Unit 1 Housing—Human Factors and Infl uences
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Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
of the facility’s electrical needs. As in other solar
applications, the PV shingles are on a south-facing
roof to receive full sun.
The Southface campus utilizes a well-planned
passive solar design and daylighting. This offi ce
space takes advantage of sunlight as a prominent
light source year-round. Exterior shades block direct
sunlight while interior light shelves bounce sunlight
deep into the offi ce. The use of daylighting strategies
offsets the larger need for artifi cial lighting and is
balanced with light-monitoring sensors.
Other energy-saving measures at the Center
include energy-effi cient ENERGY STAR appliances
(ENERGY STAR products are certifi ed to save
energy without sacrifi cing functionality or features)
and a geothermal heat pump. In a practical sense,
geothermal energy for heating and cooling involves
a heat exchange via a buried, liquid-fi lled pipe
designed in a loop. This creates an ultra-effi cient
heating and cooling system that utilizes the
stable temperature of the surrounding earth.
This approach is more effi cient than conventional
air-exchange systems.
The Center’s landscape emphasizes the principles
of drought-tolerant landscaping. In addition, the
Center uses a rainwater catchment irrigation system
for watering and fl ushing toilets. The landscaping
also uses such recycled materials as wood-chip mulch
and concrete rubble for stepping-stones. Graywater
is wastewater from washing machines, showers, and
sinks. It is not contaminated with human waste and can
be used for landscape watering.
Sustainability Coordinator
Do you care about the environment? Are you
interested in making people more comfortable and
healthy at work and at home? Do you dislike seeing
garbage dumpsters full of construction waste? If you
do, a career in sustainable design and management
might be for you!
Interests/Skills: By far the most important
skills in sustainable design coordination and
management are communication and teamwork.
These professionals must be able to communicate
implementation-strategy plans for green initiatives
verbally, visually, and in writing with a wide variety
of architects, designers, contractors, tradespeople,
engineers, and clients involved in the building
process. Environmental professionals must think
critically about the project goals (increasing natural
ventilation, utilizing natural water sources, specifying
recycled products, etc.) and come up with logical,
but creative ways to meet them. Because this
work involves much research and documentation,
sustainability coordinators must have excellent
organizational skills and pay attention to details.
Career Snapshot: Designers can create sustainable
buildings that are more environmentally friendly,
healthier for the occupants, use less water and
energy, and utilize land and space more efficiently.
Often, designers work toward getting their buildings
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design) certified, which is a method of identifying
and awarding construction projects that have
employed sustainable practices in site development,
indoor environmental quality, water use, energy
efficiency, and the use of earth-friendly products.
Coordinators help establish overall and specific
sustainability goals for construction projects and
monitor the progress as the project develops.
Career Focus
Education/Training: The completion of a bachelor’s
degree in interior design, architecture, engineering,
or building science is the minimum for understanding
of sustainability. Many schools offer minors and entire
degrees in sustainability and environmental design.
Some professionals pursue a master’s degree in a
specific area of sustainability such as indoor air quality
or urban planning.
Licensing/Examinations: All interior design
graduates who pass the National Council for Interior
Design Qualification (NCIDQ) licensing examination
are tested on their basic knowledge of sustainability,
especially for commercial interiors. For those wishing
to pursue a more concentrated career, construction
and design professionals will become LEED
Accredited Professionals. This certification comes
in two tiers. The first exam allows recent grads to
demonstrate their basic knowledge of sustainability
concepts. The second exam is for those who have
experience with environmentally focused projects
and desire to specialize in particular environments
such as commercial interiors, residential
developments, and existing structures.
Professional Associations: The American Society
of Interior Designers (ASID); International Interior
Design Association (IIDA); U.S. Green Building
Council (initial developer of the LEED certification
and accreditation system)
Job Outlook: Due to public interest and a great deal
of federal and state funds going toward sustainable
building, this segment of the design and construction
industry is forecast to grow much above the U.S.
employment average.
Sources: The Occupational Outlook Handbook
(OOH); the Occupation al Information Network
(O*NET)