Introduction

A sustainable house is one that uses energy and material more effectively both in production and
operation while polluting and damaging natural systems as little as possible.”

When we use the word “sustainable” we mean homes that are designed to reduce the overall
environmental impact during and after construction in such a way that we can meet the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. We accomplish
this by:
 Efficiently using energy, water, land and other resources
 Protecting occupant health
 Reducing greenhouse gases, pollution, waste and environmental degradation

More than four decades ago, a lone architect had what must have seemed at the time like an
impossible dream: to build a new kind of residence that would be in complete harmony with
the planet. This home would be made with recycled and sustainable materials. It would rely on
clean energy and renewable resources to supply its inhabitants with the most basic and
essential of needs. It would be designed to be affordable and utilize construction techniques
that are so simple that anyone could build it.

This vision was the beginning of what is now known as the Earthship – a remarkable feat of
sustainable living. The environmental, economical, and ethical reasons for living in an Earthship
– or any self-supporting home for that matter – are abundant. Whether you are breaking
ground on a new home or would like to incorporate these concepts into your existing dwelling,
read on for a breakdown on the principles of the self-sustaining home.

Electricity
Moving away from coal and natural gas toward renewable and clean energy sources is
becoming more and more accessible, as technological innovations and falling prices continue to
make small-scale, off-grid setups practical and affordable. `

Solar power, wind power, or a hybrid of the two are all viable choices, depending on site
orientation and location. Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems work most efficiently in
the southwestern states, but denizens of almost any region can benefit from a solar array,
provided the site receives direct sunlight. Wind maps can also help predict the mean annual
wind speeds in your geographic location. There are many factors to consider before deciding on
a renewable energy system, but once set up it will reliably supply your home with clean (and
free!) electricity.

Water & Waste Management

Rainwater harvesting offers an independent solution to regional water shortages by collecting
precipitation – including snow – on a catchment surface, like a roof. From there, water is
gravity-fed into a cistern, then channelled into a pump system (for water pressure) and filtered
(for potability). Solar water heaters can be installed to take care of most, if not all, of your hot
water needs; a backup natural gas or biodiesel on-demand water heater may also be used as a
supplement.

Now here’s where things get really eco-friendly: after the potable water is used for showering,
laundry, cleaning, and so on, it is collected and recycled three more times. This “grey water” is
generally composed of bits of food, soap residue, cleaning products, dirt, grease, and hair.
Large particles are filtered out before it is routed to the greenhouse (more on that below)
where it provides irrigation and nutrients to edible plants. The garden soil and plant root
systems naturally clean and filter the grey water, and once this is accomplished, the water is
again collected to supply transparent, smell-free water to flushing toilets. Lastly, the flushwater
from toilets, referred to as “black water”, is contained and treated in a solar septic tank. Black
water can be funnelled to a drain field or used for outdoor irrigation for non-edible plants.

Food
The crowning touch of the Earthship is the ability to grow your own organic food, year-round.
Since Earthship is a passive solar design, south-facing windows are necessary to absorb heat
from the sun. This wall of glass makes the perfect spo tfor fruits, vegetables, herbs, and
flowering plants, with a growing area large enough to feed a small family. The household’s grey
water, which is nitrogen-rich and completely safe for food-bearing plants, is automatically
pumped to the indoor garden – and that means considerably less daily upkeep. When using
grey water for irrigation, it’s best to clean with products that are natural, biodegradable, and
non-toxic

Literature view

It is estimated that by 2056, global economic activity will have increased fivefold, global population will
have increased by over 50%, global energy consumption will have increased nearly threefold, and global
manufacturing activity will have increased at least threefold Globally, the building sector is arguably one
of the most resource-intensive industries. Compared with other industries, the building industry rapidly
growing world energy use and the use of finite fossil fuel resources has already raised concerns over
supply difficulties, exhaustion of energy resources and heavy environmental impacts—ozone layer
depletion, carbon dioxide emissions, global warming, climate change . Building material production
consumes energy, the construction phase consumes energy, and operating a completed building
consumes energy for heating, lighting, power and ventilation. In addition to energy consumption, the
building industry is considered as a major contributor to environmental pollution [a major consumption
of raw materials, with 3 billion tons consume annually or 40% of global use and produces an enormous
amount of waste The principal issues associated with the key sustainable building themes has been
mapped out and collated

Princples of sustainable buildings

Economic Improved productivity; Consistent profit growth; Employee

sustainability satisfaction; Supplier satisfaction; Client satisfaction
Minimizing defects; Shorter and more predictable
completion time; Lower cost projects with increased cost
1.1 Improved project delivery predictability; Delivering services that provide best value to
1.2 Increased profitability & clients
productivity and focus on developing client business
Environmental Minimizing polluting emissions; Preventing nuisance from
sustainability noise and dust by good site and depot management; Waste
2.1 Avoiding pollution minimization and elimination; Preventing pollution
2.2 Protecting and enhancing incidents and breaches of environmental requirements;
biodiversity Habitat creation and environmental improvement;
2.3 Transport planning Protection of sensitive ecosystems through good
construction practices and supervision; Green transport plan
for sites and business activities

Energy efficient at depots and sites; Reduced energy

consumption in business activities; Design for whole-life
3.1 Improved energy costs; Use of local supplies and materials with low
efficiency embodied energy; Lean design and construction avoiding
3.2 Efficient use of resources waste; Use of recycled/sustainability sourced products
Water and Waste minimization and management
Social Provision of effective training and appraisals; Equitable
sustainability terms and conditions; Provision of equal opportunities;
Health, safety and conducive working environment;
4.1 Respect for staff Maintaining morale and employee satisfaction;
4.2 Working with local Participation in decision-making; Minimizing local
 communities and road users nuisance and disruption; Minimizing traffic disruptions and
4.3 Partnership working delays; Building effective channels of communication;
Contributing to the local economy through local

employment and procurement; Delivering

services that enhance the local environment;
Building long-term relationships with clients;
Building long-term relationships with local
suppliers; Corporate citizenship; Delivering
services that provide best value to clients and
focus on developing client business

Outcomes
Sustainable building requires that architects, engineers and contractors all co-create with the
environment focusing on renewable energy, sustainable materials, water conservation, site
development and indoor environmental quality. Green design and construction not only helps cut down
on emissions released into the ozone, but also helps significantly reduce energy, water and HVAC
costs. The benefits of sustainable building can be generally categorized in the following ways;
environmental benefits, economic benefits and social benefits.

Environmental Benefits

The whole purpose behind sustainable building is to preserve our environment and avoid the
depletion of the earth’s natural resources. When sustainable substitutions are made throughout each
phase of the project’s development it allows us to:

• Protect the Ecosystem • Reduce Emissions

• Improve Air and Water Quality • Conserve Water

• Reduce Waste Streams • Conserve and Restore Natural Resources

• Waste Reduction • Temperature Control

Economic Benefits

Not only does sustainable building improve the quality of our environment but it also has many
economic benefits as well. By using sustainable materials, reducing energy consumption, and improving
water efficiency it will enable you to:

• Helps Aid in the Expansion of the “Green Market” • Reduce Operating Costs

• Optimizes the Life Cycle of the Building • Increases Property Value

• Improve Occupants Attendance and Productivity

Social Benefits

Although the environmental and economic benefits of green buildings are well known, the social
benefits of green buildings are often ignored. By improving indoor environmental quality you can:

• Improve Occupants Comfort and Health • Create an Aesthetically Pleasing Environment

• Minimizes Strain on Local Infrastructure • Increases Occupants Overall Morale

• Improves Worker Productivity

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