Spatial Modelling

PROJECT 1: Research Paper

Kira Trunova

Advance Diploma in Interior Design

Date: 15.05.2013

Contents sheet

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….p.2 Green design for today…………………………………………………………………………………………..p.3 Why choose green design………………………………………………………………………………….……p.4-5 Methods…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……p.5-6 Examples of green design today………………………………………………………………………….…..p.6-10 Green design for tomorrow………………………………………………………………………………….…p.10-14 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….p.15 Bibliography…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….p.16

Introduction
“..An era based not on what we can extract from organisms and their ecosystems, but on what we can learn from them...”
Janine M. Benyus scientific writer

Today, more and more increasing relevance of ecology and environmental protection. At this stage of human life has become an urgent task of creating a process in which the daily needs of people interact with the natural world. Green design - it is nothing but an attempt to recreate the natural environment in everyday places of human habitation. Its purpose is unity and appeal to nature. Design "ideas" and "technology" are far superior to human nature. They - the result of billions of years of evolution. On the basis of this designers and developers finally turning to nature as a source of ideas and example to follow. My opinion is that green design will be the basis for design and construction in the future, as its development is becoming very fast and it is already possible to say that the future holds in 10-15 years. These projections are striking! In this essay, I will discuss what green design, methods, why do people choose it as a green design looks like today and how it will look in the future.

Green design for today Sustainable design is a kind of design meant to yield products that are made only of renewable resources. Furthermore, products made though sustainable design are intended not to seriously impact the environment either when they are being created or when they are being used. These products are also often designed to allow the users to feel more connected or to relate more closely to the natural environment. Green interior design, is an often overlooked aspect of combating climate change. So often green designers put all the focus on the architecture and energy efficiency of a new or renovated building, and then forget about the paint, furniture, and accessories. All of these elements if chosen correctly can contribute to reducing our carbon footprint and create a sustainable space.

Green designers look at every item selected and its impact on the environment over its full lifespan, beginning with how it is produced, whether it uses non-toxic or renewable materials, how the company treats its workers, where it is made, how far it travels, how long it will last, and what happens to it when it’s finished being used. Only in this way can we hope to achieve truly green design. Contemporary designers believe there is both an obligation and an opportunity to sustainably design spaces that minimize harm to the environment and people. Once a new more environmentally sensitive space is created that also demonstrates exceptional interior design, the positive green effect multiplies...businesses spend less on energy and raw materials, and end users enjoy a more comfortable and healthy space. The design world today is faced with myriad choices when it comes to sustainable design and construction. “Green” materials and techniques are no longer a novelty—they are practically ubiquitous, present in every stage of design, construction, operation and maintenance. Big business is embracing green building, governmental bodies are rewarding sustainable efforts, and individuals across the globe are making everyday decisions about materials and methods that will impact generations to come

Why choose green design The advantages of choosing a ‘green’ design are many. - Corporate Social Responsibility Choosing a green building design is a demonstration of an organisation’s commitment to the environment and therefore the community. Potential customers and employees are increasingly choosing to associate with organisations who do demonstrate this commitment. - Higher quality / healthier environment for occupants Green buildings use natural light, provide fresh air and access to views. Occupant comfort and productivity is correspondingly higher. Cross ventilation and good quality air supply reduce cross contamination of illnesses amongst workers, reducing sick leave. - Reduced Liability and Risk Green star rated buildings minimise the use of hazardous materials, which can cause occupational health issues. - More attractive to prospective building tenants Green buildings are increasingly more popular to prospective tenants, as the population in general become more aware of the advantages and positive image of green buildings. Tenants are examining the green credentials of a building in order to fulfil their own environmental policies. - Higher marketability The positive image presented by green buildings is seen as a marketable factor that companies can utilise to raise their own image in the community. Create an additional differentiator in the marketing of your building. - Lower energy costs Efficient use of water and power in green buildings means overall consumption is lower. Tenants are given a buffer against future cost increases for and availability of, energy services. - Minimise Use of Materials in Construction Reusing an existing building structure, or parts of a structure, will reduce the waste produced by your development and reduce the quantity of new materials needed. BG&E can help you to identify the most efficient and practical way of redeveloping your structure. This could even lead to overall project savings. Methods To improve the sustainability rating for any project, a number of techniques are enlisted. These include:- • Reduction in energy use • Reduction of materials used • User of recycled materials • Smart, integrated and coordinated design • Re-use of buildings, or parts of buildings • Use of renewable resources • Siting the structure efficiently to leverage from locational advantages • Use of passive solar • Sufficient insulation • Stack and cross-ventilation • Substitution of less toxic materials than traditional materials can offer Examples of green design today:

Integrity block, which is a “compacted-earth block used as a cost-competitive replacement for concrete masonry units.” These blocks consist of up to 60% pre-consumer recycled content and almost half as much cement as standard concrete blocks. It takes 40% less energy to produce them. [pic]

