Task 2

For my second task I have selected 'Sustainable Architecture' as my connected discipline, primarily focusing on residential development, this is due to the fact that I believe it is a prominent sector which could have a substantial impact on the reduction of greenhouse gases.

First a few facts -

The Kyoto Protocol, the international agreement linked to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, sets binding emission reduction targets. The following are listed within this protocol as greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydro fluorocarbons, per fluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride, the last 3 of these gases are commonly referred to as fluorinated gases. To ensure that consistent measurements are achieved, each of these gases is weighted by their global warming potential, and is defined in relation to the warming effect of carbon dioxide.


Within the Statistical figures from 'The Department of Energy and Climate Change' 2012/2013 UK greenhouse gas report, (https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/295968/20140327_2013_UK_Greenhouse_Gas_Emissions_Provisional_Figures.pdf) the residential sector accounted for 17% of all of the greenhouse gas emissions within the UK. The report additionally illustrates that between the period of 2012 and 2013 emissions from this sector showed a 3% increase. The department measures these emissions as emanating from the below sources......

"Emissions from fuel combustion for heating/cooking, garden machinery and fluorinated gases released from aerosols/metered dose inhalers." (Quoted from the website link, PDF, displayed above).


Additionally, figures for end-use emissions, defined as the relocation of energy from electricity generating power stations to the residential sector where consumption takes place, accounts for 25 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. Between the period of 2011 and 2012 residential consumption increased by 11.9%; within this sector emissions are heavily influenced by external temperature. The large percentage of greenhouse gas emissions produced by the residential end-user is clearly illustrated in the pie chart below, (graph taken from https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/295968/20140327_2013_UK_Greenhouse_Gas_Emissions_Provisional_Figures.pdf). 

Sustainable Architecture aims to create structures that are functional and which will contribute to a lifestyle that is practical, whilst addressing issues such as energy usage, water consumption, heating and cooling. The intention of sustainable design is to "eliminate negative environmental impact completely through skilful, sensitive design". – Jason F Mclennan
pdf4558.chuobooks.com/345-solved-seismic-design-problems-PDF-1646236.pdf

                                                          (Earthship Biotecture Video)
When looking for an appropriate video reflective of 'Sustainable Architecture', I discovered the green innovation of 'Earthship Biotecture', a unique fully sustainable method of designing, constructing and opperating an environmentally friendly home. It is constructed utilising natural and recycled materials that automatically reduce the homes carbon footprint, this is further amplified by facilities within the house that enables the owner to harvest water, food and electricity, as well as additional amenities that allows for both sewage treatment and containment. Its ingenuity and diversity ensures affordability whilst reflecting the requirements of comfortable living as well as the necessities of establishing it as an environmentally friendly retreat. I believe that the concept of Earthship Biotecture relates to the following points of the Eco-Design Manifesto...

1)  Design to satisfy real needs as opposed to transient, fashionable or market-driven needs =

Earthship Biotecture constructions are a result of 40 years of planning and development but can be built within any climate, in any part of the world, however their initial costs are similar to conventional houses as they are required to meet local building regulations. A decision to progess with one requires careful consideration. However, they are extremely effective in satisfying the needs of the environmental enthusiast as the house, once constructed, costs virtually nothing to opporate it is independent of all local utilities and has low management and maintainence costs, thus providing a positive impact on the environment.

2) Design to minimise the ecological footprint of the product/material/service product, i.e. reduce resource consumption, including energy and water =

The Earthship Biotecture effectively accomplishes this point, it's process of construction combined with its own water harvesting facilities automatically reduces the homes ecological footprint. This is due to the fact that less energy is being wasted on uneccessary practices such as the manufacturing of building materials and the transportation of these materials from considerable distances. The official website of the Earthship Biotecture states that...

"The building is built from 45% recycled materials... thus starting the construction of the building with a negative carbon footprint. Discarded materials take the place of new materials that require energy to produce. Also, once used, discarded materials, would have taken energy to dispose of. There is no energy required to reuse existing materials. This further contributes to a negative carbon foot print at the birth of the building." (http://earthship.com/Designs/earthship-village-ecologies).


3)  Design to harness solar income (sun, wind, water or sea power) rather than use non renewable nature capital such as fossil fuels.

Electrical energy is harvested from natural resources such as the sun and wind, photovoltaic panels are utilised to convert energy from the sun into a DC current and is then stored in batteries if the property is not connected to the electrical gride. However, if it is connected to the gride then the owner may be provided with the opportunity to sell extra electricity back to energy companies using the governments feeding tarrif scheme. Another option is to have a residential wind turbine that can be mounted on a roof or a mast, once again electricity is stored in batteries.

6)Design to engender maximum benefits to the intended audience and to educate the client and the user and thereby create a more equable future.

