Sustainable Design Guide for Beginners

Certificate in Sustainable
Design Innovation 2009

An Introduction to Sustainability for Design Professionals
‐A Beginner’s Guide to Designing for Your Sustainable Future.

Paul O’Connor MRIAI
Daedalus
[vision¦creativity¦innovation¦change]

© Paul O’Connor, 2009
Do not use, amend, alter, reproduce or distribute without written permission.
Contact: +353 (0)87 8149663 / oconnor@iol.ie
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Positive Proof of Global Warming!

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Climate Change is Happening!

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LONDON 2050

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ALPS 2050

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Principle of Sustainability

PLANET :: PEOPLE :: PROFIT

= SUSTAINABLE

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The FIVE Big Global Issues

• Climate Change
• Resource depletion, especially fossil fuels
• Potable & agricultural water
• Ecological capacity and biodiversity
• Poverty

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So, as a species, what are we doing about it?

• Interest Groups – humans argue , species die
• Industry – constant demand for resources
• Government – control by regulation – too slow
• Media – sensationalist + short focussed

• Designers – Technical Information Overload!

We need to regain a sense of perspective…

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You Are Here!

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Our Continuous Energy Source

You Are Here!

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Home

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Clean Water…

Clean Air…

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Lots of room…

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A Bio-Sphere of habitats…and inhabitants…

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…and us!

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But who are we?
Skeletal Cardiovascular Neurological

Structural Heat+Plumbing Electrical
Lymphatic Viscera

The Human Machine

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Drainage Fabric

design

But, we are more than that…

E=mc2

“Everything is ENERGY….

…and ENERGY is ALL there is!”

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We are energetic beings with physical form!
Skeletal Cardiovascular Neurological

Structural Heat+Plumbing Electrical
Lymphatic Viscera

The Human Bio‐Field

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Drainage Fabric

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The Tree of Life

You Are Here!

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The Bio-Field and the Bio-Sphere are
inter-connected and inter-dependent.

“What you people call your natural resources
our people call our relatives.”
Oren Lyons, faith keeper of the Onondaga

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So, what’s the problem? We Are!

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CO2 Emissions

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The Greenhouse Effect

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In Northern Europe…
we hope this will happen! It could be this!

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World Population

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Peak Oil

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What Does It All Mean?

Year
2050

50% more People… with 50% less Oil…
to manufacture, build, run, heat, cook, produce, grow
and transport everything that you see around you!

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So, why should we be concerned?

water air

This is ALL WE HAVE!

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The Danger of Language.
Tarzan’s Last Tree!

• The term ‘Sustainability’ comes from the
forestry industry

• It describes putting something back
to replace what you are taking out.
• To maintain balance in the ‘status quo’.

There is no status quo.
The system is already out of balance.

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William McDonough

Co‐Author of “Cradle to Cradle”

“Nature doesn’t have a Design Problem.
People do!”

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We Are Hard Wired for Connections,
Meaning and Stories

Change the Story to Change the Culture

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Design Problem: Human Needs –vs.- Human Desire

Hierarchy of Hierarchy of
Human Needs (Maslow) Conscience Consumer Desire
Gap

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“What Can I Do?”: The Role of Design

Hierarchy of DESIGN Hierarchy of
Human Needs (Maslow) Conscience Consumer Desire
Gap

LSE
F A
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Communism –v-Consumerism: A Battle of Ideology!

• World War II : Military‐Industrial Economy
• Post War US Economy in Crisis
• Marketing Consultants are called in.
• Ideology of Consumerism is created.

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Consumerism –v- Planet: A Battle of Ideology!

• It takes 1.127 watts of energy, or
• 3.2 cups of oil…

…to manufacture, ship, deliver, and
play with Barbie for three years.

It takes 60 Barbie's to screw a light
bulb!

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Consumerism –v- Planet: A Battle of Ideology!

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We are ‘Groomed to Consume’ by Marketing!

Fears Anger

Desires Greed

Tribalism

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Design Problem? Change The Designer!

