| Maintenance
Design Considerations:
Product and System Maintenance- After a building is has been
built, it must be properly cared for to ensure a healthy environment. Each product
and system must be regularly cleaned and maintained, and environmentally conscious
architects can help owners establish appropriate guidelines for doing so. Regular
check-ups and cleaning or HVAC ductwork will keep energy efficiency and building ecology
at optimal levels.
Environmentally Safe Cleaning Products- Cleaning agents should
be non-toxic and biodegradable to avoid environmental damage during their production, use,
and disposal.
Chemical Storage Areas- Provide a storage and mixing area for
cleaning products (central storage of facilities and custodial closets) to allow for
adequate and secure product storage with water in the space for mixing concentrated
chemicals, drains plumbed for the appropriate disposal of liquid waste products, equipped
with separate outside venting, and operated under negative pressure.
Products with Recycled or Reusable Content- Purchase products with a
high degree of recycled content, preferably post-consumer. An overall goal would be
the purchase of at least as much recycled material as waste collected for recycling.
Whenever possible, purchase recycled paper that has not been bleached. Chlorine
bleaching releases dioxins, which are known human carcinogens. Use rebuilt
cartridges for laser printers and copy machines, or buy laser printers that do not require
cartridge replacement.
Products with Minimal packaging- Buy products that have minimal
packaging made of recycled materials. Use packaging that does not use materials that
are harmful to the environment, such as polystyrene foam made with ozone-depleting
chemicals.
Products and their Life-cycle impact- For bulk purchases,
develop a certification process that takes into account the full life-cycle impacts of the
materials involved.
Tools:
Develop a certification process for all products and system maintenance
Case Studies to Research:
-Herman Miller- Miller SQA Facility
Zeeland, MI.
William McDonough + Partners
-National Audubon Society Headquarters, New York, NY
Croxton Collaborate Architects, NY
Further Information:
National Audubon Society Audubon House: Building the Environmentally Responsible,
Energy-Efficient Office. New York, NY: John Wiley and Sons, Inc. 1994
The Ecology of Architecture: A Complete Guide to Creating the Environmentally
Conscious Building by Laura Zeiher. |
