Principles of Sustainable Dwellings

Abstract

Sustainable is a term that best captures these new sought-after directions. The thrust of sustainable thinking in its most rudimentary form is that one needs to regard the future consequences of present actions. We can no longer assume that wealth, be it monetary or natural, will last forever. Polluting air, water, or soil will have lasting consequences and can drive flora and fauna to extinction. A call to adopt sustainable practices is not new. Background theories and principles have been articulated over the past decades. Yet, their application has been slow in com- ing, in spite of the urgent need for change. Policy makers and practitioners are wrapping their minds around the fact that society has passed a point of no return. Old ways are beginning to give way to new approaches. The building profession is no exception. In North America, during construction the built environment consumes some 40 percent of all natural resources used, and when occupied, 30 percent of all energy consumed. Since residential construction tradition- ally accounts for about 35 percent of all building activity, it is evident that homes make significant contributions to the consumption of resources and energy. It has, therefore, become clear that the design of tomorrow’s dwellings must employ a new thought pro- cess, and their construction, a different practice. The level of resources consumed in the building and use of a structure must be considered at every stage of its conception and construction. It also needs to be designed to accommodate transformation once the use- ful life of its components comes to an end. In addition, a new partnership must be forged between homes and their surrounding natural environment. Topography, water streams, flora, and fauna should be preserved once the decision to build has been made. Design- ers and developers are recognizing that building with nature can be an asset rather than a hindrance.