Hierarchy of We Can Do This By Changing
Human Needs (Maslow) Conscience Our Selves…
Gap
“Be The Change You Wish To See
In The World.”
Mahatma Ghandi

“We Are The Ones We Have Been
Waiting For.”
Thomas Banyacya, Hopi Elder
Hierarchy of
Physical Needs

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Something’s in the air!

Up to now, PEOPLE have been
ORGANISNG themselves into
MOVEMENTS….

Now, the MOVEMENTS are organising
themselves into ONE BIG
MOVEMENT!

It is the BIGGEST movement in the
World, and nobody saw it coming!

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Life Cycle Analysis:

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Bespoke Design: The One‐Off Chair

+ +/-
PERSONAL PEOPLE

PLANET PROFIT
actions

+++ --

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Mass Design: The Printer Cartridge

+ ++
PERSONAL PEOPLE

PLANET PROFIT
actions

+/- +++

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DESIGN The Power of DESIGN
is a statement of INTENTION

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DESIGN :: INTENTION :: CHOICE

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As Designers…

Our choices impact people through the design of
their environments.

Our choices impact the market.

Our choices impact the eco‐system we need to
survive.

… but it begins with your intention.

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Good Intentions are not enough…

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Good Intentions are not enough…

2 Google Searches = Boiling 1 Full Kettle of Water

…we need to make informed Choices!

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‘Sustainable Design’?
What is ‘Green Building’ or ‘Eco-Architecture’?

“A green approach  to the built environment involves a
all that  I design
holistic approach to the design of buildings; that all the
(           )
a design
resources that go into a building, be they materials, fuels
or the contribution of the users need to be considered if
solution
a sustainable architecture is to be produced.”
My Sustainability Manifesto!
Brenda & Robert Vale, Green Architecture

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The Four Principles of Sustainable-Design:

1. Reducing Energy in Use

• Maximum low embodied energy insulation, but with good ventilation.

• Low energy lighting and electrical appliances.

• Passive and active solar energy wherever feasible.

• Passive and natural ventilation systems, rather than mechanical.

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2. Minimise External Pollution & Environmental Damage

• Design in harmonious relationship with the surroundings

• Avoid destruction of natural habitats

• Re-use rainwater and treat and re-cycle waste water on site

• Minimise extraction of materials unless good environmental controls
exist and avoid materials which produce damaging chemical products

• Do not dump waste materials off site. Re-use on site.

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3. Reduce Embodied Energy and Resource Depletion

• Use locally sourced materials
• Use materials found on site
• Minimise use of imported materials
• Use materials from sustainably managed sources
• Keep materials from non‐renewable sources to a minimum.
• Use low‐energy materials, minimise high embodied energy materials.
• Use second hand and recycled materials where appropriate.
• Re‐use existing buildings and structures.

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4. Minimise Internal Pollution and Damage to Health

• Use non‐toxic or low emission materials
• Avoid fibres from fabrics and insulation getting into the environment
• Ensure good natural ventilation
• Reduce dust and allergens
• Reduce impact of electromagnetic fields (EMF’s).
• Create positive character in the building and relationship with site.
• Involve users in design and management of building and evaluating
environmental choices.

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Specification Strategies

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Changing Paradigms

“Cradle to Grave” “Cradle to Cradle”

• Reduce “To eliminate the concept
Based on the principle of waste means to design
of Limited Supply
things – products, packages
• Reuse and systems – from the
Putting off the Landfill Day! very beginning on the
understanding that waste
• Recycle does not exist.”
= “Downcycle” into a lesser value
product before it ultimately gets
dumped!

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Changing Paradigms

“Cradle to Cradle”

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Design Strategies

Look Outwards: Impact on the Eco‐System (today and in the future).
Embodied Energy / Carbon Footprint

Look Inwards: Impact on the health of the occupants and users.
Pathogens ‐ Allergens – Air Quality – E.M.F.’s

Think of the design as part of an integrated eco‐system:
Energy ‐ Light ‐ Air ‐ Water – Heat
Waste Products ‐ Recyclability

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Interior Design Specification Issues:

Wall Paints:
Vinyl emulsion (2-7%, pvc), acrylic emulsion, alkyd paints (40-50%),
mineral/stone paint, natural paints, protein/casein-based, limewash
Wall Coverings:
Wall paper, vinyl wall ‘paper’(no paper, PVC, plasticisers, heavy metals)

