September 2005 ISSUE
sustainable development
sustainable buildings challenge the status quo
BY JIM SAWYERS, P.ENG.
PEGG Contributor
Buildings are firmly entwined in the fabric of modern life and, like many other aspects of society, have been subject to increasing environmental scrutiny. The sustainable, or green, building movement is one result.
Sustainable buildings can provide improved indoor environmental quality, lower water, energy and raw material consumption, and a reduced impact on the environment. But they have global implications, too.
It has been estimated that 30 per cent of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions come from the construction and operation of residential, commercial and institutional buildings. A one-third decrease in these building emissions would contribute almost 50 per cent of Canada’s Kyoto GHG reduction commitment.
As the industry moves increasingly in the direction of sustainable buildings, their effective design requires a fundamental shift in both the structure and the mindset we bring to the task. Much has been written about the integrated design approach, which is the structural shift, and this is now common in the team organization of building projects.
Much less attention, however, has been given to the mindset with which we
approach these projects.
Every industry has its well established protocols or systems which have evolved
over time because they assist in delivering repeatable and reliable results.
The building design and construction industry is no different. The issue for
sustainable buildings, as Einstein put it, is: “Insanity is doing the same
thing over and over again and expecting different results.”
If, as engineers, we are to deliver truly sustainable buildings, we cannot follow the traditional paths to the same well-established solutions. We must step out of our comfort zone and explore more innovative solutions — and this is where the challenge really begins.
In any endeavor, when we follow a new path or explore new ideas, it is a logical consequence that we will face some element of increased risk. The design of an innovative sustainable building can thus increase the risks, or potential liabilities, faced by the design team. Such risks can arise from system concepts that challenge current code requirements or are new to a client, design team or market.
Clearly, no design team is in the business of knowingly increasing liability exposure. An inherent element of innovative sustainable design is therefore the mitigation or management of any such risks. There are three key steps to a sound risk mitigation strategy.
1. Be 100 per cent open and frank with the design team, the owner and other stakeholders regarding the nature and scope of the risks.
2. Develop a viable risk management plan which addresses
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What needs to be incorporated into the design to gain acceptance of the concept?
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What will be done if the proposed concept does not perform as anticipated?
3. Obtain buy-in from all parties, before proceeding with the final design of the proposed concepts — or follow a more traditional design path.
Does it work? I have successfully employed this approach on several innovative sustainable buildings in the Calgary area. See below.
A key requirement in the design of an innovative sustainable building is an informed owner with a genuine interest in developing such a building. An owner receptive to new ideas recognizes the risks identified and accepts that risk mitigation is an inherent part of innovation. In addition, the design profession must embrace several concepts.
It must invest in research of new and innovative solutions, seek out clients who share this vision for sustainable buildings, educate clients who are receptive to sustainable solutions, and look for opportunities to apply appropriate sustainable solutions.
It must also follow the three-point risk mitigation strategy
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Define any risks
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Develop risk management plan
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Obtain buy-in.
The design profession must be prepared to challenge the industry status quo if we are to deliver on the promise of the sustainable building movement. Focusing on a sustainable agenda not only delivers added value to clients but also serves to further the building engineering profession’s contribution to society.
Jim Sawers, P.Eng., is a principal with Keen Engineering in Calgary. The firm has developed a name in the emerging arena of sustainable building, and in fact has won a Consulting Engineers of Alberta Showcase award in each the past three years — for the North Division Police Station in Edmonton, the Destination Africa Pavilion at the Calgary Zoo and the Canmore Civic Centre.