To utilize the carbon assets of cities and trade energy between buildings and blocks with a zero-carbon zero-energy potential
Energy & Environment
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill
Description
This project aims to simultaneously reduce the carbon emissions in cities and districts while enhancing the vibrant environment. The methodology examines carbon sources' characteristics of the urban condition, but does not simply reach a reduction number calculated from an applied set of assumptions. There are two components to this project: 1) documentation: a five-step systematic approach comprising of scoping assessments, benchmarking with key performance indicators, prioritizing reduction measures, managing carbon strategies, and reporting potentials; and 2) parametric modeling: a 3D buildings-visualization tool to assess the performance in terms of numerous metrics including geometry, energy, carbon, waste and water, systems integration, envelope, etc. The outcome enables efficient auditing relevant to a building-by-building assessment to identify potential environmental, economic and qualitative improvements. This work is an extension on the Chicago Central Loop DeCarbonization Plan that Dr. Araji has worked on in the past.
