Intro to sustainable design

axiaxioommd e s i g nd e s i g n

An Introduction to Sustainability for Design Professionals‐A Beginner’s Guide to Designing for Your Sustainable Future.

Paul O’Connor MRIAI

Daedalus[vision¦creativity¦innovation¦change]

© Paul O’Connor, 2009Do not use, amend, alter, reproduce or distribute without written permission.

Contact: +353 (0)87 8149663 / [email protected]

Certificate in Sustainable

Design Innovation 2009


Positive Proof of Global Warming!




Climate Change is Happening!

©Paul O’Connor, 2009Do not use, amend, alter, reproduce or distribute without written permission.






LONDON 2050





ALPS 2050


Principle of Sustainability



PLANET :: PEOPLE :: PROFIT

= SUSTAINABLE


• Climate Change

• Resource depletion, especially fossil fuels

• Potable & agricultural water

• Ecological capacity and biodiversity

• Poverty

The FIVE Big Global Issues




So, as a species, what are we doing about it?

We need to regain a sense of perspective…

•• Interest GroupsInterest Groups

•• IndustryIndustry

•• GovernmentGovernment

•• MediaMedia

•• DesignersDesigners

–– humans argue , species diehumans argue , species die

–– constant demand for resources constant demand for resources

–– control by regulation control by regulation –– too slowtoo slow

–– sensationalist + short focussedsensationalist + short focussed

–– Technical Information Overload!Technical Information Overload!




You Are Here!




Our Continuous Energy SourceOur Continuous Energy Source

You Are Here!






You Are Here!

Our Continuous Energy SourceOur Continuous Energy Source


HomeHome




Clean WaterClean Water……

Clean AirClean Air……




Lots of roomLots of room……




A A BioBio--SphereSphere of habitatsof habitats……and inhabitantsand inhabitants……




……and us!and us!




But who are we?But who are we?Skeletal Cardiovascular Neurological

Lymphatic Viscera

Structural Heat+Plumbing Electrical

Drainage FabricThe Human Machine




But, we are more than thatBut, we are more than that……

E=mcE=mc22

““Everything Everything isis ENERGYENERGY……..

……and and ENERGYENERGY is is ALLALL there is!there is!””




We are energetic beings with physical form!We are energetic beings with physical form!Skeletal Cardiovascular Neurological

Lymphatic Viscera

The Human Bio‐Field

Structural Heat+Plumbing Electrical

Drainage Fabric




The Tree of LifeThe Tree of Life



You Are Here!


““What you people call your What you people call your natural resourcesnatural resourcesour people call our people call our relativesour relatives..””

Oren Lyons, Oren Lyons, faith keeper of the Onondaga

The The BioBio--FieldField and the and the BioBio--SphereSphere are are interinter--connectedconnected and and interinter--dependentdependent..




So, what’s the problem? We Are!




CO2 Emissions




The Greenhouse Effect




In Northern EuropeIn Northern Europe……we hope we hope thisthis will happen!will happen! It could be It could be thisthis!!




World Population




Peak Oil




What Does It All Mean?



50% more People…with 50% less Oil…

Year 2050

to manufacture, build, run, heat, cook, produce, grow and transport everything that you see around you!


This is This is ALLALL WE HAVEWE HAVE!!

So, So, whywhy should we be should we be concernedconcerned??

waterwater airair




The Danger of The Danger of Language.Language.



•• To maintainTo maintain balance balance in thein the ‘‘status quostatus quo’’. .

•• It describesIt describes puttingputting something backsomething backto replace what you areto replace what you are taking out.taking out.

•• The term The term ‘‘SustainabilitySustainability’’ comes from the comes from the forestry industryforestry industry

There is no There is no status quostatus quo. . The system is already The system is already out of balanceout of balance..

Tarzan’s Last Tree!


William McDonough

““NatureNature doesndoesn’’t have a t have a Design ProblemDesign Problem..

PeoplePeople do!do!””

Co‐Author of “Cradle to Cradle”






We Are Hard Wired for Connections, Meaning and Stories

Change the Story to Change the Culture


Hierarchy of Hierarchy of Human Needs Human Needs (Maslow)(Maslow)

Hierarchy of Hierarchy of Consumer DesireConsumer Desire

Design Problem: Human Needs –vs.- Human Desire



Conscience Conscience GapGap




“What Can I Do?”: The Role of Design

Hierarchy of Hierarchy of Consumer DesireConsumer Desire



DESIGNDESIGN

FALSE


Communism –v-Consumerism: A Battle of Ideology!



