Sustainable Design

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Key Learning outcomes

Understand the different considerations for sustainable design.
Understand the areas of sustainable design that are overlooked.
Understand the importance of workplace hydration.
Understand the drinking water delivery options.
Learn how plastic waste is affecting the planet.
Learn what third party accreditations influence sustainable design and products.

As the damage to our planet becomes clearer, sustainability needs to be at the forefront of future architectural and interior design. Sadly, sustainability and high-end design don’t always go hand in hand, resulting in less sustainable solutions being specified.

Here, we look at just what to consider when approaching thoughtful sustainable design and focus on a great place to start: drinking water.

1.0 Sustainable design: what do we mean?

Sustainable design aims to reduce or eliminate negative environmental impact through thoughtful design. This includes working to create buildings and products that:

Have a lower energy and water consumption – Reducing energy and water consumption should be a consideration through the entire lifecycle of a building, from manufacture, everyday use and disposal.

Reducing carbon footprint – To lessen The impact of climate change, building and product design needs to consider the carbon footprint.

Limit resource consumption – A simple action towards a more sustainable building, limit consumption and be mindful of usage levels.

Reduce or eliminate waste – By reducing consumption, reusing and recycling levels of waste can be dramatically reduced or even eliminated completely.

Have a positive impact on people’s health and wellbeing – Give preference to design and products that consider the health and wellbeing of the people using the spaces every day. This will not only boost moral but also result in increased productivity.

Highlight quality and durability over price – Specifying a product that is high-performing and boasts longevity is a far more sustainable option than choosing to prioritise price for a short-term quick fix.

Unfortunately, a big part of sustainable design that is often overlooked is the aesthetics. Desirable objects are more likely to be specified, especially in a home environment and increasingly on office and commercial areas. There is no point in designing a functional, sustainable product if no one will want to use it every day.

Manufacturers must implement sustainable design with aesthetics front of mind. That way, interior designs, fit-out companies and architects can create stunning spaces that also look after the future of the planet.

It is your responsibility to specify or recommend eco-friendly products wherever possible, and beautiful sustainable design will make this task much easier.

Sustainable design also needs to focus on aesthetics, as desirable products are more likely to be specified.

Provider company overview

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About

Zip Water

Trafalgar House
Rash’s Green
Dereham
NR19 1JG

The information contained in the CPD article web pages is not intended and accordingly shall not be relied upon either as a substitute for professional advice or judgement or to provide legal or other advice with respect to any particular circumstance. RIBA Enterprises accepts no responsibility for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of the information contained.

Sustainable Design

1.0 Sustainable design: what do we mean?

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