Strategies for Sustainable Architecture

Paola Sassi is a practicing architect and partner of Sassi Chamberlain Architects and lecturer in design, technology and sustainability at the Welsh School of Architecture at Cardiff University. Her experience from two decades of architectural practice combined with her knowledge of sustainable design, gained from independent research, an M.Sc. in Advanced Environment and Energy Studies (1995-1997) and sustainable building practice, has provided her with a broad overview of the issues of sustainability and an in-depth knowledge and experience of implementing the theory into practice. As part of her teaching activities, which include teaching environmental technologies and social and ecological sustainability, she has researched and compiled teaching material on a wide range of topics relating to sustainable architecture. Her current research topics include environmental building performance assessments, sustainable building materials, waste minimisation, design for dismantling, reuse and recycling, and ethics of sustainability.

1. Introduction 2. The Site and Ecology 2.1 Compact Cities 2.2 Reducing Transport Impacts 2.3 In Harmony with Nature 2.4 Local Food Production 3. Community and Culture 3.1 Community Participation 3.2 Housing for All 3.3 Training and Employment 3.4 Spaces for the Community 3.5 Promoting Sustainability 4. Health and Well-Being 4.1 Comfort 4.2 Insensible Agents of Disease 4.3 Independence and Identity 4.4 Restorative Environments 5. Materials 5.1 Design for Longevity 5.2 Waste as a Resource 5.3 Avoiding Resources Depletion 5.4 Minimising Manufacturing Impacts 5.5 Materials and Energy 5.6 Waste Minimisation 6. Energy 6.1 Minimising Energy Needs 6.2 Maximising Efficiently 6.3 'Green' Energy Sources 7. Water 7.1 Minimising Need and Maximising Efficiency 7.3 Alternative Water Sources 7.3 Reducing the Use of Mains Drains 8. Postscript Appendix 1: Projects Overview Appendix 2: Location Maps Appendix 3: Climate