Sustainable Buildings’ Projects – A Perspective from Consultants and Contractors based in Macau SAR, China

This article explores a trend provisionally called “eco-didacticism” observable for nearly 15 years in art, design and architecture. The corpus concentrates on learning centres as buildings meant to diffuse advanced knowledge in the field of sustainable architecture. We found evidence of additional educational intentions to the pedagogical or scientific programs that these buildings have already been mandated to host and support. A variety of practices or devices have sometimes been added to the architecture, sometimes integrated, while others determine the overall structuring of these educational buildings. Seven cases of “learning centres” built in Canada between 2004 and 2018 have been screened through three epistemological filters distinguishing forms of “architectural didactics”: 1—a labeling often quantitative approach, 2—an experiential or practical approach, 3—a visually narrative or iconic approach. While outlining definitions of these Architectural Educational Strategies (AES), we offer initial explanations for their distinctive features. It appears that architects, designers and critics altogether operate on the belief that forms of architectural communication can operate as elements of a language that would be accessible to non-experts. Our conclusion indicates how future research could question the very possibility of giving lessons through formal language and aesthetic features.

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A critical review of combined natural ventilation techniques in sustainable buildings

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews ◽

10.1016/j.rser.2021.110795 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 141 ◽

pp. 110795

Author(s):

Haihua Zhang ◽

Dong Yang ◽

Vivian W.Y. Tam ◽

Yao Tao ◽

Guomin Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Critical Review ◽

Natural Ventilation ◽

Sustainable Buildings

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Estidama and the Pearl Rating System: A Comprehensive Review and Alignment with LCA

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13095041 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (9) ◽

pp. 5041

Author(s):

Ayyagari Ramani ◽

Borja García de Soto

Keyword(s):

Construction Projects ◽

Rating System ◽

Practical Relevance ◽

Rating Systems ◽

Sustainable Buildings ◽

System A ◽

Robust Implementation ◽

New Construction ◽

Main Components ◽

Sustainability Standards

Multiple sustainability standards and rating systems have been developed to draw attention to constructing sustainable buildings. The Pearl Rating System (PRS) is a mandate for all new construction projects in Abu Dhabi. Hence, it is important to understand the main components, advantages, and limitations of the PRS. The feasibility and the practical relevance of the PRS are still being studied. This paper addresses this gap and critically evaluates the PRS against some of the well-established rating systems like LEED and BREEAM. The analysis suggests that the PRS considers the cultural aspect of sustainability, in addition to the environmental, societal, and economic aspects. It was also found that most rating systems, including the PRS, have a very superficial inclusion of life cycle assessment (LCA). The paper finally concludes with other observations and outlook for a more robust implementation of the PRS.

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Green Building, Green Behavior? An Analysis of Building Characteristics that Support Environmentally Responsible Behaviors

Environment and Behavior ◽

10.1177/0013916520942601 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 001391652094260

Author(s):

Erin M. Hamilton

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Green Building ◽

Built Environments ◽

Sustainable Buildings ◽

Natural Materials ◽

Environmentally Responsible ◽

Building Characteristics ◽

Green Behavior ◽

Environmentally Responsible Behaviors ◽

Responsible Behaviors

This study examines the environmentally responsible behaviors (ERBs) of undergraduates ( n = 575). ERBs were measured in an online survey and the influence of situational context on behavior was explored at two scales: 1) green versus non-green building and 2) building characteristics. The Positive Sustainable Built Environments model was used to analyze three building characteristics: Prime, Permit, and Invite. Prime refers to characteristics that prepare occupants to adopt ERBs via communicating a sustainable ethos or restoring attentional capacity (e.g., use of natural materials and views to nature). Permit refers to features that allow occupants to conserve resources (e.g., operable light switches). Invite pertains to features that explicitly encourage ERBs (e.g., signage prompting occupants to turn off lights). Regression results demonstrated that living in a green building had no significant impact on ERBs. However, the Prime and Invite building characteristics significantly predicted improved Energy, Water, and Materials conservation. Results yield implications for designers seeking to create sustainable buildings that promote ERBs.

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Knowledge-based Lean Six Sigma maintenance system for sustainable buildings

International Journal of Lean Six Sigma ◽

10.1108/ijlss-09-2015-0035 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 109-130 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Jasim Aldairi ◽

M.K. Khan ◽

J. Eduardo Munive-Hernandez

Keyword(s):

Conceptual Framework ◽

Six Sigma ◽

Research Work ◽

Lean Six Sigma ◽

Rule Base ◽

Sustainable Buildings ◽

Sustainable Building ◽

Content Type ◽

Environmentally Sustainable ◽

Knowledge Based

Purpose This paper aims to develop a knowledge-based (KB) system for Lean Six Sigma (LSS) maintenance in environmentally sustainable buildings (Lean6-SBM). Design/methodology/approach The Lean6-SBM conceptual framework has been developed using the rule base approach of KB system and joint integration with gauge absence prerequisites (GAP) technique. A comprehensive literature review is given for the main pillars of the framework with a typical output of GAP analysis. Findings Implementation of LSS in the sustainable building maintenance context requires a pre-assessment of the organisation’s capabilities. A conceptual framework with a design structure is proposed to tackle this issue with the provision of an enhancing strategic and operational decision-making hierarchy. Research limitations/implications Future research work might consider validating this framework in other type of industries. Practical implications Maintenance activities in environmentally sustainable buildings must take prodigious standards into consideration, and, therefore, a robust quality assurance measure has to be integrated. Originality/value The significance of this research is to present a novel use of hybrid KB/GAP methodologies to develop a Lean6-SBM system. The originality and novelty of this approach will assist in identifying quality perspectives while implementing different maintenance strategies in the sustainable building context.

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