Sustainability is designed into every decision.
Explore practical principles that can help buildings use resources more carefully while supporting healthy, comfortable spaces.
What is sustainable architecture?
Sustainable architecture considers the environmental, social and economic effects of buildings across their life cycle. It looks beyond operational energy to include materials, construction, water, adaptability, maintenance and eventual reuse or recovery.
Key strategies
Passive design
Building orientation, window placement, shading, insulation and natural ventilation can reduce reliance on mechanical heating and cooling when they are suited to the local climate.
Energy performance
Efficient lighting, equipment and building systems can reduce energy demand. Renewable energy may be considered where site conditions, infrastructure and project economics support it.
Responsible material choices
Consider material origin, embodied carbon, durability, repairability, recycled content and local availability. No material is automatically sustainable in every application.
Water management
Water-efficient fixtures, rainwater strategies, permeable surfaces and landscape choices can help manage water use and runoff, subject to local conditions and regulations.
Long life and adaptability
Buildings that are easy to maintain, repair, adapt and reuse can avoid premature replacement and reduce waste over time.
Start with the local climate
Strategies that work in a cool climate may be unsuitable in a hot-humid region. Good decisions respond to local sun paths, rainfall, humidity, prevailing winds, available skills and building codes.