I believe that the most effective way to communicate the benefits and education that Earthship Biotecture illustrates, is by highlighting a specific description located on their official website...

"The economy is a game. This game should be about nonessential things (motorcycles, computers, televisions). A person feeding their family, staying alive, having shelter... that should not be subject to the economy. We should have truly sustainable villages that provide a life independent of the economy... and what better way to create them than to have a building prototype that doesn't need any utilities, produces food, is made of recycled materials and is easy enough to build, that unskilled people can do it. The whole EVE concept embodies an education that can be shared around the world. People can come for short or long periods of time, live here super cheap in terms of a rent payment and everything else is provided. They can eat here, they can drink here, they will have all of the basic essentials of life here. We'll have flat screens tvs and high speed internet which are essential to some. We will have so much of what people need here that they won't have to take trips in to town as often. We will be providing in our own "insignificant economy", the things that people need, in a green and sustainable way." - Description taken from the following website, http://earthship.com/Designs/earthship-village-ecologies.

7) Design to use locally available materials and resources wherever possible (thinking globally but acting locally).

Earthships are constructed partially underground, thus automatically reducing the amount of building materials required, this methodology of construction is effective as it can be utilised locally as well as globally. The walls of an Earthship home are primarily built from recycled tyres, these are filled with earth and pounded together to form an innovative structure that is both resilient and efficacious.

"So why use trees when you can use tyres? Nobody can imagine how to use tyres, but if you take a tyre and beat it full of earth, it becomes a steel belted, rubber encased, thermal mast, resilient brick" - Quoted by creator Michael Reynolds in the youtube video selected for this task, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrDM9NbgJHM.

Once the tyres are in place, additional recycled materials such as tin cans, plastic bottles and glass are used to fill any remaining spaces left within the structure. I feel that utilising materials such as tyres, tin cans, plastic bottles and glass is an innovative concept as they are abundant in quantity, thus implying that this method of recycling generates a low impact on the planet, for example, by reducing the amount of waste being submerged in land fill sites. Additionally, they require little manufactured energy to construct (i.e. heavy duty machinery).

12) Design to foster debate and challenge the status quo surrounding existing products/materials/ service products.

The idea of an Earthship is to make a reduction in the amount of negative impact occuring on the environment, specifically negative impacts that conventional housing contributes, however, both their unique concept and design has resulted in a great deal of debate as it strays away from what is classed as 'the norm'. Following research I have identified below some of the pros and cons that have been associated with Earthship homes...

Pros

• Energy Efficient (utilises solar, wind and geothermal).
• Sustainable (possesses its own facilities that enables things such as water reuse). 
• Unique architectural designs. 
• Easy to construct. 
• Use of recycled materials (products that would have otherwise ended up at landfill sites). 

Cons 

• High use of concrete in construction contributes 10% of greenhouse gases whilst additionally it removes some oxygen from breathable air. 
• Expensive to build. 
• Difficult to insure and obtain a mortgage on. 
• Maintenance limited to the Earthship Biotect company makes situations such as repairs expensive. 
• Natural breakdown of tyres over a period of time releases toxic vapours that collects within the enclosed environment...obviously not too good for the home-owners health. 
• Edible planted areas can become over watered or infected from mould and algae due to the collection of water along wall surfaces inside the property. 
• Arid environments result in less rainfall thus making it difficult to collect enough water to support the house systems. 
• Earthships are not designed in many cases for the environment in which they are constructed, thus implying that they can be extremely hot in the summer and freezing cold in the winter. 
• Difficult to re-sell. 
• Earthships are classified as 'experimental architecture' therefore many areas do not allow them to be constructed. 
• As a section of these houses are in fact built underground, it is not uncommon for them to obtain addition unwanted occupants such as insects.

14) Design to create more sustainable products/materials/service products for a more sustainable future.

The Earthship is the sustainable product, its utilisation of rubbish and other waste materials in construction combined with its self-sufficient facilities aims to achieve a reduction in environmental pollution and energy waste. It's a further developing concept that successfully promotes the fact that a more sustainable lifestyle and a more sustainable future is actually achievable. Although it requires additional technological advancements to resolve the con's mentioned in point 12, it is an idea that has been created with the needs of the future in mind as a method of preventing an irreversible environmental disaster.

Although I can see the merit to the concept, after researching the cons I believe it requires drastic advancements in its design and construction to make it an idea that will encourage more people to not only part with their hard earned money in purchasing one but additionally encourage individuals to radically alter their lifestyles. However, I feel that the innovative nature of the Earthship Biotecture is a successful example of the potential that can result from green design.

Other websites used =
http://www.archinia.com/about-us/publications/216-earthship-pros-and-cons.html.