•• Post War US Economy in Crisis Post War US Economy in Crisis

•• Marketing Consultants are called in.Marketing Consultants are called in.

•• Ideology of Consumerism is created.Ideology of Consumerism is created.

•• World War II : MilitaryWorld War II : Military‐‐Industrial EconomyIndustrial Economy


Consumerism –v- Planet: A Battle of Ideology!



It takes 60 Barbie's to screw a light It takes 60 Barbie's to screw a light bulb!bulb!

•• It takes 1.127 watts of energy, orIt takes 1.127 watts of energy, or•• 3.2 cups of oil3.2 cups of oil……

……to manufacture, ship, deliver, and to manufacture, ship, deliver, and play with Barbie for three years.play with Barbie for three years.


Consumerism –v- Planet: A Battle of Ideology!




We are ‘Groomed to Consume’ by Marketing!



Fears

Desires

Anger

Tribalism

Greed



Design Problem? Change The Designer!




Hierarchy of Hierarchy of Physical Physical NeedsNeeds

We Can Do This By We Can Do This By Changing Changing Our SelvesOur Selves……

““Be The Change You Wish To See Be The Change You Wish To See In The World.In The World.””

Mahatma GhandiMahatma Ghandi

““We Are The Ones We Have Been We Are The Ones We Have Been Waiting For.Waiting For.””

Thomas Thomas BanyacyaBanyacya, Hopi Elder, Hopi Elder


Something’s in the air!



Up to now, PEOPLE have been Up to now, PEOPLE have been ORGANISNG themselves into ORGANISNG themselves into MOVEMENTSMOVEMENTS……..

Now, the MOVEMENTS are organising Now, the MOVEMENTS are organising themselves into ONE BIG themselves into ONE BIG MOVEMENT!MOVEMENT!

It is the BIGGEST movement in the It is the BIGGEST movement in the World, and nobody saw it coming!World, and nobody saw it coming!




Life Cycle Analysis:




Bespoke Design: The One‐Off Chair

actions

PERSONAL PEOPLE

PROFITPLANET- -

+ +/-

+++




Mass Design: The Printer Cartridge

actions

PERSONAL PEOPLE

PROFITPLANET+/- +++

+ ++


The Power of DESIGNDESIGN is a statement of INTENTION




DESIGN :: INTENTION :: CHOICE




As Designers…

Our Our choiceschoices impact impact peoplepeople through the design of through the design of their environments.their environments.

Our Our choiceschoices impact the impact the ecoeco‐‐systemsystem we need to we need to survive.survive.

Our Our choiceschoices impact the impact the marketmarket..

… but it begins with your intention.




Good Intentions are not enough…






2 Google Searches = Boiling 1 Full Kettle of Water2 Google Searches = Boiling 1 Full Kettle of Water

…we need to make informed Choices!

Good Intentions are not enough…


““A A greengreen approach to the built environment involves a approach to the built environment involves a holistic approach holistic approach to the design of buildings; that all the to the design of buildings; that all the resourcesresources that go into a building, be they that go into a building, be they materialsmaterials, , fuelsfuelsor the or the contribution of the users contribution of the users need to be considered if need to be considered if a a sustainable architecture sustainable architecture is to be produced.is to be produced.””

Brenda & Robert Vale, Brenda & Robert Vale, Green Architecture

( )( )

What is ‘Green Building’ or ‘Eco-Architecture’?



all that I designall that I design

a designa design

solutionsolutionMy Sustainability Manifesto!

What is ‘Sustainable Design’?


The Four Principles of Sustainable-Design:

1. Reducing Energy in Use 1. Reducing Energy in Use

•• MaximumMaximum low embodied energy low embodied energy insulationinsulation, but with , but with good ventilation.good ventilation.

•• Low energy lightingLow energy lighting and and electrical appliances.electrical appliances.

•• Passive and active Passive and active solar energysolar energy wherever feasible.wherever feasible.

•• Passive and natural Passive and natural ventilation systemsventilation systems, rather than mechanical., rather than mechanical.




2. Minimise External Pollution & Environmental Damage 2. Minimise External Pollution & Environmental Damage

•• Design Design in harmoniousin harmonious relationship relationship with thewith the surroundingssurroundings

•• AvoidAvoid destruction ofdestruction of natural habitatsnatural habitats

•• ReRe--use rainwateruse rainwater and treat and and treat and rere--cycle waste watercycle waste water on siteon site

•• Minimise extractionMinimise extraction of materials unless of materials unless good environmental controlsgood environmental controlsexist and exist and avoid materialsavoid materials which produce damaging which produce damaging chemical productschemical products

•• Do not Do not dumpdump waste materials waste materials off siteoff site. . ReRe--use on site.use on site.





