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Why good buildings go bad while some are just born that way.

Author(s) : BANNISTER P.

Type of article: Article

Summary

With the realisation that climate change is not going to be resolved by inaction or unrealised promises, the issue of actual building performance has become focal in today's commercial building sector. With this has come the genuinely problematic issue of delivering and operating buildings at levels of efficiency higher than have been achieved before. While some argue that good design is all, those involved in operating buildings are generally aware that the issues of delivering and operating high-efficiency buildings are somewhat more complex. A building that has a good theoretical performance may not perform well in practice, while many lesser buildings may be easier to operate and improve. In this paper, a range of issues that cause apparently well designed buildings to perform poorly are explored, with particular emphasis on the issues affecting base buildings under the Australian Building Greenhouse rating scheme. These issues include items that can be seen as the responsibility of various participants in the supply chain, as well as many that are the product of numerous such participants. It is identified that delivering and operating high-efficiency buildings is a complex and multifaceted problem that requires a holistic rather than reductionist view of the building process. Some guidelines for more reliable delivery of efficient buildings are also provided.

Details

  • Original title: Why good buildings go bad while some are just born that way.
  • Record ID : 2009-1265
  • Languages: English
  • Subject: Environment
  • Source: EcoLibrium - vol. 8 - n. 1
  • Publication date: 2009/02

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