scholarly journals DESIGNING SUSTAINABLE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS: LOWERING ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN A K-12 FACILITY

2011 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 112-137 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Han Ahn ◽  
Young Oh Choi ◽  
Bae Won Koh ◽  
Annie R. Pearce
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Sustainable Design ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Decision Strategy ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Sustainable Building ◽  
K 12

The construction industry is embracing sustainable building practices that boost the “triple bottom line”, namely the building's ecological, social, and financial performance. Since more than 55 million US students spend a significant part of their day in K-12 schools, it is vital that these facilities should provide healthy, comfortable, and productive learning environments. Here we present an in-depth literature review of how educational facilities affect student school performance, comfort, and health, and we examine the role of sustainable design and construction strategies in influencing the physical learning environment in schools. Significant barriers to implementing sustainable strategies are examined, particularly the first cost premium of a sustainable building. A systematic decision strategy is described that incorporates sustainable design strategies, lowering energy consumption and improving indoor environments. A case study describes the process of incorporating sustainable strategies in a K-12 education facility in North Carolina to lower annual energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Ways to reduce the first cost premium and minimize operating costs over the facility's life while providing healthy and comfortable learning environments for students and teachers are discussed. The case study school also functions as an experimental learning tool for teaching sustainability to K-12 students, having the potential to improve their attitudes and behavior with respect to sustainability.

Research Strategies on Sustainable Building Design

2015 ◽  
Vol 733 ◽  
pp. 442-445
Author(s):  
Hong Xia Yu ◽  
Shi Yang Ding
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Solar Energy ◽  
Architectural Design ◽  
Sustainable Design ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Research Strategies ◽  
Sustainable Building ◽  
Passive Design

Due to energy consumption of buildings, sustainable design has become a popular consensus. Based on the passive design and integrated solar energy, this paper introduces how to design in a sustainable way, as well as case study, so as to encourage sustainable development of architectural design.

scholarly journals Balancing Function and Environment toward Sustainable Design: A Building Insulation Case Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 207
Author(s):  
Celine Manoosingh
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Sustainable Design ◽  
Experimental Comparison ◽  
Heat Transfer Characteristics ◽  
Sustainable Building ◽  
Building Insulation ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Control Facility

<p>This study utilizes a proposed sustainable design process to investigate the functional and environmental metrics associated with an alternative insulation for use in buildings. A prototype exploring the use of evacuated packets of a silica compound substituting for conventional insulation was assessed. Assessment criteria included experimental comparison of heat transfer characteristics, as compared to a control facility. Additionally, a comprehensive environmental life cycle assessment and disassembly analysis was performed. Pilot study results indicate that in the new insulation design applied to the unit, heat flux decreased by an average of 4%, and improved environmental sustainability, resulting in a savings of 1.2 metric tons of CO<sub>2</sub>e over 20 years per 100 sq. ft. of insulation replaced. Results provide an alternative insulation design for use in construction, and a framework by which to assess the efficiency and environmental performance of sustainable building products.</p>

Measurement in K–12 Online Learning Environments

2021 ◽  
pp. 624-638
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Student Engagement ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Online Learning Environment ◽  
Student Behaviors ◽  
Latent Constructs ◽  
Brick And Mortar ◽  
K 12

The measurement of online latent constructs, such as student engagement, have mimicked the measurement of these constructs in traditional, brick-and-mortar learning environments. For brick-and-mortar K-12 schools and online K-12 schools there are challenges that need to be addressed to establish a measure with support for validity. Measurement in an online learning environment has different accessibility and data collection requirements. The online learning environment lends itself well to the use of student behaviors to measure latent constructs, including student engagement. The behaviors of students in an online learning environment are regularly documented. This chapter will delve into the ways latent constructs, using student engagement as an example/case study, are currently being measured in the K-12 online learning environment and alternatives to these measures mimicking traditional brick-and-mortar measures.

scholarly journals EXPANDING THE POSSIBILITIES OF BUILDING MODERNIZATION: CASE STUDY OF LITHUANIA

