Sustainability at the Core of the Built Environment for a Greener Tomorrow

Gabe Carter, has a 21 year dynamic career spanning Aurecon's Engineering and Advisory businesses in Thailand and Vietnam. As a seasoned leader, Gabe's commitment to sustainability aligns seamlessly with his extensive career in the built environment. Based in Asia (Thailand and Vietnam) for the past eight years, Gabe has led a team of 600 engineering professionals, overseeing team management, general operations, business development, project delivery, financial performance, and the cultivation of high-performance teams. With a background in engineering in the built environment, Gabe's journey encompasses a spectrum of major projects, including supertall mixed-use, data centres, commercial, healthcare, defense, aviation, and residential developments. Renowned for his pragmatic and client-focused approach, Gabe is recognized for his extensive expertise in delivering diverse and innovative building services worldwide.

Gabe was recently invited to speak at the FIDIC Asia Pacific Conference on Engineering towards Net Zero where he shared about how engineers wield considerable influence in mitigating environmental impact by adopting environmentally conscious design decisions right from the project's inception.

He drew a metaphorical parallel where a building asset is akin to the human body. Buildings with high cholesterol are analogous to inefficiency and carbon-intensive structures, the skin like the building façade where it is frequently overly reliant on full glass exteriors. The bones and framework equate to the structural elements, where there is a notable embodied carbon presence in materials like concrete and conventional steel. The brain represents the building's energy systems and vital organs correspond to MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) systems, in specific typologies such as Data Centers, where there is a significant opportunity for sustainable design.

A Holistic Approach to Environmental and Social Considerations in Project Design

During an interview with Gabe Carter, he shared about how recent findings underscore that buildings contribute 40% of total emissions, emphasizing a significant opportunity for improved design within the built environment. Sustainability, deeply embedded as a core consideration, seamlessly intertwines with cost, aesthetics, and the carbon footprint across diverse projects. Clients increasingly prioritize sustainability as a key project driver, extending considerations to biodiversity impact and technical elements like facades and mechanical systems. This commitment reflects a dedication to reducing operational costs and carbon footprints, particularly through energy-efficient practices. Furthermore, in contemplating the circular economy, the focus has shifted from a linear ‘take-make-waste’ mindset to one centered on minimizing waste, extending material lifespan, and prioritizing reuse and regeneration. This transformative mindset aligns with the ethos of intentional design, innovative business models, and a comprehensive approach spanning the design phase, operation, and potential end-of-life considerations in project planning.

Incorporating social factors into engineering design for sustainability involves practical initiatives. A notable project that Aurecon delivered  the River of Life in Malaysia, exemplifies this approach. Engaging with the community, addressing community impact, social equity, and diversity, the four-year public outreach program aimed at enhancing water quality and reducing pollution in the Klamath River Basin. Initiatives included community gardens, waste management programs, river cleanups, and education, extending to primary schools and over 500,000 people living in the river basin. This comprehensive effort, coupled with media engagement and community training, yielded significant and tangible results in promoting sustainability and social well-being.

Paving the Way to Sustainable Engineering

In enhancing energy efficiency within engineering designs, a shift towards efficient and streamlined design is crucial. Traditionally, conservative design practices resulted in oversized infrastructure. Optimizing efficiency not only yields capital and operational advantages but also aligns with the evolving trend of more efficient building systems. Notably, advancements in commissioning and controls, especially in critical systems like chilled water plants, present real-time refinement opportunities. Leveraging artificial intelligence and the incorporation of centralized utilities plants can result in significant carbon reductions of around 30%. In addition, meticulous attention to MEP systems, addressing overdesign issues, and refining commissioning practices are essential steps toward achieving compliance with energy efficiency standards, and fostering more sustainable practices in the engineering sector.

In the realm of sustainable design, life cycle cost analysis plays a pivotal role in decision-making. Utilizing digital tools, particularly during the early design phase, allows for a holistic perspective. Clients vary in their priorities—some emphasize initial capital expenditure, while others, such as investment funds, are more concerned with ongoing operational costs (OPEX). The strategic analysis delves into whole-life cost considerations, intertwining sustainability and energy efficiency.

"Optimizing efficiency not only yields capital and operational advantages but also aligns with the evolving trend of more efficient building systems"

Aurecon has developed a digital tool known as Revit Extraction Automated Lifecycle (REAL) Tool that measures the impact of embodied carbon in building materials even at the optioneering phase. This enables engineers to test different material combinations, presenting insights into sustainability impacts. This nuanced approach, extending analysis to the building's entire life cycle, factors in aspects like recycling efficiency. Decisions made at the project's outset, influenced by such analyses, profoundly impact the building's 50 to 100-year trajectory.

In a broader context of sustainable design, evaluating the environmental impact of transportation systems aligns with a similar ethos. Aurecon’s strategy, exemplified by projects like Hung Shui Kiu Station in Hong Kong, revolves around holistic sustainability. This forward-looking low-carbon railway station serves as a testament to the commitment. The approach integrates natural ventilation, reducing reliance on mechanical systems, and incorporates greenery for carbon abatement. Sustainable features include solar energy, rainwater harvesting, and noise control. The design prioritizes eco-friendly measures, deviating from conventional cost-centric perspectives. Hung Shui Kiu Station stands as a benchmark, showcasing the dedication to identifying solutions aligned with low-carbon aspirations and significantly improving sustainability in transportation infrastructure.

From Periphery to Prominence

Over the last two decades, sustainability has evolved from a peripheral concern in early design to a focal point, anticipated to be the primary issue. Commitments made in COP 28 and other forums have compelled governments to exert pressure on both the private sector and their own departments, steering them towards net-zero objectives. The emphasis on sustainably reducing carbon footprints in physical assets such as buildings and train stations is poised for heightened significance. While this trajectory seems apparent, the remarkable pace of adoption, particularly in the last three years, underscores the swift integration of sustainability into the forefront of priorities. We have a responsibility to actively participate in the drive to a net zero emissions future. Not only as designers, engineers, architects, but also as innovators and individuals acting on climate change.