Giaimo’s Post

📢 Calling architects and interior designers around Australia! Would you like to help move the dial on sustainable materials, in a simple and free way that reduces the need to navigate mountains of information? 😃 Here's how:   According to the United Nations, the built environment is responsible for 37% of global emissions. It also causes heaps of damage to ecological, social and human health. We need to reduce our impact as an industry, and fast. The materials and products that designers specify have huge potential for positive industry change. Yet transparency of information, greenwashing, and difficulties in comparing “apples with apples” often makes assessing sustainability overwhelming. In response, Australian Architects Declare have worked alongside industry to create www.productaware.com.au. Its aim is to standardise how we ask suppliers questions around product sustainability. Its questions and categories have been extensively peer reviewed. The products in its database clearly list their sustainability metrics. And its free for anybody to use and contribute to!   I encourage everyone to check it out and share it with your suppliers when requesting information. Together, we can help shift the industry towards sustainable supply chains and, ultimately, a healthier planet 🌏 💖   Green Building Council of Australia, Australian Institute of Architects, #Sustainablebusinessmatters, Living Future Institute of Australia, Suppliers Declare, Materials & Embodied Carbon Leaders’ Alliance, Bates Smart, Cox Architecture, BVN Architecture

Brick is more than a beautiful material—it’s a cornerstone of smart commercial building. Here's why it should be your go-to choice for your next commercial project: 🏅 LEED Certification: The sustainable properties of brick can help you earn LEED points that align with green building practices, boosting your project's environmental credibility. 🌡️ Energy Efficiency: With superior thermal mass, brick lowers energy usage and utility expenses while also contributing to a smaller carbon footprint. 🧱 Durability: Brick allows for longer-lasting building design, withstanding daily wear and harsh environmental factors. To learn more about how brick can enhance your next commercial build, head to our website for design inspiration, technical resources, and expert insights. https://bit.ly/3JIYs9O

RIBA National Award winners Excited to see that the Elizabeth Line was one of the winners at the recent RIBA National Awards, along with Paddington Station. Evaluation of sustainability criteria is a key element of the awards so really proud to have contributed as Sustainability Manager within the integrated client team at Crossrail. The common architectural elements were chosen based on a need for hard wearing and low maintenance materials whilst selecting low environmental impact materials which was a challenge. Throughout, our approach sought to lower operational energy use through specification of LED lighting and control systems, low energy lifts and escalators and simplification of ventilation ducting to reduce materials and fan energy. Even the full height platform doors provide a valuable function not only in safety, but keeping braking and reject heat from the air conditioning trackside and not spilling onto the platforms. We also reduced the embodied carbon of our concrete and ensured the responsible procurement of our steel. The project also received plaudits for its approach to ethical sourcing through a fantastic collaborative approach with our supply chain. Three of the six central stations achieved BREEAM Excellent and the others Very Good. We were also awarded an innovation credit for integrating the BREEAM criteria into the asset information management system to inform future operator and maintainers. https://lnkd.in/erCnsewQ

📢 LEED v5 Public comment period #2 is now open (link in comments). Unfortunately, the Sound Environment option (1-2 points) in the Occupant Experience (IEQ) section became no more defined or quantifiable. The requirements are basically: 1. Think about what the acoustic requirements should be. (1 point) 2. Show the requirements will be (or were) met somehow. (1 point) Compare this to the Thermal Environment option that says, "Design indoor occupied spaces to meet the requirements of ASHRAE Standard 55–2023." This 2nd public comment period ends Oct 28th. I know LEED received our many comments about acoustics during the last round. Any ideas? #buildings #LEED #architecturaldesign #interiordesigner #engineers #wellbeing #contractors

I have just finished the course “BIM: Sustainable Design and Green Buildings” by Onyema Udeze!  Check it out: https://lnkd.in/dZPgD5TF #greenbuilding #buildinginformationmodeling #sustainabledesign.

Enhancing Landscaping Projects with BIM: A New Approach to Outdoor Design and Construction. Learn how BIM is revolutionizing landscaping projects by offering detailed visualization, accurate site analysis, and sustainable design solutions that enhance outdoor spaces. Learn more: www.spazevision.com #Landscaping #BIM #OutdoorDesign #Sustainability

Sustainability and improved building performance have and will continue to drive design decisions when it comes to curtain walls. Fire-rated glass curtain walls from Technical Glass Products (TGP) have contributed to projects that are LEED certified. The Roux Center for the Environment at Bowdoin College provides a wonderful example. Fireframes SG Curtainwall® Series with Pilkington Pyrostop® glass preserves daylight access and views for occupants while supporting environmental design considerations. Learn more about how TGP's fire-rated curtain wall system was used in this LEED certified project: https://bit.ly/3Vpj65e

After completing the course "Sustainable Buildings for Climate Resilience in Northern Communities," I gained valuable insights into an often-overlooked aspect of structural design: sustainability. I hadn’t fully realized how crucial sustainable design is, especially considering that buildings account for up to one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. This issue becomes even more critical in extreme climates like Canada, where resilient and sustainable building practices are essential. And now I have Just finished the course “BIM: Sustainable Design and Green Buildings” by Onyema Udeze! Check it out: https://lnkd.in/eEmSTyYy #greenbuilding #buildinginformationmodeling #sustainabledesign.

I am pleased to have successfully completed the online course 'Architectural Materials: Designing for Excellence and Sustainability' by Branka Knezevic, which has significantly enhanced my expertise in sustainable design and excellence.  This comprehensive course has not only reinforced my understanding of the critical role sustainable design plays in our industry but also provided me with cutting-edge knowledge and skills to craft buildings that seamlessly blend aesthetic appeal with environmental stewardship. In today's built environment, excellence and sustainability are no longer mutually exclusive but interconnected imperatives.  I recognise the importance of creating spaces that not only inspire and elevate the human experience but also prioritise environmental sustainability, minimise carbon footprints, and foster a healthier ecosystem.  With my refreshed understanding of the latest sustainable design principles, materials, and best practices, I am eager to apply this expertise to drive innovative solutions that redefine the intersection of form, function, and sustainability. #SustainabilityInDesign #EcoFriendlyArchitecture #GreenBuilding #ArchitecturalExcellence #DesignForTheFuture #SustainableMaterials #BuildingForABetterWorld #EnvironmentalResponsibility #HealthyBuildings #WellnessInDesign #ArchitectureForACause #SustainableDesignSolutions #ClimateAction #NetZeroEnergy #ResponsibleDesign

What design elements help keep buildings cool?