new project - PHAROS - open source materials selection method

[Andy Simmonds]

http://pharosproject.net/about_pharos/index.php

Looks interesting!

[Tahir]

Very interesting, should the AECB be talking to them at any level? It'll be good if it isn't a purely US centric resource.

[Andy Simmonds]

Hi Tahir
I think we should be talking to them at some point, yes!

This is the PHAROS' team currently proposed materials assessment categories (they intend to refine this through open online discussion using the the 'PHAROWIKI' - similar to wikipedia):
 
"Categories in the Pharos Framework

Health & Pollution

    * User Exposures *: Eliminate hazardous product content and emissions in use
    * High Hazard Toxics: Eliminate creation or use of hazardous chemicals throughout life cycle
    * Climate Change: Eliminate creation of climate changing or ozone depleting gases
    * Air Quality: Eliminate criteria pollutant releases to air
    * Water Quality: Eliminate harmful discharges to watersheds

Resources

    * Renewable Materials: Use only recycled or sustainable bio-based content and design for closed loop
    * Embodied Energy: Minimize total energy used
    * Renewable Energy: Use only sustainable energy sources
    * Net Water Use: Eliminate net water use
    * Solid Waste: Eliminate solid waste from life cycle

Social & Community

    * Occupational Safety: Protect safety, health and well being of workers
    * Consumer Safety: Protect safety, health and well being of consumers
    * Fair Compensation: Provide fair compensation for all workers
    * Equality: Provide equal and equitable opportunities for all workers
    * Community Contributions: Contribute positively to affected communities in the life cycle
    * Corporate Practices: Take responsibility for environmental, social, and health impacts of operations

FOR FULL DETAILS OF THIS FRAMEWORK SEE http://www.pharosproject.net/wiki/index.php?title=Portal:Pharos_Framework
...AND and the PHAROSWIKI is now open: http://www.pharosproject.net/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page

Meanwhile for general background / related stuff - see:

 http://www.healthybuilding.net/news/061109pharos.html 
and
http://www.pharosproject.net/documents/pharos_factsheet.pdf
and
http://www.healthybuilding.net/news/061027greenspec.html
(this last to remind us about the UK's own greenspec)

AECB members comments welcome on this initiative in this forum thread....

[Andy Simmonds]

This is a relevant discussion of a sustainable design standard within which Pharos sits: http://www.aecb.net/forum/index.php?topic=713.new#new

[Mark Siddall]

PHAROS looks to be very similar to the Arups SPeAR Assessment
http://www.arup.com/environment/feature.cfm?pageid=1685
Not that that is a bad thing.
In terms of being communication tool I've always thought this type of graphic approach is very digestible, and as Arup point out it can be used to assess any multitude of sins not just buildings. It will be interesting to how it develops.

Mark

[Andy Simmonds]

Thanks Mark,
I had forgotten about this. Is it widely used in UK outside Arups?

[Mark Siddall]

SPeaR is Arups own assessment method i.e. its a monopoly. If you pay the fee they undertake a study anywhere. If PHAROS is more of a public domain version of then SPear then I think a powerful tool has been unleashed. Having said that Pharos will only gain the air of credibility if it has a good quality assurance system and is appropriately licensed.

It will be interesting to see how it develops. Most of the Eco-labling systems have failed in the past, perhaps the time is right for this.

Mark