Sustainable architecture seeks to minimize environmental impacts through efficient design, using renewable materials, and producing zero waste and pollution. It considers buildings as interconnected systems that function with the ecosystem. Principles of sustainable design include climate-responsive design using renewable energy, optimizing resource consumption, and prioritizing end-user comfort and social needs through mixed-use, walkable spaces and urban farming. Sustainable urban design connects buildings into efficient networks at local, city and regional levels through sustainable transportation and infrastructure systems.

1. Sustainability in Architecture and
Urban Design
Sustainable development def:
"Development that meets the needs of the
present generations without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own
needs.“
Source: Our Common Future Report
(1987, World Commission on Environment and Development)
Irena Itova, MSc
Architect, Junior Urban planner

2. The principles of sustainable development

3. So what are the principles of sustainable architecture?
Sustainable architecture def:
Architecture that seeks to minimize and even eliminate the negative
environmental impact of buildings by efficiency and moderation in the
use of natural resources, producing less waste and zero pollution, secure
economic prosperity and promote livable and vibrant places .

4. • Our new building is not just a nice estetically
and functunaly justified structure anylonger; it
is part of a bigger system which functions as
one with the ecosystem and its footprints are
directly affecting this system’s balance and
diversity

6. With environmentally unconsciousness design buildings can easily turn this

7. Into this

8. Why do we as Architects of the XXI century and
successors to some of the greatest minds in
Architecture need to think about all the peaces
of the puzzle?

9. Some facts about buildings and carbon emission

10. Some facts about buildings and future energy consumption

11. If animals have learned to live in symbioses with
eachother and nature

12. Then the human also has to learn
how to design the Built
environment to co-exists in
symbioses with the Natural
environment

13. Since early ages our race has strived to design shelters to adapt to climatic conditions by using
local and natural materials

14. Today, with the technology at our reach we can do even more impressive designs that will be
benefitial for both human and nature
Project: Galije Resort, by MVRDV
Project: Nordsjæland i Hillerød Hospital, by F.C. Møller

15. There are many ways and we already have invented many creative things!

16. By analyzing the geo location and
climatic parameters and with the
possibility of the modern
technology and newly developed
construction materials, we can
shape our buildings to fit the
natural landscape and bring
more green and healthy spaces in
our urban jungle.
Project: Gangnam Hills, Seoul, South Corea, by MVRDV

17. Our buildings today can make significant statements and accent the soical side of architecture
placing end-users and the local neighbourhood on first place, by creating healty, actractive
and active urban spaces which will bring food and clean water access closer to their
inhabitants.
Project: Chaise Urbaine, Strasbourg-France, by MVRDV

18. Example of principles of sustainable design within the building operational system

19. Example of principles of sustainable design connecting the building with the near surrounding

20. Principles of Sustainable Architectural design

21. • Parameters of environmentally responsible design
Use of renewable/recyclable materials
– use of natural materials: materials which are able to be replaced with new by the human (wood, straw, etc.);
– use of recyclable materials: materials which are able to be recycled into producing new materials in which way it will
be prevented production of new waste and reduce consumption of fresh raw materials;
Operational waste management
– Liking processes in the operation of a building so the waste of one process can be found as source for other process;
Building performance by use of renewable energy sources
– Use of technology which collects solar rays by photovoltaic panels for energy production and storage for the purpose
of building operation;
– Use of technology which uses the geothermal energy for heating up the building and the hot water supply system;
Design that supports bio-diversity
– Create green spaces inside and outside the building envelope that will nurture flora and fauna
– Design buildings which will not be a barrier but a bridge of connecting the Habitat
Climate responsive building design
– Design buildings which will work with the fources of nature (rain, wind, solar irradiance)
– Design buildings which will be a particle of a system that will facilitate and be rebust to the natural hazards (floods,
eartquaqes, erosions etc.)

22. • Parameters of economically responsible design
Passive house technologies
– use of alternative energy resources which will make the building self-efficient system and will eliminate its
dependency of external supplies
Flexible design
– Design buildings and spaces within the buildings that are easy to readapt and transform to different uses which will
increase the building’s usability
Optimizing resource consumption
– Use of smart technology which will function as a “brain” for the building and will insure maximum indoor comfort by
combining active and passive technologies when needed

23. • Parameters of socially responsible design
End-User comfort
– Design which ensures maximum end-use indoor and outdoor comfort by creating well ventilated, lighted, active and
healthy spaces which bring nature in peoples everyday life and promote active spaces that care for the users’ physical
health
Urban farming
– Design that enables local farming and encourages people to grow their own eco-food
Walk-able and sit-able spaces
– Designing walk-able and sit-able outdoor spaces in close proximity to the building which will invite not only users but
also visitors to walk and sit in the area and create pleasant and noise/pollution free environment for them to enjoy
Mixed uses
– Design buildings with mixture of uses which will ensure localizing movements, reducing traveling time and costs, thus
reduce use of transport and create round-the-clock active spaces
Mix of generations
– Design buildings which anybody can use and enjoy; buildings that promote mixture of generations and eliminate
urban phenomenon such as gentrification or aging population
Reusability
– Design buildings which can facilitate cost-free or minimal change of use

24. Example of Passive house principles

25. Example of Passive house principles

26. Example of Passive house principles

27. What does sustainable design mean
on the bigger scale?
• It means connecting the buildings into
efficient and smart complex system of
networks at local, city and regional level

28. Parameters of Global Sustainable Development

29. Sustainable Urban Morphology

30. The flows in a sustainable city in layers

31. How we should THINK when DESIGNING

32. At regional level

33. At city level

34. On local/ neighborhood level

35. Sustainable Urban Morphology

36. Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

37. Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

38. Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

39. Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

40. Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

41. Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

42. Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

43. Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

44. Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

45. Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

46. Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

47. Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

48. Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

49. Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

50. Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

51. Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

52. Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG

53. Example of sustainable urban design Project: Loop City by BIG