SELF SUFFICIENT BUILDINGSSELF SUFFICIENT BUILDINGS:

Ushma Nichani

SELF SUFFICIENCY:Self‐sufficiency refers to the state of not requiring any

outside aid, support, or interaction, for survival; it is therefore a type ofpersonal or collective autonomypersonal or collective autonomy

The term self‐sufficiency is usually applied to varietiesof sustainable living in which nothing is consumed outside of what isproduced by the self‐sufficient individuals.

SUSTAINABILITY:Sustainability is the capacity to endure. In ecology, the

word describes how biological systems remain diverse and productiveover time.

Healthy ecosystems and environments provide vital goodsHealthy ecosystems and environments provide vital goodsand services to humans and other organisms. There are two major waysof reducing negative human impact and enhancing ecosystem services,they are via environmental management; and management ofhuman consumption of resources.

HISTORY OF SUSTAINABILITY:This history of sustainability is characterized by the increased regional success of a particular society,

followed by crises that were either resolved, producing sustainability, or not, leading to decline.In early human history, Agrarian communities emerged which depended largely on their environment andy y, g g p g y

the creation of a "structure of permanence.The Western industrial revolution of the 17th to 19th centuries tapped into the vast growth potential of

the energy in fossil fuels. Coal was used to power ever more efficient engines and later to generate electricity.In the mid‐20th century, a gathering environmental movement pointed out that there were environmental

costs associated with the many material benefits that were now being enjoyed And by the late 20th century energycosts associated with the many material benefits that were now being enjoyed. And by the late 20th century, energycrises demonstrated the extent to which global community had become dependent on non‐renewable energy resource.

In the 21st century, there is increasing global awareness of the threat posed by the human‐inducedenhanced greenhouse effect, produced largely by forest clearing and the burning of fossil fuels.

ECOVILLAGE:Ecovillages are intentional communities with the goal of becoming more socially, economically and

ecologically sustainable. They vary in population between 100 to 2,000, the larger ones exist as networks of smaller.Ecovillage members are united by shared ecological, social‐economic and cultural‐spiritual values. An

ecovillage is often composed of people who have chosen an alternative to centralized electrical, water, and sewagesystems. They see small‐scale communities with minimal ecological impact as an alternative. However, suchcommunities often cooperate with peer villages in networks of their own.

DONGTAN:Dongtan is a plan for a new eco‐city on

the island of Chongming in Shanghai, China. The citiesare planned to be ecologically friendly, and completeself‐sufficiency in water and energy, together with theuse of zero energy building principles.use of zero energy building principles.

Energy demand will be substantiallylower than comparable conventional cities due to thehigh performance of buildings and a zero emissiontransport zone within the city. Waste is considered tob d t f th it ' t ill bbe a resource and most of the city's waste will berecycled.

ECO‐MUNICIPALITY:An eco‐municipality, is a local government area that has adopted ecological and social justice values in

it h t I thi t th i i l t t i i i l f t i bilit i th i tiits charter. In this system the municipal governments accept varying principles of sustainability in their operations aswell as community‐wide decision making processes.

AUTONOMOUS BUILDING:An autonomous building is a building designed to be operated independently from infrastructural support

services such as the electric power grid, gas grid, municipal water systems, sewage treatment systems, storm drains,communication services, and in some cases, public roads.

The advantages of using such a structure include reduced environmental impacts, increased security, andlower costs of ownership.

ZERO NET ENERGY BUILDING:Such a building has zero net energy consumption and zero carbon emissions annually. ZeroNet Energy

buildings can be used autonomously from the energy grid supply – energy can be harvested on‐site usually incombination with energy producing technologies like Solar and Wind while reducing the overall use of energy withextremely efficient HVAC and Lighting technologies.

The ZeroNet design principle is becoming more practical in adopting due to the increasing costs oftraditional fossil fuels and their negative impact on the planet's climate and ecological balance.

