4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS: Design And Development Of DASH
4.2. Sustainable Design Assessment Tool
The detailed literature study, survey, and integrating process described in the earlier chapter were crucial in bringing the tool's categories into focus, providing references and a theoretical framework for its content and intended usage. In addition to enhancing the sociocultural aspects of assessment methods, the in-depth review aided in generating solutions and building a library of existing best practices and solutions, thus saving time and effort. The tool intends to provide a holistic sustainable assessment for housing, thus balancing the foundation of sustainable design.
4.2.2. Adoption And Translation Of Framework
The tool development process has two significant steps: Step one is further divided into two:
formulation of a framework balanced with social, economic, and environmental indicators, determined by extensive literature review and fieldwork. The second part is focused on articulating a template to structure the tool contents and the formation of categories.
Step two involves three interrelated phases: translating the sections into mandatory headings, reviewing multiple guidelines and norms with standard best practices in developed and developing countries, and incorporating them with best practices and codes designed for India.
Step three and four involve proposing a tool and its validation. Figure 4.3 explains the adoption and translation process in detail.
4.2.3. Structuring And Benchmarking Of Tool
To design the tool, five important elements were considered: introduction to the indicator and its compliance, the criteria for assessment, supporting documents for references like standard codes or policies, performance evaluation criteria, and the final score. Figure 4.2.2.1 displays a template structure designed for the tool. The template is structured in Microsoft Excel based on how the comprehensive information should be displayed. The idea behind the template is to create a simple and clean yet candid model where data is distributed section-wise, and all details can be provided.
Figure 4.3 Adoption And Translation Process
For reflection of best practice approach and design standards for sustainable design, the following criteria are considered:
1. A substantial weightage is provided for their importance in the source.
2. They are related and appropriate to the scope of the sustainable design indicators.
3. Alternative practices are cross-checked between studies, as multiple terminologies and expressions are discussed related to the same sustainable design indicator.
4. The selected best practices are refined based on their application and the tool's scope for a balanced, sustainable design approach.They are moderately or not fully covered by the Indian green building rating system.
5. The scoring system for the entire tool and every section is on a scale-based system, denoting "negative" to "Best Practice" with values (-1, 0,3,5). All criteria within each category have been assigned equal weightage (i.e., 3 for good practice) except for innovation which is 1. Each score type is color-coded: red, yellow, light green, and green.
The color green denotes the best possible practice and must continue with it; light green- shows good practice, yellow shows minimum requirements fulfilled, and red shows the significant need for improvement. The proposed scale is adopted as shown in the SB tool framework and guide (iiSBE,2007), and which is also mentioned in studies by Laustsen and Lorenzen (2003) and Cole and Larsson (2002).
The score of the individual section is calculated and reported after each sub-category's data, and calculations for the overall category are at the bottom of the worksheet. The last tab, "Result,"
provides a concise summary of all the data, divided by category and multiple graphical charts.
4.2.4. Development Of Tool
This tool intents to help assess the sustainability performance, w.r.t. environmental, social, and economic aspects of housing. The assessment tool represents key issues identified and validated through a survey that bridges the gap and creates a holistic framework for sustainable design assessment.The proposed solution and design guidelines are the outcomes of intense research, survey, and analysis. This tool might not cater to all the probable solutions and outcomes, but it has attempted to fill the void in green building rating systems and comes second to it.
The tool covers seven categories of effect, identified as the most significant potential to lessen a building’s environmental impact and eliminate the frequently met problems and barriers in a balanced, sustainable design. The categories are defined with the help of existing tools components and standard terminologies.
Figure 4.4 Tool Template Structure For DASH
Each of the seven categories is divided into multiple subsections for an in-depth approach to cater to the need. For each subsection, numerous sections cover the intent and assessment criteria is measured to fulfill this category's requirement. Other areas include the analysis method, compliance, reference sources, and other required criteria for evaluation and results. The existing green building rating systems inspire the seven defined categories selected in the tool, and all the indicators were determined in previous chapters. Each category chosen is divided into multiple sub-sections which define it.
Site Planning and Sustainability
Water and Waste Management
Social Co- relations
Cultural and Perceptual
Energy and Resource Management
Health and Wellbeing
Innovation
Figure 4.5 Categories Formation For Tool
4.2.5. Tool description and user guide
A user guide was provided with the tool to understand how the tool functions. It contains instructions for accessing the tool and obtaining the optimum result.
For each subcategory, i.e., "Natural Topography and Vegetation, under the "Site Planning and Neighborhood" tab:
1. To read the intent and objectives.
2. To read and comprehend the scaling and criteria, opted to measure this sub-category's success or failure.
3. Understand the assessment criteria and performance benchmarks to be followed.
4. You may evaluate the design using the assessment criteria by choosing the option from the drop-down at the “assigned score“ that fits best to you. The score and total score will display at the end of every subcategory.
5. The final sheet, " results," will present your score for all categories together.
6. For reference, a demo value and total score value have been assigned in all categories and sub-categories. You can see the final analysis in the result section.
7. Each score type is color-coded: red, yellow, light green, and green. The color green denotes the best possible practice and must continue with it; light green- shows good practice, yellow shows minimum requirements fulfilled, and red shows the significant need for improvement.
Figure 4.6 Categories and sub categories for tool development
8. The user must repeat the process until all sections are answered.
9. The user must review the steps for each category from 1 to 7.
10. If the user wishes to use and test the tool for personal projects, you can ask for an editable file.
11. The complete version of the tool is attached in the annexure section. Kindly refer to the tool there. Also, the tool can be referred online with the link: DASH_Tool_V2.xlsx. And DASH TOOL_ V2_PDF.pdf.