7 points Guide

The following points can be used as a guide as what should be considered in designing a low impact building:

1. Minimisation of resource use & habitat destruction through judicious environmental material specification.

2. Minimisation of Energy Consumption (& therefore minimization of CO2 production)

   • Consider Embodied Energy of construction

   • Consider Operational Energy

     • Space Heating / Cooling

       • Orientation

       • Insulation

       • Windows sizing, placement & shading

       • Thermal Mass

       • Ventilation

     • Solar Water Heating & Photovoltaics

     • Appliance efficiency

3. Water conservation

   • Water efficiency

   • Rainwater collection

   • Grey-water / black-water re-use

4. Habitat creation

   • Local Native flora

   • Edible Garden (Permaculture)

5. Health

   • Materials as environmentally benign as possible over their life cycle

   • Minimisation of off-gassing materials

   • Asthma friendly design

   • Day lighting

6. Size

   • Efficient use of space for maximisation of resources

7. Good Design

   • Good design lasts longer minimizing embodied energy use for rebuilding