PASSIVE HOUSE:PASSIVE HOUSE:The term Passive house refers to the standard for energy efficiency in a building, reducing its ecological

footprint. It results in ultra‐low energy buildings that require little energy for space heating or cooling.

THE LIVING SKYSCRAPER: Blake Kurasek

The urban environment and the resulting high‐rise buildings need to play a more important role in the city.The new skyscraper will be able to produce commodities to support its occupants and surrounding urban population.y p p pp p g p pFunctions of hydroponics, urban farming, and urban community food production will result.

A large portion of the tower consists of residential apartments/condos interspersed with areas ofcommodities such as fruits, vegetables and cash crops. The ground levels of the tower combine a “Farmer’s Market”,marina and shipping dock where the fresh produce grown in the tower would be for sale to the general public and fordistribution back into the city of Chicagodistribution back into the city of Chicago.

KEY COMPONANTS OF STRUCTURE:

1. The Solar PanelMost of the vertical farm’s energy is supplied by the pellet powerMost of the vertical farm s energy is supplied by the pellet powersystem . This solar panel rotates to follow the sun and woulddrive the interior cooling system, which is used most when thesun’s heat is greatest. .2. The Wind Spire .

l i ( l ) l h i d iAn alternative (or a complement) to solar power. The wind spireuses small blades to turn air upward, like a screw.3. The Glass Panels .A clear coating of titanium oxide collects pollutants and preventsrain from beading. The rain slides down the glass, maximizingg g , glight and cleaning the pollutants and it’s then collected forfiltration.4. The Control Room .The vertical‐farm environment is regulated from here, allowingfor year round 24 hour crop cultivationfor year‐round, 24‐hour crop cultivation.5. The ArchitectureCircular design uses space most efficiently and allows maximumlight into the center. Modular floors stack like poker chips forflexibility.6. The CropsThe vertical farm could grow fruits, vegetables, grains, and evenfish, poultry.The vertical farm doesn’t just grow crops indoors, it alsogenerates its own power from waste and cleans up sewagegenerates its own power from waste and cleans up sewagewater.

THE LIVING TOWER:The concept of the Living Tower’s aim is to associate the

agricultural production, dwelling and activities in a single and verticalThi ld d h d f i bsystem. This system would reduce the need of transportation between

urban and extra‐urban territories.The unusual superimposition of these programs finally

makes it possible to consider new practical and energetic relationsbetween agricultural culture, tertiary spaces, housing and trade inducingg , y p , g ga very strong energy saving.

• A continuous agriculture, irrespective of seasons and climate•This offers a sustainable perspective of urban development. Uses lessspace and resources than traditional agriculturespace and resources than traditional agriculture.•Agriculture land can be converted back to forest.•Dramatically reduces fossil fuel use (no tractors, shipping, etc).•No massive crop failures as a result of weather‐related disasters.•Less likelihood of genetically modified strains entering  “natural” world.• All food could be grown organically, without herbicides, pesticides, or fertilizers, eliminating agricultural runoff.•It recycles and purifies water.•Generation of energy via methane from composting non‐edible parts of plants and animals supplying not just food but energy creating a trulyplants and animals, supplying not just food but energy, creating a truly self‐sustaining environment.•Can have applications for arid environments or refugee.•Great impact in reducing green house emissions.

AN ENERGY PRODUCTIVE TOWER :

• Wind millL t d t th t f th t t l i d hi di t d t d th d i t i d d l t i itLocated at the top of the tower, two large wind machines directed towards the dominant winds produce electricityfacilitated by the height of the tower.These wind machines are also used as station of pumping in order to ensure the circulation and the recycling ofrainwater recovered in roof and on the urban development of the complex.

•Photovoltaic panels•Photovoltaic panelsPhotovoltaic panels included into the facades generate electricity from solar energy to make it a self‐sufficient building.

