CHAPTER 3 GREEN ELEMENT AT ST DIAMOND BUILDING, PUTRAJAYA 3.1 INTRODUCTION OF ST DIAMOND BUILDING. ST Diamond Building is the art of green architecture, combined with the science of energy conservation is showcased in the 4,928 square metres Diamond Building, an iconic 8 storey office building. The Diamond Building is the Energy Commission’s social Commitment to the present and future generations of Malaysia. Taking the lead in developing and implementing solutions for environmental sustainability, the Energy Commission embarked on a bold vision to develop its headquarters in line with highest global standards in green initiatives, to showcase the best practices in environmental solutions. The vision of the Diamond Building was first sowed in 2002 with an aim to build a facility with green and energy efficient technologies, which will aptly symbolises Energy Commission as a regulator for the …show more content…
In developing this contemporary and iconic building, the design focuses on practical attributes and optimises energy efficiency. The design strategy encapsulates four key aspects: • Energy Efficiency • Water Efficiency • Environmental Protection • Indoor Environmental Quality 3.5 THE GREEN BUILDING ACREDITATION. Globally, green buildings are being recognised and accredited, leading to the introduction of various tools and indices with one common objective that is to evaluate, measure, distinguish and sets apart this uniquely designed buildings from the rest. The Diamond Building carries a Green Building Index (GBI) accreditation, a first in Malaysia. Among the achievement of the ST Diamond Building are: • The Diamond Building design strategy integrates function and resource sustainability. • The Diamond Building was named the most energy-efficient building at the Asean Energy Awards (AEA) 2012 held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and won the top prize in the category of “New and Existing Buildings”. • Green Building Index (Platinum)
James F. O'Gorman, Dennis E. McGrath. ABC of Architecture. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1998. Document. October 2013.
Abstract: New forms in current world have been testimony to the contemporary style of postmodern architecture and are the strength of today’s generation for creating significant architectural standards. Post modernism has blurred the borders between contemporary and traditional construction classical concepts and simply in the field of art and literature. The architectural elements like domes, arches, and classical shapes have lost their identity but the post modernism tries to bridge between these historical forms and contemporary styles. The related architects not only struggled to achieve the image for the buildings but also rejected oversimplified diagrams for living. The post modernism here tries to achieve theoretical base for their designs that creates the excitement in the design program.
In conclusion, the debate between aesthetics and functionalism has been around for a long time. It becomes clear however, through research, that the first thing architects consider is function, and then aesthetics. It is because of this approach that aesthetics becomes somewhat of a by-product of the whole design process. By looking at examples of various buildings, it is apparent that aesthetics is important to structure and in many instances has been successfully coupled with function. But in no circumstance should aesthetics take precedence over the function and practicality of a building. It seems more likely that a happy medium between function and aesthetics can be reached, on a project by project basis, and then applied to the design process of creating the building.
This explains why for ‘many directors, commercial and industrial architecture are just a necessary shell for their business processes’ (Susanne-Knittel Ammerschuber (2006) pg10). They consider dimensions for example surfaces, floor levels and converted space to be the stand out feature of this corporate architecture. Through doing this, the architectural ethos is overlooked during design. The architectural potential is therefore limited as it tends to overlook the surrounding context; the urban environment, local identity as well as the surrounding landscape design. Instead it...
In order to create innovative public architecture, considered to be the most civic, costly, time intensive and physical of the arts, the project holds a degree of risk, strife, and negotiation . Overcoming these tasks and creating worthy public architecture is a challenge designers try to accomplish, but are rarely successful. The people involved in a potential public building, can be larger than the building itself. Public architecture tries to please all, even the doubters and critics, but because of the all these factors, a building is closer to failing than succeeding.
Cabeza, Luisa F., Camila Barreneche, Laia Miró, Mónica Martínez, A. Inés Fernández, and Diana Urge-Vorsatz. "Affordable Construction towards Sustainable Buildings: Review on Embodied Energy in Building Materials." Environmental Sustainability 5.2 (2013): 229-36. Print.
