Sustainable Design

Gecko Architecture’s design philosophy incorporates an awareness of the environment and knowledge that the way we choose to live not only affects our well-being but also the preservation of the environment. The design combines sustainability and energy conservation with aesthetic, functional and financial priorities.

Here is an exert of the book written by Elizabeth Wilhide, “ECO, An essential sourcebook for environmentally friendly design and decoration”, published by Quadrille Publishing Ltd.

“The essence of eco design is efficiency, both in terms of energy and use of resources. The most elegant solutions arise when all the elements of design and construction are properly integrated : in eco design, it’s how everything works together that really matters. In one sense, eco-design is a way of going back to first principles. In these style-conscious times, it is easy to become obsessed with the latest trend and forget that the purpose of a house is to provide shelter.... Houses are the means by which we protect ourselves from the elements.

In the recent past, houses have all too often been designed with scant regard for site or existing climate conditions, with the result that they have required the costly technological input of heating or air-conditioning systems to make them liveable.

Vernacular styles of building developed out of a limited set of technological and material options. Houses were built (often self-built) of local materials because in default of transport links they had to be, and they were designed to accommodate the prevailing weather conditions because there was no other way of maintaining a reasonable level of indoor comfort. The varying forms of vernacular shelter reflect a profound understanding of how to design structures that work within a given set of climatic conditions.
The passive design strategies enshrined in traditional building forms are an important source of reference for eco design. But they are not the sole point of departure. Contemporary eco design also looks forward, harnessing cutting-edge technology to maximize efficiency and reduce wastage.“

Sustainable building involves taking into account the following considerations:

Energy Efficiency in most cases the first priority is to design and build for increased energy efficiency. Eco strategies that may be adopted include : improving insulation, using renewable sources of energy, installing energy-efficient appliances, and designing and siting and orientation based on climatic conditions.

Material choice and use reducing material use and waste associated with construction ; choosing materials that have low-environmental impact or are salvaged and recycled ; avoiding materials and decorative finishes with toxic constituents.

Site impact choosing brownfield over virgin land; minimizing disruption to existing trees; adopting sustainable approaches to gardening and landscaping.

Water use and efficiency using water-efficient plumbing systems and appliances; installing composting toilets; collecting rainwater; recycling greywater.

Longevity and flexibility: designing for durability, ease of maintenance and repair; enhancing flexibility so that a building can be adapted to suit future needs; restoring or recycling existing buildings.