Phase II
Phase II is designated as our more realistic design. As opposed to Phase I, Phase II approaches a sustainable and energy efficient living unit in the eye of an average consumer. Therefore, money is not unlimited; cost and benefits have to be weighed when determining what materials, appliances, systems...etc. to keep or to pass up.
Originally, the intention of our living unit is to be built in developing countries so that they may begin developing with energy efficiency and sustainability as the norm - minimizing the negative impact of the building sector from the beginning. We took our design and located it in Mumbai, India due to its similar climate to Houston, TX. Upon finalizing the design, the following energy modeling software charts show the amount of energy lost for three different configurations of window locations in Houston, TX. The second chart looks at the energy loss for the same three scenario configurations but in Mumbai, India.
Originally, the intention of our living unit is to be built in developing countries so that they may begin developing with energy efficiency and sustainability as the norm - minimizing the negative impact of the building sector from the beginning. We took our design and located it in Mumbai, India due to its similar climate to Houston, TX. Upon finalizing the design, the following energy modeling software charts show the amount of energy lost for three different configurations of window locations in Houston, TX. The second chart looks at the energy loss for the same three scenario configurations but in Mumbai, India.
Scenario 1: Large East Facing Windows with Horizontal Shading
Scenario 2: Large East Facing Windows
Scenario 3: Large West Facing Windows
Scenario 2: Large East Facing Windows
Scenario 3: Large West Facing Windows
It is clear to see that the third situation (large west facing windows) confirms the large amount of energy that will be lost and solidifies our decision to make the West facade completely solid. In India, it produced similar results. These results confirm our assumption that the amount of energy efficiency studies we did for Houston, TX will have similar results across the world in Mumbai, India.
However, the costs in India will be vastly different due to the per capita income in India compared to the United States. In our case, we are assuming a U.S. sponsor for a Phase II design development in Mumbai which will allow us to price Phase II by U.S. costs.
However, the costs in India will be vastly different due to the per capita income in India compared to the United States. In our case, we are assuming a U.S. sponsor for a Phase II design development in Mumbai which will allow us to price Phase II by U.S. costs.
The lighting in this module home will have to be reduced according to India’s per capita income. Since the two out of the 4 walls are made of glass, natural light will be readily available. We decided to use some LED lights but minimize the amount used. For this reason we will only place one in the kitchen, one in the bathroom and 2 lights in the living room, 2 lights in the bedrooms and finally lamps that work with solar energy. The refrigerator is a must as it excels in energy efficiency and the price is relatively cheap.
The materials removed in Phase II would be the cork flooring and the recycled glass countertops. Although these are great assets, they are a majority of the cost. Saving water and electricity is more important than the look of the interior. For a cheaper alternative, the flooring will be replaced with concrete, which has low embodied energy and is able to act as a thermal mass, and the countertops can be replaced with a cheaper eco-friendly alternative such as bamboo.
Regarding the active systems, we decided that the upfront cost of solar panels and a water collection unit would be too high for a family in Mumbai, India to afford. This is unfortunate, as these both provide major benefits to homeowners and the electrical grid/water grid, but they are highly unaffordable at the present time.
Regarding the active systems, we decided that the upfront cost of solar panels and a water collection unit would be too high for a family in Mumbai, India to afford. This is unfortunate, as these both provide major benefits to homeowners and the electrical grid/water grid, but they are highly unaffordable at the present time.
Conclusion
Because of the 2030 Challenge, we wanted to design a sustainable and energy efficient living unit. We have researched about different applications of sustainability and learned about what was doable. Our project not only proposes a smaller scale living unit that's energy efficient, but it is also an example and learning tool for what the average person can do to be more energy conscious.
Phase II also stemmed from the 2030 Challenge. The problem of green house gas emissions from building is occurring worldwide. We were determined to pose a solution for the future as a cost efficient and energy efficient living unit that can help a developing county develop sustainably. However, there is still a lot more to consider outside the scope of our project. The cost analysis prices the efficient applications, but it is still missing external costs such as construction, labor, and transportation of these materials to a developing country. Though we cut down costs from Phase I to Phase II, the reality of translating costs in India is still dramatically different due to the per capita difference. The cost of our Phase II design is already almost double a median household income in India of $3,168.
At the moment, we've learned it is not economically feasible to take our design to India. However, India is rapidly growing and industrializing. Perhaps by 2030 the factors in India could be more conducive to green building.
Another idea to consider as an alternative to building individual housing units is to use these modular units and stack them to make a group living building or apartment complex that is more typically built in India.
As investors and occupiers become more knowledgeable about and concerned with the environmental and social impacts of the built environment, buildings with better sustainability credentials will enjoy increased marketability. Green building has shown to save money through reduced energy and water use and lower long-term operations and maintenance costs. Moreover, tenants acquiring this sustainable living unit will enjoy better health and well-being benefits. The future of sustainable design looks promising, and it all begins with one building at a time - even a small scale living unit.
Phase II also stemmed from the 2030 Challenge. The problem of green house gas emissions from building is occurring worldwide. We were determined to pose a solution for the future as a cost efficient and energy efficient living unit that can help a developing county develop sustainably. However, there is still a lot more to consider outside the scope of our project. The cost analysis prices the efficient applications, but it is still missing external costs such as construction, labor, and transportation of these materials to a developing country. Though we cut down costs from Phase I to Phase II, the reality of translating costs in India is still dramatically different due to the per capita difference. The cost of our Phase II design is already almost double a median household income in India of $3,168.
At the moment, we've learned it is not economically feasible to take our design to India. However, India is rapidly growing and industrializing. Perhaps by 2030 the factors in India could be more conducive to green building.
Another idea to consider as an alternative to building individual housing units is to use these modular units and stack them to make a group living building or apartment complex that is more typically built in India.
As investors and occupiers become more knowledgeable about and concerned with the environmental and social impacts of the built environment, buildings with better sustainability credentials will enjoy increased marketability. Green building has shown to save money through reduced energy and water use and lower long-term operations and maintenance costs. Moreover, tenants acquiring this sustainable living unit will enjoy better health and well-being benefits. The future of sustainable design looks promising, and it all begins with one building at a time - even a small scale living unit.
Sources:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/166211/worldwide-median-household-income-000.aspx
Tables and floor plan made by us
http://www.gallup.com/poll/166211/worldwide-median-household-income-000.aspx
Tables and floor plan made by us