The Environmental Design Pocketbook

The Environmental Design Pocketbook is the culmination of over a decade of researching, teaching and practising sustainable architecture. During this period, there has been great progress through new legislation and through the advance of technology. Yet the fast pace of change and the complexity and variety of the technical solutions has at times mired the decision- making process in a confusing range of information and choice. This pocketbook is an attempt to cut through that confusion, synthesising the main issues into one single source of practical information. It is written especially with the building industry’s key players in mind – architects, designers, clients, contractors, developers and students – in the hope that they can confidently practise what I refer to not as ‘sustainable’ architecture but simply as ‘good’ architecture.

Key recommendations are based on the synthesis of scientific observations
and practical building experience. The pocketbook is intended to distil and complement current legislation, guidance and other design manuals, as well as to draw emerging research into a single source.