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 819-828 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vytautas Stankevičius ◽  
Jūratė Karbauskaitė ◽  
Arūnas Burlingis ◽  
Jolanta Šadauskienė ◽  
Romaldas Morkvėnas
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Great Difficulty ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Sustainable Building ◽  
Apartment Buildings ◽  
Heated Floor ◽  
European Union Member States ◽  
The Eu

Energy saving has become one of the foremost priorities in the European Union and a great deal of attention is directed towards the sector of sustainable building. However, the EU members that have an extensive Soviet heritage now face a great difficulty in reducing energy consumption. Since many apartment buildings are in especially poor thermal condition, and the heat supply infrastructure is morally and physically outdated, energy consumption for heating is significant. The modernization (renovation) of such old buildings is impeded not only by legal and technical factors, but also financial and social aspects in regard to the residents. Thus, this paper provides new model of investments and modernization of apartment buildings on the basis of the calculation of energy input per one degree-day of the heated floor area. The presented degree-days calculation method enables the calculation and inter-comparison of data gathered in all European Union member states without taking into account specific climate parameters of each.

scholarly journals THE APPLICATION OF PASSIVE DESIGN STRATEGIES AS SUSTAINABLE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE IN A MODEL CONFERENCE CENTRES (A CASE STUDY OF AMINU KANO CENTRE FOR DEMOCRATIC RESEARCH AND TRAINING (AKCDR&T))

2021 ◽  
pp. 23-39
Author(s):  
Alfa Sharif ◽  
Muhammad Mukarram ◽  
Isyaku Rabi’u ◽  
Rabi’u Inusa
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Passive Design ◽  
Conference Centre

ABSTRACT: This research sought to reduce uncomfortable conditions created by extremes of heat and dryness in order to achieve well balanced indoor and outdoor climate, through the application of passive design strategies in Conference Centre located in hot dry climate of Kano Nigeria. Passive design utilizes natural sources of heating and cooling breezes. It is achieved by appropriately orientating the building on its site and carefully designing the building envelope (roof, walls, windows and floor). External features such as fountain, soft landscaping and proper site planning improves micro climate which in turn helped in achieving good passive design. The methodology employed is case study and relevant information sourced from pertinent literature and the internet was taken into consideration. Research has shown that more than40% of energy consumption in any building is used for cooling and lighting in order to achieve comfort level. In the course of the research, the building was studied to evaluate the use of passive elements that relates to passive lighting and cooling which are the main source of energy consumption such as building envelop, natural lighting, natural ventilation, Site and external spaces, building form, building orientation, wall/window shading and existing of energy source on conference centre building. Research has shown that, the design parameters obtained from field survey are the principal factors responsible for any good passive design of most public building such as conference centre building.

scholarly journals Sustainability Assessment in Housing Building Organizations for the Design of Strategies against Climate Change

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 136-147
Author(s):  
Ulises Mercado Burciaga
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Cultural Dimension ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Organizational Strategies ◽  
Sustainable Building ◽  
New Methodologies ◽  
Sustainable Organizations

One of the biggest problems facing humanity is climate change and the construction industry is one of the sectors causing the greatest impact, therefore, design strategies accompanied by new methodologies is necessary. In this sense, this paper aims to assess sustainability for the design of organizational strategies against climate change, based on a holistic and systemic approach to sustainability development, in order to contribute the decision-making in housing building organizations. The assessment was based on: 1) climate change indicators were selected from a case study; 2) a survey based on climate change indicators was designed and applied to 21% of the total organizations under study and; 3) critical indicators were identified. The result shows that 58% of the climate change indicators are critical and give evidence of the negative outlook that housing building organizations has in in terms of sustainability. The 69% of these indicators belong to the cultural dimension, it demonstrates the lack of knowledge, customs, habits and commitment to implement sustainable strategies against climate change in this organizations. Finally, the results can contribute to designing strategies to promote sustainable building by the local government, and thus achieve more sustainable organizations that contribute to reducing their impact on climate change. Doi: 10.28991/HIJ-2020-01-04-01 Full Text: PDF

Energy Efficiency Improvement in K-12 Schools: A Case Study in Florida

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ganesh Doiphode ◽  
Hamidreza Najafi ◽  
Mariana Migliori
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
The United States ◽  
Energy Audit ◽  
Humid Climate ◽  
Hot And Humid Climate ◽  
K 12

