Sustainable Designs

When it comes to architecture, sustainability is just as important as the building’s design, especially as climate change and environmental stewardship play a growing role in the lives of people around the globe.

Sustainable design, or sustainable architecture, emphasizes buildings that promote social and ecological sustainability. When designing a building using sustainable techniques, the primary goal is improving the health of those within the structure and reducing the building’s adverse environmental effects.

This goal is achievable by cutting down on the amount of waste before, during, and after construction, limiting the use of non-renewable resources, and using eco-friendly materials.[1]

When it comes to sustainability in architecture, energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and longevity in buildings are crucial. As energy prices climb and growing demands from the public call for more environmentally friendly buildings, sustainability is becoming a more significant aspect of architectural design.

One way to approach sustainability is making sure buildings are carbon neutral and have a central energy supply. Additionally, building owners should switch from looking at individual building plots and share the investment of a conventional heat source like district heating or another available source.

There are obvious benefits to transitioning to “green” architecture, and they aren’t just environmental. Sustainable architecture has the potential to create thousands of jobs in the communities these buildings are constructed, meaning more money for the local economy and improved standards of living for citizens.

Perhaps the most significant advantage is the savings in water and heating. Energy-efficient water systems like plumbing and water recycling are two ways that green architecture helps water conservation.

Many green buildings maximize natural sunlight and rely less on artificial lighting. Natural light leads to improved moods for the occupants within the building, which is one way that green buildings help improve the health of people.

Another upside to sustainable architecture, though admittedly not the final one, is the lack of building materials with cancer-causing substances. As more structures made from safer materials are built, occupants of the buildings, the community at large, and the surrounding environment will benefit.

Despite the benefits, there are a few disadvantages, mostly in terms of industry. Sustainable buildings require a high amount of resources and investments, which is also one of the initial problems for architects designing these buildings.

While architects have to reduce the impact of construction, it frequently comes at the cost of deforestation, which has led to depletion in the ozone. Additionally, deforestation disrupts the habitats and ecosystems of many species within.

Lastly, since sustainable architecture is still a somewhat new development, the buildings require specialized equipment that needs maintaining, leading to higher costs, which detracts investors from embracing sustainable designs.

Despite the drawbacks, sustainable architecture may become a necessity for future generations, especially as the climate continues to change rapidly. The benefits of green buildings far outweigh the negatives, and hopefully, as technology improves, the financial cost of this design will decline, becoming more appealing to investors who want to embrace eco-friendly architecture.


[1] https://www.scrantonproducts.com/what-is-sustainable-design-in-architecture/

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