QVC3101: DESIGN AND CONTEXT

QVC3101: DESIGN AND CONTEXT

by

Clarissa Labuschagne 

17PLC02​

​

Submitted in the partial fulfilment's of the requirements for the degree​

BACHELOR OF DESIGN 01​

In The Subject​

QVC310 Visual Communications 

At ​

INSCAPE EDUCATION GROUP​ 

Supervisor: Ronmari Roux

Due: 22 March 2023

Table of Content

Argumentative essay: 6. Sustainable Design

Introduction……………………………………………………………………..Page 3

Body……………………………………………………………………………..Page 3

Conclusion…………………………………………….………………………..Page 10

Seven different reliable sources: 

Include books and academic journal articles…………………..…………...Page 11

Grammarly …………….…………………………….………………………....Page 13

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Sustainable Design

Introduction

This Argumentative essay should persuade the reader that Sustainable Design is a significant element to be considered when identifying and solving a design problem. The sustainable design aims to lessen adverse environmental effects by implementing the SDG goals while enhancing building performance. Reduced use of non-renewable resources, minimal waste, and the creation of healthy, productive environments are the fundamental goals of sustainability (Sustainable DesignDesign - 2494 Words | 123 Help Me, n.d.). While determining and resolving a design issue, sustainable design is essential (Sustainable design, n.d.).

Body

The ability of humanity to peacefully coexist on earth for an extended period is a goal shared by society. It is challenging to reach a consensus on the precise definitions of this phrase, which have changed over time and with literature, setting, and context. The three environmental, economic, and social sustainability pillars are also called their aspects. 

The environmental component is cited as being of utmost significance in many publications. Because of this, the everyday application of sustainability frequently focuses on addressing pressing environmental issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, ecosystem services loss, land degradation, and air and water pollution. At the global, national, and individual levels, decisions can be made using the concept of sustainability (e.g. sustainable living) (Wikipedia Contributors, 2019).

Environmentally sustainable design, sometimes called environmentally conscious design or eco-design is a design concept that aims to improve the health and comfort of building inhabitants while adhering to the sustainability principles of the environment. Building performance is improved by sustainable design, which aims to minimise harmful effects on the environment, the health, and well-being of building occupants. Reduced use of non-renewable resources, reduced waste, and the creation of healthy, productive environments are the main goals of sustainability (Wikipedia Contributors, 2019b).

Identify and evaluate reliable sources of Sustainable Design.

Sustainable energy is produced using resources that will not endanger the environment or the energy demands of future generations. Renewable energy is also included in the most well-liked sustainable energy sources, such as hydropower, solar, and wind (Johns Hopkins University, 2020). Even among veterans and industry professionals, "renewable energy" and "sustainable energy" are frequently used synonymously. There is some overlap between the two because many renewable energy sources are also sustainable energy sources. However, these two expressions are quite different.

Define the key terms relating to the context selected to improve building performance. The sustainable design aims to lessen adverse effects on the environment and the health and comfort of building inhabitants. Reduced use of non-renewable resources, reduced waste, and the creation of healthy, productive environments are the main goals of sustainability (Sustainable Design, n.d.).

Maximising site potential is one of the tenets of sustainable design. Reduce the usage of non-renewable energy; choose environmentally friendly items; protect and conserve water; improve indoor environment quality; and improve operating and maintenance procedures.

The Bullitt Center in Seattle and the Shanghai Tower in China exemplify sustainable architecture. Solar panels, self-balancing water systems, and environmentally acceptable building materials are frequently used in constructing these structures (Bowen, 2022).

In Addressing Important Design Issues, the author shows how design is increasingly employed to address significant, complex contemporary issues and how, as a result, the designer's role is evolving. Tania Allen demonstrates how different types of design thinking, like systems thinking, metaphorical thinking, and empathy, can be used with techniques like brainstorming, design fiction, and prototyping, using 13 case studies from various industries, including program and product design. This book offers other perspectives on one's ideas so that plans can make sense in their context and helps solve design-related challenges (Allen, 2019).

Addressing Critical Design Issues promotes an approach to design that questions presumptions and gives designers more freedom to be critical and creative (Allen, 2019). This book, which features more than 100 photos, will appeal to students studying industrial and product design and landscape and urban design.

Sustainable development is, therefore, intersubjective and cross-cultural because it does not specify what has to be sustained, developed, or how. Hence, it is crucial to consider many points of view when discussing sustainable development and make available preliminary proposals on how we may start doing this (Hedlund-de Witt, 2014). 

