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Sustainable design is more than just using less plastic; it takes a big-picture view of how designs affect more than just the people who use them. It ensures everyone involved in the production chain is treated well and paid fairly.
It also extends to hosting a website locally, minimizing data usage and designing for accessibility. And it’s not new: ideas like biomimicry, cradle-to-cradle and product service systems models are centuries old.
Reduced Waste
In addition to conserving resources and using renewable energy, sustainable designs reduce the waste a building produces. Many of the materials used in green construction are long-lasting, reducing the need for replacements. This practice also reduces the need for landfills, where organic waste decomposes and releases methane into the atmosphere — a significant contributor to climate change.
In some cases, the design of a sustainable building may involve integrating trees into its structure. These living walls recycle carbon dioxide and release oxygen, lowering air pollution levels in a city and improving its residents’ overall quality of life.
Whether or not you’re trying to appeal to eco-conscious customers, incorporating sustainability into your buildings shows that your company is modern, progressive, and ethical. The repercussions of this choice will last well beyond the lifespan of your building, as its occupants will continue to reap its benefits far into the future.
Recycled Materials
In sustainable design, designers think about the full life cycle of a product or building. Their goal is to minimize waste by maximizing the reuse and recycling of materials. This ethos fits into many government regulations around the “circular economy,” which seeks to limit humanity’s impact on the planet.
Some architects are using discarded materials in their buildings to promote sustainability. In one example, a Cleveland-based firm created a biological process to turn wood scraps and other construction waste into a new brick-like building material.
Other architects are creating various buildings entirely made from recycled materials. For example, a school in Rhinebeck, NY, was built out of reclaimed wood and plywood planks pulled from the demolition of Hurricane Katrina-hit buildings in Louisiana. The resulting structure also included a roof constructed from a mix of reclaimed timbers and mycelium, a mushroom-like fungus that grows in place to provide insulation.
Energy-Efficient Buildings
Almost two-fifths of global carbon emissions are attributed to buildings, and architects worldwide recognize that they can make a difference by reducing the amount of energy used in them. This includes improving insulation and using renewable energy sources.
Architects also want to use fewer building materials using prefabricated systems and modular architecture. This reduces the environmental impact of mining, manufacturing and transportation.
Another key trend is the move towards a net zero construction model whereby architects create buildings that produce no emissions in their operation and when they are decommissioned. Many architects also incorporate EV charging stations into their designs in anticipation of a rise in electric vehicle adoption. This will reduce the need to drive to gas stations and change people’s travel habits as they can charge their vehicles at home or work.
Sustainable Transportation
Sustainable design is more than just a trendy concept. It’s a practice that considers various factors, such as energy use, environmental pollution, building materials and space planning. This is why working with an architect knowledgeable in sustainability is important and can offer proven methods and techniques.
For example, we are designing a product with modular parts that can easily replace or repair as part of sustainable design. This reduces waste and eliminates the need for planned obsolescence, which harms the environment.
Another way architects use sustainable design is by promoting public transit and walkability. This decreases the number of cars on the road, which reduces congestion and fuel consumption. It also leaves more room for parks and green areas, reducing pollution and preserving the natural landscape. It also encourages higher-density development, which creates more economic opportunities and increases social cohesion. It can also lead to greater community involvement, a key element of sustainable design.
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