LCCG: Section 2

Question 1

Systems Thinking

Answer 1

built environment understood as a series of relationships in which each part affects many other parts

Question 2

Life-cycle Thinking

Answer 2

looking at all stages of a project, product, or service

Question 3

Integrative process

Answer 3

emphasizes connections and communication among professionals + stakeholders; breaks down disciplinary boundaries and rejects linear planning and design processes that can lead to inefficient solutions.

Question 4

System

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Designing sustainably means creating ___ systems, not ___ systems, which mimics our natural world.

Answer 5

closed / open

Question 6

Feedback loops

Answer 6

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)

Question 7

Positive Feedback Loops

Answer 7

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)

Question 8

Negative Feedback Loops

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Feedback loops depend on ___.

Answer 9

flows of information

Question 10

Prius Effect

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

Three concepts integral to green building and sustainability?

Answer 11

• systems thinking - life-cycle thinking - integrative processes

Question 12

To influence the behavior of a system, it is important to find the ____ points.

Answer 12

leverage (points) Def: where a small intervention can yield large changes (ie providing a building with real-time energy info to alter behavior).

Question 13

What are the 12 Leverage Points? (Places to Intervene in a System - in increasing order of effectiveness)

Answer 13

Question 14

linear design process

Answer 14

solve one problem at a time; may cause other problems to occur elsewhere in the system

Question 15

systems-based approach

Answer 15

explore the interconnections of systems and approach project in a holistic manner; can solve multiple problems at the same time

Question 16

When designing a building using the life-cycle approach, when is the beginning and end of a project?

Answer 16

beginning: predesign decisions (goals & program) end: demolition or preferably reuse of building materials

Question 17

cradle-to-cradle

Answer 17

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

Question 18

embodied energy

Answer 18

total amount of energy used to harvest or extract, manufacture, transport, install and use a product across its life-cycle

Question 19

life-cycle assessment (LCA)

Answer 19

1. 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.

Question 20

life-cycle costing (LCC)

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Three phases of the integrative process?

Answer 21

1. 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