Explaining how sustainable development is an effort to combine expansion and conservation. Think about how other worldviews interpret "growth" and "quality of life" about this universal ideal. The Integrative Worldview Framework, which distinguishes between many ideal-typical worldviews, is used in this argument (Hedlund-de Witt, 2014). Nonetheless, the reflexive attitude that a worldview perspective promotes is more significant than any typology of worldviews in light of the yet-to-be-developed Sustainable Development Goals. Conclude with implications for more reflective and inclusive forms of policymaking.

The degree to which circular economy (CE) principles apply to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The outcomes of a literature study and a matching exercise to ascertain the relationship between CE practices and SDG targets reveal that CE activities may, in theory, directly contribute to accomplishing a considerable number of SDG targets. The SDGs with the most substantial ties to CE practices include SDGs 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 15. (Life on Land) (Schroeder et al., 2018).

In addition, the article investigates the connections between various SDG targets that might be made by using CE techniques. Also, it outlines several potential conflicts between goals for decent labour, safe working conditions, human health, and current CE practices related to recycling municipal waste, e-waste, and wastewater and offers advice on how to resolve these (Schroeder et al., 2018). The report concludes that various CE practices as a "toolbox" and implementation strategies can achieve a sizable number of SDG targets. With the precise partnership structures and implementation methods needed to implement CE practices in the context of the SDGs, a more empirical study is required.

The five sustainable design principles are low-impact materials, energy efficiency, quality and durability, design for reuse and recycling, and renewability, with the latter being particularly important. Whether "becoming green" is an investment or a waste of time and money arises since sustainability is the critical building trend. According to our study, the costs might be worth the investment (Sustainable design - 2494 Words | 123 Help Me, n.d.). 

Non-toxic, eco-friendly, or recycled materials that take less energy to process are examples of low-impact materials. Cabinetry, flooring, and countertops are the three primary parts of the house that require the most attention to low-impact materials. The medium-density particleboard typically used is replaced by wheat board, also known as strawboard (Sustainable design - 2494 Words | 123 Help Me, n.d.). An estimated 150 million tons of straw are produced annually by American farmers who supply our nation's enormous cereal sector as a byproduct of the harvesting of barley and wheat. The straw is often burned, but emerging markets for wheat board are providing farmers with a second source of revenue. Finely ground straw waste is sorted and dried in bales before being bound with a resin, compacted into sheets, sanded, and cut to size.

There is a sense of urgency among politicians, businesses, and development practitioners to discover sustainable and workable solutions in the domain of biofuels due to the combined consequences of climate change, ongoing fuel price volatility, the current food crisis, and global economic upheaval. This sense of urgency may be seen in the recent rapid growth of the markets and production of biofuels worldwide. With potential benefits for the economy, the environment, society, and security, the development of biofuels provides developing nations with some hope for locally and nationally self-sufficient energy supplies. 42 African nations are net importers of oil (Amigun et al., 2011). Due to their need for foreign currency to meet their domestic energy demands, they are particularly exposed to fluctuations in fuel prices worldwide.

The objective is to create domestic, renewable energy to lessen the significant dependence on imported petroleum. How can this goal be fulfilled with the least possible impact on society and the environment? A significant concern is whether the production of biofuels can take into account social, economic, and environmental concerns without creating unreasonably high expectations for a developing market for renewable energy that has so much potential (Amigun et al., 2011).

When the complete lifespan, from production to usage, is considered, various biofuels perform differently overall in lowering the use of non-renewable energy sources and greenhouse gas emissions. The kind of feedstock, how the product is made, and how much non-renewable energy is used all affect the final performance. The development of biofuels in Africa is briefly discussed in this essay, emphasising economic, environmental, and social concerns particular to each nation (Amigun et al., 2011). It discusses practices, processes, and technologies that can increase efficiency, decrease energy and water use, and further reduce biofuel production's social and environmental footprint, all of which can help promote sustainable development. It also proposes a framework of policy incentives that can be combined depending on the technological maturity of a given technology.

Concerns about the environment are crucial for sustainability. The physical setting in which we live is the natural world. Recognising the boundaries of our environment is a prerequisite for sustainability. The amount of natural resources that are available on earth has finite amount. As long as we keep enough of some of these resources intact to regenerate, like trees and wildlife, they can be replenished. Some resources, like minerals, regenerate sluggishly so that any use reduces the overall supply (Vanegas et al., 1996). We must use both renewable and finite resources as little as possible.

