Climate & Environment
Sustainable Architecture
The design of buildings that minimise environmental impact and support occupant health — from passive design to whole-life carbon.
Definition
Sustainable architecture is the practice of designing buildings and the spaces between them to minimise resource use and environmental harm across their whole life while supporting human health and wellbeing: passive solar design and natural ventilation, low-embodied-carbon materials, energy and water efficiency, renewable integration, adaptability and end-of-life reuse. It is codified in certification systems (LEED, BREEAM, DGNB) and increasingly in regulation (EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive's zero-emission building standard).
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