Can we live abundantly within the limits of one earth?
Can we offer future generations an opportunity for an even
better life than ours?
Humanity
as a whole is using the planet’s resources as if we had 1.3 earths. If we all
lived like Americans do we would be using the resources of five earths. RNL
believes the design of the built environment not only has the capacity, but
also the responsibility to build a new world with a bright green future. Creating sustainable built environments requires optimizing
the triple bottom line of environmental, economic and social priorities.
Design
for One Earth is a design framework that expands of the triple bottom line by identifying
twelve values and measures that define sustainable lifestyles and built
environments at all scales. The goal is to use the Design for One Earth values as
a guide for a design that expresses our clients’ values and desires resulting
in environments that enhance their long term prosperity and respects the
limited resources of one earth.
The
Design for One Earth Values:
- Zero Energy – Balance energy use and
renewable energy supply so that the built environment consumes net zero
fossil fuel energy. Implement energy efficiency, demand side reduction,
on-site renewable energy and distributed and grid-wide renewable energy.
- Carbon Neutral – Eliminate GHG emissions
from the combustion of fossil fuel related to all human activities.
- Water Balance - Balance water use so that
so that needs can be satisfied without depleting the renewable freshwater
resources available. Implement water use reduction in buildings and
landscaping, rainwater catchment, and water reuse.
- Materials
Balance –
Balance material use so that needs can be satisfied without depleting
renewable natural resources. Incorporate durability, longevity,
adaptability so that materials can serve a long life. Incorporate design
for disassembly so that materials can be captured and diverted at the end
of their service life. Incorporate reused, repurposed and recycled
materials. Optimize local and global resources in material choices.
- Zero Waste – Eliminate waste. Waste is
an indicator of inefficiency and a sign of a design failure. Close the loop
on material cycles so that all “waste” is diverted for re-use, new use,
recycling or composting rather than disposal. Eliminate pollutants and
toxicants in all forms.
- Land Balance – Balance land use decisions
to preserve ecosystems, promote ecosystem services, and develop new
habitat and landscaped open space. Consider land use and landscaping at
all scales including large open space habitats, roof top gardens and
interior plants. Globally, agriculture has a significant impact on
greenhouse emissions, water use, health and the economy. Consider food
production within the built environment.
- Prosperity – Prosperity is an inclusive
economic measure that considers personal wealth, natural capital and long
term value. Create sustainable places that provide opportunities and allow
everyone to prosper.
- Resilience – Resilience is part
stability and part adaptability. It is a quality that promotes long term
viability and the ability to weather adversity. Create built environments
that hold long term value, are adaptable and enduring.
- Visionary – Visionary is the use of
innovation to create new value. Visionary is the use of foresight to
invest for the future but also to invent the future.
- Health – Health is the foundation
of life. Health is measured at both the public and personal level and can
be greatly influenced by decisions and systems at many scales. Promote
health in the built environment through design for active living and
through access to quality air, daylight and thermal comfort. Eliminate
toxicants and chemicals that impede health.
- Beauty – Beauty is an intrinsic
part of nature and humanity. It is a basic human need and not a luxury or
elitist concept. Promote beauty in the built environment and provide for a
connection to nature and natural beauty.
- Happiness – Happiness is the sum of
many things, but an important measure of quality of life. Happiness is
tied to many things including the built environment. Create environments
that promote happiness, well-being, productivity and delight.