IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

The environment is everything that surrounds us. Abiotic and biotic factors make up an environment. Biotic factors include animals, plants, and microorganisms. Abiotic factors include temperature, water, salinity, light, and others.

WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

Environmentally friendly design is a way of making designs that are better for the environment. Biotic factors include animals, plants, and microorganisms. Abiotic factors include temperature, water, salinity, light, and more.

Environmental design refers to the creation of built environments and landscapes, including buildings, streetscapes, parks, and other public spaces, that are designed to enhance the quality of life and the natural environment. It encompasses a wide range of design disciplines, including architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, and planning, and draws on principles from various fields such as ecology, psychology, and sociology.

The goal of environmental design is to create spaces that are functional, attractive, and sustainable, and that respond to the needs of the people who use them. This involves considering the physical and social context of the site, as well as the impact of the design on the environment, and balancing these factors to create spaces that meet the needs of people and the planet.

Examples of environmental design include designing green roofs to reduce the urban heat island effect, creating parks and public spaces to promote social interaction and physical activity, and designing buildings that are energy-efficient and use sustainable materials. Environmental design also considers issues such as accessibility, security, and stormwater management, and seeks to create a harmonious balance between the built and natural environments.

Overall, environmental design aims to create spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, and that promote a sustainable relationship between people and the environment.

It is an effort to reduce problems such as pollution, deforestation, and the extinction of birds, fish, butterflies, and other animals.
When creating programs, plans, and policies, environmental designers must consider all environmental factors.
Before releasing a new product or building, designers evaluate its environmental impact.
Science and engineering are major drivers of human-designed environments.
It can help avoid issues. It can also solve existing environmental issues.
Design directly impacts humans, animals, and plants. A well-designed environment is comfortable.

HISTORY OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

Some of the concepts used in eco-friendly design can be traced back to the early civilizations:

The Greeks are believed to be the first civilization to use environmental design concepts. They tried to harness solar energy. Greek houses were built to face the sun. This trapped the sun’s heat during the winter. So, the houses stayed warm even in the coldest weather.
Romans developed glass windows to save fuel. Light coming through the glass could illuminate a room without opening a window. So, the houses stayed warm all winter. The Romans also cultivated most of their crops in greenhouses. This practice increased food security.

Modern environmental design is thought to have begun in the late 1800s due to the industrial revolution. More factories increased air pollution but also caused drastic changes to land use because new homes and transportation methods had to be built for employees.

William Morris and John Ruskin are both writers who are credited with starting an environmental design movement in the mid-19th century. They were concerned that the industrial revolution was causing harm to the environment and to people.

In the early 1900s, urban planning emerged as a discipline, focused on the design of cities and their infrastructure. Landscape architecture also emerged as a distinct discipline, focused on the design of parks, gardens, and other public spaces. Architecture, meanwhile, began to incorporate principles of sustainability and environmental responsibility, responding to the growing awareness of the impact of the built environment on the natural environment.

In recent decades, environmental design has continued to evolve, responding to new challenges and opportunities posed by changes in technology, social norms, and environmental conditions. Today, environmental design is a multidisciplinary field that draws on a wide range of knowledge and expertise, and seeks to create built environments that are sustainable, accessible, and enhance the quality of life for people and the planet.

WHY IS ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN IMPORTANT

These design principles can assist in improving environmental conditions. Because human activities cause most environmental degradation. Eco-Friendly design focuses on preventing these behaviors (Research from Harvard Design Magazine).

Reduces Pollution

One way to cut down on pollution is to reduce the number of cars driving on the road. Cities
can help this by improving public transportation so that more people can get to work and
school more efficiently, without using as many fossil fuels.
Cities can also give businesses incentives to produce less carbon dioxide in manufacturing.
Environmental engineers design ventilation systems, emission filtration technologies, and regenerative incinerators to reduce pollution.

Improves the Health and Overall Wellbeing of People

Environmental consequences can be reduced so that both biotic and abiotic components can exist together peacefully.
People are happier and healthier in environments that incorporate nature and facilitate walking and biking. Cities can invest in designing parks and bike paths to benefit the community.
Choosing ecologically-friendly building materials reduces the amount of toxins released into our environment, which improves everyone’s health.

Minimizes Waste

Environmental design makes products that are long-lasting, recyclable, and reusable. Making more products like this is a good way to cut down on waste that ends up in the environment.
Environmental design encourages proper waste disposal. To keep soil and water safe, cities should spend money on waste management systems that work well.
Renewable energy can help cut down on the use of non-renewable resources. This not only saves money but also stops waste from building up in the environment.
The improper disposal of garbage has many negative effects on the environment. As part of good environmental design, there should be effective ways to prevent improper disposal.

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN AND LANDSCAPING

Landscaping is a way of changing the visible features of the terrain.

Most man-made surroundings are landscaped. Man-made settings include structures such as roads, buildings, bridges, etc. The landscaping is the way the terrain is developed and the plants and other natural features, such as ponds, that surround the man-made settings.
Landscape architects build environments using ecological principles to reduce the human effect on the environment. This doesn’t just include beautifying the area with plants. Landscape architects have to plan out details such as how rainwater will drain from an area. They need to reduce flooding during heavy rainstorms and conserve water in times of drought.

HOW CAN LANDSCAPING HELP ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

Thoughtful decisions in landscaping can help us conserve our resources.

Reduced Energy Cost

A carefully-designed landscape can considerably reduce costs to cool and heat buildings. For example, when trees are around a building, they act as wind blocks. That way, the warm air inside the building doesn’t get mixed with the cold air outside. Trees and grass can also have a cooling effect not just on buildings and houses, but also on streets where there are a lot of cars. This reduces the need for air conditioning.

Reduced Water Consumption

Choosing plants that don’t need a lot of water can minimize water use. Using mulch around plants can also save water. Building water retention ponds can help to capture water in times of heavy rain, which can then serve as a storage facility for the controlled release of water in times of need.

ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN IS THE WAY TO SUSTAINABILITY

When creating new programs, policies, plans, products, and buildings, those responsible should consider all aspects of the environment. This will ensure the environment is effectively safeguarded both in the present and future. Architects and engineers should adopt eco-friendly designs to avoid environmental concerns.