Energy efficiency and environmental design is an important part of the building design process. Good design produces buildings that are economical in their energy consumption and efficient in their energy use.
Sustainable design is a philosophy of building rather than a style. Developing sustainability includes such aspects as encouraging biodiversity, protecting the air, conserving and protecting water quality and quantity, minimising the use of energy from fossil fuels, minimising soil loss, reducing waste and encouraging recycling. Sustainable building design considers each of these aspects with the aim of minimising the overall impact of a building on the environment.
Here are some simple and helpful considerations for ecologically sustainable development and design solutions.
Energy
Passive design strategies can dramatically affect building energy performance and ensure that the consumption of energy is minimised. These measures include building shape and orientation, passive solar design, insulation of roof and hot water tanks, and the use of natural lighting. Buildings designed to maximise availability of natural light without creating major heat gain or heat loss pathways has a positive impact on both productivity and wellbeing. Renewable energy sources also provide a great symbol of emerging technologies for the future.
Water
Design for dual plumbing that uses recycled water for toilet flushing or a grey water system that recovers rainwater or other non drinking water resources can save on the usage and waste of large amounts of water. Installing a rainwater tank could also prove beneficial to harvest rooftop run off and re-use, or for irrigation, washing and flushing.
Waste
Integrating recycling systems into the building design and encouraging systems such as composting and mulching facilities, will minimise waste generation by enabling the re-use of all green garden waste and other recyclable materials.
For further information about building sustainability and environmental awareness please take a look at;
buildinggreen.com
shellharbour.nsw.gov.au
passivesolarenergy.info
gbca.org.au
