The principles and prospect of sustainable design Dissertation

The principles and prospect of sustainable design - Dissertation Example It passes unnoticed precisely because it is perfectly functional and its form flows seamlessly into the surrounding environment. For example, an comfortable chair passes unnoticed simply because it is comfortable and compatible with the human form. A well designed kitchen appliance, even something as simple as a can opener, passes unnoticed precisely when it functions easily and smoothly. At the same time design is intimately linked to the world around it. It is a product of wider technological processes and pervasive artistic influences. Fifty years ago issues around environmental problems largely passed unnoticed. However, in the last thirty years as environmental issues have become of increasing importance and awareness has grown of packaging waste, climate change and other issues design considerations have expanded to encompass environmental issues. More recently, emphasis on environmental issues has been replaced by an emphasis on sustainability. The following discussion will fo cus on the interrelationship between sustainability and design. Initially, the term sustainability will be explored and examined. Then the specific issue of sustainability and design will be analyzed. ... In fact, this proposal will argue that most of the 'sustainable' proposals fro rebuilding New Orleans are not sustainable as they neglect the key socio-cultural aspects of sustainable design. Subsequently, one simple proposal for reconstruction that is truly sustainable economically, environmentally and socio-culturally will be presented. The final section of this proposal will then consider how the specific proposal for sustainable reconstruction in New Orleans can be applied in a wider framework in other parts of the globe (notably the United Kingdom). Sustainability Discussion of the issue of sustainable design will commence with a consideration of the history (etymology) of the word sustain, the root of the term sustainability. According to the Online Etymological Dictionary the root of sustain comes from â€Å"late 13 century, from Old French sustenir "hold up, endure," from Latin sustinere "hold up, support, endure," from sub "up from below" + tenere "to hold".2 Thus, sustaina ble design is design that can be supported or held up by the economy, the environment and society. In the context of design, sustainable designs are those designs that can be supported by the environment. Sustainable designs are designs that do not deplete the resources of the environment, but rather can be supported by them. A short, widely accepted and functional definition of sustainability has existed since at least 1987 when the Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our Common Future (commonly known as the Brundtland Report) was published. The World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) stated, "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future