Sustainabl

e Design
An Introduction
Sustainable Design
•Sustainable design is the practice
of integrating environmental
considerations into the design of
products, buildings, and systems
to reduce their negative impact on
the environment. It emphasizes
resource efficiency, durability, and
minimal environmental
degradation throughout the
lifecycle of a product or system.
 Objective
The primary objective of sustainable design is
to achieve long-term sustainability by:
•Promoting efficient resource use:
Optimizing the use of energy, water, and
materials.
•Enhancing environmental quality: Reducing
pollution and carbon footprint.
•Fostering resilience: Creating habitats,
urban systems, and transport solutions that
adapt to environmental challenges.
•Encouraging innovation: Utilizing modern
technologies, renewable resources, and eco-
Basic Concepts of
Sustainable Habitat

1. Minimized Energy
Consumption
2. Effective Waste
Management
3. Use of Renewable Energy
Sources
 Minimized Energy
Consumption:
•Designing buildings to maximize
natural light and ventilation.
•Using energy-efficient appliances
and lighting systems.
•Implementing advanced insulation
techniques to reduce heating and
cooling needs.
Effective Waste
Management
•Encouraging waste segregation at the
source (organic, recyclable, non-
recyclable).
•Implementing composting and recycling
programs to reduce landfill dependency.
•Designing buildings with materials that
can be reused or recycled at the end of
their lifecycle.
Use of Renewable
Energy Sources:
•Installing solar panels for
electricity generation and water
heating.
•Incorporating wind turbines in
suitable locations.
•Exploring bioenergy solutions
for cooking and heating.
 Examples of Implementation:
1.Green Roofs:
1. Vegetative layers on rooftops that improve insulation,
reduce urban heat islands, and manage stormwater.
2. Example: Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) in Milan,
Italy.
2.Efficient Water Management Systems:
1. Rainwater harvesting systems to capture and store
rainwater for reuse.
2. Use of greywater recycling systems for irrigation and
flushing.
3. Smart water meters to monitor and reduce water
wastage.
3.Eco-Friendly Landscaping:
1. Using native plants that require less water and
maintenance.
2. Designing bioswales to manage stormwater runoff and
Green Buildings
Green buildings are structures designed and
constructed to minimize their environmental
impact throughout their lifecycle. They
achieve this by optimizing the use of
resources such as energy, water, and
materials, while also ensuring the well-being
of their occupants.
Key Benefits:
Enhanced Indoor Lowered Greenhouse
Reduced Energy
Environmental Gas (GHG)
Costs:
Quality: Emissions:
• Green buildings • Use of non-toxic • By using renewable
incorporate energy- materials improves air energy sources and
efficient systems such quality. energy-efficient
as LED lighting, • Maximizing natural systems, green
advanced HVAC light and ventilation buildings significantly
systems, and reduces reliance on cut carbon emissions.
renewable energy artificial lighting and • Lifecycle assessments
technologies like solar air conditioning, ensure materials and
panels. enhancing occupant operations contribute
• Design elements such comfort and health. minimally to GHG
as passive solar outputs.
heating, natural
ventilation, and high-
performance
insulation help reduce
energy consumption.
Example
Applications:
•Rainwater Harvesting: Collect and store
rainwater for irrigation and flushing.
•Smart Technologies: Utilize sensors for
automated lighting and temperature control.
•Recycled Materials: Use reclaimed wood,
recycled steel, and eco-friendly concrete for
construction.
Green Materials for
Building
Construction
•Examples:
• Bamboo: Renewable, durable,
and versatile for structural and
decorative use.
• Recycled Steel: Reduces raw
material extraction.
• Mycelium-based Products:
Biodegradable and lightweight.
•Material Selection:
• Focus on durability, recyclability,
and low environmental impact.
Material Selection for Sustainable
Design

Key
Consideration
s:

Life-Cycle
Energy Local
Assessment
Efficiency Sourcing
(LCA)
Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Definition: LCA
Purpose: Helps in Example: Choosing
evaluates the
identifying materials recycled steel over
environmental impact of
with the least virgin steel to
a material throughout
ecological footprint minimize raw
its lifecycle, from
while balancing material extraction
extraction and
durability and and reduce energy
processing to use and
performance. consumption
disposal.
Energy
Efficiency:
•Importance: Materials with high thermal
performance help reduce energy needs
for heating and cooling, contributing to
energy-efficient building design.
•Examples:
• High-Performance Insulation:
Materials like aerogels and rigid
foam insulation minimize heat
transfer.
• Double-Glazed Windows:
Enhance thermal and acoustic
insulation.
Local Sourcing:
1.Definition: Procuring materials from
nearby locations to lower transportation
emissions and costs.
2.Benefits:
1.Promotes regional economic growth.
2.Reduces the carbon footprint
associated with transportation.
3.Examples:
1.Locally sourced stone for construction.
2.Bamboo, a rapidly renewable material,
for flooring and finishes in regions
where it is abundant.
Examples of
Sustainable
Materials:
•Biodegradable Plastics: Eco-friendly
alternatives for interior finishes.
•Recycled Concrete: Reused from
demolished structures, reducing waste.
•Mycelium-Based Materials: Biodegradable
options for insulation or packaging.
Green Building Certification
1. GRIHA Certification (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment)
•Overview:
• GRIHA is India's national rating system, developed by TERI (The Energy and Resources Institute) and
endorsed by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.
• It provides a framework to evaluate a building’s environmental performance over its entire lifecycle.

Key Focus Areas:

1.Energy Efficiency: Promotes the use of energy-efficient systems and renewable energy sources like
solar power.
2.Water Conservation: Encourages rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment, and efficient water
fixtures.
3.Waste Management: Includes waste segregation, recycling, and composting.
4.Sustainable Materials: Emphasizes the use of locally sourced, low-impact, and recyclable materials.
Applicability:
•Designed for residential, institutional, and commercial projects, including new
constructions and retrofitting existing buildings.
IGBC Certification (Indian Green
Building Council)
•Overview:
• Developed by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), IGBC certification aims to foster a
sustainable built environment in India.
• It benchmarks buildings against global sustainability standards.
•Key Focus Areas:
• Site Selection and Planning: Ensures sustainable development of the building site.
• Energy Efficiency: Encourages the use of energy-efficient systems and renewable energy
integration.
• Water Management: Promotes efficient water usage, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling.
• Indoor Environmental Quality: Focuses on air quality, daylight optimization, and thermal
comfort.
•Applicability:
• Covers a range of projects, including:
• New constructions (commercial, residential, healthcare, schools, etc.).
• Existing buildings (retrofits and renovations).
• Interior spaces for offices, retail, and homes.
 Feature GRIHA IGBC

Primary Focus Resource efficiency, Global

lifecycle impact sustainability
standards

Applicability Indian context Indian and global

Compariso markets

n of GRIHA Key Areas Energy, water,

waste, and material
Site, energy, water,
and indoor quality

and IGBC use

Endorsement Ministry of New Confederation of

and Renewable Indian Industry
Energy
Energy-Efficient
Building Design
Techniques:
1.Passive Solar Design:
1. Concept: Harness solar energy by strategically
designing building orientation, window placement,
and material selection.
2. Benefits:
1.Maximizes natural light, reducing the need for
artificial lighting.
2.Enhances ventilation to minimize reliance on air
conditioning.
3. Example: South-facing windows in the northern
hemisphere capture sunlight during the winter, while
overhangs block excessive summer heat.
Thermal
Storage:
•Concept: Materials like concrete, water,
or phase-change materials store heat
during the day and release it at night.
•Benefits:
• Regulates indoor temperatures
naturally, reducing heating and
cooling loads.
• Decreases energy costs and
increases thermal comfort.
•Example: Solar water walls that store
heat during the day and release it to warm
interiors at night.
 High-Performance
Insulation:
•Concept: Advanced insulation materials
reduce heat transfer, keeping interiors
cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
•Examples:
• Spray foam insulation with high R-
values.
• Aerogel-based panels for superior
thermal resistance.
•Benefits:
• Minimizes energy loss through walls,
roofs, and floors.
• Reduces energy consumption and