Plaster & Tiling:
No ‘renewable’ alternative to plaster, tiling is recyclable and long-life

Adhesives: Petrochemical, irritants, volatility, natural resins

Plastics: Petrochemical-based, new biodegradable materials

Laminates: Source of woods/veneers, eco-depletion, glues, transport

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10 Top Things Every Business Leader (& Designer)
Should Know About Strategic Sustainability
1. Sustainable Abundance is good for business.
Every product and every service needs to be re‐invented to create a sustainable future. This is
the greatest economic opportunity in history. (Consider automobiles, light bulbs, airplanes,
energy…. everything.)

2. High Sustainability Standards and Maximizing Human Benefits can generate “leapfrog”
designs to invent new products and new business models.
(Toyota was creating the Prius while other car companies slept.)

3. Sustainability Thinking saves money.
The relentless challenge to improve durability, re‐use parts and eliminate packaging brings
bottom line innovation. (91% of old Xerox copier parts are reused in “new” Xerox machines.)

4. Removing the Bad attracts new customers. Consumers and business customers are
stampeding to choose the benefits of non‐toxic, no‐waste products (Clorox’s non‐toxic Green
Works Cleaners is their fastest growing product portfolio.)

5. Create a Cause Bigger Than Your Brand.
Over 80% of consumers say they choose brands that support good causes because it makes
them feel like they are “voting with their wallet.”

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10 Top Things Every Business Leader (& Designer)
Should Know About Strategic Sustainability
6. Sustainability Obliterates Costs.
When smart people consider how to satisfy a need or want without waste or even cost, new
business models spring to life. (When Apple designed the iPod, eliminating the cost/waste of
CD manufacturing, shipping and distribution was the natural outcome.
7. Sustainability Drives Game‐Changing Business Models.
When leaders consider solving huge problems in sustainable ways, new thinking creates
breakthrough businesses. Before the radio, who would have thought of music with a band?
Before the light bulb, who would have thought of light without a flame?
8. Sustainability Creates Smart Marketing.
Engaging your customers in the benefits and breakthroughs of your green and sustainable
products requires a new level and a new type of communication. It’s called smarketing.
9. Sustainability Attracts Top Talent.
The best science, engineering and business schools report that top graduates only want to
work for companies that are serious about making a difference in creating a sustainable future.
10. If You Don’t Fully Embrace Sustainability, You Are Toast.
The debate over green is over and green won. Consider the failures of GM and the
transformation of Wal‐Mart. It’s better to ride the wave than drown in the rip tide of change.

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My Challenge to You!

Explore and Discover Your True Self…
Apply these Principles…
Use Your Powers of Intention and Choice…
Create a New Design Aesthetic in your Profession…

“and Take A Risk!”
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“How Can I Do That?”

1. Challenge your own assumptions, beliefs and standards.

2. Educate yourself – peers, books, courses, websites.

3. Ask the awkward questions that need to be asked.

4. Make informed choices…

5. …because changing commerce will create change.

6. Be Passionate. Design Like You Give A Damn!

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Resources

Cradle to Cradle – William McDonough
Green Building Handbook (Vol. 1+2) ‐ Tom Woolley & Sam Kimmins
The Natural House Book/Catalogue – David Pearson.
Sustainable Design Notes – RIAI and ERG

Cultivate Centre, Temple Bar www.cultivate.ie
Sonairte Ecological Centre – www.sonairte.org

Google Search: Key Words: eco‐design, green building, eco‐architecture

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Resources

The Environmental and Sustainable Construction Association.
Founded by Duncan Stewart (RTE1’s About the House), Professor Tom
Woolley (Queens’ University Belfast), Paul Leech (Leech‐Gaia
Ecotecture), and Construct Ireland’s editor Jeff Colley, to promote the
viability of sustainable construction in Ireland.

www.easca.ie

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DESIGN is a statement of INTENTION through CHOICE

CHOICE carries with it RESPONSIBILITY
“… for the welfare of the children of ALL of the species.”

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Challenge the Rules!

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Thank You For Thinking!

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Sustainable Design Guide for Beginners

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