3. application of timber in environmental building
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Application of timber in Environmental Building
The Mint, Sydney
Francis-Jones, Morehen Thorp
Environmentally sustainable building
• Key considerations when designing/building an environmentally sustainable building are:
1. Energy consumption (embodied and operational)2. Water consumption3. Impact on the environment4. Healthy to live and work in
Material considerations
• To construct an environmentally friendly building will require a mixture of the most appropriate materials;
• Good design for the local climate and site is vital to building an environmentally sustainable home.
• In this presentation we use timber as a vehicle to highlight the principles of building environmentally friendly homes.
1. Energy considerations
1. Embodied energy: “The energy invested in the materials and construction of the house.”
2. Operational energy: “The ongoing energy used in the house. Operational energy includes energy used to heat and cool (maintain thermal comfort), as well as energy used by household appliances.”
Embodied energy
Timber has a low embodied energy. So, less energy is ‘invested’ in the building initially.
Reminder:
Energy Considerations > Embodied Energy
1.5 235
435
0
100
200
300
400
500
Fossil fuel energy (MJ/kg)
Rough sawn timber Concrete Steel Aluminium
Indicative embodied energy values for common building elements
Element Description MJ/m2
Floors
Incl. flooring, farming, footings, reinforcement, DPC, membranes..
Timber suspended, timber sub-floor enclosure 740
Timber suspended, brick sub-floor wall 1050
Concrete slab on ground 1235
WallsIncl. as appropriate, framing, internal lining, insulation
Weatherboard, timber frame 410
Brick veneer, timber frame 1060
Double brick 1975
WindowsIncl. 3mm glass
Timber frame 880
Aluminium Frame 1595
Roofs Incl. plasterboard ceiling, R2.5 insulation, gutters, eaves
Concrete tile, timber frame 755
Concrete tile, steel frame 870
Metal cladding, timber frame 1080
Clay tile, timber frame 1465
Thermal comfort
• Maintaining a warm or cool environment inside our homes can consume a lot of energy. We can design thermally efficient buildings by:– understanding the local climate – Passive solar design
Energy Considerations > Operational Energy
Thermal comfort
• Homes can be kept comfortable by: – Use of solar energy– Controlling air flow into and out of the building– Controlling heat gain and losses (insulation)
Energy Considerations > Operational Energy
• There are two different construction approaches to achieve thermally efficient buildings:
• Thermal Mass• Lightweight construction with correct
detailing
Energy Considerations > Operational Energy
Construction approach & thermal performance
High thermal mass solution
• Thermal mass works in association with: – correct orientation– correct window design– sun shading
• Small changes in these can cause large changes in the effectiveness of thermal mass.
Energy Considerations > Operational Energy
Lightweight construction options
• Lightweight construction, detailed for the local climate, can offer a more versatile solution as:– The Snug house for
cool climates– The Breeze house for
warm coastal climates– A combination of the
two for inland areasEnergy Considerations > Operational Energy
Benefits of lightweight options
Lightweight construction can provide good options for the following sites:
• Hot, humid climates;• Sloping or shaded sites;• Sites with sensitive landscapes
Zones for each location
Climate-appropriate design
The snug house
• This is a house that is well insulated and sealed.
• Solar access is used to heat and ventilation to cool where available and appropriate.
Energy Considerations > Operational Energy
A snug design
• A predominantly timber house in Victoria– Good solar access– Shaded windows– Thorough
insulation – Wood waste for
heating.
Energy Considerations > Operational Energy
Studio 101 Architects
Virgo Residence
The breeze house
• This is a house that that is open, light and naturally ventilated.
• Solar access is controlled by shades and ventilation is provided by careful window, door and ventilator placement.
Energy Considerations > Operational Energy
A breeze designIt includes:• careful
orientation• shaded
openings• wide eaves• light construction• plentiful
ventilation.
Energy Considerations > Operational Energy
2. water consumption
• Embodied Water:
“The water invested in the production of the materials and construction of the house.”
• Just as we consider embodied energy, we consider embodied water in the same way.
Water Considerations > Embodied Water
2. Water consumption
• The use of timber can effect water consumption in two ways:
1. Timber comes from forests that are also managed to harvest water;
2. No water is required on site to construct with timber.
Water Considerations > Timber construction
3. Impact on the environment
• Timber designs can have a very small footprint on a site. For example, a pole framed home may be suspended over a sensitive landscape.
JMA Architects
Viridian Villas
4. Healthy to live in
• Timber can add to a healthy environment in two ways, (locally and globally):
1. Timber is a natural, organic and inert material for interior and exterior use;
2. Timber production has a positive impact on our global environment.
Using timber in environmentally friendly building
•Timber can help with:1. Design flexibility2. Straightforward construction3. Low energy consumption4. Using renewable resources5. Design for deconstruction
1. Design flexibility
• Standard carpentry practices can be used to create some elaborate designs:
Warwick Donnelly Pty Ltd
The Atrium Roof to the Deerubin Centre
Design flexibility
BKK Architects
2Parts House
Design flexibility
BKK Architects
Frame House
Design flexibility
Dawson Brown Architecture
Bungan Beach House
Design flexibility
Collier & Reid Pty Ltd Architects
Narana Creations Performance Theatre & Exhibition Building
Design flexibility
Inarc Architects
Mount Macedon Residence
Design Flexibility
Lahz Nimmo Architects
Casuarina Beach House
2. Straightforward construction
• Carpenters and builders understand timber, and there are National Standards on timber construction; AS 1684, Residential Timber Framed Construction available in 3 parts.
3. Low energy consumption
• Timber consumes little energy in its production, and little energy has to be used to construct with timber on site;
• Timber can be used to construct innovative and low operational energy houses.
4. Using renewable resources.
• Timber is a renewable resource!
5. Design for deconstruction
• Demolition or adapting a building can be costly in terms of energy and materials. In order to minimise these costs buildings should be built in such a way that they are easy to take apart, and the materials reused where possible.
Summary
Timber can contribute in Environmentally friendly buildings by providing:
• Low energy consumption• Low water consumption• Low impact on the environment;• A healthy material to live with.