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Sustainable design is the philosophy of designing physical objects, the built environment, and services to comply with the principles of social, economic, and ecological sustainability. Our focus is the built environment but we also pay close attention to the bigger vision of earth’s sustainability.
Many buildings and the built environment, in general, seem to be viewed as independent objects inserted into a site with almost total disregard to anything beyond its boundaries. Sustainable design looks at the built environment in a holistic way whereby it would be seen as systems both unto themselves and inseparably tied to surrounding ecosystems.

Passive techniques emphasize designing to consume less energy from the outset whereas active approaches focus on efficient use of energy. Unfortunately, passive techniques alone will not achieve the goal of net zero energy or zero emissions so the challenge is to accommodate the deficiencies and make buildings and equipment run efficiently and generate energy from alternate sources. The least expensive form of energy is energy not consumed.

The Impact of our Buildings

Buildings consume 40% of the world’s energy and materials, and as a result architects can no longer ignore the impact that our buildings have on our environment. Ecology is a relatively new term in environmental planning, however an ecological approach to planning has a long history. 

Some considerations include: 

• The natural environment should be protected and restored when possible 
• Grading should be minimal 
• Natural drainage patterns left intact 
• Points of interest should be left undisturbed 

We must look at the entire lifecycle of the materials used within their buildings. To do this, we must understand and examine the entire impact caused by the extraction, manufacturing, transport, operation and disposal of each material. In addition, we want to make sure all of the products (especially the sealants, adhesives, paints, coatings and finishes) in the building are healthy and avoid using known cancer causing chemicals. The majority of the traditional products used in construction contain harmful chemicals called Volatile Organic Compounds (or VOCs). VOCs evaporate into the air (called offgassing) and create that “new paint smell” in your building after painting. VOCs are a major contributor to low-ozone (known as smog), but more importantly, are a known carcinogen and respiratory irritant.  

Energy Principles

Keeping our buildings running consumes most of the world’s energy. Buildings are the largest single users of energy. Meeting the growing demand for power is becoming more difficult. About two-thirds of the electricity in the United States is produced by burning fossil fuels, mostly coal and natural gas. The destructive effects of coal mining and air pollution make coal the single largest polluting industry in the U.S. If that wasn’t enough, coal is the greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions and responsible for furthering climate change. 

Fortunately though, there is one major opportunity, solar energy. Given it is constantly being replenished it allows us the opportunity to utilize it in a range of ever-evolving technologies such as solar heating, photo-voltaics (electricity), solar thermal energy, solar architecture and artificial photosynthesis. Its not an issue of scarcity its an issue of accessibility.

Sustainable design, also known as “green building,” “eco design,” or “natural building,” refers to an approach to design seeking to eliminate the normal impact of constructing and occupying our buildings. Green buildings are sited, designed, constructed, and operated to enhance the well-being of their occupants, and to minimize negative impacts on the community and natural environment.

Principles of Sustainable Design

Optimize Site Potential

Creating sustainable buildings starts with proper site selection, including consideration of the reuse or rehabilitation of existing buildings. The location, orientation, and landscaping of a building affect local ecosystems, transportation methods, and energy use. It is important to incorporate smart growth principles into the project development process, whether the project is a single building, campus, or military base. Siting for physical security is a critical issue in optimizing site design, including locations of access roads, parking, vehicle barriers, and perimeter lighting. Whether designing a new building or retrofitting an existing building, site design must integrate with sustainable design to achieve a successful project. The site of a sustainable building should reduce, control, and/or treat storm water runoff. If possible, strive to support native flora and fauna of the region in the landscape design. 

Optimize Energy Use

With continually increasing demand on the world’s fossil fuel resources, concerns for energy independence and security are increasing, and the impacts of global climate change are becoming more evident, it is essential to find ways to reduce energy load, increase efficiency, and maximize the use of renewable energy sources in federal facilities. Improving the energy performance of existing buildings is important to increasing our energy independence. Government and private sector organizations are increasingly committing to building and operating net zero energy buildings as a way to significantly reduce our dependence on fossil fuel-derived energy. 

Protect and Conserve Water

In many parts of the country, fresh water is an increasingly scarce resource. A sustainable building should use water efficiently, and reuse or recycle water for on-site use, when feasible. The effort to bring drinkable water to our household faucets consumes enormous energy resources in pumping, transport, and treatment. Often potentially toxic chemicals are used to make water potable. The environmental and financial costs of sewage treatment are significant. 

Optimize Building Space and Material Use

The materials used in a sustainable building minimize life-cycle environmental impacts such as global warming, resource depletion, and human toxicity. Environmentally preferable materials have a reduced effect on human health and the environment and contribute to improved worker safety and health, reduced liabilities, reduced disposal costs, and achievement of environmental goals.  

Enhance Indoor Environmental Quailty (IEQ)

The indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of a building has a significant impact on occupant health, comfort, and productivity. Among other attributes, a sustainable building maximizes daylighting, has appropriate ventilation and moisture control, optimizes acoustic performance, and avoids the use of materials with high- VOC emissions. Principles of IEQ also emphasize occupant control over systems such as lighting and temperature.   

Optimize Operational and Maintenance Practices

Considering a building’s operating and maintenance issues during the preliminary design phase of a facility will contribute to improved working environments, higher productivity, reduced energy and resource costs, and prevented system failures. Encourage building operators and maintenance personnel to participate in the design and development phases to ensure optimal operations and maintenance of the building. Designers can specify materials and systems that simplify and reduce maintenance requirements; require less water, energy, and toxic chemicals and cleaners to maintain; and are cost-effective and reduce life-cycle costs. Additionally, design facilities to include meters in order to track the progress of sustainability initiatives, including reductions in energy and water use and waste generation, in the facility and on site.   

(SOURCE: Whole Building Design Guide, www.wbdg.org)