Sustainability is a key concept in environmental design, the discipline that aims to create spaces and products that are in harmony with nature and human needs. But how can you promote sustainability in your design projects and practices? Here are some tips and examples to inspire you.
Before you start designing, you need to have a clear vision of what you want to achieve in terms of sustainability. What are the environmental, social, and economic impacts of your design? How can you minimize the negative ones and maximize the positive ones? How can you measure and communicate your results? Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals can help you plan and evaluate your design.
Sustainability is a complex and dynamic topic that requires constant learning and updating. You need to research the best practices, standards, and guidelines for your design field and context. You also need to learn from the experiences and feedback of your clients, users, and stakeholders. How can you meet their needs and expectations while respecting the environment? How can you involve them in the design process and decision making? How can you educate them about the benefits of sustainability?
One of the most important aspects of sustainability is the selection and use of materials and methods. You need to consider the life cycle of your design, from the extraction of resources to the disposal or reuse of the product or space. How can you reduce the amount of materials and energy you use? How can you choose materials that are renewable, recyclable, biodegradable, or non-toxic? How can you use methods that are efficient, innovative, or adaptable?
Sustainability is not a one-time achievement, but a continuous improvement process. You need to evaluate your design regularly and objectively, using quantitative and qualitative data and indicators. How can you monitor and report your performance and impact? How can you identify and address the challenges and opportunities for improvement? How can you learn from your successes and failures?
Sustainability is not a solo effort, but a collective responsibility. You need to share your knowledge and skills with others, and collaborate with other designers, professionals, and organizations that share your vision and values. How can you create and join networks and communities of practice that support sustainability? How can you showcase and promote your design as an example of sustainability? How can you inspire and influence others to adopt sustainable practices?
Sustainability is not a burden, but a benefit. You need to enjoy and celebrate your design as a source of satisfaction, creativity, and innovation. How can you appreciate and acknowledge your achievements and contributions to sustainability? How can you reward yourself and others for your efforts and commitment? How can you have fun and express your passion for sustainability?