Sustainability, architecture and integrated design

The holistic and sustainable design brings together concepts that are intertwined and lead to a common goal of peak performance, creating enhanced buildings.

Sustainability...

...refers to the ability to maintain or support a process continuously over time.
...seeks to prevent the depletion of natural or physical resources, so that they will remain available for the long term.
...focuses on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the future.

Three dimensions of sustainability

Three dimensions of sustainability are using concepts: environmental, social and economic, also known informally as planet, people and profits.

Environmental sustainability (as for planet) focuses on conservation (natural resources, air quality, energy & water conservation), i.e. preserving the planet, which in turn, will allow humanity to survive and evolve.

Social sustainability (as for people) focuses on the human effects of economic systems, such as eradicate poverty and hunger, as well as to combat inequality, and with focus on health, well-being and quality of life.

Economic sustainability (as for profit) focuses on conserving the natural resources that provide physical inputs for economic production, including both renewable and exhaustible inputs.

Sustainable architecture...

...is a general term that refers to buildings designed to limit humanity's impact on the environment.
...is an eco-friendly approach to modern-day building.
...is including every aspect of the building´s planning and building´s construction process.
...is all about: the choice of building materials; the design and implementation of heating, cooling, plumbing, waste, and ventilation systems.
...integrates the building into the natural landscape.

Sustainable design...

...seeks reduce negative impacts on the environment.
...ensure the health and comfort of building occupants.
...improves building performance.

Sustainable principles...

...optimize site potential
...minimize non-renewable energy consumption
...use environmentally preferable products
...protect and conserve water
...enhance indoor environmental quality
...optimize operational and maintenance practices.

Sustainability consists of fulfilling the needs of current generations without compromising the needs of future generations, while ensuring a balance between economic growth, environmental care and social well-being.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Overall are focusing on reducing human impact on the environment use of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind and water.

Energy effiiciency where buildings should consume as least of energy as much they can produce themselves, i.e. net-zero, plus house, active house, etc.
Water conservation, i.e. collecting rainwater, recycling the grey water.
Blending and integrating the buildings into surrounding environment.
Use of renewable materials, such as hemp, cork.
Replacement of convectional materials (concrete, plastics) with innovative nature-friendly materials.
Use of recycled and upcycled materials.
Adaptable and modular spaces which can be easily recycled or upcycled.
Small or alternative buildings as more sustainable housing and use less land mass and energy.
Incorporation of nature, such as living walls, tree-covered residential towers, and green roofs to help cool existing buildings and create healthy biophilic environments for humans.

Integrated design as a tool

It is an interdisciplinary design approach with the emphasis on collaboration.The objective is to optimize the interaction among the various disciplines (architects, engineers, consultants, builders) and achieve the environmental & economic objectives of a building project.

Sustainable indoor climate practices

Sustainable practices are intended to conserve resources that benefit human life and health. Sustainable practices impact the indoor climate in a variety of ways, such as:

designing for more and better light
selecting building materials and furnishings with less toxic materials
using environmently friendly maintenance products
improved use of natural light
greater and more strategic use of live plants indoors
accessibility to nature outdoors
building automation systems that manage the balance of indoor and outdoor air
controlling indoor climate based on buildings occupancy

Organic buildings are the strength and lightness of the spiders´ spinning, buildings qualified by light, bred by native character to environment, married to the ground.

Frank Lloyd Wright, Architect