Explore the Sustainable Design Operating System a 3‑layer framework grounded in Ardiani & Shateri (2018). Learn how Resource Intelligence, Life Cycle Thinking, and Human Adaptation create resilient, low‑impact buildings. Includes a practical implementation checklist.
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Based on Ardiani & Shateri (2018) · Specialty Journal of Architecture and Construction
Principles & strategies
fig 1 · conceptual framework- 1. Energy conservation
- 2. Water conservation
- 3. Land conservation
- 4. Material conservation
- 1. Pre‑building phases
- 2. Building phases
- 3. Post‑building phases
- 1. Protecting human health & comfort
- 2. Protecting physical resources
RESOURCE INTELLIGENCE
Map inputs & outputs · reduce before renew
Energy
Passive first, insulation, embodied energy, renewables.
Water
Low-flow, rainwater, greywater reuse.
Land
Mixed-use, adaptive reuse, natural drainage.
Material
Durable, disassembly, local, recycled.
LIFE CYCLE THINKING
Pre-building
Recycled/local materials, long-life, low-maintenance.
Building phase
Flexibility, reuse, mechanical fixings, replacement cycles.
Post-building
Deconstruction, recycling, demolition waste reduction.
HUMAN ADAPTATION
Health & comfort
Thermal, daylight, acoustic, IAQ, biophilic.
Physical resilience
Fire, disaster, CPTED, flood/seismic.
THE INTEGRATED SUSTAINABILITY LOOP
"If one pillar is missing — the design is incomplete." – Ardiani & Shateri
Implementation checklist
If any answer is NO — redesign.
It is a decision-making system. Architecture shifts from object creation → ecosystem participation.
📚 Key references
- • Ardiani, M. & Shateri, M. (2018). Conceptual Framework for Sustainable Design. Specialty Journal of Architecture and Construction, 4(2), 15–24.
- • Brundtland Commission (1987). Our Common Future.
- • Sev, A. (2009); Sinha (2002); Datschefski (2001).
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FAQs
What is the sustainable design framework by Ardiani and Shateri?
The Ardiani & Shateri (2018) framework organizes sustainable design into three interconnected pillars: Resource Conservation, Life Cycle Design, and Design for Human Adaptation. It moves beyond theory, offering architects a decision‑making system to minimize environmental impact while enhancing occupant well‑being and building longevity.
What are the three main pillars of sustainable design?
The three pillars are:
Human Adaptation – prioritize health, comfort, and safety.
Together they form the Triple Bottom Line (environmental, social, economic balance).
Resource Conservation – reduce energy, water, land, and material use.
Life Cycle Design – consider environmental impact from pre‑building to post‑building.
How do you apply life cycle thinking in sustainable architecture?
Apply life cycle thinking in three phases:
Post‑building: plan for deconstruction, material recovery, and zero waste.
This ensures a building remains valuable long after construction.
Pre‑building: choose recycled, local, low‑embodied‑energy materials.
Building: design for flexibility, reuse, and easy maintenance.
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