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

1. 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

2. STRUCTURE PROBLEM STATEMENT RESEARCH AIM RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND TIMING FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH RESEARCH STILL TO BE DONE WITHIN PhD

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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?

6. 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

7. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY & TIMING Start = October 2013 Time frame = 4 years 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 based on doctoral research Lieve Weytjens at Hasselt University (Weytjens, 2013)

8. 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 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 based on doctoral research Lieve Weytjens at Hasselt University (Weytjens, 2013)

9. 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) 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 based on doctoral research Lieve Weytjens at Hasselt University (Weytjens, 2013)

10. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY & TIMING Start = October 2013 Time frame = 4 years 3 main phases Each phase = 3 steps Progress 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 based on doctoral research Lieve Weytjens at Hasselt University (Weytjens, 2013)

11. FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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)

15. 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

16. FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH Survey: results (provisionally) Æ Average age = 40 Æ Gender: 2,5 0 36,3 29,7 61,1 70,3 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Survey Flemish Council No Answer Female Male

17. FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH Survey: results (provisionally) Æ EPB calculations performed in his/her own office? 62,10 14,01 9,55 8,92 5,36 100,00 90,00 80,00 70,00 60,00 50,00 40,00 30,00 20,00 10,00 0,00 EPB in own office

18. FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH Survey: results (provisionally) Æ Material choice usually based on? (multiple answers allowed) 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% No answer No Yes

19. FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH Survey: results (provisionally) Æ Decision on material use? (ranking 1-3) Æ Alternates mostly between architect & client 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Third place Second place First place

20. FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH Survey: results (provisionally) Æ Material choice different in projects with focus on sustainability? 43,95 14,01 35,99 6,05 100,00 90,00 80,00 70,00 60,00 50,00 40,00 30,00 20,00 10,00 0,00 Yes No Has not yet occured No answer

21. FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH Survey: results (provisionally) Æ Ever heard of Environmental Product Declaration? 13,69 80,25 6,05 100,00 90,00 80,00 70,00 60,00 50,00 40,00 30,00 20,00 10,00 0,00 Yes No No answer

22. FINISHED AND ONGOING RESEARCH Survey: results (provisionally) Æ Ever heard of Life Cycle Assessment? 37,26 56,05 6,69 100,00 90,00 80,00 70,00 60,00 50,00 40,00 30,00 20,00 10,00 0,00 Yes No No answer

23. 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

24. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION QUESTIONS? elke.meex@uhasselt.be

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

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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