The essence of modern architecture lays in a remarkable strives to reconcile the core principles of architectural design with rapid technological advancement and the modernization of society. However, it took “the form of numerous movements, schools of design, and architectural styles, some in tension with one another, and often equally defying such classification, to establish modernism as a distinctive architectural movement” (Robinson and Foell). Although, the narrower concept of modernism in architecture is broadly characterized by simplification of form and subtraction of ornament from the structure and theme of the building, meaning that the result of design should derive directly from its purpose; the visual expression of the structure, particularly the visual importance of the horizontal and vertical lines typical for the International Style modernism, the use of industrially-produced materials and adaptation of the machine aesthetic, as well as the truth to materials concept, meaning that the true nat...
In conclusion, the designers and builders of the tower have an undesirable job: creating a building that is functional, modern, sustainable and unique. At the same time it is honoring the memory of the people that died in and around the buildings that stood there before. While the green sustainable features have been criticized for being too expensive, they will do more than save just water, electricity and emissions. They and the grace of the building will inspire a generation of green and safe skyscrapers for the twenty-first century. This building has become one of the safest, environmentally friendly and expensive ever built, but as critics slate the building for various reasons, one cannot take away the determination through political, social and economic status that designers and workers have created such a beautiful building with great meaning.
Meijenfeldt, E. V., and Geluk, M. 2003. Below ground level: creating new spaces for contemporary architecture. Birkhauser
Sustainable design seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment, the health and comfort of building occupants, thereby improving building performance. The basic objects of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimal waste, and create healthy, productive environments (“Sustainable Design”). Focusing primarily on the sustainable design principles, there are five, including: low-impact materials, energy efficiency, quality and durability, design for reuse and recycling, and renewability. As sustainability appears to become the necessary trend in architecture, the question concerning the cost versus outcome of “going green” really an investment or a waste of time and money comes to mind. With our research provided below, we believe the expenses may truly be with the investment in the end.
This Sustainable Architecture began long ago with scientists brainstorming and designing a new design for an eco-home that’s liable on decreasing massive numbers of en...
Jencks believes “the glass-and-steel box has become the single most used form in Modern Architecture and it signifies throughout the world ‘office building’” (27). Thus, modern architecture is univalent in terms of form, in other words it is designed around one out of a few basic values using a limited number of materials and right angles. In...
“The building sector contributes up to 30% of global annual greenhouse gas emissions and consumes up to 40% of all energy” (UNEP). The building sector is one of the leading contributors to global warming and, as a result, is one of the leading contributors to melting ice caps, rising sea levels and the recent proliferation in extreme weather conditions. However, it does not just contribute to global warming; the building sector also contributes to urban pollution. In the US alone, the building sector generates hundreds of millions of tons of municipal solid waste each year. It is clear that the building sector must change if we are to survive as a species. Ultimately we need to convert our cities into “sustainable cities,” but a good start in that direction is a practice in the building industry known as Green Building. A Green Building is an environmentally sustainable building designed, constructed and operated to minimize its total environmental impact. Some of the main goals underpinning Green Building include reduced energy consumption, water conservation and recycling. Green builders do this by using renewable energy such as solar, wind or hydro, which provides the buildings with clean energy and zero carbon dioxide emissions. They manage water through water efficient irrigation systems, captured rain or site-recycled water for onsite landscaping. They also develop a waste management plan that diverts a substantial amount of solid waste from landfills to salvage facilities. A common assumption that many people make is that Green Building is very expensive. But the cost of a building, house or apartment complex that is Green depends on how “green” they want it to be. Prices can range from a mere one percent i...
This is a Green Building Rating System that accelerates and encourages worldwide adoption of green buildings in addition to...
Samarai M.A. Qudah L.M. 2007. Planning Sustainable Mega Projects in UAE. World Housing Congress. Pg 1 – 20.