•Canadian wellsThe core of the tower receives a network of ventilation shafts in which circulates of the air drawn from the ground withapproximately 15°C This system enables to refresh the new air in summer and to heat it in winterapproximately 15°C. This system enables to refresh the new air in summer and to heat it in winter.

•RainwaterAfter filtration, the rainwater is re‐used for the facilities of the offices and residences and the watering of thehydroponic cultures. The rainwater of the urban development, from the facades and roofs of the tower is collected,pumped by the wind machines then stored in tanks at the top of the towerpumped by the wind machines then stored in tanks at the top of the tower.

•Black waterBlack water produced by is recycled and purified in order to fertilize the agricultural production of the greenhouses.

•Ecological or recycled materialsg yOne of the objective of the project is to use a minimum of material. The materials of the tower favours the use ofecological, recycled products or which can easily be recycled. The double skin wall inhabited facades have reinforcedheat insulation.

•Thermal and hygrometrical regulationyg gThe agricultural greenhouses act like a green lung in the heart of the tower. In winter, heat is stored in the solidelements of the concrete core. In summer, interior volumes are controlled by the evaporation of the water contained inthe plants.

Wind electricity generation

wind pumping of sewage and stormwaterwind pumping of sewage and stormwater

Central electricity supplier

Sewage treatment tanks

Rainwater treatment tank

Water cycles

Vertical vegetable production

Central core

Wind electricity generation

Offices

Greenhouse

HousingC lConsole

Discharge lamps to provide night lighting to food crops

Natural irrigation of wastewater and rainwater recycled naturally by plantations

chimney effect allows the continuity of space for hydroponic from ground floor to the top of the tower

naturally by plantations

Exterior of prefabricated thin slabs of concrete

Photovoltaic's located in the south façade provide electricity for ç p ylow power utilities used by residents

Alcoves between the partition walls of rooms, toilets and kitchens

Reinforced concrete cantilever beam in central space

Glazed glass windows for low emission

Air conditioning powered by the chimney effect  from the agricultural gardening zone

Double skinned core structure

With a topographic game of opposition between full and unfilled spaces,  the system of  tower is designed as autonomous ecological machine which associates places of production, places of consumption and spaces of life

The full spaces systematically fulfill the requirements of the housing and the offices, in terms of comfort, heat insulation,acoustic and sunning, while the unfilled spaces can adapt to various functions of production.

California Academyof Sciences:Renzo Piano

The new Academywill optimize use ofresources, minimizeenvironmental impacts,dand serve as an

educational model bydemonstrating howhumans can live andwork in environmentally‐yresponsible ways.

Topped with a 2.5‐acre living roof the newCalifornia Academy ofSciences employs a wideSciences employs a widerange of energy‐savingmaterials andtechnologies

Piano’s design was inspired by the concept of metaphorically lifting up a piece of the park and sliding themuseum underneath. Only one difference would exist between the plants on the roof and the surrounding vegetation:the roof plants would all be native to the northern California coast.

Steep undulations in the roofline roll over the Academy’s domed planetarium, rainforest, and aquariumSteep undulations in the roofline roll over the Academy s domed planetarium, rainforest, and aquariumexhibits, echoing the topography of the building’s setting and evoking the interdependence of biological and earthsystems.

The iconic hills on the roof were designed not only for visual impact but also for energy conservation.These hills, which feature slopes in excess of 60 degrees, will draw cool air into the open piazza at the center of theb ildi t ll til ti th di hibitbuilding, naturally ventilating the surrounding exhibit spaces.

Strategically placed skylights willautomatically open and close to allow heat to escapethrough the tops of the domes. These skylights will alsoallow sunlight to reach the living rainforest and coralreef exhibits below, reducing the energy requirementsfor artificial lighting.. .

The large atrium space in the centre has aThe large atrium space in the centre has aglass roof that may be opened of shut depending on therain. This space allows abundant natural ventilation toall the interior spaces.