3. Reduce Embodied Energy and Resource Depletion 3. Reduce Embodied Energy and Resource Depletion

•• Use Use locally sourced locally sourced materialsmaterials

•• Use materialsUse materials found on sitefound on site•• MinimiseMinimise use ofuse of imported materialsimported materials•• Use materials fromUse materials from sustainably managed sustainably managed sourcessources

•• Keep materials from Keep materials from nonnon‐‐renewablerenewable sources to a sources to a minimumminimum..

•• Use Use lowlow‐‐energy materialsenergy materials, minimise high embodied energy materials., minimise high embodied energy materials.

•• Use Use second handsecond hand and and recycled materialsrecycled materials where appropriate.where appropriate.

•• ReRe‐‐useuse existing buildings and structures.existing buildings and structures.





4. Minimise Internal Pollution and Damage to Health 4. Minimise Internal Pollution and Damage to Health

•• Use Use nonnon‐‐toxic toxic oror low emission low emission materialsmaterials

•• Avoid Avoid fibresfibres from from fabricsfabrics and and insulationinsulation getting into the environmentgetting into the environment•• Ensure good Ensure good natural ventilationnatural ventilation•• Reduce Reduce dustdust and and allergensallergens

•• Reduce impact of Reduce impact of electromagnetic fieldselectromagnetic fields ((EMFEMF’’ss).).

•• Create Create positive characterpositive character in the building and in the building and relationship with siterelationship with site..

•• InvolveInvolve usersusers in design and management of building and evaluating in design and management of building and evaluating environmental choices.environmental choices.





Specification Strategies




Changing Paradigms

•• ReduceReduce

•• ReuseReuse

•• RecycleRecycle

Based on the principle Based on the principle of Limited Supplyof Limited Supply

Putting off the Landfill Day!Putting off the Landfill Day!

= = ““DowncycleDowncycle”” into a lesser value into a lesser value product before it ultimately gets product before it ultimately gets dumped!dumped!

““Cradle to GraveCradle to Grave”” ““Cradle to CradleCradle to Cradle””

““To To eliminateeliminate the concept the concept of of wastewaste means to means to designdesignthings things –– products, packages products, packages and systems and systems –– from the from the very beginningvery beginning on the on the understanding that understanding that waste waste does not existdoes not exist..””




Changing Paradigms

““Cradle to CradleCradle to Cradle””




Design Strategies

Look Inwards: Impact on the health of the occupants and users.

Look Outwards: Impact on the Eco‐System (today and in the future).

Think of the design as part of an integrated eco‐system:

Waste Products ‐ Recyclability

Embodied Energy / Carbon Footprint

Pathogens ‐ Allergens – Air Quality – E.M.F.’s



Energy ‐ Light ‐ Air ‐Water – Heat


Interior Design Specification Issues:

Wall Coverings:Wall paper, vinyl wall ‘paper’(no paper, PVC, plasticisers, heavy metals)

Wall Paints: Vinyl emulsion (2-7%, pvc), acrylic emulsion, alkyd paints (40-50%), mineral/stone paint, natural paints, protein/casein-based, limewash

Plaster & Tiling:No ‘renewable’ alternative to plaster, tiling is recyclable and long-life

Adhesives: Petrochemical, irritants, volatility, natural resins

Plastics: Petrochemical-based, new biodegradable materials

Laminates: Source of woods/veneers, eco-depletion, glues, transport




Interior Design Specification Issues:

Wall Coverings:Wall paper, vinyl wall ‘paper’(no paper, PVC, plasticisers, heavy metals)

Wall Paints: Vinyl emulsion (2-7%, pvc), acrylic emulsion, alkyd paints (40-50%), mineral/stone paint, natural paints, protein/casein-based, limewash

Plaster & Tiling:No ‘renewable’ alternative to plaster, tiling is recyclable and long-life

Adhesives: Petrochemical, irritants, volatility, natural resins

Plastics: Petrochemical-based, new biodegradable materials

Laminates: Source of woods/veneers, eco-depletion, glues, transport




10 Top Things Every Business Leader (& Designer) Should Know About Strategic Sustainability

1. Sustainable Abundance is good for business.Every product and every service needs to be re‐invented to create a sustainable future. This is the greatest economic opportunity in history. (Consider automobiles, light bulbs, airplanes, energy…. everything.)

