What makes a building sustainable?

摘要

"What makes a building sustainable?" is a question people ask me all of the time, whether it is at a client meeting, a presentation or even at training workshops on sustainability. My response, framed by one of the many green building or sustainable building rating systems currently available in the market, is typically the same. "Sustainable buildings are designed to be high performance, and through their siting, orientation, design, construction and operation are highly energy-efficient, have lower operating costs, are better for the environment in broad and specific terms, and promote whole health for their users and occupants." I have used this response so many times that it has begun to sound like nothing more than a well-rehearsed sound bite.