How can you ensure that sustainable design is respectful of the biosphere?

? Use of Renewable Resources: Prioritize the use of renewable resources that can be replenished naturally, such as sustainably harvested wood or renewable energy sources like solar or wind power. ? Minimize Resource Consumption: Design with the goal of minimizing resource consumption, including energy, water, and materials. This can involve energy-efficient design, water conservation measures, and the use of recycled or reclaimed materials. ? Biodiversity Conservation: Integrate features that support biodiversity and ecosystem health into the design, such as green roofs, native plant landscaping, and habitat restoration. ? Avoidance of Harmful Chemicals in Paints etc ? Waste Reduction and Recycling ? Using Lower GWP Refrigerants in Kitchen

Understanding and respecting the biosphere is crucial in sustainable design. Designers must adopt principles of environmental stewardship, considering both immediate and long-term impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems. Context plays a vital role, with each project situated within specific locations presenting unique challenges and opportunities. Community engagement is essential, integrating local knowledge and priorities to create solutions that enhance both human well-being and ecological integrity. Ultimately, sustainable design aims to harmonise with the biosphere, creating built environments that regenerate and enrich the natural world for present and future generations.

Local context is very important for sustainable design, as it helps to create solutions that are suitable and responsive to the specific needs, culture, and environment of the community. It also ensures that the solutions are relevant, effective, and inclusive. As per UNEP Neighbourhood Guidelines, It helps to identify the existing assets and challenges of the neighbourhood, such as its history, identity, resources, infrastructure, and stakeholders. It informs the design decisions and strategies that are appropriate for the local climate, topography, ecology, and culture. It enables the participation and empowerment of the local community, who are the main beneficiaries and users of the neighbourhood

Remember what you are designing for (the purpose), but then also think beyond the life of that project and what will happen with it at its "end of life." For example, with a circular approach, this could mean that once it has fulfilled its original purpose it could be broken down and recycled, or reused in a different application. Maximize that sustainable impact to reduce and eliminate waste and keep those positive social and environmental values top of mind.

In sustainable design, prioritise the biosphere's integrity by embracing environmental stewardship principles. Consider each project's unique context, including geographical, social, and cultural factors. Engage communities and integrate local knowledge to create solutions that benefit both people and the planet. Aim to harmonise with the biosphere, fostering built environments that regenerate and enrich natural ecosystems for generations to come. In my experience, WELL is a great green building design framework to incorporate this into.

We may consider following for sustainable design: - Optimizing use of land, such as reusing existing buildings or choosing brownfield, greyfield, or previously developed sites. - Optimizing energy use, such as using renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. - Protecting and conserving water, such as reducing water consumption, harvesting rainwater, and treating wastewater. - Optimizing building space and material use, such as minimizing waste, using recycled or renewable materials, and designing for durability and adaptability. - Enhancing indoor environmental quality, such as improving air quality, lighting, acoustics, and thermal comfort.

WE MUST work together! It's so critical in so many ways of sustainability and beyond. So often I'm asked how can we sold this issue and the answer is almost always working together to pool resources and talent.

Collaboration is key to success. Just as in nature, no one organism can survive or live in isolation from it's network and survive. The same can be said with sustainable design. It requires a network of talent, expertise and vision. We must mimic nature in how we design if we are to develop something that is respectful of and can return back to nature.

Sustainable design respects the biosphere. My steps are: - Understand: I research the users, stakeholders, and the ecological and social implications. - Apply: I use frameworks and tools like the circular economy, biomimicry, and cradle-to-cradle. - Collaborate: I work with teams and engage with experts, communities, and users to Co-create solutions. - Learn: I test, iterate, and improve my solutions based on feedback and data, and embrace uncertainty and change. - Reflect: I evaluate and share the outcomes, impacts, learnings, and insights. What do you think of sustainable design? Let's connect!