6 sustainability strategies architects are using to design greener buildings

“Sustainable buildings are not only good for the environment, they are actually better for the lives of the people living in them.” - Bjarke Ingels, BIG Architects

From land development to material manufacturing, every aspect of the building process can cause lasting damage to the environment. Yet historically, the design and construction industry has spared little thought to the environmental impact of building. It’s only been in the last few decades that the industry has begun a shift towards sustainable architecture, with the introduction of green building principles, sustainability ratings, and numerous local and global governing bodies. 

Sustainable architecture, as a practice, aims to reduce the negative environmental impact of buildings through the efficient and mindful use of materials, energy, and development space. While many architects are now incorporating sustainable strategies into their design process, there is still a lot of ground to cover to create a truly sustainable industry.

In this article we will look at six sustainable architecture strategies that architects and designers are using in their projects, and how you can incorporate them into your practice. 

1. Mindful material choices

The market is becoming increasingly saturated with building materials that claim to be sustainable, so it’s important to do thorough research on products you’re interested in before you specify. To ensure your materials are truly sustainable, there are a few things you can look out for:

• Raw ingredient origin
  If possible, look for materials that use locally sourced raw ingredients. Not only does this cut down on carbon emissions generated by transport, but also helps to support the local economy. Unfortunately, not every manufacturer is able to source raw ingredients locally. If this is the case, ask if they’re offsetting associated carbon emissions or working with a sustainable and transparent supply chain.
  
  
• Recycled content
  Choosing products with a high percentage of recycled and recyclable content is a great way to ensure you’re minimising waste and participating in the circular economy. Some materials can only be recycled once or twice in their lifetime, so it’s important to understand how long these products will last in your building, and how they can be disposed of, or reused, at the end of their lifecycle. 
  
  
• Red List chemical free
  The Living Building Challenge Red List represents the ‘worst in class’ materials, chemicals and elements known to pose serious risk to human health and the environment. Many of the chemicals on the list are still prevalent in the building industry, in spite of their known danger. To ensure the products you choose are safe for the occupants of your building and the surrounding environment, look for materials that are certified Red List free.
  
  
• Durability
  Choose materials that are proven to perform at their best throughout their lifetime to minimise the need for frequent repairs or replacements. Some products come with ‘lifetime guarantees’, yet the fine print states that they are only guaranteed to perform under certain unrealistic conditions. If you’re unsure about the durability of a product, look for reviews or tests that reflect the terrain and climate you’re working in.
  
  
• Environmentally friendly manufacturing processes
  While a product may be made from an ‘environmentally friendly’ material, the factory it came from could be operating unsustainably. From off-cuts and packaging waste, to carbon emissions and chemical runoff, manufacturing plants can do a lot of damage, so it’s important to look for suppliers that live and breathe their sustainability claims. 

Eco friendly home by Hamish Cameron Architecture.

2. Sourcing local

Working with local suppliers and manufacturers is not only great for the local economy, but it reduces the amount of carbon emissions generated by transporting materials overseas. If possible, try to choose a manufacturer that sources their raw materials locally too. You can find hundreds of trusted local product designers, suppliers and installers listed on ArchiPro.

3. Zero carbon building

A zero carbon building is defined by the World Green Building Council as ‘highly energy efficient, with all remaining energy sourced from onsite and/or offsite renewable sources’. While this description looks at the building’s emissions from the point of completion, it’s also important to consider carbon emissions generated throughout the building process. Where possible, choose low carbon materials and construction processes, and off-set any unavoidable emissions by purchasing carbon credits through a registered programme. 

Melbourne suburb features solar powered homes.

4. Energy efficient thermal design

Energy efficient thermal design aims to reduce the need for heating and cooling systems powered by fossil fuels. Installing sustainable high R-Value insulation, planning building orientation to maximise sun exposure, and prioritising renewable energy sources like solar and wind power are all great ways to heat and cool your building efficiently. Plus, considering the thermal properties of the building materials you use can help you capitalise on natural temperature control.

5. Minimising construction waste

Construction and demolition waste makes up approximately a third of global waste. While many sustainable building organisations focus on the performance of the building once it’s completed, truly sustainable architecture considers the environmental impact of site development. Retrofitting existing buildings is a great way to minimise construction waste, but when you have to demolish or start from scratch, there are a few things you can do:

• Select building materials that are pre-cut or custom made to fit the size requirements.
• Re-use existing materials from your site or a site nearby. 
• Choose materials that come in recyclable or compostable packaging.
• Consider environmentally friendly delivery methods to get materials to and from your site, and offset any emissions with carbon credits. 

6. Adaptability for the future

As families, businesses and organisations grow, the requirements for their spaces change. Designing buildings to adapt to future demands reduces the chance that the occupants will need to demolish or renovate – and if they do, the building can be disassembled in a way that preserves materials for future use with little impact on the environment. This can be achieved in a few ways, including designing the building as a series of modular elements that can be shifted to change the space, installing movable walls to easily create new rooms, building with extensions in mind, and designing for disassembly. 

Eco friendly home by Hamish Cameron Architecture.

Creating a truly sustainable built environment requires participation from everyone in the industry. As the climate crisis intensifies, it’s important that we continue to push for transparency, accountability, and action. While necessary policy and process changes take years to implement, the good news is that we can make choices now that will have a lasting positive impact on the environment.

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