Environmental Design in

Construction
 Contents
• Principles of sustainability
• Importance of sustainable strategy
• Sustainable materials in construction
• Principles of buildability
• Buildability in practice
• Environmental factors impact on the construction (Cyclic/Static)
• Minimizing adverse environmental impacts on construction
• Drawings in Construction
 Introduction to the session 03
The objective of this session is to identify the principles of
Buildability and sustainable construction strategies, environmental
impacts on construction processes and ways of minimizing
environmental impacts. Also fundamental drawing skills required to
produce various designs using both manual and Computer aided
techniques.

Learning outcome LO 03 and 04 - Propose and evaluate the ways

in which the concept of buildability and sustainability addresses
the important issues confronting the construction industry
 Sustainability in Construction
Sustainable Construction (also known as green construction or
sustainable building) refers to a structure, the construction process
and occupancy processes that are environmentally responsible and
resource efficient throughout a building's life-cycle from location to
design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and
demolition.
 Sustainability in Construction
Sustainable Construction is development that meets the needs of
the present without compromising the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs.
Sustainable construction should also:
– Enhance living, working and leisure environments for
– Individuals and communities.
– Consume minimum energy over its life cycle
– Generate minimum waste over its life cycle
– Integrate with the natural environment
– Use renewable resources where possible
Green Rating systems worldwide
Awards for Ratings
Green rating system Criteria's
1-Sustainable Sites 26 Possible points
• Construction Activity Pollution Prevention
• Site Selection
• Development Density and Community Connectivity
• Brownfield Redevelopment
• Alternative Transportation
• Site Development
• Storm water Design
• Heat Island Effect
• Light Pollution Reduction
 Green rating system Criteria's
2-Water Efficiency 14 Possible Points
• Water Efficient Landscaping
• Innovative Wastewater Technologies
• Water Use Reduction

3-Energy and Atmosphere 35 Possible Points

•Commissioning of the Building Energy Systems
•Energy Performance
•Refrigerant Management
•On-Site Renewable Energy
•Measurement & Verification
•Green Power
 Green rating system Criteria's
4- Materials and Resources 10 Possible Points
•Storage and Collection of Recyclables
•Building Reuse
•Construction Waste Management
•Materials Reuse
•Recycled Content
•Regional Materials
•Rapidly Renewable Materials
•Certified Wood
Green rating system Criteria's
5- Indoor Environmental Quality 15 Possible Points
•IAQ Performance and Management Plan
•Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring
•Increased Ventilation
•Construction IAQ Low-Emitting Materials
•Thermal Comfort
•Day lighting and Views

For more information please refer to the: http://www.usgbc.org/leed

 Green building Materials and selection
Green building materials are composed of renewable, rather than
nonrenewable resources. Green materials are environmentally
responsible because impacts are considered over the life of the
product. Depending upon project-specific goals, an assessment of
green materials may involve an evaluation of one or more of the
criteria listed below;
• Resource efficiency
• Indoor air quality
• Energy efficiency
• Water conservation
• Affordability
 Resource Efficiency of Green materials
• Recycled Content: Products with identifiable recycled content
• Natural, plentiful or renewable: Materials harvested from
sustainably managed sources and preferably have an
independent certification by an independent third party.
• Resource efficient manufacturing process: Products
manufactured with reducing energy consumption, minimizing
waste and reducing greenhouse gases.
• Locally available: Building materials, components, and systems
found locally or regionally saving energy and resources in
transportation to the project site.
 Resource Efficiency of Green materials
• Salvaged, refurbished, or remanufactured: Includes saving a
material from disposal and renovating, repairing, restoring, or
generally improving the appearance, performance, quality,
functionality, or value of a product.
• Reusable or recyclable: Select materials that can be easily
dismantled and reused or recycled at the end of their useful life.
• Recycled or recyclable product packaging: Products enclosed in
recycled content or recyclable packaging.
• Durable: Materials that are longer lasting
 Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)
• Low or non-toxic: Materials that emit few or no carcinogens,
reproductive toxicants, or irritants
• Minimal chemical emissions: Products that have minimal
emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
• Moisture resistant: Products and systems that resist moisture or
inhibit the growth of biological contaminants in buildings.
• Healthfully maintained: Materials, components, and systems
that require only simple, non-toxic, or low-VOC methods of
cleaning.
• Systems or equipment: Products that promote healthy IAQ by
identifying indoor air pollutants or enhancing the air quality.
 Other selection criteria's
Energy Efficiency can be maximized by utilizing materials and
systems that meet the following criteria:
– Materials, components, and systems that help reduce energy
consumption in buildings and facilities.
Water Conservation can be obtained by utilizing materials and
systems that meet the following criteria:
– Products and systems that help reduce water consumption in
buildings and conserve water in landscaped areas.
Affordability can be considered when building product life-cycle
costs are comparable to conventional materials or as a whole, are
within a project-defined percentage of the overall budget
 Example Green building materials
• Fly ash Concrete

