SUSTAINABLE DESIGN, POLICIES & REGULATIONS
This module introduced the environmental issues and provided some in-depth understanding of the complexities and influences that built environment caused to the natural environment. The module's intent is to instill environmental literacy and understandings of policies related to sustainable design and practices. We developed the awareness of local and global environmental issues and explored the various sustainable practices and trends in built environment.
PROJECT 1 - Built Environment and Environmental Impact
Presently there are many environmental issues that have become a concern to us. Yet, for most of us, the awareness is still negligible. The objective of this first assignment is to create an awareness of environmental concerns and understanding of standards, laws, guidelines, and regulation associated with construction and environment. By then, we realized and understand its impact and consequences by writing and presenting a well-developed article review. There were some interesting article review topics and ideas that allowed us to present a strong central point and discussing some related ideas. Therefore, in this assignment we were to review articles and present the critical points from the articles using an interactive poster. In a group of 5 , we were assigned to the environmental theme - Depletion of Natural Resources.
PROJECT 2 - Exploring local architecture or built environment responses to specific SDG goals and targets
This project made us explore how architecture can provide the basis towards meeting several Sustainable Design Goals. Designer can provide basic ideas and proposal for regulation that makes it possible for sustainable communities. Working in partnership, designers can facilitate the open dialogue to provide solutions as a way forward. The 17 SDG goals define the challenges that need to be addressed to achieve a better and more sustainable future. Leaving no one behind, the world must move towards achieve these goals by 2030. This includes the built environment particularly the architecture practice that is associated with every goal, importantly not at aspirational level, but through realized (real life) buildings, settlements, cities, and strategies locally. To evident this statement tangibly and to demonstrate how built environment/architectural responses to these goals, we were required to document realized cases of architecture, planning, and structures with the aim of understanding the Goals as they relate to architecture/built environment. Each one of the documented cases will form a basis to start a conservation on how the built environment can contribute to a particular goal.
The 17 universal goals measured by 169 targets should be achieved by 2030 (UN, 2015 UN. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, resolution adopted by the general assembly, seventieth session on 25 September 2015. The built environment is described as critical for the achievement of the SDGs due to the impact of the built environment. Then we each identified an SDG goal that we wanted to explore in relation to the building.
CHOSEN BUILDING : THE EXCHANGE 106
CHOSEN SDG : SDG 11 - MAKE CITIES INCLUSIVE, SAFE, RESILEENT AND SUSTAINABLE
Throughout this module, I've learnt to produce designs at appropriate complexity and scale up to the schematic level using appropriate communication tools. I could also demonstrate creativity, innovation and imagination and translate these into an architectural design solution. I realized that it is also important to develop designs to a level for regulatory application for Building Plan submission that complies to the requirements of local authorities, including understanding of building regulations, basic building construction and materials, environmental considerations and building services. Lastly, I enjoyed working in a group and participating in the design process.