Minimising our impact on global ecosystems is a crucial aspect of the environment; the globe is like an organism that needs to be kept in good shape. Natural ecosystems can withstand some disturbances, but these must be negligible enough for the planet to recover. In some circumstances, an ecosystem's particular resource or component is vital to its health. For instance, even if we provide future generations with enough timber if it is all contained in managed monoculture forests (which do not replicate the complexity of ecosystems), our efforts may need to be revised (Norton, 1992). The preservation of a wetland, the conservation of an endangered species, or the preservation of biodiversity, in general, are all examples of ways to safeguard ecosystem health (Vanegas et al., 1996).

Analysis of the consequences of renewable and non-renewable energy sources on sustainable development is the goal of the current study. This work is groundbreaking since it examines how renewable energy affects adjusted net savings, a valuable indicator of sustainable development. Data from 40 developed and 73 developing nations were used for this (Güney, 2019). According to the study's estimation results, renewable energy influences sustainable development in both industrialised and developing nations statistically significantly.

Renewable energy has a more substantial influence on sustainable development than non-renewable energy. As the number of renewable energy increases, so does the degree of sustainable development. These findings suggest that, in order to advance toward sustainable development and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, countries must employ renewable energy more frequently than non-renewable energy sources (Güney, 2019).

The building industry strives to create structures with as little negative environmental impact as feasible. However, as building operations continue to have a significant negative impact on the environment, it is essential to think about a sustainable project approach depending on how well it performs. Because it promotes architectural excellence and financial benefits, sustainability is a crucial design issue that should be considered in addition to environmental considerations. This article identifies the stages a design project should go through, highlighting the significance and power of earlier stages to affect sustainability, performance, and life cycle cost. Then a list of essential sustainability indicators that may be applied during the conceptual design stage and begin forecasting the environmental sustainability performance of buildings is offered (Bragança et al., 2014).

In order to facilitate collaboration between stakeholders and clients and ultimately produce a sustainable and high-performing building throughout its life cycle, this paper's output was intended to enable designers to compare and evaluate the effects of various design solutions based on preliminary data (Bragança et al., 2014).

Conclusion

In conclusion, in this argumentative essay, Sustainable Design is a significant element to be considered when identifying and solving a design problem. The sustainable design aims to lessen adverse environmental effects by implementing the SDG goals while enhancing building performance. Reducing the use of non-renewable resources, minimal waste, and creating healthy, productive environments are the fundamental goals of sustainability. While determining and resolving a design issue, sustainable design is essential.

Resources

Allen, T. (2019, June 19). Solving Critical Design Problems: Theory and - ProQuest. Www.proquest.com. https://www.proquest.com/docview/2240272296/DB3F3CA00B3F4D3APQ/3?accountid=196061

Amigun, B., Musango, J. K., & Stafford, W. (2011). Biofuels and sustainability in Africa. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15(2), 1360–1372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2010.10.015

Bowen, K. (2022). Sustainable Architecture: Design and Examples. Study.com. https://study.com/learn/lesson/sustainable-architecture-design-examples.html

Bragança, L., Vieira, S. M., & Andrade, J. B. (2014). Early Stage Design Decisions: The Way to Achieve Sustainable Buildings at Lower Costs. The Scientific World Journal, 2014(365364), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/365364

Güney, T. (2019). Renewable energy, non-renewable energy and sustainable development. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 26(5), 389–397. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2019.1595214

Hedlund-de Witt, A. (2014). Rethinking Sustainable Development: Considering How Different Worldviews Envision “Development” and “Quality of Life.” Sustainability, 6(11), 8310–8328. https://doi.org/10.3390/su6118310

Johns Hopkins University. (2020, December 7). Renewable Energy vs Sustainable Energy: What’s the Difference? MA in Sustainable Energy. https://energy.sais.jhu.edu/articles/renewable-energy-vs-sustainable-energy/

Schroeder, P., Anggraeni, K., & Weber, U. (2018). The Relevance of Circular Economy Practices to the Sustainable Development Goals. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 23(1), 77–95.

Sustainable Design. (n.d.). Www.gsa.gov. https://www.gsa.gov/real-estate/design-and-construction/design-excellence-program-overview/sustainability/sustainable-design

Sustainable Design - 2494 Words | 123 Help Me. (n.d.). Www.123helpme.com. Retrieved March 7, 2023, from https://www.123helpme.com/essay/Sustainable-Design-265204

Vanegas, J. A., DuBose, J. R., & Pearce, A. R. (1996). Sustainable Technologies for the Building Construction Industry. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Annie-Pearce/publication/228540323_Sustainable_technologies_for_the_building_construction_industry/links/00b7d5267fdd57eefd000000/Sustainable-technologies-for-the-building-construction-industry.pdf

Wikipedia Contributors. (2019a, February 18). Sustainability. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainability

Wikipedia Contributors. (2019b, March 19). Sustainable design. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_design