RESEARCH GUIDE: SUSTAINABLE BUILDING SYSTEMS
Topics On This Page:
In the Library
101 Rules of Thumb for Low Energy Architecture
by Huw Heywood
Offers tips and strategies for improving the energy efficiency of any building
Alternative Construction : Contemporary Natural Building Methods
by Lynne Elizabeth and Cassandra Adams
Examines adobe, cob, rammed earth, earth-bag, earth-sheltered, straw bale, light clay, and bamboo systems for commercial and residential buildings
Daylighting for Sustainable Design
by Mary Guzowski
Provides guidance on daylighting and other passive design strategies
Green Building Illustrated
by Francis D.K. Ching and Ian M. Shapiro
Explores and illustrates green buildings methods and materials, including passive design, energy efficiency, heating and cooling systems, water use, and more
The Green Studio Handbook : Environmental Strategies for Schematic Design
by Alison G. Kwok and Walter T. Grondzik
Reviews sustainable strategies for commercial building envelopes, lighting, heating, cooling, energy, water and waste
The JLC Guide to Energy Efficiency : Best Practices for Builder and Remodelers
by Steven Bliss
Examines products, materials and techniques for making buildings more energy-efficient, with a focus on building envelopes and systems
Journal of Green Building
Features case studies, research articles, and the latest news about sustainable methods and materials
Off the Grid : Modern Homes + Alternative Energy
by Lori Ryker
Covers off-the-grid technologies including passive heating and cooling, solar and wind energy, water collection and reclamation, and back-up batteries and generators
Sun Angle Calculator
This tools allows you to locate the position of the sun at a particular latitude and time, so that you can site buildings and design shading solutions accordingly
Sun, Wind & Light : Architectural Design Strategies
by G. Z. Brown and Mark DeKay
Explores passive design strategies to achieve energy efficiency
Sustainable Building Systems and Construction for Designers
by Lisa M. Tucker
Considers building systems and construction methods and materials from a sustainable perspective, with case studies
Sustainable Commercial Interiors
by Penny Bonda and Katie Sosnowchik
Considers all areas of sustainable design for commercial interiors, including water, energy, materials, indoor environmental quality, ratings and certifications, and making the business case for going green
Sustainable Design for Interior Environments
by Susan M. Winchip
Covers building components, finishes and furnishings, indoor environmental quality, and lighting for commercial and residential interiors
Sustainable Materials With Both Eyes Open
by Julian M. Allwood and Jonathan M. Cullen
Advocates changes throughout the lifecycle of materials to use less energy, use less material, recycle more material, generate less waste, and selecting more sustainable materials
Sustainable Renovation : Strategies for Commercial Building Systems and Envelope
by Lisa Gelfand and Chris Duncan
Examines strategies for improving the performance of commercial and institutional buildings
Sustainable Residential Interiors
by Kari Foster, Annette Stelmack, and Debbie Hindman
Covers materials, building systems, finishes, and furnishings
Online
Sustainable Energy - Without the Hot Air by David JC MacKay
Download the book for free
2030 Palette
A free online platform of sustainable design principles, strategies, tools and resources for creating adaptive, resilient, and Zero Net Carbon built environments at all scales, from regional and city planning to building details
Advanced Energy Design Guides | ASHRAE - American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers
Free design guides for education, healthcare, hospitality, office, and retail buildings, with information about daylighting, energy conservation, and other strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings. Requires free registration
Building Energy Efficiency Standards | California Energy Commission
California’s code for energy efficiency for commercial and residential buildings (Parts 1 and 6 of Title 24, California Code of Regulations)
BuildingGreen
Information about and detailed guides to green building policy, the design and construction process, location and site, water management, energy efficiency, materials and resources, and indoor environmental quality
Note: Create a profile using your DISD email address for full access off campus.
