Hi! Thanks for your question.

In order for a building to be considered “good design,” it must work cohesively with its environment. In my mode of thinking, which is the mainstream thought nowadays, a building being “sustainable” is part of good design. If a building creates more waste than it should, then it becomes less productive and less functional. Sustainability, in my mind, is something that should have already been considered in design.

As far as how we design with sustainability, think of ways a building can work to helps itself. Most of sustainability comes down to how a building uses energy and material use. There are passive heating and cooling techniques that cut down on energy that would have originally be used non-stop. Using cork floors instead of expensive hardwoods can save trees and money. One has to think creatively about how one can incorporate these sustainability principles into design.

What we’re seeing now in sustainability progress is that people are trying to sell this idea to mainstream builders. Architects can push sustainability all they want, but if the builders do not adhere to these guidelines, then no progress is made. Designers now are aiming to change the minds of people in the building process, to gear them towards being less wasteful and more productive.

I hope this answers your question. Thanks for checking out this blog! :D