Lessons from the past, solutions for the future: Designing low-impact buildings

Melanie Quesada
Jun 5
3 min read

Worldwide, according to the Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction, the construction sector accounts for approximately 34% of global energy consumption and 40% of energy-related CO2 emissions from industrial processes.

What does it mean to consume energy and why is innovation urgent?

When we talk about energy consumption, we refer to all the energy used for human activities, such as transportation, material production, industrial processes, and more. This energy is still mostly generated from fossil sources like oil, natural gas, and coal, which release CO2 into the atmosphere. CO2 is a greenhouse gas, meaning it has the ability to trap the heat emitted by the Earth after it receives solar radiation. As its concentration increases, it intensifies the warming effect, generating more heat than the planet can handle, causing consequences such as rising temperatures, sea-level rise, extreme changes in ecosystems, and biodiversity loss.

For this reason, we have a great responsibility when it comes to construction, designing, and thinking about how we manage the design and operation of a building.

The transition to sustainable design does not mean starting from scratch. It builds on principles that are not new in human history. Many cultures already applied passive strategies to adapt to their environment without the need for mechanical energy. For example, passive techniques historically used in Latin America included adobe, which was prized for its high thermal mass that allowed it to absorb heat during the day and keep spaces warm at night. Traditional Japanese homes featured wide eaves and sliding doors that allowed for efficient natural ventilation.

Photos: Japanese home and sliding doors; Adobe houses | Credit: Pixabay

Our knowledge about these approaches persists, and we adjust them accordingly for our current urban settings. Today, passive strategies are widely used to optimize environmental performance: the analysis of the building orientation to maximize natural light and reduce the use of artificial lighting; utilizing cross ventilation to cool spaces without air conditioning; incorporating green roofs that provide thermal insulation and help manage rainwater; strategically using sunshades to control direct solar radiation; and, designing ventilated facades to improve thermal comfort. Also, we use construction materials with enhanced thermal properties, such as double-glazed windows with solar control.

Both passive and active design strategies must be put into practice in order to achieve energy-efficient buildings.

Active techniques, which require energy or technology, have been developed to complement these strategies and increase energy efficiency. These include low-energy HVAC systems like photovoltaic or thermal solar panels, LED lighting systems with motion or natural light sensors, and automation technologies that regulate energy use based on user behavior. Heat recovery systems in mechanical ventilation and smart solutions for managing water and waste have also become part of this integrated approach.

But sustainable building goes beyond high-tech solutions. It is not defined by the use of complex or costly systems, but by making informed, deliberate choices throughout the design and construction process. It is possible if we combine the knowledge passed down by past generations with what modern technology offers us. This requires a fundamental shift in perspective. Architects, engineers, designers, and policymakers must make sustainability a priority and not an afterthought.

By integrating these principles from the earliest design phase through construction, operation, and long-term maintenance, we can radically reduce environmental impact while optimizing the well-being of building occupants.