Sustainable design is no longer an added feature – it’s the starting point.
Sustainable architecture, once a luxury and a buzzword for the environmentally conscious group, is now an indispensable design feature. It is a necessity in the conversations of climate change and environmentally responsible living.
However, irrespective of its growing importance and presence, it is still overlooked and treated as unnecessary in building design. Adding to this perception are the many myths on achieving a sustainable design that compromise its potential on a global scale.
Here’s a quick look at the myths to debunk them and shed light on why sustainable architecture is a way of living for the future and is totally achievable as a design element for any building.
#1 – Going sustainable means going expensive
One of the ongoing debates on sustainable architecture is that it is a financial black hole, possible for people who opt for ethics over economy. The truth is that sustainable designs result in a long-term cost-effective plan – significantly reducing energy and water consumption, promoting lower utility bills and maintenance costs.
#2 – Going sustainable means limited aesthetics and design options
Green building is not just about saving the environment. The focus of energy efficiency systems and the selection of sustainable materials pose the misconception that sustainable buildings lack aesthetics and innovative design principles. This representation neglects to acknowledge that the challenge of sustainability often helps architects to explore innovative materials, technologies, and designs.
#3 – Going sustainable means an opportunity for marketing gimmick
Various brands often tend to use the word sustainable in their branding to attract attention through eco-friendly claims. While some adopt genuine eco-friendly practices, others merely appear responsible. But green certifications like IGBC and GRIHA offer credibility, using strict standards to ensure that projects meet true sustainability goals, beyond just branding or superficial environmental claims.
#4 – Going sustainable means constructing new buildings
Often, it is believed that sustainable practices can only be inculcated in new buildings. Architects would tell otherwise because retrofitting any building with the right modifications has the potential to improve its energy efficiency to meet sustainability standards. Adopting design strategies like replacing windows, using high-insulation doors with energy-saving modes, and installing contemporary facades transform old buildings into ones that are cost-effective.
#5 – Going sustainable means implementing complicated design strategies
And to conclude the myths of sustainable architecture, the final misconception is that sustainable buildings cannot meet the modern living demands of comfort and convenience. From smart construction technologies to advanced materials, sustainable architecture optimizes indoor air quality and thermal comfort, proving that it is perfectly capable of meeting the demands of modern living.
Quoting the renowned British Architect, Sir Norman Foster, “Sustainability is not a style. It’s an attitude”, we always think about how to be an effective architecture and design consultancy for the present and for the future. At Aedium, we listen to the needs of our local community and continuously make it a habit to learn and understand the available natural and local materials. Sustainability is at the core of what we do here, and we will continue to create spaces that are catalysts for environmentally responsible, inclusive, and resilient for long-term community well-being.