Sustainability is the hallmark of human evolution and key to its future survival. It’s a fragile balance between exploiting natural resources without destroying the ecological harmony of an area. It’s about preservation, conservation and replenishment. The balance remained in check until the industrial revolution. The machine age, exponential population growth and increased demand for food, water, shelter and manufactured goods tilted the equation against nature’s ability to supplant. The most recent green movements and promotion of sustainability principles are merely our expression of awareness and resolve to restore equilibrium. It’s our survival instinct that propels us to make our resources last longer.

As architects and planners we can play an important role, as buildings are responsible for half of the energy used and the resultant greenhouse gases emitted in the industrialized world. Historical references can help us rethink how we design and build buildings for the future. The placement, orientation, form, material selection and building system efficiency combined with a pro-active management plan will have a positive and direct impact on the energy required to build and maintain our buildings.