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Eco-

 

Design

IDEAS WORTH SPREADING

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Eco-design is an approach to

designing products with special

consideration

for the environmental impacts of the product

during its whole life cycle.

In a life cycle assessment, the life cycle

of a product is usually divided into

procurement, manufacture, use and disposal.

Eco-design is a growing responsibility and understanding of our

ecological footprint on the planet.

Green awareness, overpopulation,

industrialization and an increased

environmental population have led

to the questioning of consumer values.

It is imperative to search for new

building solutions that are

environmentally friendly and lead to a

reduction in the consumption of

materials and energy.

 

EcoMaterials, such as the use of

local raw materials, are less costly and

reduce the environmental costs of

shipping, fuel consumption, and CO₂ emissions generated from transportation.

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A model of the new design principles

necessary for sustainability is exemplified

by the "Bill of Rights for the Planet" or

"Hannover Principles" -

developed by William McDonough

Architects for EXPO 2000 that was held in Hannover, Germany. [source Wikipedia]

The Bill of

 

Rights

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FOR THE PLANET

  1. Insist on the right of humanity and nature to co-exist in healthy, supportive, diverse and sustainable conditions.

  2. Recognize Interdependence. The elements of human design interact with and depend on the natural world, with broad and diverse implications at every scale. Expand design considerations to recognizing even distant effects.

  3. Respect relationships between spirit and matter. Consider all aspects of human settlement including community, dwelling, industry and trade in terms of existing and evolving connections between spiritual and material consciousness.

  4. Accept responsibility for the consequences of design decisions upon human well-being, the viability of natural systems and their right to co-exist.

  5. Create safe objects of long-term value. Do not burden future generations with requirements for maintenance or vigilant administration of potential danger due to the careless creations of products, processes or standards.

  6. Eliminate the concept of waste. Evaluate and optimize the full life-cycle of products and processes, to approach the state of natural systems in which there is no waste.

  7. Rely on natural energy flows. Human designs should, like the living world, derive their creative forces from perpetual solar income. Incorporating this energy efficiently and safely for responsible use.

  8. Understand the limitations of design. No human creation lasts forever and design does not solve all problems. Those who create and plan should practice humility in the face of nature. Treat nature as a model and mentor, not an inconvenience to be evaded or controlled.

  9. Seek constant improvement by the sharing of knowledge. Encourage direct and open communication between colleagues, patrons, manufacturers and users to link long term sustainable considerations with ethical responsibility and re-establish the integral relationship between natural processes and human activity.

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