Sustainable design is poised to become one of the most important skills and vital jobs in the near future. This specialization in environmental resource management and construction is continuously evolving in definition and scope. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in sustainable design in California and want to understand what it encompasses, this blog will cover all the essentials.
What is sustainable design?
In the most basic terms, construction or engineering projects that are “sustainable” fulfill their goals while minimizing harm done to the environment. Sustainable design requires taking the long-term view. In construction and engineering projects, sustainable design focuses on several key areas to achieve environmental goals.
Materials used
Choosing sustainable materials involves selecting those with lower environmental impact, such as recycled or reclaimed materials, and locally sourced options to reduce transportation emissions. This approach reduces the carbon footprint and promotes using renewable resources.
Energy consumption
Energy consumption is controlled by incorporating energy-efficient systems and renewable energy sources like solar panels and wind turbines. Optimizing energy use during construction and throughout the building’s operational life helps reduce energy demand and reliance on fossil fuels.
Local ecosystem preservation
Designing projects to protect and enhance the local ecosystem includes incorporating green spaces such as rooftop gardens and green walls to provide habitats for wildlife and sequester carbon. Additionally, planning projects to avoid disrupting natural habitats and promoting biodiversity is crucial.
Materials consumption and reuse
Resource consumption and reuse are managed by implementing strategies to reduce waste, such as modular construction techniques that minimize offcuts and scraps. Designing buildings with deconstruction in mind allows materials to be reused at the end of the building’s life, extending resource lifecycles and reducing landfill waste.
Pollution reduction
Minimizing pollution is achieved by selecting low-emission building materials and implementing construction practices that reduce air and water pollution. Additionally, incorporating systems to manage stormwater runoff and mitigate urban heat islands improves the overall environmental quality of the project site.
Why is sustainable design important?
California is home to fragile ecosystems, many tied to the Pacific Ocean. The beauty and diversity of the state have always hung in a delicate balance. With the effects of climate change increasing worldwide, sustainable design has become the only ethical choice in California from government initiatives to private enterprise.
In April 2024, the State Government announced a plan to commit millions of acres to support nature-based solutions for the climate crisis. This effort will include helping to preserve 33.5 million acres currently at risk of wildfire and 11.9 million acres of managed forest to protect biodiversity, carbon storage, and water supply.
One of the problems California is facing is how land is being used. Modeling suggests that deliberate work on these issues will turn carbon producers into carbon sinks.
What are the construction and engineering methods of sustainable design?
In California and the rest of the United States, environmental resource management has come a long way, with various strategies for ecological offsets and regulations. The following are some of the most common categories when it comes to sustainable design.
Efficient materials and systems
Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing engineers who know how to design or select the most energy-efficient systems are the future of environmental resource management. For example, incorporating LED lighting into a building design will reduce lighting energy usage by up to 75%, not just now but for the life of the building.
Green materials
Environmental resource management experts know a project is only as sustainable as its materials. Purchasing recycled materials or products made from recycled materials is a great way to help preserve natural resources.
Choosing natural materials over plastics can also have a huge impact. California’s first mass timber building was completed in 2023. Mass timber is safe, strong, and beautiful but less challenging for the environment.
Landscaping
Landscaping can have a surprising impact on the environmental sustainability of a project location. Native plants and trees will hold water in the soil and encourage native plants and animals to thrive.
Passive design
Passive design incorporates techniques that work with the local climate to maintain a comfortable temperature in a building and make it more sustainable. California is sunny and windy, enjoying prevailing winds on the coast and areas that experience more wind than others, like Point Reyes.
Designing a building that takes advantage of natural sunlight with well-placed windows or cleverly uses prevailing winds for cooling and ventilation will significantly impact how energy efficient that building will be.
Renewable energy
Incorporating energy-gathering systems like silent wind turbines or solar panels will make a building more energy efficient and even an energy producer at peak production times.
Jobs in sustainable design
California has always been associated with environmental consciousness and an interest in sustainability. However, it’s also a state with a massive population and an ever-growing demand for construction and engineering projects. California is the perfect place for those looking for job opportunities in environmental resources management. If you’re looking for work in sustainable design in California, including as an environmental resources manager, electrical engineer, plumbing engineer, architect, landscape planner, or urban design specialist, check out our job listings.
