I wanted to post earlier so that I could get feedback and make any adjustments before Monday's due date. Our area of emphasis was WATER.
This exercise investigates strategies for Water Use, Recycling and Conservation in the Columbia, Missouri area. Columbia is a Mid-Western city physically located in the middle of the state approximately 550 miles north of the 30th parallel.
The chart below graphically displays the Climate for Columbia, Missouri.
Psychometric Chart4-j. Rainfall by Month
4-k.
The average annual precipitation for this region is 40.28 in
Design Precipitation = 2/3 X Average Annual Precipitation = (2 X 40.28) / 3 = 26.85 in
From Table 4.21 in The Green Studio Handbook,
Average Gallons per Capita Day = (106 + 145) / 2 = 125.5 gal/capita day
There are 18 employees in my work area, therefore, water usage for my work area
= 1.6 gal/flush X 3 flushes/day X 18 employees = 86.4 gpd
Annually, this would be
86.4 gpd X 365 days = 31536 gal
Per the Rainwater Catchment Chart
Approximately 2750 ft3 is required for the horizontal area of catchment.
From the climate data, the dry period for Columbia, Missouri is estimated to be during the winter months – December, January and February (about 90 days).
The cistern capacity should be approximately,
86.4 gpd X 90 days = 7776 gal
This is about right for an estimated annual water usage of 31536 gal (per Chart 4.272).
The volume of the cistern should be
7776 gal / 7.48 gal/ft3 = 1039.57 ft3
4-l.
My strategy for using, recycling, and conserving water for this building and site would include,
1. A water catchment system to minimize stormwater runoff and use rainwater to flush toilets.
2. The greywater from the lavatories could be treated and reused to irrigate site landscape.
3. Parking surface areas would be minimized and pervious surfaces used to prevent excess stormwater runoff.
4. Domestic water could also be pre-heated using energy harvested from solar panels.
5.
I did not discover any conflicts. The horizontal area of catchment is more than enough for the work place size of
20ft X 50ft = 1000 ft2
Use of rainwater to flush toilets significantly reduces the dependence on domestic water to perform the same functions. This also reduces energy cost. The use of pervious parking surface materials minimizes the site excavation costs during construction. Pre-heating domestic water significantly impacts electrical cost associated with heating potable water.
The psychometric chart helps by giving us probable climate patterns. This gives designers a benchmark to design towards.
6. OPTIONAL
p. Below is my Carbon Footprint
What can I do, personally, to help?
What can we do, professionally, to help?
Industrial nations have the greatest impact on the average worldwide carbon footprint. To combat climate change architects should,
1. Use materials from local sources to reduce transportation cost.
2. Use recycled materials, such as,
- fly-ash in concrete construction
- recycled brick in masonry construction
- recycled cotton/denim insulation
3. Reuse/Recycle construction waste to minimize the impact on landfills.