(http://designandprint.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/19-exciting-examples-of-green-design-products-and-architecture/)

Bamboo flooring made with low-emitting, non-formaldehyde polyisocyanurate binder and a sustainable material so reducing the impact upon the environment but also looks very pleasing to the eye – flooring that’s good for the environment. [pic]

(http://designandprint.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/19-exciting-examples-of-green-design-products-and-architecture/)

Natura Paint from Benjamin Moore is an odorless interior paint. Finally – a completely odorless paint! This paint has zero VOC colorants. [pic]

(http://designandprint.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/19-exciting-examples-of-green-design-products-and-architecture/)

PolyWhey wood finish from Vermont Natural Coatings uses recycled whey protein as a binder. (whey protein is also used to make shakes for increased body strength after workouts) Whey protein is a by-product of the dairy industry, and helps produce this low-odor coating that has no toxic heavy metals and low VOCs. It looks just as good as the more toxic wood finishes. [pic]

(http://designandprint.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/19-exciting-examples-of-green-design-products-and-architecture/)

On to the more art inspired recycled pieces. Here’s one sculpture outside an Expo hall in Singapore that’s constructed from steel and other wire metal scrapes. Some might think of green art as being something that is biodegradable, but making art out of materials that would otherwise end up landfills qualifies as recycling.

[pic]

(http://designandprint.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/19-exciting-examples-of-green-design-products-and-architecture/)

Designers and artists can create grass photographs just by directing light on certain parts of a grassed area. Grass pictures fade when the grass dies, are beautiful when they’re in bloom. The first two of such pictures were created by Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey who use long-lasting, genetically modified grass as a base for their pictures. [pic]

(http://designandprint.wordpress.com/2008/12/23/19-exciting-examples-of-green-design-products-and-architecture/)

Green Design for Tomorrow

Well beyond five years from now sustainability (in the truest sense of the word) will become more central to design work as the balance between resources consumed, and the number of people consuming them becomes a more common and desired consideration. Even though there are groups working hard to gradually decrease the amount of resources consumed per person, there is a denial that population growth is far outpacing our reduction in consumption. At a certain point, we're going to have to reconcile that and green design will become obligatory.

The future of the design profession will include a wide range of professionals including economists, biologists, chemists, and a range of social-science experts such as demographers, anthropologists and geographers. In smaller practices we will see extensive cross-training in disciplines. Clients will hire design consultants with the ability to both envision a design solution and quantify some sort of value on a "green to blue" spectrum. We might see this in smaller scale projects such as single-family residential or local community planning projects. Larger, more complex projects will require specialized expertise of a larger team where designers, engineers, energy specialists, and community advocates will all need to speak the same language.

[pic]

http://weburbanist.com/2008/11/23/future-green-design-technology/1-oragamic-portable-futuristic-architecture/

The beauty of these elegantly folded bamboo structures is far more than skin deep. Individual modules are configurable to accommodate different conditions and create a variety of spaces all without compromising their structural stability. Also, the structures are remarkably straightforward to transport in flat form and assemble on site and are simple to recycle as-needed because they are built out of easily grown organic material. With all of these sustainable and practical benefits one has to wonder if there aren’t even more uses for origamic structures than just as emergency shelters.

San Francisco of the Far Future [pic]

http://weburbanist.com/2008/11/23/future-green-design-technology/1-oragamic-portable-futuristic-architecture/

What might the world’s major cities look like in 10, 20 or even 50 years? This strangely ingenious and forward-thinking design “uses Geothermal Mushroom structures to extract heat and water from deep in the earth, and whimsical Fog Flowers to render moisture from the air and grow algae, which would then be turned into hydrogen for fuel.” While many (or most or all) of its particulars might never be realized it is truly an exercise in thinking freely about the potentials and problems of a future in which re-urbanization seems all but inevitable.

Geothermal Resort Destination Structures

[pic]

http://weburbanist.com/2008/11/23/future-green-design-technology/1-oragamic-portable-futuristic-architecture/

While some resorts use geothermal energy explicitly via hot springs used by guests the application in this case is somewhat more subtle. Star Island in the Bahamas is a five-star resort. Recycled steel and insulated concrete reduce the environmental impact of construction and active geothermal HVAC systems tap into the power of the surrounding ground to heat and cool the structures making for a delightful blend of style and sustainability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it must be said that green design can be a perfect embodiment of functional design, a successful symbiosis of form and content, offering harmony between man and the world around. Eco-friendly and recyclable products offer opportunities for a comfortable and healthy lifestyle. Green design also contributes to a sustainable and more harmonious future for our planet Earth.

Bibliography

http://www.weburbanist.com/

http://www.designandprint.wordpress.com/

http://www.fastcodesign.com/

http://www.cement.org/

http://www.bgeeng.com/

Biomimicry : Innovation Inspired by Nature by Janine M. Benyus, Sept. 1, 1997, (ISBN 0-06-053322-6)