Last updated on Jun 18, 2024

What do you do if you're a Building Design professional facing the rising need for sustainable design?

As a building design professional, you're likely aware of the growing emphasis on sustainability. It's no longer just a trend but a necessity driven by environmental concerns and client demands. You must adapt and evolve your practices to meet this demand. Sustainable design involves creating buildings that are energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and resource-efficient throughout their life-cycle. It requires a holistic approach, considering everything from materials to energy use to the well-being of occupants.

1 Embrace Learning

To stay relevant in the field of building design, you must embrace continuous learning. Dive into the latest sustainable design principles, materials, and technologies. Understand the concepts of passive solar design, green roofs, and biophilic design. Engage with professional development courses, attend workshops, and join forums where you can share knowledge with peers. Staying updated will not only enhance your skill set but also ensure that your designs meet the highest standards of sustainability.

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Destiny Osuya (MNSE, COREN, M. Sc.E)

A registered and experienced Civil Engineer with practical experience in reinforced concrete buildings, roads (flexible and ridgid), survey and landscaping; power substations, towers, transformers and equipment
I will consider the following: 1. Durability of the building 2. Economy 3. Green concrete 4. Framed structures 5. Use of glue laminated woods and bamboo for internal partioning of spaces
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2 Evaluate Materials

Careful material selection is crucial for sustainable building design. You need to assess materials for their environmental impact, durability, and recyclability. Prioritize materials that are sourced sustainably and have a low carbon footprint. Consider the full life-cycle of materials, from extraction and manufacturing to transportation and disposal. By selecting eco-friendly materials, you contribute to reducing the building's overall environmental impact and enhance its sustainability credentials.

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3 Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is a cornerstone of sustainable design. Focus on creating designs that minimize energy consumption without compromising on comfort or aesthetics. This can include incorporating high-performance insulation, designing for natural ventilation, and optimizing building orientation. Integrating renewable energy sources like solar panels or geothermal systems can also significantly reduce a building's carbon footprint. Your goal is to design buildings that are as self-sustaining as possible.

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4 Water Conservation

Water conservation is another critical aspect of sustainable building design. Implement strategies such as rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and water-efficient fixtures to reduce water usage. Design landscapes that require minimal irrigation and use drought-resistant plants. By considering water conservation from the beginning of your design process, you can create buildings that are more resilient and environmentally responsible.

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5 Indoor Environment

The indoor environment quality (IEQ) is vital for occupant health and well-being. As a building design professional, ensure that your designs promote good indoor air quality, ample natural light, and acoustic comfort. Use materials with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions and design for effective ventilation systems. A focus on IEQ not only supports sustainability but also enhances the quality of life for those using the space.

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Destiny Osuya (MNSE, COREN, M. Sc.E)

A registered and experienced Civil Engineer with practical experience in reinforced concrete buildings, roads (flexible and ridgid), survey and landscaping; power substations, towers, transformers and equipment
I will.consider the following: 1. Green concrete 2. Using bamboo and glue laminated wood in required areas 3. Steel members in critical supports in the design 4. Design with worst case scenario
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6 Community Impact

Sustainable design extends beyond the building itself to its impact on the community. Consider how your design integrates with local ecosystems and contributes to the social fabric of the area. Aim to create buildings that support local economies, encourage sustainable transportation options, and foster community interaction. Your designs should be harmonious with the environment and promote a sense of belonging and community well-being.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Alain Garnier

Promoting safe&sustainable glass solutions
One way for large building design companies to create more sustanaible designs is to partner with start-ups. First, you can target strategic areas that are fully aligned with your sustainability objectives. You can then identify key players in sectors such as sustainable construction, circular economy, digitization of the construction industry, and industrial energy transition. Secondly, you can develop and facilitate contacts with start-ups that are in line with these objectives. The success of your approach in concrete terms can be seen when your strategic plans naturally include collaboration with start-ups.
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What do you do if you're a Building Design professional facing the rising need for sustainable design?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Embrace Learning

2 Evaluate Materials

3 Energy Efficiency

4 Water Conservation

5 Indoor Environment

6 Community Impact

7 Here’s what else to consider

Building Design

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What do you do if you're a Building Design professional facing the rising need for sustainable design?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Embrace Learning

2 Evaluate Materials

3 Energy Efficiency

4 Water Conservation

5 Indoor Environment

6 Community Impact

7 Here’s what else to consider

Building Design

Rate this article

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