INTD 51 human environments

sustainability context

sustainability

thinking about creating buildings and interior environments now, but also considering how they will be used 50, 100, or more years from now

also includes strategies suchas the use of environmentallyfriendly materials, recycling,and energy efficiency

sustainability

concepts of sustainability extend to include:•waste management•avoiding pollution •conserving resources•utilizing materials and furnishings that are made from renewable resources with long life spans & requiring minimal upkeep

sustainability a healthy and educated mind-set about living and working to support rather than deplete natural resource

ultimately means creating long-lasting buildings and environments that tread lightly on the environment

sustainability interior designers need guidance to embrace the challenge of creating sustainable designs—most information & legislation focuses on architecture

specific challenges:•tend to work within existing shells—

• eliminates opportunities to control energy through passive design

•interiors frequently intended to be short-lived—consider how long & where it goes afterwards

use of resources two types of resources used by builders and developers:

•renewable—include materials such as wood from trees that can be replanted in sustained growth forests•non-renewable—include minerals and metals in their raw form as well as fossil fuels

use of resources fortunately, some forms of both types can be recycled:•metals•plastics•paper products

when buildings are demolished or interiors refurnished, unless resources are recycled they will have to be removed to a landfill

resource efficiency and sustainability reduce, reuse, recycle & repair

old, but familiar ideas that constitute resource efficiency•reduce: use less•reuse: find new uses for things that have become obsolete•recycle: saving used materials for reconstitution so they can be used again as if they were new•repair: doing what is necessary to bring something to working condition

modest living and sustainability use own resources and the earth’s resources to meet needs rather than to fulfill wants•preserve the environment•simplify life

basic human needs include •food•clothing•shelterin order to obtain these basic needs, some form of transportation is generally needed

modest living and sustainability basic shelter includes places to:•prepare food•eat•sleep•sit•converse•maintain hygiene

these needs include certain furnishings, fixtures and appliances that are necessary to do household work

modest living and sustainability beyond that, all things we possess are wants

today many luxuries seem to be “necessities”•huge houses•enormous windows•luxurious furnishings,finishes & appliances•debt

sustainability can be turned around to mean our ability to sustain ourselves

modest living and sustainability organization and maintenance are vital parts for modest living

instead of buying unnecessarily to replace what we can no longer find…we should be good stewards over our possessions

• having only that which we NEED• buy wisely—only buy once• organize & care for our

possessions so they can be used indefinitely

modest living and sustainability by living modestly•we consume less•reducing the impact we have on the environment•increasing peace of mind

those who value leaving a light footprint on the earth should carefully consider modest living

design longevity and sustainability because development inevitably has an impact on the environment, it is an opportunity for design solutionsthat do the least possible harm to natural surroundings and leave a legacy of spaces and buildings that will become better with age

design longevity and sustainability good design withstands the test of time and adds quality to a community indefinitely

poor design: •consumes resources•demolition creates waste added to landfills•may live on as a blight

design longevity and sustainability design has great healing power for the environment—good design can turn blight into something wonderful:

•derelict areas have been given new functions•older yet viable buildings given new life through thoughtful design•good design can create and preserve communities