They say that a ‘green’ building can never look good. Environmentally friendly, ecological, sustainable or “green” buildings are terms that describe both a building/project and its construction process that is environmentally responsible and resource efficient, from its planning stages and design to its maintenance and demolition. Just like ‘what’s good for you often doesn’t taste good’, what’s good for the environment may not necessarily be aesthetically appealing. Solutions can be found within the scope of energy efficient MEP (M&E) design incorporating innovative aesthetic ideas. Sustainable MEP engineering design must work in conjunction with creative architectural planning. The use of BIM (Building Information Modelling) technology can play an important role in the process, using specific tools such as Revit BIM software.

Sustainable engineering can have a significant effect on conservation and comfort. The orientation and shape of a building can affect the performance of its MEP systems. Industry sources assume that early design stages can affect 90 percent of a building’s environmental effect. Therefore, sustainability is greatly influenced by the shape, location, look and feel of a structure. Renewable energy options include ‘energy saving’ technologies, which use and save natural energy and generate energy efficiently, and ‘power generation’ technologies, which generate and use energy. A thorough understanding of the principles is required to help design a sustainable system. Skilled and experienced architects and MEP designers and engineers need to collaborate, analyze and review cost, quality and schedule to provide sustainable or ‘green’ buildings that look attractive. Consider the following energy saving and generating technologies:

energy saving technologies

– Reduce energy use in HVAC and lighting. – MEP design must consider ways to reduce the cost and impact of lighting, heating, and cooling systems, since lighting and HVAC systems are responsible for 25% and 32% of energy use, respectively, in a building.

– Optimize the use of natural light, natural ventilation, natural sources of heating and cooling – Designs that accommodate more natural light indoors, installing sensors, natural heat sources, and eco-friendly lamps and light bulbs can minimize energy loss in these systems.

– canned water – Low-flow fixtures, such as low-flow faucets, can save water by using 40% less than the amount used by standard fixtures. Low-flow toilets reportedly save about 2.2 gallons of water with each flush.

– reuse water – Gardening and flushing toilets do not require drinking water. Greywater systems use water previously used for washing, which is still relatively clean, for gardening and flushing toilets.

– Reduce electricity consumption – Turn off lights, computers, office equipment, heating and cooling systems, and other appliances when not in use.

– using combinations – Switching between using electricity through renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, and regular power lines and determining the size and location of systems can help save energy.

– Reduce carbon dioxide emissions – Efficient HVAC systems and timely and proper maintenance can significantly reduce carbon emissions.

Power generating technologies

– human power generators – In special cases, treadmills and stationary bicycles in gyms and health clubs can be connected to lighting and electrical services. Kinetic flooring can be used in dance studios and football stadiums.

– the ceiling–mounted wind turbines – Cost-effective wind turbines run at all times with constant output.

– Solar panels – Rooftop or ground mounted solar panel systems use photovoltaic cells to convert solar energy into electricity.

Architecture can be creatively designed to incorporate natural light and ventilation features, low-flow fixtures, gray water systems, turbines, and solar panels throughout the building design.

Therefore, sustainable design can be achieved by reducing the use of non-renewable resources, minimizing waste and developing healthy environments. Smart sustainable design practices can help make MEP systems reliable, ensure comfort for building occupants, and help conserve the environment.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, the buildings represent:

– 39% of total energy consumption

– 12% of total water consumption

– 68% of total electricity consumption

– 38% of carbon dioxide emissions

Sustainable buildings or green MEP solutions can further optimize a building’s environmental performance and save costs at any stage of planning, construction or demolition by:

Proper Site Selection

The location, orientation and landscape of a building can affect local ecosystems and energy consumption. Stormwater runoff can be reduced/treated on a well planned site. Landscape design can use greywater systems. Parking lot and perimeter lighting can affect energy consumption.

Customization of operational and maintenance practices

Materials and systems that require less water and energy can be customized for the building so maintenance is simple and cost-saving.

Since the use of sustainable MEP practices has a significant impact on the environment and ecological systems, many designers and architects still feel that these structures score low on style and beauty. Creative thinking from both architects and MEP designers can surely change that view. Cultural standards of architectural beauty can be modified, shaped and steered in new directions through the adoption of sustainable building practices.

In general, there are several examples of attractive green buildings that function as residences, offices and public spaces, such as:

– Chicago City Council. It has a green roof, literally. Twenty thousand plants of 15 species reside there, and it even has two trees.

– Bangkok reportedly has more than one green roof, one of which houses a model farm created using traditional Thai farming techniques.

These green roofs are useful for managing stormwater. The vegetation and soil on the roof retain water and act as insulation, reducing heating and cooling costs. Green roofs add to the ‘green lungs’ of an urban space, reducing air pollution, and who doesn’t think a rooftop garden is beautiful?

Living walls or vertical gardens have the same aesthetic effect: one that calms and delights.

– The tree house in Singapore is said to be the largest in the world. vertical garden. Covering an area of ​​24,638 square feet, the ingenious green wall is projected to save more than $500,000 in energy and water costs.

– The One Central Park residential building in Sydney has a vertical garden with 25 species of plants.

– Trees and plants adorn every balcony at Bosco Verticale in Milan, with water from sinks, showers and washing machines used as part of a gray water system to irrigate the vertical gardens. The building also has solar panels on the roof, hidden from the eyes of pedestrians.

– Ten thousand plants live in a 350 square meter wall segment of The Rubens at the Palace Hotel, London, to the benefit of both man and bird. Pretty buttercups, crocuses and even strawberries make an appearance.

Green walls are naturally attractive but present technical challenges. As an additional layer on top of an existing wall, a green wall requires expensive equipment and experienced experts to water and maintain it. Although initially expensive to install, green walls and roofs contribute to an overall reduction in energy and stormwater management expenses. Green roofs reduce the energy required to cool the floor below them by more than 50%, so beautiful buildings can also be energy efficient. How is it technically possible? One of the most effective methods involves building information modeling (BIM).

The role of BIM

Intelligent BIM coordination and modeling processes, along with conflict detection, enable the timely delivery of accurate construction drawings. The role of BIM technology in helping to develop energy efficient and sustainable buildings is important as it helps to create a detailed design of MEP systems that save and generate energy, without conflicts. The precise design details required for green MEP systems need careful measurement and planning. It must be precisely analyzed how the materials of a building will react to wind, sun, water and gravity. BIM software, such as Revit BIM, helps architects and engineers in 3D modeling companies design form, structure, MEP systems, cost, and materials in real time. BIM technology helps all stakeholders on a project quickly understand how design changes can affect energy efficiency and water management, producing seamless and conflict-free MEP coordination drawings. Wearing BIM modeling, architects, and engineers can access high-tech, high-precision tools to analyze and coordinate heating, cooling, ventilation, and energy efficiency in MEP engineering designs.

For designers, architects, and the common man, the aesthetic appeal and functionality of a structure are equally relevant. People like beautiful buildings that are strong, comfortable, and energy efficient. In these times of rapid climate change, it can be a challenge to create an attractive yet ecologically sustainable building. With the help of BIM modeling and intelligent MEP engineering designs in collaboration with designers’ creativity, these challenges can surely be overcome.