EcoDesign Solutions: "Sustainable Living Center"

If we can agree that it's both economically and environmentally efficient to direct the progress of our society towards a more sustainable future, then what is the next course of action? Lead authorities concur that there lies great investment potential within the sustainable development arena; More specifically, the construction of the most optimal commercial/residential properties utilizing alternative technology, materials, and designs. Variable upon the topography of an area, these green designs would allow the manipulation of surrounding natural resources to meet its maximum potential for carbon neutral living and with little, to no, lifestyle inconvenience! However, one finds many social, economic, and political obstacles that essentially prevent the embracement of such ecologically sound investments. Therefore, it will be the primary focus of our team to start a transformation of UC Berkeley’s existing student housing situation into the most sustainably designed structures of, what we refer to as, ``Sustainable Living Centers.``
The purpose of this project is to provide one realistic solution that serves as a great preventative measure for our current ecological crisis. Through society´s embracement of ideal green building advancements, we hope to prove that economic growth and environmental conservation can incorporate a synergistic future. Our research examines the true integrative potential of several sustainable technologies, materials, and designs that serve by helping to relieve social dependence on non-renewable resources and we believe that a partnership between the a campus and its surrounding community acts as an ideal jumpstart for “domino effect” implementation. Essentially, our goal is to prove that efficient green construction can incorporate great potential for economic growth, while serving as a huge preventative measure against our current ecological crisis.
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Project mission:

1) Build the non-profit charitable organization.

2) Give back to our communities through volunteer service and educational action.

3) Our next course of action will require a careful analysis for the most ideal sustainable designs for each of the "Sustainable Living Centers" within the surrounding area of UC Berkeley community.

4) We’ll interview top authorities from various fields, conduct scientific case studies, and essentially create a comprehensive prospectus for your local commercial/residential properties that you desire to convert.

5) From this information, we'll provide the most ideal "Sustainable Living Center" models for both the commercial/residential properties and implement the transformative designs by the due date of August 21, 2010. However, work will be done as quickly as possible.

6) Finally, we’ll create and market a, “Alternative Student housing,” certification/option for existing students that will be endorsed by UC Berkeley as an extension of the campus community.

Potential impact:

The purpose of this research project is to provide one realistic solution that serves as a great preventative measure for our current ecological crisis. Through society´s embracement of ideal green building advancements, we hope to prove that economic growth and environmental conservation can incorporate a synergistic future. Our research examines the true integrative potential of several sustainable technologies, materials, and designs that serve by helping to relieve social dependence on non-renewable resources. Essentially, we hope to help create a more efficient infrastructure design that will benefit many generations to come.

1. While tying into almost all campus sustainability initiatives, the “Sustainable Living Center” creates an educational tool that serves as a great environmental solution that helps reduce greenhouse (GHG) emissions by one-third and eventually help achieve climate neutrality.

a. Some of these organizations include UC Berkeley’s Cal Climate Action Plan, CalCAP, CACS, and CalPIRG,

2. The program will also be working with various staff members from PP-CS, Capital Projects, and the Sustainability Office for insight towards efficient progress and useful LEED EB techniques. Also, we will be highly active with all relevant student groups for educational and volunteer opportunities.

3. The properties in question are considered to be off-campus student housing. However, our plan is to establish an on-campus, "alternative student housing," status throughout the course of our transformation. We will be working with Cal Rentals, Living at Cal, and the Office of General Counsel in order to make this classification.

• -The form of the marketing will be implemented into an academic report/lecture format with PowerPoint presentation readily available online at the project website.

• -We will incorporate gorilla marketing strategy, education classes to surrounding community, and benefit fundraisers.

• -Finally, we will develop and maintain a website with online promotion tactics.

Required resources:

1. Total project needs: $70,391
2. In-kind contribution needs: 53,800
3. Other:

   Our project will have the following quantifiable impacts from educational, structural, and
   operational changes made to the student housing:

   • Electricity saved
   • Water Saved
   • Carbon emissions avoided
   • Waste Reduction

   Depending on the projects performed in each property, we would expect a 3-30% reduction in
   each of the water and energy usage.

   The measurements for the project will be conducted with the most up-to-date scientific techniques and visibly shown with statistical/graphical data. The implementation procedures will be readily available for public review with semester based progress reports. Also, a final presentation open to the campus community will be implemented after project completion.

   - Travel, food, design, material and lodging expenses for EcoDesign Solutions Team

   - Start-up funds for the non-profit charitable organization.

   - Actual implementation of "Sustainable Living Center" model.

Project page URL:

• www.EcoDesignSolutions.net

Additional info:

The world is a teeming mishmash of cultures with a bewildering array
of values and ideologies engaged in their own version of the good
life. However, the one universal and essential commodity that we all
share is the environment. Unfortunately, the planet which we inhabit
has become depleted due to our own neglect and apathy. As Robert F.
Kennedy Jr. points out in his novel, "Crimes Against Nature", "The
world needs to become aware of the long-term consequences of
neglecting the environment and start to take the initiative, if not
for us, then for our children." Society appears to view environment
and economic growth as contradictory concepts. It is our dream to
bridge this fallacious gap by discovering and communicating the
benefits of groundbreaking advancements in sustainable development. We
aim to demonstrate that the two concepts are, in fact, complementary
and inexorably linked. We hope to achieve this goal, with persistence,
devotion, and the repetition of these immortal words from Eleanor
Roosevelt, "The future belongs to those who believe in the power of
their dreams."