Working together, they can begin to reverse our environment’s
downhill slide
One of the most critical concerns facing the world today is the rapid destruction
of [N]ature’s delicate ecosystems. Our generation consumes more
valuable resources than any other in the history of humankind. We burn fossil
fuels, destroy forests, strip mine the land, and pollute the atmosphere at staggering
rates that promise to leave little for our grandchildren to enjoy.
While no single industry or corporation can be held solely responsible for the steady, methodical destruction of [our] planet, the building industry is a prime offender. Construction of buildings – both residential and commercial – uses enormous amounts of natural resources such as wood, petroleum, gas and ore.
What’s more, the massive HVAC systems installed to artificially control the atmosphere of large buildings compound the problem even further.
HVAC: wasteful and energy consuming.
The HVAC System is one of the largest sources of energy waste connected with
the building industry today. Mechanical engineers are taught to incorporate
HVAC systems into every commercial building they design. These huge, intricate
systems are expensive, energy consumptive, polluting and are the leading cause
behind Sick Building Syndrome. What’s more, they are sometimes unnecessary.
Other alternatives, such as heating, cooling and ventilation by natural means receive very little consideration.
A natural alternative.
There are a handful of architects who maintain that natural elements can play
a major role in improving the impact the building industry has on the environment.
As concern for the earth’s well-being increases, these architects are
developing more workable alternatives to HVAC.
For example, an architect in Salinas, California, recently decided to test the effectiveness of natural ventilation when he designed his own office building. He constructed a large, central atrium, over which he incorporated an operable skylight that can be opened and closed automatically.
The operable skylight allowed him to control the air temperature in the entire building simply by adjusting the opening of the skylight, without the use of HVAC. The result: a naturally comfortable environment, no matter what the climate outside.
A few years later, the same architect incorporated operable skylights – instead of HVAC equipment – in two buildings he designed for a local college. Today these buildings operate on 83% less energy normally required to operate similar buildings on the same campus.
This same concept has proved effective in climates as cold as Spearfish, South Dakota, where temperatures drop to 30 degrees in the winter. When the Super Eight Lodge was build there ten years ago, an operable skylight was installed to enclose the huge outdoor swimming pool. Despite the absence of an HVAC system, guests enjoy a comfortable temperature around the pool throughout the year.
Operable skylights have also been incorporated into the design of the Kahala Mall in Honolulu, Hawaii; where temperatures soar to 90 degrees with humidity at 80 percent during the summer. A comfortable atmosphere in this large crowded mall in maintained simply by adjusting the roof openings. A cooling draft, created by air temperature differentials, naturally removes the stagnant air, heat and moisture that can cause discomfort in such large enclosed spaces.
A good idea revisited.
Ventilation and heating through natural means are not new concepts. The ancient Romans incorporated these same design principals into their homes, bathhouses, plazas, and temples as early as 300 A.D. The Pantheon boasts a 30-foot opening at the top of its dome. The opening provided the huge interior space with natural light, heat, ventilation and cooling, an updraft prevented rain and insects from entering the building. There’s no doubt, it’s inhabitants, thousands of years ago, appreciated the cool reprise from the stifling heat.
Similar concepts were also featured in atrium houses, first developed in Mesopotamia around 2000 B.C. The surrounding roofs collected rainwater and the atrium provided security and privacy for large gatherings or the serenity of a protected garden. All rooms surrounding the atrium were well ventilated, naturally lit and solar heated.
Working with the environment.
Architecture serves as one of the most accurate records or cultural achievements; an illustrated history of each civilization [’s] ideals and capabilities. Architectural monuments attest to cultural, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs and values.
Today’s architecture demonstrates that our culture is highly sophisticated, yet lacks our predecessor’s intuitive of two important natural elements: air and light. Sometimes, it can even emphasize a sad disrespect for our resources and environment.
As long as the building industry continues to rely on advanced technology rather than working with nature as earlier civilization did, it may continue to contribute to the devastation of our environment.
Good intentions gone astray. Recently, Title 24 was passed in California, establishing new construction requirements originally intended to help boost energy efficiency. Although Title 24 has proved somewhat successful in reducing monthly heating and cooling bills, the act has a significant drawback. Some energy costs have simply shifted from savings in life cycle costs of operating buildings to increased costs in producing construction materials. For example, high performance glass reduces heat-gain, which in turn lowers air condition demand. But production of this glass requires extensive mining of precious minerals and heavy energy consuming production facilities. As an unfortunate result, the original intent of Title 24 has become self- defeating.
Education is the key.
Title 24 is obviously not the solution, but it could be a step in the right direction. Yet there are many other aspects of the building industry that are unnecessarily wasteful and need immediate attention. The solution lies in educating architects and engineers about these simple, physical principals and allowing them to work without unnecessary legal constraints on their capabilities.
New energy saving concepts must be developed and utilized with the same enthusiasm that has been applied to high technology in recent years. By working with our environment instead of against it, we can ultimately achieve a peaceful co-existence with nature, stop destroying our precious resources and provide a more promising future for our descendants.
By David S. Miller, Architect
[Founder], Rollamatic Roofs, Inc
*[]- Indicates changes made from the original document