Sustainable Design Strategies
By: Anna Popov
Sustainable Design Strategies
By: Anna Popov
Here at IBP, we design and manage everything from large new construction projects to smaller remodels. At the forefront of these designs, and the key to their success is functionality. Therefore, we are always finding new ways to design more efficiently; creating smarter homes that improve the quality of life for our clients.
As we are rolling into 2022 and continue to spend more time at home, implementing passive design elements is becoming more essential than ever before to create healthier, more sustainable home environments. More and more, we find our clients asking for sustainable options when considering home improvements.
Implementing passive design elements into your home means utilizing the natural resources around us to reduce your home’s energy use. It is most effective when applying them during new construction; however, some of these principles can be implemented in remodel projects as well.
We are talking about marrying advanced design techniques and engineering to create sustainable homes that support the lives of its users. Going beyond code in terms of structure, systems, and performance.
Want to know a little more? Here are a few of the strategies and techniques we in the design and construction sector consider when approaching sustainable design.
Location and Orientation
When building a new home, the design first starts with studying your site location. It is important to identify and understand the climate zone in which the site is located. This helps in making informed design decisions when orienting your home, taking full advantage of the climate, optimizing views, and allowing for more control over energy use. Similarly, knowing the location and orientation of your property has a big part to play when going into a remodel.
The orientation of this room, perfectly accentuated with large windows and a mix of materials to complement the rugged rocks and ocean view – Architectural Digest
Interior Layout
When designing a passive home, they should be laid out in a way that accounts for how each area will be used. We all want bright sunny kitchens and breakfast nooks for morning sun with our morning coffee. We want cooler bedrooms and lounge areas for sleeping. Making smart decisions with your layout can optimize the natural elements of your surroundings and minimize the need for excessive use of heating and cooling systems.
Solar Use and Natural Ventilation
Taking advantage of natural resources, the sun path and seasonal changes are the way forward. A well-designed passive solar heating system will provide heat to your home at a lower cost to your wallet and the environment. Locations and sizing of windows and doors in a new build is a huge consideration but this is often true when remodeling too. Many clients want to merge their homes with their surroundings, not only to improve their carbon footprint but also to enhance views and overall lifestyle choices.
Interiors by Popov
Materials and Resources
Taking the time to research local area ordinances and guidelines on reducing emissions from construction materials is a smart place to start when choosing building materials. For larger architectural projects, we often consult with our architect and engineering partners and leverage their expertise in this area too. As for interior finishes, specifying earth-friendly materials and considering sources is a practice that lends itself heavily to our love of natural materials. Check out a recent blog here for a more on this topic.
The world of design is such an interesting place. It is ever-evolving and developing. As a designer, we never stop learning, it is a life-long journey and the perfect blend between technical and creative (we may be a little biased here). We foresee a huge push forward in the industry towards more sustainable and thoughtful choices surrounding construction practices in the coming years. So, we will keep our eyes open and cannot wait to see what the future brings.
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