What Is Sustainable Design?

by Darren

Sustainable design is a buzzphrase that’s growing in popularity, so I thought it would be worth an examination of exactly what the term means.

First we need to understand what “sustainable” is. In order for a design to be truly sustainable, the project would need to consume less resources than it produces. In a best case scenario, the “leftovers” that it creates could also be used, perhaps as an energy resource. If the waste is used up, it means there was no “waste” at all, which is a definite sign of sustainable design.

Its models are the so-called “closed-loop” systems of production, examples of which abound in nature. The oxygen-carbon dioxide cycle shared by plants and animals, for instance. Our waste, carbon dioxide, is their food, and their waste, oxygen, is ours.

From quickly reading this, you realize just what a tall order truly sustainable design is, and why it will take a concerted effort from developers to ever hope to achieve it.

In essence, the goal of sustainable design is to make abundant what would be scarce through careful and consistent planned action. Roger Kennedy, the director of NPS has this to say about the subject.

“I believe in a created universe where all things have place and purpose and where we humans are challenged everyday to make this a better place. I believe it is our obligation to act respectfully toward all living things and to manifest an approach to life in which the dignity of all species is sustained and common interests flourish. It is my belief that we must learn all that we can about our world in order to live upon it wisely.”

Sustainable Design requires the will of humans to succeed

The single biggest reason that mankind uses so many non-sustainable methods of design is because they work and they’re profitable. In order to show developers a new way forward will require a change in thinking.

Sustainability does not require a loss in the quality of life, but does require a change in mind-set, a change in values toward less consumptive lifestyles. These changes must embrace global interdependence, environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic viability.

Sustainable design must use an alternative approach to traditional design that incorporates these changes in mind-set. The new design approach must recognize the impacts of every design choice on the natural and cultural resources of the local, regional, and global environments.

Currently sustainable design is at odds with the basic tenets of consumer society, or the “American Way” as its’ so euphemistically called. Only with a sever and total change in the thinking of people can sustainable design be executed. But make no mistake about, there’s no greater issue facing the people of our time.