CALGreen | California Building Standards Commission
California’s green building code (Part 11 of Title 24, California Code of Regulations)
Daylighting | Whole Building Design Guide
Explains daylighting and how to incorporate it into building design, with information about relevant codes and standards as well as links to sites with further information
Energy Efficient Lighting | Whole Building Design Guide
Explains different types of energy efficient light fixtures and how to incorporate them into building design, with information about relevant codes and standards as well as links to sites with further information
Enhance Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) | Whole Building Design Guide
Reviews the factors that affect IEQ and design strategies for improving it, with information about relevant codes and standards as well as links to sites with further information
Green Building Standards and Certification Systems | Whole Building Design Guide
Explains different green product certifications, including Energy Star, WaterSense, Forest Stewardship Council, Green Seal, Cradle to Cradle, Greenguard, and more
High-Performance HVAC | Whole Building Design Guide
Discusses different types of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and how to integrate them into building design, with information about relevant codes and standards as well as links to sites with further information
An Introduction to IAQ | Indoor Air | US Environmental Protection Agency
Information from the EPA about the causes and effects of indoor air pollution, as well as sections dedicated to information about indoor air quality in homes, in schools, and in large buildings
Natural Ventilation | Whole Building Design Guide
Explains natural ventilation strategies and how to incorporate them into building design, with information about relevant codes and standards as well as links to sites with further information
Net Zero Energy Buildings | Whole Building Design Guide
Explains net zero basics, renewable energy options, and strategies for designing net zero projects, with information about relevant codes and standards as well as links to sites with further information
Passive Solar Home Design | Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy | U.S. Department of Energy
Explains passive heating and cooling systems and how to design passive buildings
Pilkington Calculators
Provides online tools can help you choose the best glass products for your project, including a Sun Management Calculator and a Thermal Stress Calculator
Retrofitting Existing Buildings to Improve Sustainability and Energy Performance | Whole Building Design Guide
Details strategies for improving the sustainability and energy efficiency of existing buildings
Water Conservation | Whole Building Design Guide
Highlights design strategies for conserving water, with information about relevant codes and standards as well as links to sites with further information
Windows and Glazing | Whole Building Design Guide
Discusses energy-efficient design strategies for windows and glazing, with information about relevant codes and standards as well as links to sites with further information
DISD Standards
DISD Presentation Board Requirements
The front of each board must be labeled with the name of the student(s) and with the year and semester completed
Each board should measure 16 x 20 inches, 20 x 30 inches, or 24 x 36 inches
DISD Design Project/Presentation Guidelines and Standards
Provides standards for presentation boards and attire, and defines terms such as design concept, concept statement, design program, and evidence-based design
In the Library
Architectural Model Building : Tools, Techniques, and Materials
by Roark T. Congdon
Explains basic and advanced techniques of building architectural models, with examples and step-by-step instructions
Designing With Models : A Studio Guide to Making and Using Architectural Design Models
by Criss Mills
Explains basic and advanced techniques of building architectural models, with examples, case studies and step-by-step instructions
Interior Design Visual Presentation : A Guide to Graphics, Models, and Presentation Techniques
by Maureen Mitton
Covers drawings, sketches, renderings, models, presentation boards, portfolios, and résumés, with examples of each
Online
Architectural Model Making (video) | Chicago Architecture Today
This 3-part video tutorial covers tools, materials, scaling, cutting, gluing, and connecting
Architectural Model Making Advice For Students
Covers scale, materials and methods
How to Build an Architectural Model | If Walls Could Dream...
Describes a model built not only with foam core, but also with Q-tips, bobby pins, a ping pong ball, and more
When your instructor doesn’t care how you cite as long as you do cite, make sure to include the information someone would need to find your source on their own. A citation for a web page might look like this:
“Daylighting” by Gregg D. Ander. Whole Building Design Guide. http://www.wbdg.org/resources/daylighting.
Cite It Where You Use It
Every time you use a quotation, a piece of information, or an image from another source, cite the source right where you use it, whether it’s on your project board or in your paper, job book or presentation.
Include enough information to allow your audience to figure out which source (from your complete list at the end) you’re citing. For example, if you use the web page in the example above, the citation on your board or presentation slide might be “Daylighting”.
Check out this tutorial on Citing Sources Informally for more guidelines and examples to informally cite every source you use - whether it’s a book, magazine, website, blog or video - and avoid plagiarism.
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