scholarly journals Assessing Sustainability Indicators of a Commercial Building: A LEED Approach

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-108
Author(s):  
Mohamed Abdelmawjoud Abdelgaffar Mohamed Abdelmawjoud Abdelgaffar

Construction industry has been proven to cause environmental problems ranging from excessive consumption of natural resources in construction, to the pollution of the environment. Studies on green building to minimize environmental impact are already underway. Tools of assessment of environmental performance of buildings are plenty. However, Middle East countries together with Gulf region are still away from practicing the concept of mitigating the impacts of buildings on the environment. Reasons could be relying on the insufficient awareness of building stakeholders, or the privilege of much fortune. The main objectives of this paper are to arouse the people's attention to the importance of assessment of environmental performance of buildings in KSA, and to introduce a sustainability model for project appraisal based on a multi-dimensional approach, that will be used for the assessment of a case study in KSA. The approach is using the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system as a guide for the assessment. The plan of work includes reviewing the literature on the assessment of sustainability performance of buildings, displaying the LEED system, and assessment of a commercial building in Dammam. The paper uses the descriptive approach to study the problem and collect the data, and the comparative approach to compare the obtained data with the required standards of LEED. The case study, which is a commercial complex in Dammam, is one of these types of buildings widely spread in the development schemes of current real estate investment in KSA. While the building achieved some credits and prerequisites of LEED system, the building lacks many other points. The overall credits achieved are 22%, and the overall prerequisites achieved are 43%. The main problem of the building is related to energy and atmosphere aspects.

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olufolahan Oduyemi ◽  
Michael Iheoma Okoroh ◽  
Oluwaseun Samuel Fajana

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore and rank the benefits and barriers (technological and non-technological) of using Building Information Modelling (BIM) in sustainable building design. It also employs the use of a design tool analysis of a case study using BIM compatible tools (Ecotect and Green Building Studio) to determine the environmental performance of a proposed multi-use building at Derby North. Design/methodology/approach The paper explores the benefits and barriers of using BIM through a literature review. Regression and factor analysis were used to rank these benefits and barriers. A questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 120 practitioners with 69 completing the survey. Finally, the paper employs the use of a design tool analysis of a case study using BIM-compatible tools (Ecotect and Green Building Studio) to determine the environmental performance of a proposed multi-use building at Derby North riverside. Findings The key findings of the statistical analysis indicated that professionals ranked the integrated project delivery as the most established benefit, while the lack of interoperability was ranked the greatest technological challenge. Only three of the attributes of non-technological challenges made statistically unique contributions, namely, training costs and software costs, client demand and potential legal issues. It was also discovered that BIM delivers information needed for environmental performance. In a forward-looking approach, the paper attempts to provide some recommendations that would encourage the continuous application of BIM in sustainable building design. Research limitations/implications This paper does not cover all features of BIM functionality, as the scope of BIM is very enormous and the resources of this research were limited. Practical implications The implication of the study is that it will assist in exploring and ranking the benefits and barriers (technological and non-technological) of using BIM while proffering recommendations for future use. This research will be of interest to industry practitioners and academic researchers with an interest in building information modelling. Originality/value This paper contributes with new outlooks aimed at syndicating sustainability with environmental performance and adds to the limited empirical studies on the benefits and barriers of the application of BIM.


Author(s):  
Kemal Solak

Certification systems used to test green buildings have become popular nowadays. In addition, there has been a gradual increase in the involvement of the players in the construction sector and public awareness of sustainability. These systems, which are useful in mitigating the building's environmental impacts, reveal difficulties in their implementation, especially for devoloping countries. Because of the problems affecting the population, such as air pollution and health problems, most world states came together and held conferences to take joint binding decisions. In Turkey, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is first on the total number of certified green buildings, followed by the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) and the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB). This article summarizes the methodology used by some of these rating methods, shows a comparative approach between these rating systems, and provides an overview of how green building relates to sustainable development practices. Lastly, the building of the hospital was analyzed using  LEED certification system as a case study and the differences in the results were evaluated.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 127
Author(s):  
Mukhtar Sabiu Yahuza ◽  
Çilen Erçin

Green building is the modern method adopted to attain global sustainability through individual house level. The user’s demand for housing is increasing every day, also the demand for other house utility increases. These demands may include energy and water supply, refuse management, provision of new infrastructures etc. most of these demands are necessary for every user to survive. Therefore, most users engage in afforestation, increases carbon emission and rise in the Greenhouse gases level production to meet up with their demands, these activities causes’ disasters to our planet. Therefore users need and green approach to sustainability are two opposite factors. This paper examines the user’s need and comfort in designing or purchasing green buildings in Kano state, Nigeria. Relevant kinds of literature were revised in this work with the addition of a case study which was analysed using the descriptive approach method. A case study was picked in Kano state, Gwale Yan-Alawa quarters as an example of green building, which was analysed and rated using BREEAM and LEED assessment criteria. The result shows about 80% of user satisfaction was recorded. Also, the demand for green building keeps increasing in Kano state, which adds value to it. Keywords: Green building, users’ need, users’ demand, users’ perception, sustainability and green construction


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 1172
Author(s):  
Hafiz Haq ◽  
Petri Välisuo ◽  
Seppo Niemi

Industrial symbiosis networks conventionally provide economic and environmental benefits to participating industries. However, most studies have failed to quantify waste management solutions and identify network connections in addition to methodological variation of assessments. This study provides a comprehensive model to conduct sustainable study of industrial symbiosis, which includes identification of network connections, life cycle assessment of materials, economic assessment, and environmental performance using standard guidelines from the literature. Additionally, a case study of industrial symbiosis network from Sodankylä region of Finland is implemented. Results projected an estimated life cycle cost of €115.20 million. The symbiotic environment would save €6.42 million in waste management cost to the business participants in addition to the projected environmental impact of 0.95 million tonne of CO2, 339.80 tonne of CH4, and 18.20 tonne of N2O. The potential of further cost saving with presented optimal assessment in the current architecture is forecast at €0.63 million every year.


Crystals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 209
Author(s):  
Adilson C. Paula Junior ◽  
Cláudia Jacinto ◽  
Thaís M. Oliveira ◽  
Antonio E. Polisseni ◽  
Fabio M. Brum ◽  
...  

The search for environmental preservation and conservation of natural resources gives rise to new concepts and viable technical solutions on the path to sustainable development. In this context, this study’s main objective is to analyse the influence of recycled concrete aggregates (RCAs) on the development of pervious concrete, whose use as a floor covering represents an excellent device to mitigate the urban soil sealing phenomena. For this, mechanical and hydraulic tests were carried out, in addition to microstructural analyses and the assessment of its environmental performance. The results obtained were compared to reference studies also involving the incorporation of recycled aggregates. A pilot-scale case study was conducted, involving a parking space lined with pervious concrete moulded “in situ”. In laboratory tests, permeability coefficients and mechanical strengths compatible with the literature and above the normative limit for light traffic were found. The case study demonstrated higher permeability than in the laboratory, but the flexural strength was lower, being indicated only for pedestrian traffic. The environmental assessment showed that the RCA represents a positive contribution to the environmental performance of pervious concrete. Still, attention should be given to the recycled aggregate transport distance between the concrete plant and the RCA treatment plant.


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