User:Lucashlevine/sandbox

EID in the field of construction:

Within the study of Environmental Impact Design, there is a focus on the construction process, materialisation, and building efficiency. Historically in construction, the occupant is considered the most important factor in the building process. However, the sub-field of ecological building assesses the impact of buildings and construction materials on the environment and develops strategies to minimize the corresponding negative effects. . low impact design and ecologically focused building practices originated in post-world war II Germany. The widespread destruction of homes and city centers and a large homeless population gave Germans the perfect chance to refocus building practices around the environment. The concept of prefabrication was taken up in both East and West Germany where, in the 1950s and 60s, numerous new modular construction systems were developed for residential buildings. .

Political Movements:

In 1992, at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro policy makers implemented Agenda 21 which focused on sustainable development at the local level. Four years later in 1996, the UN Conference on Human Settlements Habitat II met in Istanbul to discuss transferring sustainable building practices to an urban scale. From 1999 to 2003, the U.S. Green Building Council kickstarted the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or (LEED) which is know the most well-known standard for green building.

The Building Life Cycle:

The building life cycle is an approach to construction where pollution and energy use are considered not only in the current timeframe but over the life of the building. This theory has been expanded upon in recent years by architect William McDonough and his trademark idea of Cradle-to-cradle design. Cradle-to-cradle design along with the Triple Zero concept aim at lowering energy, emissions, and waste to zero. A successful life cycle building will use a variety of approaches such as the use of recycled materials in the construction process as well as green energy to reduce immediate environmental impacts and degradation for years to come. .