Energy Efficiency
This is likely the most obvious to most people, since human-released carbon dioxide is a major contributor to climate change. An energy efficient space in northern climates should be well-insulated - dual pane glass (when glass is necessary), thick, well-insulated walls, and even rotating doors when possible. A standalone, one-story retail building will be less efficient than a multi-story building, because there is more external surface area per square foot of interior space. Various building systems, especially geothermal heat exchangers and energy efficient lighting, can also reduce energy usage. Besides solar panels, other elements include natural lighting and solar heat gain in the winter - south-facing windows are excellent for this.In tropical climates, many of these rules can be thrown out the window - it's all about protection from the sun and maximum air circulation, while desert and coastal climates will require different approaches. There's no one solution for all situations, which makes these interesting problems to solve!
Material Sourcing
A little less obvious (outside of BGI, that is) is the importance of where everything comes from. The stream is quite complex and involves workers at various stages, the environmental impacts from raw material harvesting, transportation, and many other inputs. Suffice it to say, this is no small part of making a space sustainableAccess
How do people get to the building? Do they drive? Walk? Take transit? Where are they traveling from? Is parking free (encouraging people to drive) or is it a hassle (which could deter customers?) Access has a big impact on a building's indirect environmental impacts.Other aspects
Water use, waste streams, and direct impacts on the surrounding area all play a part. And the building's impact on its users is often forgotten. Is the building comfortable? Quiet? Does it provide a connection to nature? How about the aesthetics? Is it a pleasant place to be and work? Is the lighting designed for emotional well-being and calm concentration, or is it harsh and artificial? There's no triple bottom line without a focus on People.What it comes down to is this: sustainable isn't so simple! There are many things to consider, and likely some low-hanging fruit in every situation. With the right rigor and tools, we should be able to easily discover the quick fixes as well as the more substantial changes that can happen to make commercial spaces work better for people and the environment.
What else do you see as important aspects of sustainable commercial spaces?
Thanks for the post, Chris! I like how clearly you've explained the current sustainability rules for retail space. At one point, I was going to get my master's in urban planning and thought quite a bit about sustainable urban space. I think that incorporating public space into the urban landscape is key for vibrancy and sustainability. Think about the outside of the building; does it separate people or bring them together? In order for us to build community, we have to have urban spaces that do the latter. Local // community collaboration and connection are vital aspects of sustainable space.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Chris. I appreciate the way you outline the "sustainability challenge" for the commercial retail space. Energy Efficiency, Material Sourcing, Access within the built environment, and a variety of other aspects to achieving it, which you've outlined here, help me understand that achieving sustainability in the commercial retail space requires a willingness to problem solve through the complexity of it all. Thanks!
ReplyDelete