Green design thinking is underlined by three considerations: Protection of the environment — To reduce environmental impact to a level that does not exceed the environment's natural capacity to deal with it. Efficient resource utilisation — To use energy and other natural resources much more efficiently than we do today. Sustainable supply — To conserve the long-term productive capacity of forests, soils and water resources, and to use a higher proportion of renewable raw materials. Image: The above model depicts the DBSA Campus as viewed from the south looking northwards.
New Welcome Pavilion New Vulindlela Training Academy
Image: The above model depicts the DBSA Campus as viewed from the south looking northwards.
New Vulindlela Training Academy Passive design, Improved day lighting, 12,6kWp solar photovoltaic generator, Solar water heater for domestic water, Heat pump air conditioning and under floor heating, Efficient lights and occupancy/light level switching. Effect = Achieve 10% saving for the whole Vulindlela complex
Fully sustainable
Self-sufficient
Building level – sustainable options include: A Value adding sustainable principles – B Active managed sustainable buildings – C Fully sustainable buildings –
D Self-sufficient buildings –
Save energy, Structural improvement, Low cost, Renewable Materials, Efficient use, Environmentally conscious/ friendly Passive systems, active management systems, energy management, integrated systems, specialist calculations Green principles, low energy dependence, specialist input, integrated systems, low-tech and high-tech, semi-independent Energy independent, surplus providing resources, self contained, crisis resistant, high tech, financial freedom, complete environmental unit
Sustainable landscaping: solar panels, water retention, restoration As part of the environmental strategy it was decided that the planted roof will harvest water. Water is channelled into a storm water system to a lower level sump in the courtyard. A solar pump distributes water to tanks on a level higher than the roof where it can be gravity fed for landscaping purposes and internal use. In line with the energy strategy of the building, a chiller is installed on the concrete roof over the store area. This feeds cold air via the light shaft to the central spaces in the office and hot air is introduced by
Solar warm water The conventional electrical geyser is replaced with a solar hot water system. Generator switching The standby generator is equipped with a new panel. This allows the system to switch on the standby generator once a critical demand level has been reached. Solar PV generation Most strategies are above target maximum demand, but have a huge secondary benefit of reduced consumption. In order to ensure the total consumption reduction of 88.5MWh/annum, a further grid-tie PV generator of 12.6kWp will produce approximately 22 517 kWh/annum. The photovoltaic array is approximately 100m2. This system provides an additional 3% of the total Vulindlela complex energy consumption.
New Vulindlela Extension
New Welcome Pavilion Passive design, 29,4kWp solar photovoltaic generator,1 15kW solar UPS (12 hours), 40kW solar thermal collector, Efficient lights and occupancy switching Effect = CO2 and energy neutral
Image: The above model depicts the DBSA Campus as viewed from the south looking northwards.
The design methodology for new green buildings on the existing Campus of the DBSA was underpinned by the minimization of energy consumption. In short: Identifying the key elements for a green building to maximise outputs Modelling green buildings in relation to different building types and making the most out of it Highlighting the risks that come with green building, and overcoming those by applying management strategies Reviewing the costs of constructing a green building by calculating specific needs with the available possibilities Image: The new off-grid Welcome Centre
Welcome Centre – the first energy neutral building
Vital Statistics: Solar hot water plant: 34 m2 solar vacuum collector 1 600-litre storage tank 240 m2 under floor heating Solar photovoltaic plant: 29.4 kW solar panels Producing 54 248 kWh/annum Battery storage = 217,7 kWh Equals all electricity requirements for the building Energy efficiency: Demand has been reduced through efficiency from 38.4 kVA to 9.96 kVA
Effect: 100% consumption reduction, 74% demand reduction, environmentally friendly from the first step onto Campus
The new Welcome Centre was designed from the beginning to consume very little energy. By efficient design the annual consumption has been reduced from 83,880kWh to 54,250kWh. To make up for the rest, a solar photovoltaic array was installed. This will double up as a UPS in order to have full energy security.
New DBSA Welcome Centre
The building is naturally oriented towards oncoming traffic along its feeder road, turning its grassy back to the N1highway. While the undulating, planted roof lends desirable thermal mass, it also harvests rainwater, and forms recesses along its edges to protect against the harsh summer sun. New DBSA Welcome Centre
Large windows towards the west – arguably one of the biggest energy sins – were unfortunately non-negotiable in order to allow direct visual access onto the western feeder road. As a result, permeable vertical sun shading screens were designed to accommodate views while protecting openings. The screens recall traditional timber laths. Windows are double-glazed, with au courant fenestration and perimeter wall insulation to avoid energy losses in winter. Double-glazing also reduces traffic noise. New DBSA Welcome Centre
Integrated design: structure, systems and management Solar hot water plant- 34m2 solar vacuum collector, 1,600-litre storage tank, 240m2 under floor heating Solar photovoltaic plant- 29.4kW solar panels, Producing 54248kWh/annum, Battery storage = 217,7kWh, Equals all electricity requirements for the building Energy efficiency- Demand has been reduced through efficiency from 38.4kVA to 9.96kVA. An air conditioning system is no longer required. . Effect: 100% consumption reduction, 74% demand reduction, environmentally friendly from the first step onto campus New DBSA Welcome Centre
New DBSA Welcome Centre
New DBSA Welcome Centre
Integrated systems and thermal design
Integrated systems and thermal design Collapsing soil conditions on site necessitated the earth to be excavated to a depth of about three meters and replaced with suitable material. The deep excavation offered a cost-effective opportunity to use the earth’s constant temperature as a control system: Fresh air supply is drawn into the building via underground pipes, thereby pre-heating the air in winter and precooling it in summer.
Sustainable landscaping: solar panels, water retention, restoration All storm-water for landscaping is treated in situ with a retention dam collecting storm water, while also promoting existing bird and wildlife. The retention of storm water on site also reduces the demand for council supply. .
New DBSA Welcome Centre
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