Building Materials - New
From Green Garage Detroit
return to Living Building Design Studio
Contents
What is It?
- In some instances, new building materials may be the best decision with regards to the health, safety, comfort and sustainability of the community. Considerations of the life cycle, embodied energy of components, and local availability all contribute to the decision making process of choosing acceptable products.
Why is it Important?
- Strengthens our relationship to the earth. Materials and components can be selected with regards to sustainability, renewability and local impact on both the environment and the economy.
- Helps to promote a healthy community living environment within the building and within the neighborhood.
- Promotes local economy, and contributes to the overall mission of net zero energy design.
When to Use It?
- Best used when existing materials or reuse of existing materials would have adverse affects on community health, safety or well-being.
- New materials can be chosen for their sustainable manufacturing process, minimum embodied energy, and amount of recycled content.
Green Garage Use of New Materials
Sustainability Goals
- Limit use of new materials as much as feasible. First goal is to reuse 90% of existing materials on site. [Building Materials reuse on site]
- Research alternative finishes and creative reuse of existing materials in all areas. [Building Material reuse from off site]
- Use manufacturers that adhere to sustainable practices.
- Use products manufactured within 500 miles to help limit the energy expended in transportation.
Strategy and Conceptual Design
| Material | % | Use | Sustainability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insulation | 100 | Cellulose wall insulation | Environmentally friendly. Cellulose insulation is made from recycled newsprint and other paper sources. |
| Rigid Insulation | 100 |
|
|
| Brick/Block | 0 | Any additional brick needed will be used, reclaimed brick | |
| Structural Wood |
Areas that require verifiable load capacities |
| |
| Windows & Doors | 100 | Provide natural ventilation and daylight | |
| Drywall | ? | ||
| Paint | Decorative and reflective finishes throughout. | ||
| Piping/PEX | Radiant floor heat and connections from solar panels to thermal water storage tanks. | ||
| SIPS
(Structural Insulated Panels) |
100 | New panels for insulation and roof deck over existing historical bow trusses | |
| Roofing | White reflective weather barrier to minimize heat gain typical of existing black roof. | ||
| Electrical | |||
| Wood Flooring | 0 | ? | |
| Tile | 0 | ? | |
| Ductwork | ? | ||
| Hardware | 0 | Door knobs, hinges, bath hardware. |
- Describe how we plan to achieve these goals
- Explain why we chose this specific strategy and design (our rationale)
- Include pictures, drawings or videos(flickr)
- Supporting science:
Proposed Materials / Suppliers
- Identify (via links and short description) the materials and suppliers we propose to use.
Development Story
The ?? - Development Story page contains many images and videos documenting the process used at the Green Garage to design, build and operate our ?? system.
Related Internal Links
- Help people find other related Green Garage pages that may help them. Keep it tight.
Resources
- Provide valuable links to help make it easier for others to pursue this pattern.
To do
- sustainable facts
