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Buildings
It is relatively easier to achieve good LIUDD outcomes on new developments than to retro-fit them to existing ones, because so much can be done by getting the design right in the first place.
Design extends from the very small scale – such as the choice of the plumbing fittings in a home, to the large scale – such as the layout of a subdivision, and decisions made at each of these scales can make a difference.
As an example, the choice of water saving fittings and fixtures can reduce the water consumption of a typical New Zealand household by 50%. In many parts of the country this then means that the roof can collect enough rainwater to meet all the household requirements. The use of rainwater tanks to collect and make use of the water that falls on the roof provides not only savings in the costs of water to the the householders, but also reduces the stormwater run-off. At the larger scale, a subdivision using LIUDD principles needs its roading to be designed to allow for swales and raingardens to treat run-off. Sections need to be laid out so that there is space for rainwater tanks.
Proof of the effectiveness of design in achieving LIUDD outcomes can be seen in Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research’s building at Tamaki. This research laboratory for 90 people, completed in 2004, has used several LIUDD principles in its design. All the rainwater off the roof is collected and used in the building to achieve a reduction of over 85% in the mains water demand, compared with a standard office building of the same size. The building also also successfully makes use of a swale and raingarden to treat surface water run-off.
In the wider definition of LIUDD, design can also be used not only to improve stormwater management, but to reduce energy demand, by making buildings that are oriented to the sun to reduce their heating needs, and by aligning roads to ensure that sections receive full sun during the day.
Recent Publications
Scott K. 2009.
Talbot Park residents perceptions of sustainable urban design.
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Landcare Research report.
Gabe J, Greenaway A, Morgan F. 2007.
Employee satisfaction and attitudes within a more sustainable commercial laboratory and office building.
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In proceedings of SB07 Conference: Transforming our Built Environment, Auckland, New Zealand, 15-17 November, 2007.
Frame R, Vale R. 2005. The role of environmental indicators at the neighbourhood scale. World Sustainable Building conference SB05, 27-29 Sep 2005, Tokyo.
Hargreaves R, O’Connell M, Jaques R, Vale R, Nebel B, Lietz K. 2005. Developing a sustainability framework for New Zealand homes. World Sustainable Building conference SB05, 27-29 Sep 2005, Tokyo.
Lawton M, Vale R. 2005. Sustainability assessment for new MfE Auckland offices at 6th floor, Tower Centre, 45 Queen St. Auckland [MfE] . Landcare Research Client Report LC0506/020 [Available from Landcare Research Library, Lincoln, subject to client approval].
Recent Presentations
Simcock R 2008.
A tale of three extensive greenroofs: developing resilient local substrates and plants
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Paper presented at 2nd Annual Greenroofs Australia Conference, Brisbane 18-20 June 2008
Heslop V, Leighton D 2007.
Re-discovering old skills or a radical re-think? The Art of Building Sustainable Urban Communities
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9th South East Asian Survey Congress, Christchurch, October 2007
Vale R, Ghosh S 2007.
Water, Water, Everywhere…. Quantifying Possible Domestic Water Demand Savings Through The Use of Rainwater Collection from Residential Roofs in Auckland, New Zealand
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Presentation at 7th International Conference on Urban Drainage Modelling and the 4th International Conference on Water Sensitive Urban Design
Links
New Zealand
- The New Zealand urban design protocol - MfE
- New building design – tools and resources - MfE
- Sustainable buildings - MfE
- Sustainable buildings in New Zealand - IPENZ
- Tamaki building - Landcare Research
- New Zealand institute of architects
Contact
 | Michael Krausse Email  |
Landcare Research | |
Phone: +64 9 574 4100 | |
| Details: Michael Krausse |