• Wool Bricks

• Glass fiber Insulation materials

 Alternative Energy Sources
• Instead of one energy source, there are other environmental
energy source can be replaced.
• Alternative energy refers to energy sources which are not based
on the burning of fossil fuels or the splitting of atoms. The
renewed interest in this field of study comes from the
undesirable effects of pollution (as witnessed today) both from
burning fossil fuels and from nuclear waste byproducts.
Some possible alternatives:

• Solar power
• Wind power
• Geothermal power
• Tidal power
• Hydroelectric power
 Buildability in construction
Buildability is a pre-construction exercise that looks at a design
from the perspective of those that will manufacture, install
components and carry out the construction works. This should not
be confused with value engineering though some processes are
common to both activities.
In very broad terms, assessing buildability should assess elements
of the design in relation to:

• Achieving the desired final quality

• Meeting the programme requirements
• De-risking perceived problems
• Achieving optimum value for money
 Buildability in construction and
considerations
Buildability is a pre-construction exercise that looks at a design
from the perspective of those that will manufacture, install
components and carry out the construction works. This should not
be confused with value engineering though some processes are
common to both activities.
In very broad terms, assessing buildability should assess elements
of the design in relation to:

• Achieving the desired final quality

• Meeting the programme requirements
• De-risking perceived problems
• Achieving optimum value for money
 Buildability in construction
• The sequence of activities that will take place on and off site,
taking into account the state of the building and its
weatherproof environment at any given time
• Dimensional criteria, setting out and space allowances
• Use of plant and equipment to save labour and time and prevent
possible damage
• Practicality, flexibility and required tolerances
• Standardization of components and processes
• Reduction in complexity to shorten learning curves
• Identification of appropriate suppliers
• Prefabrication opportunities
• Ease and order of interface connections and abutments
 Buildability considerations
• Packaging of the works and allocation of scope in relation to
trade and specialist contracts
• Installation and maintenance access arrangements including
long-term replacement
• Health and safety
• Temporary works such as propping, facade retention, retaining
facilities and trench support, crane supports, formwork, false
work and scaffolding including gantries
• Susceptibility to damage and protective procedures in-transit
and in-situ
• Weight and lifting requirements
• Unloading operations
• Storage and waste management
 Drawings in Construction
construction documentation encompasses the preparation of
drawings and specifications that set forth the detailed
requirements for the construction of a building project. Drawings
thus represent the illustrative dimension of construction
documentation, while specifications represent the written.

Please refer to the following link to get more information about types of construction drawings:
http://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Types_of_drawings_for_building_design
 Types of Drawings in Construction
• Location drawings and general arrangement drawings
Block plans
– Site plans
– Floor plans
• Basic floor plan
• General arrangement plans (MEP Drawings)
• Elevations
• Estate road layout
• Assembly drawings
• Component drawings
 Types of Drawings in Construction
• Projections
– Orthographic projection
– Axonometric projection
– Isometric projection
– Oblique projection
• Preliminary drawings
• Sketch drawings
• Working drawings
– Specification
– Bill of quantities
 Discussion and Demonstrations
• Manual and AutoCAD drawing techniques
– Scaling
– Basic Drawing tools and techniques
– Symbols
• ICT environment and modern designer
– Benefits of ICT in Designing
– Disadvantages of ICT in Designing
Questions?

Thank you!