News

Renewable vs. Sustainable Energy: Key Differences Explained

Incorporating them In a world where sustainable and renewable energy sources are becoming more critical for the environment’s future with each passing day, the need to incorporate them into building designs is crucial. At Studio 27, we prioritize ensuring that our projects are energy-efficient and eco-friendly.

Definitions

Renewable energy comes from a natural, self-replenishing source that won’t run out, such as sunlight, water, wind, or geothermal heat. Renewable energy sources usually have a low or zero-carbon footprint and don’t produce harmful emissions contributing to climate change. Examples of renewable energy sources include wind, solar, bioenergy, and hydroelectric power. Within S27 projects, geothermal wells will be installed in the soon-to-break-ground Douglass Community Center. Solar panels are employed at Howard University Miner Building, Washington Latin Public Charter School (Cooper Campus), Mundo Verde School, KIPP DC Webb Campus, and KIPP DC Wheeler Campus.

KIPP DC Webb Campus houses Connect Academy, Spring Academy, and Northeast Academy.

KIPP DC Wheeler Campus houses Pride Academy, Inspire Academy, Honor Academy, and The Learning Center.

Sustainable energy comes from resources that maintain operations without jeopardizing future generations’ energy needs or climate. Sustainable energy sources must be maintained for the foreseeable future and not run out or become unusable. Sustainable energy installations are also resource-efficient, producing minimal amounts of waste and emissions. They generate energy without harming biodiversity.

Many popular sources of sustainable energy are also renewable, including wind, solar, and hydropower. Wind and solar power are generally considered the most sustainable because they are available throughout the world and do not significantly change the natural landscape.

An example of a solar study conducted at Mamie D. Lee School.

Net Zero (also known as Zero-Energy) is a building with net zero energy consumption, meaning the total amount of energy used by the building on an annual basis is equal to the amount of renewable energy created on the site or by renewable energy sources offsite, using technology such as heat pumps, high-efficiency windows and insulation, and solar panels. ZEBs (zero-energy buildings) must produce their own energy on-site to meet their electricity and heating or cooling needs. Zero-energy buildings use renewable technologies such as solar and wind to produce energy while reducing the overall use of energy with highly efficient HVAC and lighting systems.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the world’s most widely used green building rating system. Available for virtually all building types, LEED provides a framework for healthy, efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. LEED is a green building certification program that includes rating systems for designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining buildings, homes, and neighborhoods. Of all LEED credits, 35% relate to climate change, 20% relate directly to human health, 15% relate to water resources, 10% affect biodiversity, 10% relate to the green economy, and 5% impact community and natural resources. The 7 criteria under which projects can earn points are Location & Transportation, Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, Innovation, and Regional Priority Credits. Levels are Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

S27 Case Studies

As a studio, we are deeply committed to designing buildings that stand the test of time—both aesthetically and sustainably. We are also committed to our role in promoting environmental responsibility. We want our buildings to positively impact the community and enhance the quality of life for all individuals—users and passersby.

An example of a sustainable circle within a building design.

All buildings in the District of Columbia must comply with the Green Building Act. The building type determines the compliance path. Non-residential buildings must be LEED Silver, educational buildings must be LEED Gold, residential buildings must be green communities, mixed-use space in residential projects must be LEED Certified, and tenant fit-outs must be LEED Certified.

Mundo Verde School

Mundo Verde was the first LEED Platinum school building in Washington, D.C., and it also achieved LEED Gold status.

Both buildings comprising the Mundo Verde school campus have high-efficiency lighting, mechanical systems, and low-flow plumbing fixtures. The facilities are equipped with light-harvesting technology and a greywater system, which saves over 300,000 gallons of water per year.

Chapman Stables

Chapman Stables is an adaptive reuse multi-family residential project that is LEED Certified.

Green roofs were employed at Chapman Stables to improve the development’s aesthetics and decrease energy use. To introduce variety and contend with various conditions on the site, Studio Twenty Seven Architecture utilized three different types of green roofs, each with a different depth, which could thus support different plantings. Green roof construction also reduces noise pollution.

Mamie D. Lee School

At Mamie D. Lee School, sustainability was prioritized with numerous design features. These include community gardens, a paved path to a local Washington, DC Metro station, permeable parking, bike parking, an outdoor classroom, and a teaching garden shared with the community. Additional features include an extensive green roof, a permeable playing surface, bio-retention integrated into the landscaping, and a high albedo roof. Mamie D. Lee is a LEED Gold project.

KIPP DC Legacy College Preparatory

KIPP DC Legacy College Preparatory has an outdoor classroom in a bio-retention area. The roofs at KIPP DC Legacy and the neighboring Ferebee Hope Recreation Center are completely green roof systems, which better regulate the buildings’ temperatures and improve their energy efficiency. KIPP DC Legacy College Preparatory is a LEED Gold project.

Studio Twenty Seven Architecture looks forward to continuing to seamlessly integrate aesthetics with renewable and sustainable energy sources, thus highlighting the vital role architecture plays in advocating for a greener future.