Development of a methodology for architects for the assessment and integration of sustainable material use from the early design phase - Elke Meex

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



� 3 main phases: 1) Knowledge development

− Framework − Architects & design

2) Implementation − Calculation methodology

3) Output − Design support model


2013 2014 2015 2016 2017



� 3 main phases

� Each phase = 3 steps: 1) Literature review (theory) 2) Field research (practical) 3) Results (outcome)


2013 2014 2015 2016 2017



� 3 main phases

� Each phase = 3 steps

� Progress


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


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


Æ Material choice usually based on? (multiple answers allowed)

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

No answer

No

Yes


Æ Decision on material use? (ranking 1-3) Æ Alternates mostly between architect & client

0102030405060708090

100

Third placeSecond placeFirst place


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


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


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

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

QUESTIONS?

[email protected]

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Development of a methodology for architects for the assessment and integration of sustainable material use from the early design phase - Elke Meex