by the Construction Institute Editorial Committee
We’ve heard the term “sustainable” now for decades, but has its intrinsic meaning evolved? Arguably, yes, and here’s why: In 2021, and moving forward, sustainable design is responsible not only for our buildings’ impact on the climate, but also its resilience in the face of public health crises. How flexible are the program spaces within the building, and how do the systems and materials support occupant health?
We are all very familiar with the term “sustainable” but there has been a notable shift in the way that architecture, engineering and construction teams approach sustainable change. We are seeing the design process evolve to include not only energy efficiency but health, wellness, and resilience in the face of public health crises. Look at the recently constructed Lexington Fire Headquarters in Lexington, Mass. as a case study.
At the heart of this project is the traditional focus of sustainability: energy efficiency and climate impact. From an energy efficiency standpoint, the fire headquarters was designed to meet the Town of Lexington’s progressive sustainability guidelines. The station uses a full electric and solar thermal system, including the first full-electric radiant apparatus floor in the world. No fossil fuels are burned on-site, with the exception of a back-up hot water heater and kitchen range. Rooftop photovoltaics off-set the building’s electrical use and are hidden from street view, in keeping with historic district considerations. As for performance, this LEED Gold equivalent building really works – it exceeds the ASHRAE 90.1 standard by 30%.
From a health and well-being perspective, responder health, safety and comfort were paramount to the design. The 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City sparked two decades of medical and design research, following the many first responders who have subsequently developed significant illnesses as a result of exposure to carcinogens. With this in mind, air quality has become a central focus of firematic design. For Lexington, the supply of fresh outdoor air is maximized in the building through the use of 100% outside air units and MERV 13 filters. The system also monitors carbon dioxide within the indoor environment, which is important because carbon dioxide levels are indicative of other contaminants that impact air quality.
Though this case study is a fire station, the connection between these systems and occupant health, safety, and comfort transcends building typology. These dedicated outdoor air systems (DOAS) have been used in school designs since 2010 and are only growing in popularity. Ultimately, the same approaches that can help mitigate exposure to soot and asbestos in a fire station can also reap benefits in the era of COVID-19, influenza and the common cold.
In this new evolution of sustainability, the resilience of the building program areas should accommodate future growth and flexibility, and balance collaboration with the possibility of separation or even isolation. Space planning is critical. Thoughtful consideration to the layout, the integration of technology, and smart building systems is key to providing capacity for change in the future.
Sustainable design doesn’t have to start with a clean slate. There are other opportunities that can have a significant influence, particularly for existing buildings that may not necessarily be able to embark on an extensive renovation project. These entry-level or “low hanging fruit” approaches to change are inexpensive and impactful. First and easiest is the installation of hand sanitizing stations at major traffic points. Second: Amplify any pre-existing cleaning schedules and consider a switch to green cleaning supplies. Third: Reduce as many touchpoints as feasible. If installing new doors, hardware, and automatic openers is not an option, consider placing additional hand sanitizing stations at these locations and plan to include these touchpoints in the cleaning schedule.
Our buildings, and by association each of us, has a responsibility and opportunity to make impactful design decisions both small and large. From the seemingly simple installation of hand sanitizing stations to the complex balance of spatial programming, everyone can promote sustainable change.
