Lectures: Sustainability in architecture and urban design

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Sustainability in Architecture and Urban Design Sustainable development def:

"Development that meets the needs of the present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.“ Source: Our Common Future Report (1987, World Commission on Environment and Development)

Irena Itova, MSc Architect, Junior Urban planner


The principles of sustainable development


So what are the principles of sustainable architecture?

Design ensuring economic prosperity

Environmentally responsible design

Design promoting social well-being

Sustainable architecture def: Architecture that seeks to minimize and even eliminate the negative environmental impact of buildings by efficiency and moderation in the use of natural resources, producing less waste and zero pollution, secure economic prosperity and promote livable and vibrant places .


• Our new building is not just a nice estetically and functunaly justified structure anylonger; it is part of a bigger system which functions as one with the ecosystem and its footprints are directly affecting this system’s balance and diversity



With environmentally unconscious design buildings can easily turn this


Into this


Why do we as Architects of the XXI century and successors to some of the greatest minds in Architecture need to think about all the peaces of the puzzle?

Because our profession in the modern era is not an isolated process but rather a team effort and multidisciplinary approach of design-led thinking and co-creation, with stories and scenarios justifying our designs.


Some facts about buildings and carbon emission


Some facts about buildings and future energy consumption


If animals have learned to live in symbioses with eachother and nature


Then the human also has to learn how to design the Built environment to coexists in symbioses with the Natural environment


Since early ages our race has strived to design shelters to adapt to climatic conditions by using local and natural materials


Today, with the technology at our reach we can do even more impressive designs that will be benefitial for both human and nature

Project: Nordsjæland i Hillerød Hospital, by F.C. Møller

Project: Galije Resort, by MVRDV


There are many ways and we already have invented many creative things!


By analyzing the geo location and climatic parameters and with the possibility of the modern technology and newly developed construction materials, we can shape our buildings to fit the natural landscape and bring more green and healthy spaces in our urban jungle.

Project: Gangnam Hills, Seoul, South Corea, by MVRDV


Our buildings today can make significant statements and accent the soical side of architecture placing end-users and the local neighbourhood on first place, by creating healty, actractive and active urban spaces which will bring food and clean water access closer to their inhabitants.

Project: Chaise Urbaine, Strasbourg-France, by MVRDV


Example of principles of sustainable design within the building operational system


Example of principles of sustainable design connecting the building with the near surrounding


• Passive house technologies • Flexible design • Optimizing resource consumption/efficie ncy during building whole life-cycle

Social responsibility

• Use of renewable/recycabl e and local materials • Operational waste management • Building performance by use of renewable energy sources • Supporting ecodiversity • Climate responsive building design

Economical responsibility

Environmental responsibility

Principles of Sustainable Architectural design

• End-user comfort • Urban-farming • Active and walkable spaces • Mixed uses • Mixing generations • Design for outperforming initial use/Reusability


Parameters of environmentally responsible design Use of renewable/recyclable materials – –

use of natural materials: materials which are able to be replaced with new by the human (wood, straw, etc.); use of recyclable materials: materials which are able to be recycled into producing new materials in which way it will be prevented production of new waste and reduce consumption of fresh raw materials;

Operational waste management –

Liking processes in the operation of a building so the waste of one process can be found as source for other process;

Building performance by use of renewable energy sources – –

Use of technology which collects solar rays by photovoltaic panels for energy production and storage for the purpose of building operation; Use of technology which uses the geothermal energy for heating up the building and the hot water supply system;

Design that supports bio-diversity – –

Create green spaces inside and outside the building envelope that will nurture flora and fauna Design buildings which will not be a barrier but a bridge of connecting the Habitat

Climate responsive building design – –

Design buildings which will work with the fources of nature (rain, wind, solar irradiance) Design buildings which will be a particle of a system that will facilitate and be rebust to the natural hazards (floods, eartquaqes, erosions etc.)


Parameters of economically responsible design Passive house technologies –

use of alternative energy resources which will make the building self-efficient system and will eliminate its dependency of external supplies

Flexible design –

Design buildings and spaces within the buildings that are easy to readapt and transform to different uses which will increase the building’s usability

Optimizing resource consumption –

Use of smart technology which will function as a “brain” for the building and will insure maximum indoor comfort by combining active and passive technologies when needed


Parameters of socially responsible design End-User comfort –

Design which ensures maximum end-use indoor and outdoor comfort by creating well ventilated, lighted, active and healthy spaces which bring nature in peoples everyday life and promote active spaces that care for the users’ physical health

Urban farming –

Design that enables local farming and encourages people to grow their own eco-food

Walk-able and sit-able spaces –

Designing walk-able and sit-able outdoor spaces in close proximity to the building which will invite not only users but also visitors to walk and sit in the area and create pleasant and noise/pollution free environment for them to enjoy

Mixed uses –

Design buildings with mixture of uses which will ensure localizing movements, reducing traveling time and costs, thus reduce use of transport and create round-the-clock active spaces

Mix of generations –

Design buildings which anybody can use and enjoy; buildings that promote mixture of generations and eliminate urban phenomenon such as gentrification or aging population

Reusability –

Design buildings which can facilitate cost-free or minimal change of use


Example of Passive house principles


Example of Passive house principles


Example of Passive house principles


What does sustainable design mean on the bigger scale? • It means connecting buildings into efficient and smart complex system of networks at local, city and regional level


By 2050 75% of the World’s population will live in urban settlements


Parameters of Global Sustainable Development


Sustainable Urban Morphology


The flows in a sustainable city in layers


How we should THINK when DESIGNING


At regional level


At city level


On local/ neighborhood level


Sustainable Urban Morphology


Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG


Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG


Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG


Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG


Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG


Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG


Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG


Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG


Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG


Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG


Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG


Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG


Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG


Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG


Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG


Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG


Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG


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