Padded with six inches of soil, the roof willprovide excellent insulation, keeping interiorprovide excellent insulation, keeping interiortemperatures about 10 degrees cooler than a standardroof and reducing low frequency noise by 40 decibels.

Moreover, it will absorb about 98% of allstorm water, preventing up to 3.6 million gallons of

ff f i ll t t i t t hrunoff from carrying pollutants into ecosystem each year.The roof is bordered by a glass canopy

containing nearly 60,000 photo voltaic cells, which willproduce over 5 percent of the Academy's annual energyneeds and prevent the release of over 405,000 pounds ofp , pgreenhouse gas emissions each year.

These photo voltaic cells, clearly visible inthe glass canopy, provide both shade and visual interestfor the visitors below.

EPSON INNOVATION CENTER: Japan

The Epson Innovation Center is a research facility for finished products, where Epson'sresearch development functions are integrated to develop next‐generation information‐related appliancesresearch development functions are integrated to develop next‐generation information‐related appliances.

This environmentally‐friendly building takes full advantage of natural properties and is characterized by anatrium space that motivates researchers to communicate and collaborate with one another. This research facilityembodies the philosophy of an enterprise working on environmental preservation with the aim of reducing CO2 by 60%.

Hi h h t i l ti l l Ph t lt i ti t l

Special Features for Energy Saving:•High heat insulation, eaves, low‐e glass•Natural daylight through light shelves and light ducts•Natural ventilation•Use of ground heat by a cooling heating trench system

•Photovoltaic power generation, vacuum type solar water heater•Free cooling, cooling water heat recovery•Highly efficient air conditioning heat source unit

Pattern diagram of light duct compatible with sunlight tracking type day lighting system

THE HONDA WAKO BUILDING:Japan

The building design reducesboth the number of stories and the effect onthe surrounding environment. Theminimized external facing also contributes toa reduced environmental load and initial anda reduced environmental load and initial andrunning costs. .

Special effort has been taken tosignificantly reduce LCCO2 and achieve zeroemissions.

High‐performance low‐e glass has beenadopted for the exterior glass of the northand south atriums. These atriums face theexterior wall, resulting in perimeter‐less airconditioning and a significant reduction inair conditioning loadair conditioning load.

Realization of environmental adjustment systems for each season:The thermal buffer spaces of the south and north atriums have three environmental adjustment systems.

One is a discharge system of hot air near the ceiling in summer. Another is a prevention system of cold draft along thei d i i h hi d i l il i i h i d d liwindows in winter. The third is a natural ventilation system with remote operation and outdoor climate sensors to

reduce cooling load in spring and autumn. .

・SummerIf the temperature at the top of the south atrium exceeds a set value, exhaust air fans are operated top p , p

discharge hot air. The volume of second and third floor return air reduction balances the volume of hot air discharge.

・Spring and AutumnNatural ventilation and night purge is operated to open windows at the bottom and top of the atriums.

Motorized ventilating openings are installed at the bottom of the south and north atriums, and, at the top of eachatrium, “Natural Ventilation Recommended" is displayed on the central supervisory board only when weatherconditions are suitable for natural ventilation. The operation manager decides whether to operate the naturalventilation.

・WinterCold air near the window is collected from the suction openings at the bottom of the atriums before it

flows into the office space. Alternatively, linear fans are installed in the floor fronting south and north atriums,between office spaces and atriums, to block the thermal effect of the atriums

EARTHSHIPS: what are they?•Earthships have evolved over the last thirty years.•They are cutting edge 'green' buildings constructed using•They are cutting edge green buildings, constructed usingwaste car tyre’s and other recycled materials.•They use the planets natural systems to provide all utilitiesusing the sun's energy and rain to provide heat, power andwater.•Earthships enjoy the weather, regardless of season. If it'sraining they catch free water, if it's windy they generate freepower and if it's sunny they are capturing free heat andelectricity.•They also employ extensive energy efficiency and waterThey also employ extensive energy efficiency and waterconservation measures, ensuring that the rainwater andrenewable energy they harvest goes as far as possible

