Ecological+Building+Principles

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from Ecological Building and Design course notes: []

1. Building materials, where possible, should be durable and from renewable, recyclable or non-depletable resources. The sheer quantity of materials required to build and maintain shelter for 6 billion people is a drain on the world's resources. Renewable resources such as timber or non-depletable resources such as earth means the potential for building with these materials remains constant, provided they are properly managed. Also much energy and labour goes into the production of materials and the creation of buildings, so that if a material is more durable or can be used again, the associated costs to the user and the environment are reduced. 2. Building materials should not contribute to environmental problems in their production, installation, demolition and disposal. Building materials need to be considered in all stages of their existence from their initial formation to their eventual decay. This is the cradle-to-the-grave approach to assessing building materials. For some materials high energy costs for production may have a more detrimental effect on the environment than their relatively benign useful life, others may be problematic when the building is demolished, releasing harmful particles or not breaking down. 3. Building materials are best sourced locally to avoid excessive transportation. The modern practice of producing materials and shipping them round the country or round the world involves high costs both to the user and the environment. Traditional building always used local materials, which also had the added benefits of supporting the local community and creating regional styles of architecture. 4. Construction should minimize waste and unnecessary packaging. Bricks epitomise this principle. They are sturdy enough to be transported without requiring special protective packaging, and whatever is not used can be returned without wastage. Making good use of off-cuts is also good practice - untreated timber has many uses that treated timber has not. Unfortunately, the use of re-useable packaging has declined, with the result that a whole heap of material is manufactured that doesn't even get used in the building. 5. Building design should consider efficient energy use and the use of renewable and self-generated energy sources. Energy is high cost to the user and the environment. Being able to do with less can be easily achieved by good design rather than sacrificing basic comfort. Using renewable resources lessens the impact on the environment, and self-generation of power or heat gives the user a greater degree of autonomy. 6. Building design should consider efficient water use and environmentally friendly and self-sufficient waste water disposal. Excessive use of water can cause problems both with supply and with disposal of waste water, so efficient use is important. Treatment of waste water ideally should mimic natural water purification processes. Self-sufficient water systems allow for water disposal on a scale small enough to be purified naturally. Composting toilets. 7. The landscape design around a building should consider principles of sustainable and environmentally friendly use. Healthy and sustainable living does not stop at the walls of the building. The surrounding landscape, whether belonging to you or someone else is part of the overall concept. 8. Building materials, where possible, should be of natural origin. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">Synthetic materials were created for increased durability and lower maintenance, both highly prized attributes in today's world. Natural materials can be perfectly adequate if used properly, but often need looking after. This is a choice people need to make in full knowledge of the disadvantages of synthetic materials. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">9. Building materials need to be of low toxicity, non-radioactive, and not off-gas harmful chemicals. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">These criteria can apply to both natural and synthetic materials - so selection needs to be careful. Some people have allergic reactions to natural materials but not synthetic ones, which again affects your ultimate choice. Generally however, synthetic materials are more likely to off-gas irritating or harmful chemicals. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">10. Building materials need to allow water vapour and air diffusion to regulate the humidity of the indoor environment as well as filtering and neutralizing air pollutants - essentially acting as a breathing 'third skin'. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">At certain times or in situations where having open windows is undesirable, the breathing qualities of the building surfaces is essential to keep the indoor climate fresh, free from bad odours and chemical build-up and with well regulated moisture. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">11. The indoor air temperature should aim to be within the optimum range for the health of the occupants. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">Minimum indoor temperatures for health are 16 degrees Celsius for bedroom areas, and 20 degrees Celsius for living areas. There should not be more than 2 degrees differential between floor and ceiling temperatures. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">12. The indoor environment should not promote, accumulate or circulate harmful vapours, particles, radioactivity, bacteria, viruses and fungi. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">These pollutants can be present due to toxic materials, inadequate ventilation, excess moisture or ventilation systems that breed and spread microbes. A breathing, naturally ventilated building avoids these problems. Dust mites abound in high dust areas. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">13. Building design should consider principles of natural heating and ventilation. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">Natural heating and ventilation means less cost to the user and to the environment, as well as providing a healthier indoor climate. This is harder to achieve in climates of extreme temperatures, or in highly polluted environments, but much can be achieved with well-considered design. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">14. Buildings need to be adequately insulated against unwanted noise, and use natural light spectrum lighting. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">Unwanted noise within buildings or penetrating into them can cause stress to the occupants. Good design can reduce or eliminate this. Natural light is important for physiological functions to occur, and outside light or a suitable spectrum replica source is essential for people spending all day indoors. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">15. Building design should consider the principles of electro-biology - to create an environment that does not change natural ionisation, natural magnetic fields or beneficial cosmic and terrestrial radiation, and minimizes technical electro-magnetic interference. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">People have evolved within the earth's natural electro-climate, and their own electrical impulses are in tune with it. Modern building materials block or distort cosmic and terrestrial radiation; create excess positive ions and static charges with synthetic surfaces; and are the major source of technical electro-magnetic interference. These fields are much stronger than the natural ones and are often in forms that the body cannot adapt to, causing health problems. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">16. Building design should consider site placement to avoid harmful earth radiation. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">While the general earth fields are considered beneficial, they can be distorted by fault-lines in the geological structure, and appear on the earth's surface in concentrated and harmful amounts. Sleeping over one of these zones for many years has resulted in illness, including cancer. At present, the most reliable form of detecting these energies is by dowsing, or divining. This can provide valuable assistance when you are siting a new building. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">17. Building design should consider ergonomics. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">Ergonomics considers a user's comfort when using a piece of furniture or travelling round a building. This reduces the risk of accidents as well as discomfort from long term use and repetitive actions. Such measurements as chair and bench heights, stair treads and risers etc have evolved over centuries to fairly specific dimensions which conform closely to the average human body.

