A systems framework

1
A systems framework for sustainability its
application to a construction project at the
University of Canterbury
Lin Roberts
2
The Natural Step Framework Components
Four System Conditions

• Level of Approach

Systems ThinkingBasic Science
Strategic Planning
The Funnel
3

The Natural Step System Conditions

• In a sustainable society,
• nature is not subject to systematically
  increasing
• concentrations of substances from the Earths
  crust
• concentrations of substances produced by society
  
• degradation of nature by physical means
• and in that society,
• people are not subject to conditions that
  systematically
• iv) undermine their capacity to meet their needs.

4
A Global Perspective The Funnel
5
Backcasting From Basic Principles
6
The Natural Step FrameworkRecap

• Foundations in Basic Science
• The laws of Thermodynamics
• Applied systems thinking The Earth as a System
• The four systems conditions (4SC) as a
  practicalguideline for sustainability
• The funnel a metaphor for current unsustainable
  practices
• How to manage complex change?
• Distinguish levels in the approach (Pyramid)
• Strategic Planning process
• A 4-step planning process in the funnel
• Backcasting from Basic Principles

7
Use of the Framework is widespread

• Chemical sector e.g. ICI Paints, DuPont,
  HydroPolymers (PVC)
• Mining and minerals e.g. BHP Bileton, Rio Tinto
  Zinc
• Food beverage e.g. Phoenix Organics, Curators
  House Restaurant, McDonalds
• Agriculture e.g. North Canterbury farmers,
  Lantmannen
• Manufacturers e.g. Macpac, Tait Electronics,
  Interface
• Communities e.g. Whistler, Canmore, Halifax,
  Stockholm, Robertsfors, Overtornea
• Construction e.g. Skanska, Carillion, Crest
  Nicholson, Swedish McDonalds, University of
  Texas, University of Canterbury
• Tertiary e.g. Lund, Blekinge, Canterbury, Otago
  Polytechnic

8

• Creating Sustainable Buildings

9
Sequential design

• Client architect mechanical engineer
  electrical engineer etc
• Difficult to retain vision
• Difficult to optimise sustainability features
  compromises
• Harder to make it sustainable AND cost-effective
  AND meet needs of building users

10
Integrated Design

• 3 "E"s Everyone, Everything, and Early Engage
  all stakeholders consider every aspect of the
  project in an integrated way start early in the
  development process.
• Bill Reed, one of the developers of the LEED
  rating system

Over a buildings first 40 years, construction
costs amount to only 11 , whereas operation and
alteration costs total as much as 75.
By the time the first 1 of a projects up-front
costs are spent, up to 70 of its life-cycle
costs may already be committed.
(..and thats as true about business strategy,
product design, industrial processes, food system
and transportation infrastructure as it is about
buildings. )
11
Integrated sustainable design
Owner
Bring all the key players together
Architect
Invest up front in the design phase, work
collaboratively
Occupant
Mechanical engineer
Project Manager
Shared Vision based on sustainability principles
Develop a shared understanding of sustainability
and a shared vision for the building use TNS
framework
Structural engineer
Same framework works for client, design team,
construction team, building users etc
Builder
Landscape architect
Electrical engineer
Specialty consultants
Interior designer
Maintenance
R. McDonald 2005
12
University of Canterbury

• Began with a pilot programme in 3 departments in
  2004 (2 days training for 30 staff)
• This led to a decision in 2005 to develop a
  Pan-University Sustainability Plan now working
  on a series of plans that flow from that strategy
• Suite of projects in UC Opportunity
• In 2005 a decision to apply The Natural Step
  Framework to the 60million BioSciences building
  project (7 year project)

13
University of CanterburyBioSciences building
project

• 2 day workshop in November 2005 involving
  building occupiers, maintainers, client,
  architects, mechanical, structural and electrical
  engineers, quantity surveyors
• Came out with a clear shared vision for the
  buildings and over 150 allocated actions to help
  achieve the vision
• and enormous enthusiasm, innovation and
  commitment!
• A year later the team is still highly motivated
  and on target.