2. High Sustainability Standards and Maximizing Human Benefits can generate “leapfrog”designs to invent new products and new business models.(Toyota was creating the Prius while other car companies slept.)

3. Sustainability Thinking saves money. The relentless challenge to improve durability, re‐use parts and eliminate packaging brings bottom line innovation. (91% of old Xerox copier parts are reused in “new” Xerox machines.)

4. Removing the Bad attracts new customers. Consumers and business customers are stampeding to choose the benefits of non‐toxic, no‐waste products (Clorox’s non‐toxic Green Works Cleaners is their fastest growing product portfolio.)

5. Create a Cause Bigger Than Your Brand.Over 80% of consumers say they choose brands that support good causes because it makes them feel like they are “voting with their wallet.”




10 Top Things Every Business Leader (& Designer) Should Know About Strategic Sustainability

6. Sustainability Obliterates Costs. When smart people consider how to satisfy a need or want without waste or even cost, new business models spring to life. (When Apple designed the iPod, eliminating the cost/waste of CD manufacturing, shipping and distribution was the natural outcome.

7. Sustainability Drives Game‐Changing Business Models.When leaders consider solving huge problems in sustainable ways, new thinking creates breakthrough businesses. Before the radio, who would have thought of music with a band? Before the light bulb, who would have thought of light without a flame?

8. Sustainability Creates Smart Marketing. Engaging your customers in the benefits and breakthroughs of your green and sustainable products requires a new level and a new type of communication. It’s called smarketing.

9. Sustainability Attracts Top Talent.The best science, engineering and business schools report that top graduates only want to work for companies that are serious about making a difference in creating a sustainable future.

10. If You Don’t Fully Embrace Sustainability, You Are Toast.The debate over green is over and green won. Consider the failures of GM and the transformation of Wal‐Mart. It’s better to ride the wave than drown in the rip tide of change.




My Challenge to You!

Apply these PrinciplesApply these Principles……

Use Your Powers of Intention and ChoiceUse Your Powers of Intention and Choice……

Create a New Design Aesthetic in your ProfessionCreate a New Design Aesthetic in your Profession……

““and and Take A Risk!Take A Risk!””



Explore and Discover Your True SelfExplore and Discover Your True Self……


“How Can I Do That?”

3. 3. AskAsk the the awkwardawkward questions thatquestions that need need to be asked.to be asked.

2. 2. Educate Educate yourself yourself –– peers, books, courses, websites.peers, books, courses, websites.

1. 1. Challenge Challenge your ownyour own assumptions, beliefs assumptions, beliefs andand standards.standards.

4. Make 4. Make informedinformed choiceschoices……

5. 5. ……because changing because changing commercecommerce will will createcreate change.change.

6. Be Passionate. 6. Be Passionate. Design Like You Give A Damn!Design Like You Give A Damn!




Resources

The Natural House Book/Catalogue The Natural House Book/Catalogue –– David PearsonDavid Pearson..

Green Building Handbook (Vol. 1+2) Green Building Handbook (Vol. 1+2) ‐‐ Tom Woolley & Sam Tom Woolley & Sam KimminsKimmins

Cradle to Cradle Cradle to Cradle –– William McDonoughWilliam McDonough

Cultivate Centre, Temple Bar Cultivate Centre, Temple Bar www.cultivate.iewww.cultivate.ie

SonairteSonairte Ecological Centre Ecological Centre –– www.sonairte.orgwww.sonairte.org

Google Search: Google Search: Key Words: ecoKey Words: eco‐‐design, green building, ecodesign, green building, eco‐‐architecturearchitecture

Sustainable Design Notes Sustainable Design Notes –– RIAI and ERGRIAI and ERG




Resources

The Environmental and Sustainable Construction Association. Founded by Duncan Stewart (RTE1’s About the House), Professor Tom Woolley (Queens’ University Belfast), Paul Leech (Leech‐Gaia Ecotecture), and Construct Ireland’s editor Jeff Colley, to promote the viability of sustainable construction in Ireland.

www.easca.iewww.easca.ie




DESIGN is a statement of INTENTION through CHOICE

CHOICE carries with it RESPONSIBILITY

“… for the welfare of the children of ALL of the species.”




Challenge the Rules!




Thank You For Thinking!



Date post:	07-May-2015
Category:	Documents
Upload:	paul-oconnor
View:	506 times
Download:	4 times

Intro to sustainable design

Documents