Reader's Response Draft No.2

In the article “Advancing Sustainable Infrastructure with Envision”, Nelson (2015) shared that Envision is a holistic rating system which acts as a global reference for every form of infrastructure. Nelson further stated that Envision offers a triple bottom line approach which are people, profit and planet. It promotes end to end documentation from the design phase to the completion phase which covers the entire cycle of the project. In addition, Envision focuses on 5 aspects which are Quality of Life (QL), Leadership (LD), Resource Allocation (RA), Climate and Risk (CR) and Natural World (NW). These 5 aspects are used as benchmark to grade each project. However, while Envision is able to provide comprehensive approaches towards sustainability, there are limitations to what the Envision rating system can offer. Therefore, organizations should be aware of the limitations of incorporating Envision.

The following is a case study of a project awarded with Envision, Gold. The first company to achieve an Envision award was the “William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery”. The William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery brochure states that due to the sustainable designs, they achieved a 95% reduction in water usage as only 5% of water is required to be heated. Therefore, by using Envision, William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery reduced their operation cost through consumption of less energy and resources.  The brochure further states that by using Envision, the company helps to contribute to the economy as more jobs are created.  The safety features of their facilities are enhanced. There is also the reduction in reactive maintenance as the system provides a stringent process of monitoring the health of the equipment.

With the Envision systems in place, unexpected breakdowns and loss of manpower hours would be minimized. In addition, by ensuring a safe environment, there would be an increase in workers’ productivity and visitors’ learning experience would be enhanced (Haberman, 2013).

Furthermore, organizations have looked towards Envision for economic advantages. Tanyu (as mentioned in Hardin, 2015) mentioned that we should consider the benefits of using sustainable designs and not merely focus on the initial costs as such approach would benefit the company economically over the long term. Hence, organizations ought to start using sustainable designs to reap the benefits and they will reap cost savings in the long run.

However, there are limitations to what Envision can offer. In the design phase of every project, there are many considerations such as climate change, physical constraints, maintenance, etc. According to Nicholas Bishop (as mentioned in Hardin, 2015), Envision would need to find ways to manage retrofitting systems, reconfiguring structures and find the best practices for deconstructing. This would enable projects to further reduce operation and maintenance costs and improve sustainability.

In conclusion, I believe that Envision is a reliable tool which aids engineers to progressively track and monitor their projects. Moreover, projects that incorporate Envision in their designs help to improve sustainability which benefits the environment and aid the economy by creating jobs. However, it has its limitations as well and companies should look into separate processes where Envision is lacking, for example, retrofitting, to ensure efficiency to their operations.

On a side note, how can organisations and individuals contribute to make sustainability a way of life for consumers and for themselves?  It is now time for responsible stewardship which organisations and individuals can play a part.  Some companies have started to source for raw materials that are obtained via sustainable sources and individuals can help by supporting these companies. i.e. Unilever

References

Nelson, D. (2015, June). Advancing Sustainable Infrastructure with Envision. Civil + structural Engineer. Retrieved from http://cenews.com/article/10098/advancing-sustainable-infrastructure-with-envision

Hardin, W. (2015, January 13). Can a Rating System Ensure Infrastructure Sustainability? Building and Construction. Retrieved from http://www.insights.globalspec.com/article/349/can-a-rating-system-ensure-infrastructure-sustainability

William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery. (n.d.). William jack Hernandez sport fish hatchery [Brochure]. Retrieved from http://www.hdrinc.com/sites/all/files/assets/ knowledge-center/wjh-sport-fish-hatchery-brochure.pdf

Haberman, M. (2013). A Safe Environment Is a Productive Environment: Ensuring Workplace Safety and Security. Retrieved from http://omegahrsolutions.com/2013/12/4562.html

Additional Bibliography

Institute For Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI): Rating System. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.sustainableinfrastructure.ord/rating/

Our strategy for sustainable business. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.unilever.com/sustainable-living/the-sustainable-living-plan/our-strategy/

Reader’s Response Draft No. 1

In the article “Advancing Sustainable Infrastructure with Envision”, Nelson (2015) shares that Envision is a global rating system for every form of infrastructure. It promotes end to end documentation from the design phase to the completion phase. The writer further describes that Envision has 5 general aspects and encompasses a 60 credit system with 4 award levels where 6 projects have received awards and completed third-party verifications. Furthermore, the writer noted that attaining memberships and ENV SP credentials can done through the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI). While I agree that sustainability is important and Envision caters much in that area, we as individuals will need the right attitude and vision to commit ourselves to build and maintain a sustainable environment.

