Foundations: Design and the Forces of Nature Part One
by William McDonough

The Hannover Principles are a set of maxims that encourage the design professions to take sustainability into consideration. They are descriptive of a way of thinking, not prescriptions or requirements. They take the form of a framework, based on the enduring elements of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit, in which design decisions may be reviewed and evaluated. They are meant to guide our creative acts so that we may blend aesthetic concerns with ecological principles. In this way, design becomes a didactic tool, demonstrating that sustainable thinking can be put into practice in the real world.

The five elements provided a structure for the ancient world. The world can still be perceived along these lines, and they are presented here to frame the primary concerns of ecologically intelligent design.

Earth

In design, the earth is both the context and the material, the landscape and the things with which we build. Between context and material a balance must be struck that provides a meaningful and livable diversity of scale. A full range of experience from the “urban” to the “wild” is essential to the evolution of human culture.

Design solutions should benefit flora and fauna as much as humans, and the overall sense of connection between humanity and nature should be enhanced. A premium value should be placed on unbuilt space, particularly existing undeveloped lands. Reuse and expansion of the existing fabric may offer alternatives to new construction that will preserve the natural landscape.

New construction, when necessary, should be seen as an extension of the present built fabric, not as independent, self-contained development. Building materials need to be considered for their broadest range of effects—from emotive to practical—within a global and local context. Local production should be stressed, along with approaches that emphasize the regional, cultural and historical uniqueness of the place. Designers should consider the interaction and implementation of diverse materials within local climate and culture in a meaningful and productive way. They might consider the use of indigenous materials along with the practical and effective utilization of modern technology, including advanced glazing, energy-efficient fixtures and appliances, and nontoxic water treatment systems.

All materials can be considered in the following terms:

• Buildings should be designed to be flexible enough to accommodate many human purposes, including living, working or craft, allowing the materials to remain in place while serving different needs. Design should include alternatives for how the site can be adapted in the future.
   
• Materials should be considered in light of their sustainability: their process of extraction, manufacture, transformation and degradation through proper resource management on a global and local scale. All materials should be considered in terms of their embodied energy and characteristics of toxicity, potential off-gassing, finish and maintenance requirements.
   
• Products used should not be tested on animals.
   
• Recycling of materials is essential. But recycling should not be encouraged if materials come from products designed for disposability (compostable fabric, for example). If possible, provision should be made for manufacturers to disassemble and reuse all products. The reuse of entire structures must be considered in the event that buildings fail to be adaptable to future human needs.
   
• Materials should be chosen that minimize hazardous chemicals.
   
• Solid waste must be dealt with in a nontoxic manner. In nature, waste equals food. The aim is to eliminate any waste that cannot be shown to be part of a naturally sustainable cycle.
   
• Life cycle analysis of all materials and processes is important. Life cycle analysis is a process in which the energy use and environmental impact of the entire life cycle of the product, process, or activity is cataloged and analyzed. The life cycle encompasses extraction and processing of raw materials, manufacturing, transportation and maintenance, recycling and return to the environment.

The design should qualify the environmental and economic costs so that the benefit of the project in relation to the expense is understood in both the short and long terms.

Air

Air is the element whose degradation we can sense most immediately. When the quality of the air is poor, all can feel it. Local atmospheric pollution may have global consequences, so the overall design must not contribute to further atmospheric denigration of any kind. Designs
must be evaluated in terms of their atmospheric effects, including effects on ozone depletion and global warming.

Alteration of the microclimate is equally significant. Any possibility for the design to counterbalance or contribute to remediation of existing environmental damage should be explored.

• Air-pollution implications of all design systems should be considered in the evaluation of designs. General air quality issues should also be considered to insure that no off-site or on-site air pollution results from the design.
   
• Wind patterns in all seasons should be evaluated for both detrimental and beneficial effects on site configuration.
   
• Noise pollution should be accounted for and minimized.
   
• Building design must accommodate ventilation systems that meet specific air-quality needs. This may involve strategies that show concern for dangerous outdoor air conditions as well as efficient indoor air exchange.
   
• Natural ventilation patterns should be considered at every scale from the urban to the domestic as an alternative to artificial climate control.
   
• The health effects from indoor air-quality problems must be considered during the design process.

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