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9.1.3 Environmental Versus Aesthetic Considerations
Environmental impacts are not the only consideration in a design process. Many
quantitative and qualitative considerations go into any design process. Just like it
can be difficult to balance benefits and burdens between different, incompatible
impact categories when using one of the LCIA tools, balancing considerations
between different assessment methods proves even more challenging. There is no
right or wrong answer, only an informed conclusion based on all of the evidence.
Taking the same framework setup in the MIA, a qualitative consideration of ceiling height can be added to the conversation. The first default configuration of the
MIA had an 8′ ceiling height. What happens if this is increased to 12′ to improve the
quality of the space and the overall aesthetics of the design or to accommodate typical mechanical systems? If the proposal was being evaluated purely based on environmental impacts, or even cost, the 8′ ceiling would be the obvious choice as it
uses less material. However, the experience of being in a space with 12′ or higher
ceilings is very different to that of 8′ ceilings, and architects and designers cannot
ignore these considerations.
The increase in ceiling height affects the different building categories in different
ways. The structural system only experiences an increase in column sizing due to
the height change, whereas the exterior envelope experiences a more significant
increase in materials. The total wall area of the MIA increased by about 36%, which
is reflected in the change in total impacts. The GWP and acidification for the walls
increased anywhere from 16% to 40% across all of the material configurations and
the three tools. However, the average increase was 35%, which very closely correlates with the increase in area of the wall (Fig. 9.6). On the other hand, the structure
only increased anywhere from 1% to 5%, for the concrete structure in Athena which
saw a 10% increase. This change is much less significant than the change found in
the envelope. The increased environmental impacts of a taller ceiling do not outweigh the design benefits. This study shows that the increase in ceiling height is
much more impactful when looking at the envelope than structure. This means that
while no changes need to be made regarding the structural choice, careful consideration should be given to the exterior envelope. The full table of results, updated to
reflect the 12′ ceiling, for multiple building construction assembly types, impact
category, and life cycle stage can be found in Appendix B. Average impact increases
in GWP and acidification of the MIA exterior wall and structural types going from
an 8′ to a 12′ floor to ceiling can be found in Appendix C.
9.2 Building 197
Originally built as a last-mile shipping warehouse in Kearny, NJ, Building 197 is an
adaptive reuse project to provide an existing office complex additional space to
work and gather (Fig. 9.7). The original structure is made up of tilt-up concrete
9 Case Studies
9.1.3 Environmental Versus Aesthetic Considerations
Environmental impacts are not the only consideration in a design process. Many
quantitative and qualitative considerations go into any design process. Just like it
can be difficult to balance benefits and burdens between different, incompatible
impact categories when using one of the LCIA tools, balancing considerations
between different assessment methods proves even more challenging. There is no
right or wrong answer, only an informed conclusion based on all of the evidence.
Taking the same framework setup in the MIA, a qualitative consideration of ceiling height can be added to the conversation. The first default configuration of the
MIA had an 8′ ceiling height. What happens if this is increased to 12′ to improve the
quality of the space and the overall aesthetics of the design or to accommodate typical mechanical systems? If the proposal was being evaluated purely based on environmental impacts, or even cost, the 8′ ceiling would be the obvious choice as it
uses less material. However, the experience of being in a space with 12′ or higher
ceilings is very different to that of 8′ ceilings, and architects and designers cannot
ignore these considerations.
The increase in ceiling height affects the different building categories in different
ways. The structural system only experiences an increase in column sizing due to
the height change, whereas the exterior envelope experiences a more significant
increase in materials. The total wall area of the MIA increased by about 36%, which
is reflected in the change in total impacts. The GWP and acidification for the walls
increased anywhere from 16% to 40% across all of the material configurations and
the three tools. However, the average increase was 35%, which very closely correlates with the increase in area of the wall (Fig. 9.6). On the other hand, the structure
only increased anywhere from 1% to 5%, for the concrete structure in Athena which
saw a 10% increase. This change is much less significant than the change found in
the envelope. The increased environmental impacts of a taller ceiling do not outweigh the design benefits. This study shows that the increase in ceiling height is
much more impactful when looking at the envelope than structure. This means that
while no changes need to be made regarding the structural choice, careful consideration should be given to the exterior envelope. The full table of results, updated to
reflect the 12′ ceiling, for multiple building construction assembly types, impact
category, and life cycle stage can be found in Appendix B. Average impact increases
in GWP and acidification of the MIA exterior wall and structural types going from
an 8′ to a 12′ floor to ceiling can be found in Appendix C.
9.2 Building 197
Originally built as a last-mile shipping warehouse in Kearny, NJ, Building 197 is an
adaptive reuse project to provide an existing office complex additional space to
work and gather (Fig. 9.7). The original structure is made up of tilt-up concrete
9 Case Studies