Lecture Notes: Buildings and Climate Change

Introduction

• Topic: Connection between buildings and climate change.
• Key Point: Buildings contribute up to half of greenhouse gas pollution.
  • Everyday actions (showering, heating, charging) contribute to this.
• Challenge: Addressing climate change requires rethinking buildings.

Current Green Building Concepts

• Green Homes: Examples often include solar panels, thick insulation.
• Trend: Increasing global greenhouse gas pollution despite green efforts.
• Need: Beyond net zero to net positive buildings.

Key Concepts in Green Buildings

• Net Positive: Buildings should make a positive impact, not just minimize harm.
• Fundamental Shift: Beyond adding solar panels, rethink buildings' roles.
• Missing Pieces: Location and replacement impact are often ignored.

Importance of Location

• Example: Amory Lovins' building – energy-efficient but remote location.
  • Driving increases carbon footprint.
• Walkability: Walkscore.com measures location efficiency.
  • High walk score locations reduce transportation emissions.
  • Renovated older buildings in walkable areas have lower impact.

Site Impact

• Greenfield vs. Replacement: Building on new vs. replacing old structures.
  • Replacing old buildings can reduce emissions more effectively.

Hierarchy of Green Building Systems

• Traditional Systems: LEED, Passive House, focus on building efficiency.
  • Passive House: Highly insulated, no central heating needed.
• Net Positive Thinking: Considers full story - efficiency, location, replacement.

Case Studies

• Brooklyn Brownstone Renovation: Passive House standard, walkable.
  • Impact: Reduced emissions from transportation and building.
• Vancouver Duplex Project: Passive house replacing old bungalow, walkable.
  • Impact: Increased housing density with positive emission impact.

Large Scale Projects

• Bullet Center, Seattle: Mixed-use, solar-powered, high walk score.
  • Features: Produces own water, processes waste.

Applying the Net Positive Lens

• Toolbox Approach: Tailor strategies to site’s characteristics.
• Prioritize: Good building envelope, location, and replacement.

Conclusion

• Shift Needed: From self-sufficient green buildings to integrated, impactful buildings.
• Actionable Steps:
  • Individuals: Check walk score, consider location impact.
  • Professionals: Lead projects to be positively impactful in design and placement.
  • Final Thought: Creating positive change is rewarding.