A building can be designed to reduce its environmental impacts e.g. energy, water and other resource use. There are many ways to create sustainable, environmentally friendly buildings. Important choices can be made at every stage from design through to construction and the materials or products used inside.

The main issues to consider in the design stage are:

Then consider what’s going into the building…

and what’s surrounding the building

Whether building new premises, or simply relocating to another building, choosing a good location is critical. From an environmental, as well as people-friendly point of view the following should be considered:

• Access to public transport (train, ferry, bus or cycle ways)
• Existing vegetation to provide temperature control and improved air quality (as well as providing a more pleasant environment for staff during breaks)
• Consider other accessibility issues (e.g. wheelchair access)
• Consider noise and air quality from neighbours, roads etc
  

For more information on urban design {link to councils and consultants}

The office equipment and lighting will generally make cooling a bigger requirement than heating. Engage a professional designer and engineer (for larger projects). Some of the issues to consider are:

Major earthworks can have a negative impact of streams and waterways. There are a number of ways of reducing this including:

• Designing the building to conform to the natural contours of the land.
• Stabilise earthworks by grassing/ vegetation before the ground temperature drops in June.
• Placing adequate silt control measures prior to beginning earthworks and cleaning them regularly.
• Planting in autumn is good in terms of reducing watering needs.
  

• Designing simple, modest structures, and using standard material and product sizes will mean fewer resources are used in the construction stage.

• Choose materials that do not need to be finished (natural wood ceilings, tiles or bricks)
• Keep accurate ‘as-built’ drawings throughout the construction phases. This saves a lot of time and money if, or when changes are made or extensions are added. It is most applicable for electrical and air conditioning systems for saving maintenance dollars. Maintenance people can find things more quickly and understand more of the system.

Consider the life cycle issues of associated with products. You should weigh up the various attributes of those products for e.g.:

The main issues to consider are:

• Is it grown in a plantation forest that has Forestry Stewardship Certification?
• What has it been treated with? (e.g. PCP/ Dieldrin)