Sustainability is one of the most important things that must be taken into consideration by architects and designers. It is no longer just about aesthetics and functionality. Professionals have the responsibility to reduce the carbon footprint of their works as much as possible and minimize the use of non-renewable resources as much as possible.
As it is, sustainability is no longer a trend. It is a lifestyle choice that impacts today’s generation, as well as the future’s. To help you move towards sustainability, here are some of the steps that you should keep in mind and follow every time you’re taking on new projects.
1. Go Green!
There are positive benefits that plants bring to people and the environment. It’s time that you take advantage of them. As plants are effective in absorbing carbon dioxide while releasing oxygen, there are also environmental benefits that can be achieved when you incorporate them in your design. Plants release oxygen which is responsible for keeping the surroundings cool. With plants, the possibility of soil erosion is minimised, accumulation of dust is reduced, and they also contribute to water filtration.
TIP: Sustainability will not get in the way of your design’s overall theme if you’ll careful choose your plants.
2. Switch to Sustainable Materials
As a designer, you have the advantage of deciding on what materials to use on your project. Choose eco-friendly materials. These refer to those that are untreated and do not really impact the environment. If you’ll be using wood, go for the engineered alternatives. There are engineered bamboo materials that can replace timber slats. While you are still using wood, you are able to reduce your environmental impact to the minimum.
DID YOU KNOW: Bamboo is a grass. Unlike wood, it grows faster so the material you’ll use can be easily replaced.
3. Design for Sustainability
One of the basic steps to sustainability is to make it one of the end-goals of the projects that you’re working on. Design while keeping sustainability in mind. That means you have to take into consideration eco-friendly practices with your design ideas right from the start.
This will include compliance with techniques that adhere to sustainable practices. It may also mean switching to less conventional options in order to help in environmental preservation. Using recyclable materials, adding a green roof, using energy-conserving amenities, and choosing sustainable furniture are among the steps that you should keep in mind.
There are simple modifications to the usual practices that can be a game-changer when it comes to sustainability. As a designer, you can make a difference in the lives of your clients and the environment. Start with the steps mentioned above!
Author Bio:
George Katsoudas is a Digital Marketing Professional who works as the Managing Director of Low Cost SEO, a digital marketing firm in Sydney and a Digital Media Manager for House of Bamboo Commercial, providing Australia’s architects and designers with high-quality and sustainable materials for their design projects.
Company Bio:
House of Bamboo Commercial is Australia’s trusted source of eco-friendly and high-quality natural materials that are suited for commercial use. We provide architects, landscape artists, and designers a wide range of supplies that they can use for their projects including engineered bamboo, bamboo blinds, bamboo veneer, dried bamboo poles, engineered flooring, rattan webbing roll, commercial cladding materials and many more.