What is sustainability

From Sustainable Building Resource

Sustainability is all about meeting the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations. It can be measured in terms of economic, environmental and social value.

• Planning, designing, constructing and using our built environment as if we care about the future.
• Saving money through appropriate design and efficient use of resources – lower bills for running costs such as energy and water.
• Thinking about the future… today

q9kGrN <a href="http://sprfvgfadehp.com/">sprfvgfadehp</a>, [url=http://bgxfhbxvjzic.com/]bgxfhbxvjzic[/url], [link=http://epfdfploxvgv.com/]epfdfploxvgv[/link], http://klkvpdjfizxt.com/

Contents 1 General princples of sustainable construction: 1.1 Reducing Energy in use: 1.2 Minimising external pollution and Environmental damage: 1.3 Reducing Embodied Energy and resource depletion: 1.4 Minimising internal pollution and damage to health:

[edit] General princples of sustainable construction:

[edit] Reducing Energy in use:

• Use maximum possible low embodied energy insulation, but with good ventilation.
• Use low energy lighting and electrical appliances.
• Make use of passive and active solar energy wherever feasible.
• Use efficient, low pollution heating.
• Use passive and natural ventilation systems rather than mechanical wherever feasible.

[edit] Minimising external pollution and Environmental damage:

• Design with respect to the surroundings.
• Avoid destruction of natural habitats.
• Re-use rainwater onsite.
• Treat and recycle waste water on site if possible.
• Try to minimise extraction of materials which produce damaging chemicals as a by product.
• Re-use waste materials on site if possible.

[edit] Reducing Embodied Energy and resource depletion:

• Use locally sourced materials
• Use materials found on site.
• Minimise use of imported materials.
• Use of materials from sustainably managed sources.
• Keep use of materials from non-renewable sources to a minimum.
• Use low embodied energy materials.
• Use second hand and recycled materials.
• Re-use existing buildings and structures.

[edit] Minimising internal pollution and damage to health:

• Use non toxic material, or low emission materials.
• Avoid insulation with fibres, which could get into thew atmosphere.
• Ensure good natural ventilation.
• Reduce dust and allergens.
• Reduce impact of electromagnetic fields (EMFs).
• Create positive character in the building and relationship with the site.
• Involve users in design and management of building and evaluting environmental impact.