markets for plastic products in the
developed world are looking for ways to reduce their carbon and waste footprints. Switching
to this product makes a lot of sense because it could eliminate the impact of pollution on the
environment over time. Making biodegradables a top priority could become a moneymaking
tool for the country that can perfect this technology first.
11. Biodegradable plastics create a new marketing platform.
Although it would be ignorant to say that biodegradable plastics are 100% safe, they are usually
viewed as a product that supports sustainable business practices by consumers and those in the
C-Suite. Organizations that adopt this product are often seen as being preferable because they
are viewed as being concerned about the environment. That means shareholders, executives,
and employees all stand to gain from the potential for higher profits. The Coca-Cola Company
has already created a bio-plastic bottle that they can use with their beverages. Poland Spring is
reducing the number of plastic components that they use for their packaging needs. Making
this switch could lead to significant changes in how people and other businesses see each other.
12. Biodegradable plastics can decompose quickly in specific situations.
Bio plastics are generally compostable, which means they will decay into natural materials that
will eventually blend harmlessly into the soil. Some of these biodegradable items can break
down in a measurement timed in weeks instead of months or years. When the corn-starch
molecules encounter water, then they slowly absorb it, swelling up to break the item into
smaller pieces. Then the natural bacteria in the composting container digest it to produce
something that can benefit the planet later on. You must pay attention to the quality and
labelling of the bio plastic items upon purchase to ensure that you are using items that can
decompose rapidly.
List of the Disadvantages of Biodegradable Plastics:
Biodegradable plastics must follow a specific disposal procedure.
We can benefit from the presence of biodegradable plastics because they can decompose
effectively in our environment without creating a pollutive effect. This advantage can only
occur if the items are disposed of properly, meaning that these items must be treated in a manner
that is like compost. If we throw out these plastics in the landfill last, we would the traditional
items, then they will follow a path that is like the non-biodegradable option. That is why we
must be mindful of recycling programs and waste-reduction initiatives to ensure that we can
all take advantage of the benefits that the natural products offer.

Reference:
1. Class Lectures
2. Internet research

CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN 15

Q.5 Critically evaluate the passive measures taken as design strategies in both case
studies with reference to your city / context. Are they applicable?

1. Passive Blinding Design

'Passive design uses layout, fabric and form to reduce or remove

mechanical cooling, heating, ventilation and lighting demand. Examples of passive
design include optimizing spatial planning and orientation to control solar gains and
maximize daylighting.

manipulating the building form and fabric to facilitate natural ventilation strategies and
making effective use of thermal mass to help reduce peak internal temperatures.

Designers tune the thermal characteristics of buildings so that they moderate

external environmental conditions and maintain internal conditions using the minimum
resources of materials and fuel.

Figure 4: Passive Blinding Design Technique

It harness environmental conditions such as solar radiation, cool night air and air pressure
differences to drive the internal environment. Passive measures do not involve mechanical
or electrical systems.

This is as opposed to active design which makes use of active building services systems to
create comfortable conditions.

CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN 16

Such as boilers and chillers, mechanical ventilation, electric lighting, and so on. Buildings will
generally include both active and passive measures.

Hybrid systems use active systems to assist passive measures, for example heat recovery
ventilation, solar thermal systems, ground source heat pumps, and so on. Very broadly, where
it is possible to do so, designers will aim to maximize the potential of passive measures, before
introducing hybrid systems or active systems. This can reduce capital costs and should reduce
the energy consumed by the building.

However, whilst passive design should create buildings that consume less energy, they do not
always produce buildings that might be considered 'sustainable' as sustainability is dependent
on a range of criteria, only one of which is energy usage.

Passive design can include:

➢ Passive cooling.

➢ Passive heating.

➢ Passive ventilation (or natural ventilation).

NB: Passive solar design is an aspect of passive building design that focuses on maximizing
the use of heat energy from solar radiation.

Passive design can include consideration of:

➢ Location.

➢ Landscape.

➢ Orientation.

➢ Massing.

➢ Shading.

➢ Material selection.

➢ Thermal mass.

➢ Insulation.

➢ Internal layout.

➢ The positioning of openings to allow the penetration of solar radiation, visible light and
for ventilation.

CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN 17

In its simplest form, a shallow building orientated perpendicular to the prevailing wind with
openings on both sides, will allow sunlight to penetrate into the middle of the building and will
enable cross ventilation. This should reduce the need for artificial lighting and may mean
that cooling systems and mechanical ventilation are not necessary. In taller buildings, stack
ventilation can be used to draw fresh air through a building, and in deeper buildings atriums or
courtyards can be introduced to allow light into the center of the floor plan.

However, difficulties arise, for example; when buildings have cellular spaces that block the
passage of solar radiation and air, or where site constraints create complex massing or mean
that windows cannot be opened because of noise or air quality issues. This can lead to the
introduction of more complex passive measures, such as trombe walls, solar chimneys (or
thermal chimneys), solar stacks, acoustic louvres, thermal labyrinths, and so on.

The situation is complicated further by different climates, changing seasons, and the transition
from day to night, so that passive design may have to allow different modes of operation,
sometimes rejecting external inputs and expelling the buildup of internal conditions, whilst at
other times, capturing external inputs and retaining internal conditions.

Typically, these variations can be dealt with through measures such as shading, shutters,
overhangs and louvres that allow low-level winter sun to penetrate into the building, but block
the higher summer sun. Thermal mass can be used to store peak conditions during the day and
then to vent them to the outside at night. Even deciduous trees can be beneficial, their leaves
shading buildings from summer sun, but then allowing the solar radiation to penetrate through
their bare branches during the winter.

Additional complexities can be introduced by internal heat loads such as people and ICT
equipment and by occupancy patterns. In a 9-to-5 office with a moderate amount of
installed equipment, it may be possible to use thermal mass to store heat loads during the day
and then to vent these and cool the thermal mass when the building is unoccupied at night. This
may not be possible with a building such as a hospital that is continuously occupied.

Considering all these issues early in the design process, so that they can be incorporated into
the fundamental design of the building, requires close working across the entire design team.
The historic model, where the architect designed a building and then a structural engineer
made it stand up and then last of all a services engineer made it comfortable, is unlikely to
achieve a satisfactory result.

CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN 18

Passive design measures can require occupant involvement, for example to open windows,
turn out lights, adjust louvres, and so on. This requires education so that occupants are able to
understand the building and to operate it efficiently. Occupant behavior is often cited as one of
the prime causes of the 'performance gap', that is, the difference between the expected and
actual energy consumption of completed buildings.

As well as reducing energy consumption, adopting passive design strategies can help building
ratings across standards such as Pass iv Haus, BREEAM, the Code for Sustainable Home sand
LEED.

NB: The urban heat island effect, is an effect found in urban environments where the
predominance of hard, heat absorbing surfaces results in a higher ambient temperature than
in rural environments. It has been found that simply selecting lighter coloured materials that
reflect solar radiation rather than absorbing it can significantly reduce urban temperatures and
so the need for active systems to provide cooling.

Reference:
1. Class Lectures

CLIMATE RESPONSIVE DESIGN 19