Resistance is futile: Sustainable design is here to stay

Sustainability is one of those popular words in today’s lexicon, but often times is the most misunderstood. To many, sustainability is linked exclusively to the environment, and while that certainly plays a major role in defining sustainability, it puts far too much limitation on what is needed to achieve a truly sustainable world. As sustainable design continues to grow, no one is naive enough to say it will be obstacle-free. Financial challenges are still among the biggest hurdles, followed by balancing sustainable initiatives with other facility management duties and educating employees and clients on its benefits.

Nonetheless, continuing to design, manufacture and build energy hog systems does not make financial or environmental sense. Architects, engineers, facility managers, maintenance personnel, manufacturers and even CFOs are continually finding and implementing solutions to problems arising from our heightened awareness that previously acceptable practices focused predominantly on short-term results.

The driving factors behind sustainable design are simple: financial, environmental and public health. Energy cost is becoming more and more expensive. Heightened awareness about how systems are better designed and understanding their function can help overcome the financial obstacle. It is a much easier conversation with the CFO if the financial results are both measurable and attainable in a relatively short period.

Continuous consumption of the Earth’s resources with minor consideration, if any, to our usage just doesn’t make sense. The Earth’s population is over 6.6 billion people and our resources are undeniably stretched. If this behavior continues at its current rate, our environment’s forecast is dismal. For years we have behaved irresponsibly, as we relied on oil- and petroleum-based products as the primary fuel sources to generate electricity to power our manufacturing plants and facilities and to heat our homes and businesses. We did all of this without any regard to the toxic fumes we spewed into the air and the non-biodegradable material we deposited into our landfills. This doesn’t make any environmental or public health sense, however, it makes financial sense.

Engineers, architects, owners and manufacturers must understand that although it is the right thing to do, we must never forget the financial aspect of any decision a business makes. Making decisions that are strictly based on the environmental and public health agenda, although commendable, does not make any financial sense and for businesses to remain viable -- financial returns must be part of the equation. Design professionals have a huge role to play and they can be effective only if they educate themselves to better understand the environmental, public health and financial aspects of their decisions and designs in addition to the technical one. Our behavior as a society plays a big factor in the move to sustainability and its fate. Unless we make serious efforts to continue to educate, innovate and implement better use of our resources, we will collectively share in the destruction of our natural resources.

Alternative and renewable energy is promising; the advancements in wind, solar and geothermal, to name a few, are well on their way to playing a much stronger role in our ability to generate the energy we need. While continuing research and development in alternative renewable energy is commendable, we must accept the fact that it may take a while to accomplish, as these endeavors require time to be developed and deployed to replace or support our outdated, feeble utility infrastructure. Until then we have an obligation to do what we can.

We can begin with replacing less efficient equipment and buildings with smart, energy-efficient buildings and systems that take advantage of the tremendous advancement in technology. The advancement in energy management systems, lighting, HVAC construction material, automation and controls offer a great opportunity for all of us to use them in different combinations and permutations that make financial, environmental and public health sense.

Sam Khalilieh, PE, LEED AP, is senior VP engineering at WD Partners, Columbus, Ohio. He can be reached at Sam.Khalilieh@WDPartners.com.