Sustainability is a trending topic in architecture. With 20-30% of global greenhouse gas emissions coming from buildings, it comes as little surprise that lowering the carbon footprint of buildings is a central topic. Many are challenging what sustainability truly means—taking the concept beyond its ecological roots to include social sustainability.
There is a lot to unpack with sustainable architectural design. It is essential to examine the role of design in creating a home that reduces environmental harm while also creating a space that will be loved and kept for generations.
What is Sustainable Architecture?
Sustainable architecture, also known as sustainable design or ecological design, refers to buildings designed to limit their impact on the natural world. For residential architecture, a home should be designed to minimize waste, utilize renewable resources, and source environmentally-friendly products.
But, it is about more than a checklist of green choices. It is also about creating a space that is loved. If a home perfectly fits your lifestyle, you want to take care of it, share it, and keep it for years to come. Adding timelessness as a design element allows the home to survive for decades, ensuring that it will stand the test of time.
What are the characteristics of sustainable architecture?
1) Improved efficiency
Sustainable energy sources are central to the philosophy. Wind, solar, and geothermal energy are examples of energy sources used to lower the carbon footprint of a home.
But energy efficiency goes beyond the source. An efficient space is also central. For example, designing the home to keep the heat in or out as needed. Something as simple as the light in a room can significantly impact how much heating or cooling a space needs. By orienting the windows in the right way, you create a passive solar heating system that is efficient and decreases your reliance on energy production.
2) Eco-friendly materials
Materials that are recycled or renewable are the most sustainable. Opting for renewable materials is at the forefront of sustainable design. Bamboo, hemp, cork, flax, and soy are popular choices with multiple applications. Of course, local sourcing is also a priority, which means sustainably sourced wood is a crucial consideration.
3) Moderation
A 4500 square foot home built for two people is not sustainable, no matter what materials you use. Reducing your imprint is a central tenet of sustainability. A tiny home, micro-apartment, or a smaller-scale custom home will require less land, building materials, and energy.
Scandinavian-inspired sustainability
My design philosophy is heavily influenced by Scandinavian design. With family roots in Finland, I have always appreciated the sophisticated simplicity of Nordic buildings.
Building homes that fit into the natural world is central to Scandinavian design. The structure should merge with the natural world. There is no need to clear-cut and bulldoze the land. Instead, the building should accentuate the surrounding land. In winter, your home will stand as a warm and inviting sanctuary. In summer, it will blend with the surrounding forest to make it feel like part of the natural world.
Choose a more sustainable home
Architecture has enormous impacts on the environment, and sustainable architecture is a way to minimize that impact. If you are looking to incorporate sustainability into the design of your home, we should talk. With years of experience in the building industry, I appreciate sourcing the right materials and designing an efficient, beautiful space that you will enjoy for decades to come.
