reflections-sustainable-design
Overview of Assignment Requirements
This week I would like you to select a design you are familiar with (building, product, clothing, etc.), and explain five ways it can be made more sustainable. Think about your readings and viewings and the diagram on this week’s materials. Sustainability is everything from inception to end of use. Bullet points with explanations are acceptable for this assignment.
What needs to be included in the submission?
1.) Select a design you are familiar with and use regularly. It can be an example of a building, product, or clothing.
2.) Indicate 5 ways in which your selected object could be more sustainable. Bullet points with a brief explanation are acceptable for this assignment.
The following content is partner provided
What is Sustainable Design?
Sustainable design seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment, and the health and comfort of users, thereby improving intended performance. The basic objectives of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimize waste, and create healthy, productive environments.
Utilizing a sustainable design philosophy encourages decisions at each phase of the design process that will reduce negative impacts on the environment and the health of the occupants, without compromising the bottom line. It is an integrated, holistic approach that encourages compromise and tradeoffs. Such an integrated approach positively impacts all phases of the object’s life-cycle, including design, construction/manufacture, operation and decommissioning/recycling.
There are common misconceptions about sustainable design. Among them are:
- Sustainability Equals Environmentalism
- Sustainability Equals Technology
- Sustainable Design Costs Too Much
- Sustainable Design Takes More Time
- Sustainability isn’t About Design
- Sustainable Design Isn’t Beautiful
Beyond the “elimination of negative environmental impact”, sustainable design must create projects that are meaningful innovations that can shift behavior. A dynamic balance between economy and society, intended to generate long-term relationships between user and object/service and finally to be respectful and mindful of the environmental and social differences.
Hosey, Lance. “Six Myths of Sustainable Design.” (Links to an external site.) Huffingtonpost.com, www.huffingtonpost.com/lance-hosey/six-myths-of-sustainable-design_b_6823050.html. Accessed 14 June 2017.
“Sustainable Design.” (Links to an external site.) U.S. General Services Administration, www.gsa.gov/portal/content/104462. Accessed 14 June 2017.
