The Impact Of Environmental Sustainability On The Architecture And Context Of City Planning, Building Design And Materials

This manifesto proposes an approach to sustainable design that I am interested in exploring during my time studying architecture. The idea of sustainability is a complex one, not without apparent contradictions. This makes it difficult to define in a wholly satisfactory manner. For the purposes of this manifesto I will advert to the definition proposed by Jason McLennan who asserts that sustainable design: “seeks to maximize the quality of the built environment, while minimizing or eliminating negative impact to the natural environment.” I find this definition particularly useful in the emphasis which it places on quality. By quality, in this

The indefinite growth of the human population, has monumental impacts on the natural environment, not only in the UK, but around the globe. Architecturally, the entire process of designing and constructing a building, both domestic and not, can lead to the rapid exhaustion of natural resources across the planet. Building with environmental design strategies in mind not only combats the impact we as humans have on the natural environment, but also has considerable economic benefits, due to lower running costs of buildings and advanced occupant productivity. There are also many social benefits, such as improved air quality which resultantly leads too enhanced health of a buildings occupants.

Being environmentally friendly isn’t merely a trend. After thousands of years of using the earth’s resources, we have finally come to realize that we are destroying this beautiful gift we were honored with. Architects play an influential role in trying to preserve this gift by encouraging a multitude of strategies that can be more cost efficient in the long run, be more comfortable for its users, and most importantly, have a lower carbon footprint. Strategies can include drastic changes to heat and air systems, construction material selections, or even specific design details to the architecture of a building that would reduce the amount of energy it consumes.

Sustainable development is defined as 'development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs' (Brundtland Report, 1987). Essentially, sustainable development advocates the wise use and conservation of resources in order to maintain their long-term viability (Eber, 1992, p. 1).

The book's selection of outstanding, best quality work provides several examples for homeowners with a discerning sense of style and environmental responsibility. The spectrum of featured projects has a range between energy efficient restoration and the construction of intelligent extensions to the planning and building of new low-energy or passive homes. The book introduces not only the current building forms and materials but also case studies examining the best division of space, architectural planning, and the use of innovative technologies to control and improve heating and air conditioning. Therefore, Building Better provides a striking overview of the topic of sustainable building, and insightful information on details from technical data to blueprints. In the book, both homeowners and architects have their motivations, ideas, desires, and real experiences. Against this background, Building Better is both an inspirational and a practical guide for everyone who thinks that the sustainability not as limiting, but rather as a creative opportunity. As such, it is an essential reference for everyone who wants to build a

In modern times, there has become a greater desire from those in the construction industry to work together to create more environmentally sustainable buildings. Clients have an incentive to request more environmentally sustainable buildings to satisfy potential regulations, to cut down on energy costs, and potentially to gain favourable publicity/media. Designers are ever-more encouraged to propose innovative buildings which optimise materials and techniques to ensure greater environmental sustainability in an effort to win contracts. In a planet where resources are diminishing at an exponential rate, and civilization is accepting the detrimental impact contemporary living is having on the

This report provides an analysis, critique and comparison of the sustainability of two large contemporary commercial buildings: the European Investment Bank headquarters and the new Wembley Stadium. Fundamental methods of analysis include their design, construction, and lifetime costs, where each heading is explored in greater depth.

With the development of society, the life quality of human has been greatly improved. However, it also leads to the destruction of nature, and this result in climate change. Climate change affects human life in various aspects such as environment, economic, and social. For solving these problems, an idea of sustainable urbanism was put forward. Brundtland Commission defined in 2010 that sustainable urbanism is a urban development which not only can meet the needs of contemporary citizens, but also have the ability to meet the needs of future generations. Sustainable urbanism can slow down climate change while at the same time balancing environment, economic and social. Among these, environmental sustainability is most important. In 1995, Goodland reported that environmental sustainability is an eternal challenge which requires the environment which human being lives is not damaged, whilst the present and future generations can be fed and housed well. This essay will focus on the effects of three aspects as recycling, energy use and natural design of environmental sustainability in Western Harbour, Malmö, Sweden.

While the intentions behind this approach might be commendable, in reality, the question of sustainability and longevity become apparent. As was the case with the faculty buildings by Kroll, the individualisation, which made the project such a great success for the people involved, only lasted one generation – in this particular case only four years. Though a more extreme example, as the degree of participation was unusually high and the span of occupancy relatively low, it shows the potential problems with participatory design approaches.

Environmental ethics are a guide to addressing the relationship between humans and the natural environment along with its non-human components. Having ethical standards is a huge component of designing for the well-being of people and the Earth. As designers, “it is to be our obligation to preserve the environment for the future generations to come” (Han, 2013). The Hannover principles created by William McDonough provide guidelines to follow when designing ethically. They speak on the importance of co-existence and creating long term, permeant buildings (Stacy, 2017). The foundation of environmental ethics feeds right into these Hannover principles. McDonough hopes that the “Hannover principles will allow is to continue to develop and live modernly as we have without compromising the ability of the world to support us” (McDonough, 1992). McDonough incorporates his principles into his own designs as well as his Cradle to Cradle method of design. Cradle to Cradle homes are “designed to produce more energy than they consume and have a positive impact on the environment” (“Cradle to Cradle® - Make It RightMake It Right,” n.d.)

Enlightening the architecture field on how buildings are polluting the world is the first step to solving global warming matters. Change is often times a difficult task and most people are not willing to alter their habits. Although without the change of design to green practices, architects will just keep hurting the world and its climate. Because architects have been designing for many years, it will be hard for the experts to convert their work into zero carbon designs (Budds). Each firm should inform their architecture team about the 2030 Challenge and plan to start acting now. The next step should be eliminating previous building designs and converting the carbon-neutral designs to a standard (Mazria). There is now an online tool created for architects to give them the best information and illustrate new ideas for their designs so the transition is not as problematic, it is called the 2030 Palette

This paper is an effort to understand the importance of building materials’ selection in sustainable design and the place of traditional materials in the contemporary sustainable architecture. Building activity rapidly consumes finite resources and uses energy-intensive materials, while the construction demand increases. In order to meet the future needs, we need to switch to more

Sustainable development concepts can be said to have first surfaced in the 1970s, owing to pollution of the environment concerns and energy (more so fossil oil) crisis. The movement of green building therefore began from the desire and need for extra environmentally friendly and energy efficient construction practices. There are several intentions of going green, including social, economic and environmental benefits. Nonetheless, contemporary sustainability programmes advocate for a synergistic and integrated design to both novel construction in addition to retrofitting of structures that exist. This technique incorporates the life-cycle of the building with every green practice used alongside a design-purpose to form a synergy among the practices used.

A considerable change which has occurred in the late 1990s around the world, is an increased number of regulations to minimize environmental damage. People, also have become more conscious of environmental protection and as a result there is increased demand for green architectural design which consists of eco-friendly construction. Eco friendly construction refers to building with a reduction of energy consumption, waste, pollution and degradation of the environment, to protecting health and efficiently using water resources (Dean 2003). However, a significant problem for environmentalists, architects and urban planners, is how to reduce the effects of climate change by eco-friendly

(Darling 2009) New and more sustainable materials can replace the traditional brick facade. (Darling 2009)Also, more efficient window configurations might grab into the question the standard exterior design. (Darling 2009) Even simple ideas of shape and size may adjust to the realities of solar panel application, insulation requirements or interior air circulation. (Darling 2009) Space and materials need to be used more efficiently and this could be achieved by building smaller and more densely house designs. (Darling 2009)