“Sustainability can’t be like some sort of a moral sacrifice or political dilemma or a philanthropical cause. It has to be a desidn challenge.” – Bjarke Ingels
Environmental Design is a concept in architecture which focuses on urban design depending on the buildings and the area. It addresses ecological sustainability; energy uses and life costs. Sustainability is a popular concept; everyone wants to live in a greener and lush areas. Economy, durability, utility and comfort and construction guidelines have to be considered when designing the entire landscape. The basic aim is to minimize harmful environmental impacts.
There are a few fundamentals which are important with environmental design: –
Renewable Energy
Using solar panels, air sourced heat pumps and wind energy to power energy on site can help reduce costs efficiently and helps to reduce waste.
Passive Sustainable Design
This considers natural factors such as climatic conditions, sunlight to decide where window panels should be placed, so that there is sufficient sunlight passing through. Wall thickness is calculated to understand how much heat and cooling is possible.
Green Building Materials
Using materials which doesn’t cause harm to the environment, one strategy could be to use recyclable materials. When it comes to paints try to use paints which don’t contain VOC.
Air Quality
Proper ventilation and plantations around the site can provide cleaner air to the people who either live in the building or work there.
Recycling Water
Recycling water helps minimize the water wastage, by treating the water properly and making it reusable can be used in bathrooms, gardening and cleaning.
Landscaping
Planting trees are important to helps with heat and also helps generate oxygen. The initial costs are expensive but it is for a long term. It also provides shade and reduces heat on the roofs.
Rainwater Harvesting
You can collect rainwater from the rain in a storage tank and use it for future, this helps to reduce the costs already there. It can be used to washed cars and use it for cleaning and gardening.
Waste Management
Using Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (3R’s) to cut construction costs as well as waste management for office spaces or houses which can begin with the segregation of dry waste and wet waste. It can help control the overall pollution as well.
Active Sustainable Design
Using systems which use renewable resources and consists of highly efficient electrical systems which are capable of blocking, holding and insulating energy. This makes it easier during extreme weathers.