I believe that Envision is an extremely reliant tool which aids engineers in designing a sustainable environment for civilization. Envision focuses on 5 aspects: Quality of Life (QL), Leadership (LD), Resource Allocation (RA), Climate and Risk (CR) and Natural World (NW). Grading on these 5 aspects will encourage flexible designs to meet the needs of the population. The first company to achieve an Envision award was the “William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery”. As stated in the William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery brochure, there was a 95% reduction in water usage and only 5% of energy is used for water heating. This is due to the sustainable designs in place. 

Furthermore, incorporating Envision has not only increased cost efficiency but improved the public’s quality of life by creating economic benefits, improving safety features and building design.

Adding on, organizations have looked towards Envision for economic advantages. Tanyu (as mentioned in Hardin, 2015) mentioned that we should consider the benefits of using a sustainable design and not only the costs. Therefore, projects using a sustainable approach would be able to cover the extra cost over the long run.

However, in the design phase of every project, there are many constraints to think about such as physical constraints, maintenance, climate change, etc. According to Nicholas Bishop (as mentioned in Hardin, 2015), Envision would need to find ways to manage retrofitting systems, reconfiguring structures and find the best practices for deconstructing. This would enable projects to further reduce operation and maintenance cost and improve conservation to the environment.

In conclusion, Envision is an extremely reliable system. Projects should incorporate Envision systems in their designs to improve sustainability. The benefits of applying a sustainable design using the Envision rating system would benefit both the environment and our economy. That being said, it takes two hands to clap and we as individuals will need to play our part in providing responsible stewardship towards planet Earth.

References

Winn Hardin (2015, January 13). Can a Rating System Ensure Infrastructure Sustainability? Building and Construction. Retrieved from http://www.insights.globalspec.com/article/349/can-a-rating-system-ensure-infrastructure-sustainability

William Jack Hernandez Sport Fish Hatchery. (n.d.). William jack Hernandez sport fish hatchery [Brochure]. Retrieved September 24, 2015 from http://www.hdrinc.com/sites/all/files/assets/ knowledge-center/wjh-sport-fish-hatchery-brochure.pdf



Bibliography

Institute For Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI): Rating System. (n.d.). Retrieved September 24, 2015 from http://www.sustainableinfrastructure.ord/rating/

Mechanics Questions with Solutions

Hey guys!

I want to share something I found online. I believe its a treasure to most of us now.

Below is the link containing a plethora of  Mechanics questions with solutions!
Enjoy practicing and learning!

TIP: As I have forgotten where I downloaded the file from, please feel free to contact me if the link is down.

Hurrah!

Mechanics Questions Link

Summary - Advancing Sustainable Infrastructure with Envision

In the article “Advancing Sustainable Infrastructure with Envision”, Nelson (2015) shares that Envision is a global rating system for every form of infrastructure. It promotes end to end documentation from the design phase to the completion phase. The writer further describes that Envision has 5 general aspects, encompassing a 60 credit system with 4 award levels where 6 projects have received awards and completed third-party verifications. Furthermore, the writer noted that attaining memberships and ENV SP credentials can done through the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI). While I agree that sustainability is important and Envision caters much in that area, we as individuals will need the right attitude and vision to commit ourselves to build and maintain a sustainable environment. 

My English Language Learning Journey

Learning English is like an exploration that never ends. In my journey, I am constantly aided by the use of the dictionary and thesaurus and my common language at home was English. During my preschool, my parents enrolled me in phonics classes. Through phonics, I learnt how to pronounce difficult words with ease. However, words like 'rendezvous' still intrigue me.

As a child, I loved reading books written by ‘Dr. Seuss’ and ‘Roald Dahl’, and I found their books inspiring. This nurtured my passion for learning English and with continuous motivation and encouragement from my parents, I started reading the dictionary. It opened my mind to a plethora of words and I am still in awe of the richness of what the English language holds.
However, I was addicted to computer gaming during my time in primary school. This passion for learning was made secondary. I was overconfident as I thought that I had amassed enough grammar and vocabulary knowledge. I neglected the time to explore the English language anymore. This naivety was my Achilles Heel and my grades declined.
Looking back, I have wasted valuable time which I could have put to good use to acquire knowledge. Now that I am older and wiser, my resolution is to learn more and improve on my written and verbal communication skills. I believe the ‘Effective Communication’ module will greatly benefit me in my quest to master the English language. As the saying goes, “My attitude determines my altitude”! I am determined to give my best to excel.
Nate – Knowledge is Power