Sustainability is defined by one source as "the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level." It is described elsewhere as "meeting current needs, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs, in the environment we will leave them." To every extent possible, design choices made on projects should result in the least harm possible being done to our environment, to be inherited by our descendants. Whether architects really have a "duty" to design "sustainably" as a matter of ethics, is a question needing a bit more discussion. Trying to do so is unquestionably, a good idea.

Setting buzzwords, special interest groups and political agendas aside, we will examine a few key principles of what can instead be called, "environmentally responsible" design. Many steps that can be taken during design and after structures are complete, to reduce energy use and resources consumed. These include passive steps like building envelopes with thermally superior components. In the design phase, buildings can be positioned on site to strategically allow or preclude solar gain, admit or deny natural ventilation, and maximize or minimize shade needed in different seasons. After everything has been done to passively minimize energy use, active technologies can recapture energy or generate power for internal use or addition to the grid.

Concepts examined here should provide a few more tools to design sustainably.