Nowadays, sustainable building design is gaining great popularity with our consciousness of environmental protection and resource conservation. As a layman of this concept, you may wonder, what is sustainable building design? What are the essential elements of sustainable building design?
In this post, we’ll cover all you need to know about sustainable building and design, from the basic concept to the key principles.
What Is Sustainable Building Design?
Sustainable building design refers to the approach that constructs buildings with minimal negative impact on the environment and occupant well-being. It spans the entire lifecycle of buildings, including design, construction, maintenance, renovation, and demolition.
The core of sustainable buildings and design is to be environmentally responsible and resource-efficient. In practice, sustainable design buildings utilize nontoxic, renewable, or recycled materials and work with - rather than against - the surrounding biosphere, contributing to a more livable planet for future generations.
10 Key Principles of Sustainable Building Design
Now that the environmentally sustainable building design has so many benefits, what exactly is it? Below are some key principles for your reference.
Site and Environment
When it comes to sustainable building design, taking the site and environment into consideration can minimize ecological impact and enhance the building's overall sustainability.
It allows you to have a better understanding of the natural topography, existing vegetation, and climate, which in turn determines the building’s layout, orientation, natural light requirements, and landscaping.
For example, an environmentally sustainable building design is supposed to be near public transportation hubs, thus reducing the reliance on private vehicles and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.
Recycled Materials
Utilizing recycled materials is the cornerstone of sustainable buildings and design. Compared with non-renewable materials, recycled building materials have reduced demand for raw materials and generally emit less greenhouse gas.
The common applications of recycled materials include galvanized steel used in structural elements, recycled wood employed for flooring and wall panels, and recycled glass used for windows, wall partitions, etc.
Energy-efficient System
It focuses on reducing the amount of energy consumed by buildings while maintaining comfort and performance for their occupants.
A typical example of sustainable design buildings is the dome structure, whose spherical shape promotes even heat distribution and better airflow, thereby minimizing the need for artificial heating or cooling.
Renewable Energy
Incorporating renewable energy into sustainable building design is also essential. This can be achieved in many ways, including:
- Utilizing solar energy by installing photovoltaic panels or solar thermal systems to reduce the need for electricity and traditional water heaters.
- Employing wind turbines in remote or rural areas to provide reliable power for sustainable buildings.
- Taking advantage of geothermal systems to maintain temperature comfort year-round and minimize energy consumption.
Natural Lighting
Abundant natural lighting is crucial for all architectures and so it is the same case with sustainable building and design. It can significantly reduce energy consumption, lower your electricity bill and also improve the well-being of the occupants.
There are many ways to effectively maximize the natural lighting for environmentally sustainable buildings and design. For instance, utilize large windows, skylights, or light wells to bring in ample natural light.
Good Ventilation
Sustainable building design also attaches great importance to good ventilation. It not only contributes to a healthy and cozy indoor environment for the occupants but also minimizes energy use by reducing the reliance on air conditioning or mechanical ventilation systems.
Heating and Air Conditioning
Energy-efficient heating and air conditioning are vital for environmentally sustainable building design, and this is how they can be effectively implemented:
- Smart Thermostats: Integrating smart thermostats with Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) allows for precise temperature control based on occupants’ schedules and thus reducing energy usage.
- Proper Insulation: High-quality insulation in walls, roofs, and floors minimizes heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. So sustainable buildings and design should be well-insulated to reduce the demand for HVAC systems.
- Zone Control Systems: Zoning allows different areas of a building to be heated or cooled independently. This ensures that you only need to adjust the temperature of occupied areas, reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
Maximize the Usable Space
Maximizing the usable space is another hallmark of sustainable building design. It aims to enhance the functionality, efficiency, and flexibility of a building while minimizing environmental impact.
To make the most of available space, innovative design strategies and efficient use of resources are definitely required. For example, buildings with open-floor plans can reduce the need for multiple walls and partitions, but also make spaces multifunctional to serve the purpose.
Long Lasting Material
Sustainable building design, just as the literal meaning suggests, is expected to last a long time. And that explains why you need to use long-lasting and qualified materials in buildings.
Low Maintenance Cost
One essential element of sustainable building design is ensuring low maintenance costs associated with repairs, replacements, and upkeep.
And it’s not hard to achieve that – as noted above, you can employ high-quality and long-lasting materials to reduce the frequency of repairs and replacements. Renewable energy systems can also do the trick of reducing energy cost.
Why Build a Dome for Sustainable Life?
In the quest for sustainable life, dome structure has emerged as a remarkable architectural solution. It offers a range of advantages that align with the key principles of sustainable building design mentioned above.
The geodesic dome design, which utilizes a network of triangulars, requires fewer materials to achieve a robust and resilient structure than traditional buildings. This design eliminates the need for internal supports, maximizing usable space and reducing material consumption.
The spherical shape of dome structures also promotes air circulation, helping to provide good ventilation and reduce the need for artificial heating and cooling. They are generally built with long-lasting and renewable/recycled materials, such as galvanized Q235 steel and PVC-coated fabrics that are resistant to water, mold, fire, and tearing, so as to ensure low maintenance costs.
Following the principles of sustainable building design, you can also utilize innovative design strategies and energy-efficient resources to make your dome a sustainable building.
For instance, the transparent design of a dome allows for abundant natural light to penetrate the interior, minimizing the need for artificial lighting during the day. You can also adopt energy-efficient systems like solar-powered ventilation systems to increase energy efficiency and reduce overall energy consumption.
Conclusion
Sustainable building design has indeed become a trendy and essential aspect of modern architecture and construction. And they are gaining popularity for good reasons. If you’re about to embrace a sustainable life by starting your next construction project, Shelter Dome can offer you a wide range of options to suit your specific needs!