About Sustainability

Sustainability is about more than just solar and wind power (though active systems like these are a valuable part of the overall sustainability equation).  It's helpful to think about the Reduce-Reuse-Recycle model, with special attention given to the most powerful and first link in this chain; Reduce:

REDUCE:​​

We can reduce conditioned space, harmful materials in construction, maintenance requirements, and disruption of natural spaces on the property.  Shading devices reduce our cooling needs, thermal systems can capture warm or cold air to further reduce the load the electrical systems require for comfortable temperatures in our dwellings.

Reduction in consumption can be straightforward (reduce your intake), but it can also be achieved by transferring use from energy intensive sources to those abundant in the location.  Sunlight and shade, thermal dynamics in the air and underground, rainwater, gravity, biome potential, even trash- can all be seen as inexpensive sources of consumable resources.

REUSE:​​

We can re-use materials in construction and be even more environmentally friendly by having multi-use spaces.  We can choose new materials that are more renewable, meaning the material is easier to replace and may have other beneficial attributes like being more durable.  A great example would be common bamboo as a construction material in place of exotic hardwoods because bamboo is rapidly replaced in nature, is durable, water resistant, versatile and aesthetically pleasing.

Reusability isn't limited to materials that are constructed but also elements that are constantly cycling through the environment.  

RECYCLE:​​

Recycling is the last effort to recoup energy and material and is the most difficult link in the chain to accomplish with efficiency.  Some great examples are used shipping containers providing the structure for a new building, integrating abundant materials that are commonly seen as trash to improve your energy efficiency, like Styrofoam and other packing materials.  It can be time consuming to source some of these materials and depending on the project may not be worth the extra effort, but every system that we design together can sequester materials that would otherwise be polluting our natural environment, and thus is a worthy endeavor.

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Creative examples of how to reduce costs, pollutants and waste are endless.  The goal is to find the best practices for the kind of building you are trying to design.  A selective process is going to eliminate the sustainability practices that yield only marginal benefits in favor of others that will have a definite impact on your sustainability score overall.