===<span style="font-size: 1.1em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">**<span style="border: initial none initial; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; padding: 0cm; widows: 2;"> Spiritual and Aesthetic Principles : ** === <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">18. Colour used appropriately will promote the psychological well being of the occupants. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">Different colours are known to stimulate people in different ways, so a positive influence of colour in the living environment is important for the well-being of the occupants. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">19. The building design should consider principles of harmony and proportion. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">All natural forms respond to natural forces, and the same patterns and proportions appear again and again. Using these same proportions in built forms increases a person's sense that the place has beauty and is in harmony with everything else. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">20. The design and building process should have a holistic approach, considering both eastern and western spiritual philosophies. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">In traditional cultures, spiritual philosophies govern how their buildings are planned and detailed, as well as many other aspects of life. Modern western buildings are so lacking in spiritual essence that a study and/or application of these other philosophies helps people create their own spiritual connection with the place they live. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">21. The building design should have soul and be a creative expression of its occupants. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">The more creativity people can put into places where they live, work or otherwise spend a lot of time in, the more connection they feel with the place and the more respect they will have for it. A building with soul will not only make the occupants feel at home, but visitors will also enjoy the individuality of the place that reflects the people they know.

===<span style="font-size: 1.1em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">**<span style="border: initial none initial; color: #000000; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; orphans: 2; padding: 0cm; widows: 2;"> Social and Community Principles : ** === <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">22. The design of a building should foster healthy family and community relationships. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">Buildings and communities that respect the different relationships people have, providing spaces for privacy as well as communality, will ease tensions and promote healthy interaction. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">23. Buildings are best designed to complement or reflect the local character of the community. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">Regional differences based on local building materials and climate, as well as the general philosophy of the people that live there, create a greater sense of community. This is best achieved by a true understanding of the spirit of the place, rather than slavish copying of traditional details. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">24. Housing developments should be planned to be away from major traffic routes and centres of industry. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">Whilst major noise, pollution and traffic hazards should be kept away from living zones, one must consider a blend of ordinary human activities in any area to create a vibrant, living community. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">25. Both commercial and housing developments should be socially responsible. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; orphans: 2; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; widows: 2;">Developments should consider the people that live there, providing places that are healthy to live in, and satisfying to the soul. Perhaps the whole concept of "development" is antagonistic to this principle, as it implies the work of only a few people. A truly soulful community is built up piece by piece by the contributions of everyone who lives and has lived there.