Modeling the sustainability objective setting process in the pre-design of buildings

Srinivasa Bhaskar Syam Nookala, Purdue University

Abstract

Construction industry is one of the major contributors to escalation or alleviation of the environmental challenges faced by our planet. To overcome these environmental challenges there is a need to focus on sustainable building construction. Green rating systems provide standards for the construction of sustainable buildings and awards different levels of certification based on the overall building performance. Setting the sustainability goals and objectives that need to be achieved before the construction of the building project is extremely important. Eco-charrette meetings, during the pre-design phase of the building construction offer a platform for all the stakeholders to come together to reach consensus on deciding what sustainability goals and objectives can be achieved. These goals and objectives state the level of green certification that the building is aspiring to achieve. The simulation framework proposed and developed in this study will help provide a better understanding of the stakeholder interactions in setting these goals. Further it also examines different scenarios and interprets the level of certification that can be achieved in each of the scenarios. As a result, this framework would provide more in depth understanding of how certain sustainability goals and objectives affect or complement each other and provides better decision making support to the stakeholders involved. This could result in better informed decisions about setting up appropriate sustainable goals and objectives, thereby contributing to the environment and society at large by constructing environmentally conscious buildings.

Degree

M.S.C.E.

Advisors

Kandil, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Civil engineering|Sustainability

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