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I NEED MY SPACE

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We all understand this need to have our own space and not to be crowded in by other people, at least for some part of our life. So before we at last turn exclusively to the behavior of humans, it is valuable to describe two more animal distances for which there seem to be obvious human parallels; the minimum and maximum distances maintained between animals of the same species under particular circumstances. The lesser of these distances is the minimum distance a species will maintain separating its members under normal circumstances. Confusingly Hediger first used the phrase ‘personal distance’ to apply to this, and hence the common use of ‘personal space’ . This use of the word ‘personal’ is understandable, since the distance is not one universally followed by a species but rather depends upon the social status of the individual animal in its society. Dominant animals are given greater personal distances by the other members of their family, group, tribe, pack or whatever soc
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OUR SPATIAL NEEDS

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Think of the very high level emotional needs we expect space to help us to satisfy. Most of us hate being bored, and want some form of amusement or entertainment. We might see this as a need for stimulation, and we demand that the spaces around us should provide this. On the whole we also seek to avoid high levels of uncertainty and change, and we require a degree of stability and structure in our lives. We might see this as a need for security, and so we require a space to keep us secure. Most of us seem to have a strong desire to belong somewhere. Many people I have known who have traveled widely in their lives describe an increasingly strong need to return to their roots in later life. We might see this as a need for identity and to belong somewhere, or in other words a need to be located somewhere. All these are examples of needs that a space we inhabit can help to satisfy. Robert Audrey was the first to suggest that not only do we seem to have these three important need
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SAVE MORE BY BUILDING GREEN BUILDINGS

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High efficiency and performance can result in higher property values and potentially lower lenders’ credit risk. Lower operating costs associated with more efficient systems can lead to higher building net income. The value of a l00,000-square-foot office building increases by over $1 million through implementation of green building measures. These measures, associated with energy, water, waste, and labor, result in annual operating savings of $101,400. The increased building value is calculated by using a fairly conservative building market capitalization rate—a formula used by building appraisers, brokers, and lenders to calculate a building’s value—of 10 percent on the savings. A building’s value is derived by dividing its net operating income, or savings, by the market capitalization rate. In addition to increasing a building’s net operating income or value, green building measures may allow building owners to charge higher rents or achieve higher rates of building occupancy
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DEVELOPING GREEN SUSTAINABLE CITIES

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Local Economic Development Opportunities Promotion And Implementation Of Green Buildings Green building practices within a community can generate new economic development opportunities. These opportunities can take a variety of forms, including new business development to meet the demand for green products and services; resource efficiency improvement programs that enable existing businesses to lower operating costs; development of environmentally oriented business districts; and job training related to new green businesses and products. In Austin, Texas, the long-term existence of the city’s Green Builder Program has contributed to the growth of green building trades, including, companies to meet the demand for rainwater-harvesting systems and services. The city had also begun working with a non-profit organization to offer at-risk youths an opportunity to learn job skills while they build affordable green homes. On a national level, the EPA cites the potential creation of ov
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SAVE WATER IN BUILDINGS & ON SITE

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Today more than ever, it is imperative that we begin to be conscious about our water use. Reducing water usage also reduces energy use and the costs associated with building operation; transporting, treating or desalinating water are very energy intensive tasks that are necessary when water is not used carefully. The most sustainable way to manage water usage in a building is to reduce the amount of water used.  This can be done using more efficient washing machines, dishwashers, shower and water fixtures and toilets. More efficient shower fixtures mix air with water to produce a similar feel and effect as regular showers while using significantly less water. Along with low flow sinks and showers, water saving toilets can effectively reduce water consumption. There are a wide variety of options when it comes to toilets depending on one’s needs and willingness to break with one’s cultural influences. Toilets ( Non-renewable w ater ) Toilets similar to the classic flush, they still do of
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OCCUPANTS HEALTH, PRODUCTIVITY AND BUILDINGS

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The purpose of a building is not only to provide shelter for its occupants, but also to provide an environment conducive to high performance of all intended occupant activities. Recent studies have shown that buildings with good overall environmental quality, including effective ventilation, natural or proper levels of lighting, indoor air quality, and good acoustics, can increase worker productivity by six to 16 percent. An organization’s most significant financial commitment is usually to its employees. Many employers spend at least as much on salary related expenditures as they do on constructing an entire company building. In many organizations, salaries and associated benefits consume the majority of the annual operating budget. Based on, sample calculations, a typical employer could spend $233 per square foot annually for an employee.  Building construction costs generally fall below this level, often by 50 percent. In addition, annual employee salary related expenditures, usi
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REDUCTION OF WASTE AND SUSTAINABILITY

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 Of the 20,000 landfills located within the United States, more than 15,000 have reached capacity and closed. Many more are following this pattern each year. Construction-related waste constitutes more than 25 percent of landfill content and equals total municipal garbage waste generated in the United States. As a result of this volume of waste, an increasing number of landfills will not permit, or are charging extra for, the dumping of construction-related waste. In response, recycling of such debris is increasing at the job site. Materials such as gypsum, glass, carpet, aluminum, steel, brick, and disassembled building components can be reused, or, if that is not feasible, recycled. In addition to construction-waste recycling, the building industry is beginning to achieve significant waste reductions through more building reuse and adaptation, as opposed to demolition. In past decades, the trend has been to raze a building at the end of its first life (assumed to be the “useful” l
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