LCCG: Section 2 Flashcards
LEED Core Concepts Guide Section 2 (Sustainable Thinking) - Review of Concepts and Terminology
Systems Thinking
built environment understood as a series of relationships in which each part affects many other parts
Life-cycle Thinking
looking at all stages of a project, product, or service
Integrative process
emphasizes connections and communication among professionals + stakeholders; breaks down disciplinary boundaries and rejects linear planning and design processes that can lead to inefficient solutions.
System
an assemblage of many elements or parts that interact ina series of relationships to form a complex whole; systems rarely exist in isolation so we must understand the system in relation to the whole.
Designing sustainably means creating ___ systems, not ___ systems, which mimics our natural world.
closed / open
Feedback loops
information flows within a system that allows the system to organize itself. (i.e. when a room is too warm the thermostat sends a signal to turn on the air-conditioning)
Positive Feedback Loops
self-reinforcing loops; stimulus causes an effect and the effect produces even more of that effect. (i.e. more roads/infrastructure lead to increased development)
Negative Feedback Loops
enables a system to self-correct and stay within a particular range of function or performance and to stop changing when a response is no longer needed.
Feedback loops depend on ___.
flows of information
Prius Effect
Delivering real-time energy info so that operators can act on the info and make changes to use energy more efficiently (i.e. Prius cars show drivers info on their fuel consumption so they can drive in a fuel-efficient way.
Three concepts integral to green building and sustainability?
- systems thinking - life-cycle thinking - integrative processes
To influence the behavior of a system, it is important to find the ____ points.
leverage (points) Def: where a small intervention can yield large changes (ie providing a building with real-time energy info to alter behavior).
What are the 12 Leverage Points? (Places to Intervene in a System - in increasing order of effectiveness)
linear design process
solve one problem at a time; may cause other problems to occur elsewhere in the system
systems-based approach
explore the interconnections of systems and approach project in a holistic manner; can solve multiple problems at the same time
When designing a building using the life-cycle approach, when is the beginning and end of a project?
beginning: predesign decisions (goals & program) end: demolition or preferably reuse of building materials
cradle-to-cradle
a closed system with no waste; all things find another purpose at the end of their useful lives; concept developed by architect William McDonough and Michael Braungart
embodied energy
total amount of energy used to harvest or extract, manufacture, transport, install and use a product across its life-cycle
life-cycle assessment (LCA)
- It identifies and quantifies environmental effects throughout the life of materials, products or buildings; It finds all the processes and associated inputs (ie energy, water, materials) and outputs (wastes, by-products) through its manufacturing, transportation, and recycling/disposal. 2. The inputs and outputs are quantified and effects on the environment + human health measured -> provides comprehensive picture of the life-cycle.
life-cycle costing (LCC)
looks at both purchase and operating costs and relative savings over the life of the building or product; provides context for making decisions about initial investments
Three phases of the integrative process?
- discovery (most important); aka predesign; actions taken to achieve project’s environmental goals cost-effectively 2. design + construction; aka schematic design; incorporates all collective systems of interactions found during discovery 3. occupancy, operations and performance feedback; involves measurement of performance and setting up feedback mechanisms; critical for determining success of the project
