Sustainability in Architecture and Urban Design

Sustainable development def:

"Development that meets the needs of the present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.“

Source: Our Common Future Report(1987, World Commission on Environment and Development)

Irena Itova, MScArchitect, Junior Urban planner

The principles of sustainable development

So what are the principles of sustainable architecture?

Sustainable architecture def: Architecture that seeks to minimize and even eliminate the negative environmental impact of buildings by efficiency and moderation in the use of natural resources, producing less waste and zero pollution, secure economic prosperity and promote livable and vibrant places .

• Our new building is not just a nice estetically and functunaly justified structure anylonger; it is part of a bigger system which functions as one with the ecosystem and its footprints are directly affecting this system’s balance and diversity

With environmentally unconsciousness design buildings can easily turn this

Into this

Why do we as Architects of the XXI century and successors to some of the greatest minds in Architecture need to think about all the peaces of the puzzle?

Some facts about buildings and carbon emission

Some facts about buildings and future energy consumption

If animals have learned to live in symbioses with eachother and nature

Then the human also has to learn how to design the Built

environment to co-exists in symbioses with the Natural

environment

Since early ages our race has strived to design shelters to adapt to climatic conditions by using local and natural materials

Today, with the technology at our reach we can do even more impressive designs that will be benefitial for both human and nature

Project: Galije Resort, by MVRDV

Project: Nordsjæland i Hillerød Hospital, by F.C. Møller

There are many ways and we already have invented many creative things!

By analyzing the geo location and climatic parameters and with the possibility of the modern technology and newly developed construction materials, we can shape our buildings to fit the natural landscape and bring more green and healthy spaces in our urban jungle.

Project: Gangnam Hills, Seoul, South Corea, by MVRDV

Our buildings today can make significant statements and accent the soical side of architecture placing end-users and the local neighbourhood on first place, by creating healty, actractive and active urban spaces which will bring food and clean water access closer to their inhabitants.

Project: Chaise Urbaine, Strasbourg-France, by MVRDV

Example of principles of sustainable design within the building operational system

Example of principles of sustainable design connecting the building with the near surrounding

Principles of Sustainable Architectural design

• Parameters of environmentally responsible design

Use of renewable/recyclable materials – use of natural materials: materials which are able to be replaced with new by the human (wood, straw, etc.);– use of recyclable materials: materials which are able to be recycled into producing new materials in which way it will

be prevented production of new waste and reduce consumption of fresh raw materials;

Operational waste management– Liking processes in the operation of a building so the waste of one process can be found as source for other process;

Building performance by use of renewable energy sources– Use of technology which collects solar rays by photovoltaic panels for energy production and storage for the purpose

of building operation;– Use of technology which uses the geothermal energy for heating up the building and the hot water supply system;

Design that supports bio-diversity– Create green spaces inside and outside the building envelope that will nurture flora and fauna – Design buildings which will not be a barrier but a bridge of connecting the Habitat

Climate responsive building design– Design buildings which will work with the fources of nature (rain, wind, solar irradiance) – Design buildings which will be a particle of a system that will facilitate and be rebust to the natural hazards (floods,

eartquaqes, erosions etc.)

• Parameters of economically responsible design

Passive house technologies – use of alternative energy resources which will make the building self-efficient system and will eliminate its dependency

of external supplies

Flexible design– Design buildings and spaces within the buildings that are easy to readapt and transform to different uses which will

increase the building’s usability

Optimizing resource consumption – Use of smart technology which will function as a “brain” for the building and will insure maximum indoor comfort by

combining active and passive technologies when needed

• Parameters of socially responsible design End-User comfort– Design which ensures maximum end-use indoor and outdoor comfort by creating well ventilated, lighted, active and

healthy spaces which bring nature in peoples everyday life and promote active spaces that care for the users’ physical health

Urban farming– Design that enables local farming and encourages people to grow their own eco-food

Walk-able and sit-able spaces– Designing walk-able and sit-able outdoor spaces in close proximity to the building which will invite not only users but

also visitors to walk and sit in the area and create pleasant and noise/pollution free environment for them to enjoy

Mixed uses

– Design buildings with mixture of uses which will ensure localizing movements, reducing traveling time and costs, thus reduce use of transport and create round-the-clock active spaces

Mix of generations– Design buildings which anybody can use and enjoy; buildings that promote mixture of generations and eliminate urban

phenomenon such as gentrification or aging population

Reusability– Design buildings which can facilitate cost-free or minimal change of use

Example of Passive house principles

Example of Passive house principles

Example of Passive house principles

What does sustainable design mean on the bigger scale?

• It means connecting the buildings into efficient and smart complex system of networks at local, city and regional level

Parameters of Global Sustainable Development

Sustainable Urban Morphology

The flows in a sustainable city in layers

How we should THINK when DESIGNING

At regional level

At city level

On local/ neighborhood level

Sustainable Urban Morphology

Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG