Design for a Positive Environmental Footprint
Buildings can be designed to actively contribute to the circular economy and generate economic benefits, moving beyond mere sustainability to create a positive environmental impact.
Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) · 2019
Key Findings
- 01Buildings can be designed to have a beneficial footprint in the Circular Economy.
- 02Setting objectives and achieving economic benefits from positive environmental impacts is feasible.
- 03Marketplace best practices exist for both new and renovated buildings.
Application
Design takeaway
Designers should proactively aim to create buildings that are regenerative and contribute positively to the environment and economy, rather than solely focusing on reducing negative impacts.
How to apply
When designing any built environment, consider material sourcing, end-of-life scenarios, and opportunities for resource regeneration, aligning these with economic viability.
Project actions
- 01When researching materials, look for those that can be reused or recycled easily.
- 02Consider how your design can contribute to local ecosystems or resource cycles.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Focuses on a proactive, positive design approach.
- +Integrates economic viability with environmental benefits.
Limitations
The practical implementation of 'positive impact' designs can be complex and may require significant upfront investment or changes in regulatory frameworks.
Reliability & validity
The reliability and validity of the guide's methods would depend on the empirical testing and real-world application of its proposed strategies across diverse building projects.
Think critically
To what extent can a single building truly achieve a 'positive footprint,' and what are the systemic changes required to support such widespread adoption?
Design Principles
"Design for positive impact and circularity."
This approach shifts the design paradigm from minimizing harm to maximizing positive contributions. It encourages designers to consider the entire lifecycle of a building and its materials, integrating principles of circularity to reduce waste and regenerate resources.
What This Means for Your Design
Think about how buildings can actually help the planet and make money, not just be 'less bad'. This guide shows you how.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this guide when discussing the environmental and economic benefits of your design choices, particularly those related to circularity and positive impact.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
(2019). Creating Buildings with Positive Impacts. Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.2558198 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/892e9a08-e2ea-4eb1-b80c-4941d66080be/design-for-a-positive-environmental-footprint
Paragraph starter
This design project aims to create buildings with a positive environmental footprint, drawing inspiration from principles of the circular economy. By integrating strategies for resource regeneration and waste reduction, the design seeks to move beyond mere sustainability towards actively beneficial impacts, aligning with research that highlights the economic advantages of such an approach (Mulhall, Braungart, & Hansen, 2019).
Source
Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS)
Creating Buildings with Positive Impacts
journal · 2019
View sourceQuestions about this research
- What does the research say about design for a positive environmental footprint?
- Designers should proactively aim to create buildings that are regenerative and contribute positively to the environment and economy, rather than solely focusing on reducing negative impacts. Evidence: Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (2019).
- Why does "Design for a Positive Environmental Footprint" matter for design?
- This approach shifts the design paradigm from minimizing harm to maximizing positive contributions. It encourages designers to consider the entire lifecycle of a building and its materials, integrating principles of circularity to reduce waste and regenerate resources.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Designers should proactively aim to create buildings that are regenerative and contribute positively to the environment and economy, rather than solely focusing on reducing negative impacts.
- What were the main findings?
- Buildings can be designed to have a beneficial footprint in the Circular Economy.. Setting objectives and achieving economic benefits from positive environmental impacts is feasible.. Marketplace best practices exist for both new and renovated buildings.
- What research method was used?
- Guidance document and best practice compilation.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2019 journal from Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS).
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing any built environment, consider material sourcing, end-of-life scenarios, and opportunities for resource regeneration, aligning these with economic viability.
- What are the limitations?
- The guide's effectiveness may depend on the specific context, available resources, and the willingness of stakeholders to adopt its principles.
- Is there evidence that environment economy affects design outcomes?
- The study demonstrates that buildings can be designed not just to be less harmful, but to actively benefit the environment and economy through circular economy principles, with practical methods and market examples available. This approach shifts the design paradigm from minimizing harm to maximizing positive contribut Source: Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (2019).
- Where does this positive research apply?
- Architectural engineering and urban planning It sits within sustainability research on designdex.org.
Related research topics
environment economy design research · evidence on environment economy · does environment economy improve design outcomes · positive studies for designers · environment economy and positive findings · sustainability research evidence