Abstract K-12 schools are responsible for over 1.4% of the total annual energy consumption in the United States. In a collaboration between Florida Institute of Technology and Brevard Public Schools (BPS), three schools are identified for a case study in Melbourne, FL, representing the hot and humid climate. A simple and replicable energy audit procedure is developed and conducted for the three schools to establish an understanding on the baseline energy consumption and energy end users and identify and evaluate effective energy efficiency measures (EEMs). Several EEMs are investigated and five EEMs associated with lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning and on-site solar power generation are selected for detailed analysis. It is determined that implementing the five recommendations will result in total of 58% reduction in the schools’ energy cost with an overall payback period of 8.4 years. The benefits of such project for schools are discussed from energy, economic, environmental, and educational perspectives. The results of this study provide insights regarding prioritizing energy efficiency projects in K-12 schools in hot and humid climate. The developed approach can be conveniently used for energy assessment in other schools and can serve as a method for training engineering students to perform energy audit.

Measurement in K–12 Online Learning Environments

2019 ◽  
pp. 233-247
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Student Engagement ◽  
Learning Environment ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Online Learning Environment ◽  
Student Behaviors ◽  
Latent Constructs ◽  
Brick And Mortar ◽  
K 12

The measurement of online latent constructs, such as student engagement, have mimicked the measurement of these constructs in traditional, brick-and-mortar learning environments. For brick-and-mortar K-12 schools and online K-12 schools there are challenges that need to be addressed to establish a measure with support for validity. Measurement in an online learning environment has different accessibility and data collection requirements. The online learning environment lends itself well to the use of student behaviors to measure latent constructs, including student engagement. The behaviors of students in an online learning environment are regularly documented. This chapter will delve into the ways latent constructs, using student engagement as an example/case study, are currently being measured in the K-12 online learning environment and alternatives to these measures mimicking traditional brick-and-mortar measures.

scholarly journals Challenges and Opportunities in Atrium Buildings: A Review

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-68
Author(s):  
Susan Bajracharya
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Comfort Levels ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Higher Temperature ◽  
Effective Design ◽  
High Energy Consumption

One of the most significant problems regarding the space conditioning of atriums is their relatively large volumes compared with traditional commercial and institutional spaces. This may lead to high energy consumption, if atriums are fully conditioned unless effective design strategies are implemented. Most people perceive atriums as indoor environments, not as outdoor or intermediate environments and therefore demand high comfort levels. It is often very difficult to achieve high thermal comfort and low energy consumption at same time. A 1 °C decrease in indoor temperature in winter will decrease energy consumption by 5 %. If people are aware of such relationships, it might lead them to accept atriums with lower temperatures in winter and higher temperature in summer and wear appropriate clothing while in atrium spaces, thus achieving considerable savings in energy use. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jie.v9i1.10671Journal of the Institute of Engineering, Vol. 9, No. 1, pp. 65–68

DESIGNING FOR AUTISM: AN ASPECTSS™ POST-OCCUPANCY EVALUATION OF LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magda Mostafa
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environments ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Built Environments ◽  
Outdoor Learning ◽  
Learning Spaces ◽  
Post Occupancy Evaluation ◽  
8Th Grade ◽  
Evaluation Of Learning

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate the application of the Autism ASPECTSS™ Design Index in the Post-Occupancy Evaluation of existing learning environments for children along the autism spectrum. First published in 2014 this index outlines 7 design criteria that have been hypothesized to support environments conducive of learning for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Using the index as a framework, this paper outlines a case study of a Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) of an existing pre-K-8th grade public charter purpose-built school for children on the autism spectrum. The tools used for the evaluation were: the ASPECTSS scoring of the school through a survey of teachers and administrators; on-site behavioral in-class observation; and focus groups of parents, teachers, staff and administrators. The results informed a design retro-fit proposal that strived to assess any ASPECTSS compliance issues and implement the index across the learning spaces, therapy spaces, support services and outdoor learning environments of the school. This paper will outline the application of the index and the resultant design from this process. The results will strive to present a scalable and replicable methodology and prototype for improving existing built environments for learners with ASD.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document