14
The Challenge

• To create a building that is as sustainable as we
  can make it while also
• - meeting the very demanding technical high
  performance criteria (world class scientific
  research, HSNO legislation re GMOs and hazardous
  substances, temperature control for experiments
  and animal rearing, stability for electron
  microscopes, controlled access to labs etc)
• - meeting the needs for interaction of the
  building users (breaking down silos and research
  empires, fostering collaborative research, but
  flexibility to rearrange spaces as research
  priorities changed)
• - and also satisfying tight financial controls.

15
Feedback from the workshop attendees
The best two days we have spent
The cross pollination of ideas has been fantastic
I am really inspired!
I am convinced this group is going to do this job
VERY, VERY well
Im so impressed by the buy-in from all the
different players
Im looking forward to reading the Times article
about our success!
I was cynical, thinking sustainability was just a
trendy thing now it is real!
16
www.naturalstep.org natstep_at_naturalstep.org.nz
For more information
17
School of Biological Sciences
Glass atrium joins new research building and
Zoology building
New research building
Existing PAMS/ Geology Building
New bike sheds with showers composting toilets
Existing Zoology Building
New Link Building
18
(No Transcript)
19
Efficient use of resources(mainly System
Condition 1)

• Do we need a new building?
• Efficient infrastructure layout
• Modular and flexible internal layout
• Reuse of materials and artesian water
• Easy for building users to recycle

20
Energy Efficiency (System Condition 1)

• Significant use of thermal mass
• Wide range of energy efficiency measures
• Extensive use of natural lighting and task
  lighting
• Double glazed new external faces automated
  shading efficient, effective ventilation systems
• Independent and audited commissioning of building
  services
• Target under 100kWh/m2/yr cf. usual 300kWh for
  labs
• Sustainable transport fostered

21
Renewable Energy(System Condition 1)

• Coal electricity currently very cheap relative
  to alternatives but this is expected to change
  within life of building
• Future proofing - roof strong enough to carry PV
  panels and/or solar water panels
• Ongoing monitoring of relative costs
• A demonstration PV panel to run some of the
  systems e.g. pumps for rainwater harvest.

22
Persistent Chemicals(System condition 2)

• No use of CFCs or HCFCs in the HVAC systems
• Landscaping will focus on low maintenance adapted
  plants that do not require pesticides and use
  timbers that do not require chemical treatment
  e.g. local plantation grown macrocarpa or
  Eucalyptus saligna
• Paints internal fittings finishes have not
  yet been addressed but sustainability will be a
  key consideration.
• Department pilot for Green Laboratory practices

23
Ecosystems and Water (System condition 3)
Okeover stream being restored
stormwater treated through a water quality chain
120 carparks replaced by green space
Rainwater harvesting for toilets irrigation
Secure cycle shed with showers composting
toilets
Permeable pavers under carparks
New research block
lower pressure low flow fixtures to limit
domestic hot and cold water consumption
Use of plants water in atrium lungs of
building, a living demo of bio principles
Atrium
Existing Zoology Building
timbers from sustainably managed forests
Artesian cooling water from Commerce building
reused
24
Social Sustainability(System condition 4)

• Design facilitates interaction sense of
  community providing opportunities for building
  users to interact
• Atrium, with various breakout spaces, generous
  air bridges and vertical circulation routes
• Key areas such as the common room
  administration located either in or adjacent to
  the atrium to draw people in there
• Research laboratories designed as group rather
  than individual spaces
• Office spaces largely transparent
• Postgraduate study area - individual study spaces
  in an open plan format
• Building as Teacher
• Living systems brought into and around building,
  demonstrating biological principles
• Fish tank window from atrium, displays of
  research
• Energy use meters, demonstration of renewable
  technologies, interpretation panels etc

25
For more information

• There are many other case studies
• see TNSNZ website www.naturalstep.org.nz
• For example in the construction sector
• Videos of University of Texas Health Sciences
  Building Carillion Swindon Hospital
• Social housing scheme in the North of England -
  main success was showing TNS as a great tool for
  consensus building and really involving the
  tenants and local community.
• Oregon Natural Step Construction Industry Group
  (includes architects, consulting engineers,
  construction and development companies, and
  Department of Energy) Using The Natural Step
  as a Framework toward the Construction and
  Operation of Fully Sustainable Buildings 17pp.
• Workshops on Integrating The Natural Step and
  LEED at the USGBC GreenBuild conference 2004
  in Oregon 2005.
• Also extensive resources around sustainable
  materials, SLCA etc