Pushing the Green Boundary

Figure 1: Bubble diagram is used to explore ideas from GBI

(Source: Author)

Green Building Index as starting point. Mind mapping was created as a guideline on how to achieve a sustainable design.

Rain Water Harvesting System 

Figure 2: Diagram showing the usage of water collected from rainwater harvesting system

(Source: Author)

In order to reduce water usage from the water supply company, rainwater harvesting is one of the best solution. The diagram above shows a straight forward rainwater harvesting, while our team is trying to design a less mechanical-dependent system so that less energy is used. For example, a non mechanical pump filtration system can be included and only depends on gravitational force to flow the water. With these, more energy can be conserved for other usage.

Solar Chimney

Figure 3: Diagram showing components in solar chimney design

(Source: Author)

The roof of a building is the part where the most solar radiation hits and most heat gain is transferred into the building. Putting a solar chimney into the design can promote internal ventilation of the dwelling. A conventional solar chimney is good enough to reduce humidity and encourage thermal comfort for the internal space of a building, but our team thinks that the potential boundary of solar chimney doesn't stops here. Solar chimney can be combined with semi transparent photo voltaic panel for powering DC exhaust fan and producing renewable energy, this hybrid concept is just one of the approach our team is looking into it.