DEVELOPMENT OF A METHODOLOGY FOR ARCHITECTS FOR THE ASSESSMENT AND INTEGRATION OF SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL USE FROM THE EARLY DESIGN PHASE PhD Candidate: Elke Meex Supervisor: Prof. dr. ir. Griet Verbeeck Faculty of Architecture and Art Hasselt University
STRUCTURE
� PROBLEM STATEMENT
� RESEARCH AIM
� RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND TIMING
� FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH
� RESEARCH STILL TO BE DONE WITHIN PhD
PROBLEM STATEMENT
� Focus shift in building sector: from energy efficiency towards global environmental impact � Environmental impact = use of resources and raw materials, emissions,
waste generation, contribution to global warming, … Æ focus of this research = (sustainable) material use in building design
PROBLEM STATEMENT
� Focus of design support = energy efficiency of building design Æ little attention to sustainable material use
� Architect plays a central role in the design process Æ impact assessment:
− Should be embedded in his work method − Should support the decision making process along the design process
PROBLEM STATEMENT
� Research = twofold:
1. What is the most appropriate way to assess sustainable material use? 2. Viewpoint of the architect: attitude, knowledge, work method, … with regard
to sustainable material use?
RESEARCH AIM = to develop a methodology for a tool to assist architects in the decision making process on sustainable material use by providing information on environmental performance along the design process
Æ from viewpoint of the architect
Æ focus on early design phase
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY & TIMING � Start = October 2013
� Time frame = 4 years
based on doctoral research Lieve Weytjens at Hasselt University (Weytjens, 2013)
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY & TIMING � Start = October 2013
� Time frame = 4 years
� 3 main phases: 1) Knowledge development
− Framework − Architects & design
2) Implementation − Calculation methodology
3) Output − Design support model
based on doctoral research Lieve Weytjens at Hasselt University (Weytjens, 2013)
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY & TIMING � Start = October 2013
� Time frame = 4 years
� 3 main phases
� Each phase = 3 steps: 1) Literature review (theory) 2) Field research (practical) 3) Results (outcome)
based on doctoral research Lieve Weytjens at Hasselt University (Weytjens, 2013)
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY & TIMING � Start = October 2013
� Time frame = 4 years
� 3 main phases
� Each phase = 3 steps
� Progress
based on doctoral research Lieve Weytjens at Hasselt University (Weytjens, 2013)
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Phase 1: Knowledge development � Review on LCA framework:
− Literature review: ISO and CEN standards, LCA applications, … = finished
Æ Application of LCA on whole building level = most appropriate assessment level for architects = complex (unique building design, variety of materials, huge amount of input, …)
− Examination of most important existing LCA databases and tools for the
Western-European context:
1) Theoretical examination of underlying framework and principles = finished 2) Practical application of these tools on a reference building to compare tool
options = ongoing
FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH
FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH Phase 1: Knowledge development 2) Practical application of these tools on reference building: � Aim = compare focus, user-friendliness & usability from viewpoint of the architect
� Comparison criteria based on:
− Existing energy tool classification framework with focus on architect-friendliness (Weytjens, 2013) − Extended with criteria from former studies on environmental impact tools − Some results of the survey (parallel research) will be implemented
Æ Adaptation and extension of the original framework = ongoing
Æ Framework will be discussed with architects, preferably architects who are concerned with sustainable material use and environmental impact
FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH Phase 1: Knowledge development 2) Practical application of these tools on reference building
� Reference building = typical Flemish dwelling
− Floor area (one floor): 75m²
− Number of floors: 2
− Floor area (total): 150m²
− Protected volume: 422m³
− Heat loss area: 339m²
− Compactness: 1,25m
FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH Phase 1: Knowledge development � Research on architects’ current needs, expectations & work method with regard to sustainable material use
− Literature review on design process and design support methods/tools = ongoing
Æ knowledge acquired = input for the development of the comparison framework on usability and user-friendliness of existing tools (from the viewpoint of the architect, usable along the design process)
FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH Phase 1: Knowledge development � Research on architects’ current needs, expectations & work method with regard to sustainable material use
− Survey among Flemish architects:
Æ Conducted in February 2014, during 4 information sessions on new legislation for sustainable energy, organized by the Flemish Architects Organization (“nav”)
Æ Approx. 715 Flemish architects participated, about 350 of them filled in the survey = response rate of almost 49%
Æ Processing results = ongoing
FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH � Survey: results (provisionally)
Æ Average age = 40
Æ Gender:
61,1 70,3
36,3 29,7
2,5 0
0102030405060708090
100
Survey Flemish Council
No AnswerFemaleMale
FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH � Survey: results (provisionally)
Æ EPB calculations performed in his/her own office?
62,10
14,01 9,55 8,92 5,36 0,00
10,0020,0030,0040,0050,0060,0070,0080,0090,00
100,00
EPB in own office
FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH � Survey: results (provisionally)
Æ Material choice usually based on? (multiple answers allowed)
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
No answer
No
Yes
FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH � Survey: results (provisionally)
Æ Decision on material use? (ranking 1-3) Æ Alternates mostly between architect & client
0102030405060708090
100
Third placeSecond placeFirst place
FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH � Survey: results (provisionally)
Æ Material choice different in projects with focus on sustainability?
43,95
14,01
35,99
6,05
0,00
10,00
20,00
30,00
40,00
50,00
60,00
70,00
80,00
90,00
100,00
Yes
No
Has not yetoccuredNo answer
FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH � Survey: results (provisionally)
Æ Ever heard of Environmental Product Declaration?
13,69
80,25
6,05
0,00
10,00
20,00
30,00
40,00
50,00
60,00
70,00
80,00
90,00
100,00
YesNoNo answer
FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH � Survey: results (provisionally)
Æ Ever heard of Life Cycle Assessment?
37,26
56,05
6,69
0,00
10,00
20,00
30,00
40,00
50,00
60,00
70,00
80,00
90,00
100,00
YesNoNo answer
RESEARCH STILL TO BE DONE WITHIN PhD Phase 1: Knowledge development
� Analysis of the architect’s work method and the design decision making process Æ in collaboration with architects
� Aim = determination of the most significant design phases and parameters with the biggest influence on material use along the design process
Phase 2: Implementation
� Detailed analysis of existing calculation methodologies
� Aim = implementation of knowledge (interaction aspects, default values, …) in chosen calculation methodology
Phase 3: Output
� Check compatibility of the tool possibilities with architect’s needs and wishes by means of focus groups, test panels, …
� Final aim = a design decision support tool for the environmental performance of building design, specifically oriented to architects