Earthships embody the five‐core elements of sustainablei b ildi i h di ' 'construction to create a building with outstanding 'green'

credentials:Use of low impact materials in construction ‐ using local,recycled, waste, natural and renewable materialsPassive solar design ‐ enjoying the suns free energy for spaceg j y g gy pheatingRenewable energy ‐ zero fossil fuel consumption with on‐sitegeneration of power for electricity and water heatingRainwater harvesting ‐ free water from the skies with nomains connection and subsequent groundwater depletionmains connection and subsequent groundwater depletionUsing plants to treat waste water ‐ no sewage infrastructurewith on‐site 'waste water' treatment using plants and naturalprocesses.

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THE ACROS FUKUOKA:•Located in In Fukuoka City in Japan, built on last remaininggreen space in city.g p y•The building has two very distinct sides: one side looks likea conventional office building with glass walls, but otherside has a huge terraced roof that merges with a park.•The garden terraces on the south, contain some 35,000plants representing 76 species A huge semicircular atriumplants representing 76 species. A huge semicircular atriumand the triangular lobby provide contrast to the greenery,in this space is a symphony hall, offices and shops.•The green roof reduces the energy consumption of abuilding, because it keeps the temperature inside moreconstant and comfortable. Green roofs also capturerainwater runoff, and support the life of insects and birds.•The buildings terraced south facade utilized by many inthe area for exercise and rest, affording views of the cityand the harbor beyondand the harbor beyond.

BANK OF AMERICA TOWER:  New York City•The building has floor‐to‐ceiling insulating glass tocontain heat and maximize natural light.g•The tower also features a greywater system, whichcaptures rainwater and reuses it.•The building is made largely of recycled and recyclablematerials.•Air entering the building is filtered as is common but the•Air entering the building is filtered, as is common, but theair exhausted is cleaned as well.•Carbon dioxide sensors signal increased fresh airventilation when elevated levels of carbon dioxide aredetected in the building.•Conditioned air for the occupants is provided by multipleair column units located in the tenant space that deliver62 degree air into a raised access floor plenum. Thisunderfloor air system provides users with the ability tocontrol their own space temperature as well as improvingcontrol their own space temperature as well as improvingthe ventilation effectiveness.•The cooling system produces and stores ice during off‐peak hours, and allows the ice to melt to help cool thebuilding during peak load.

f h l d•Water conservation features in the tower includewaterless urinals, which are estimated to save 8 milliongallons of water per year.•On site power generation reduces the significantelectrical transmission losses that are typical of centralyppower production plants.

CII SOHRABJI GODREJ GREEN BUSINESS CENTRE: India

•This building has preserved the majority of the existing flora and fauna and natural microbiological organism around thebuilding Extensive erosion and sedimentation control measures to prevent topsoil erosion have als been taken at thebuilding. Extensive erosion and sedimentation control measures to prevent topsoil erosion have als been taken at thesite during construction. The extensive landscape is also home to varieties of trees, most of which are native andadaptive to local climatic conditions.•The green building boasts a 50% saving in overall energy consumption, 35 % reduction in potable water consumptionand usage of 80% of recycled / recyclable material. Most importantly, the building has enabled the widespread greenbuilding movement in India.•The use of aerated concrete blocks for facades reduces the load on air‐conditioning by 15‐20%.20% of the building energy requirements are catered to by solar photovoltaics•All of the wastewater, including grey and black water, generated in the building is treated biologically. The outlet‐treated water used for landscaping.treated water used for landscaping.•80% of the materials used in the building are sourced within 500 miles from the project site. Most of the constructionmaterial also uses post‐consumer and industrial waste as a raw material during the manufacturing process.•Fenestration maximized on the northorientationR i t h ti• Rain water harvesting

•Water‐less urinals in men’s restroom•Roof garden covering 60% of building area•Swales for storm water collection