In the case of remote area building the reduction in energy use through the principles of sustainable design often requires choices to be made by the designer that are not always straightforward. The need to transport materials over considerable distances to remote locations can be one of the more costly components of the building project in both economic and environmental terms. Locally available materials then, have obvious advantages over imported material where supply distances are a factor. Where connection to a local electrical grid is not possible the amount of energy available through a RAPS system can influence the choice of energy consuming appliances in a building. In the tropics refrigerated air-conditioning places a significant demand on available energy so designs that seek to reduce or eliminate the need for air-conditioning, while maintaining comfortable indoor conditions, have obvious advantages. Where air-conditioning is used a choice needs to be made between designing for total air-conditioning use, and thereby optimizing the insulation and defensive capacity of the building envelope, or designing for a hybrid system where air-conditioning is only used during the more oppressive times of the year and the building is capable of being naturally cooled during the cooler periods. Some of the challenges and opportunities of working in remote areas are summarized below:
To develop strategies to deal with sometimes vast distances from supply sources and the corresponding high transport costs that result in high embodied energy in almost all materials.
To select low maintenance materials and construction systems that will endure in an extreme natural environment with low levels of maintenance.
Use appropriate technology and building systems that can be readily serviced in-situ by local technicians.
Adopt a ‘keep it simple’ design approach.
All building involves an economic commitment in establishing, maintaining and running buildings, infrastructure and connected services. In remote locations this commitment can be substantial.
Opportunities provided by remote area work
The often pristine environments carry a moral responsibility on the part of the designer to approach these environments with sensitivity.
Encourages the development of innovative design approaches and construction techniques.
Lack of services infrastructure provides the opportunity to use stand-alone systems including sustainable power generation (solar), local water collection, and waste water re-use for irrigation.
Encourages the development of pre-fabricated building systems.
Encourages the use of locally available materials.
Suggests strategies should be adopted to reduce material use and material waste.