Episode 02: The Importance of Sustainability in Architecture with Kristy M. Walson

 

Climate change is something that affects every single person on this planet, some more than others, but ultimately comes down to how big businesses manage their sustainability practices. Kristy M. Walson is a mechanical engineer and sustainability consultant who works with architects to ensure their understanding of sustainability contributes to the design process. Her goal is for more architects to consider sustainability efforts from the pre-design stage.

 

The current system means that utility companies are in a monopoly position for their regions. Suppose we design buildings with sustainability in mind. In that case, we can pass on energy efficiency and more environmentally sound buildings, and ones that save money in the long run. Kristy explains that some of the most significant sustainability impacts architects can make relate to glass, ventilation, and the space to heat – with the biggest cost saving simply being the ability to turn things off, something that many office buildings lack the facilities to do so.

 

Kristy explains that it’s so important to have these initial, internal conversations that impact sustainability solutions. She also talks about why architects and designers need to think about more than their bottom line budget; long-term sustainability solutions can impact a client’s expenses for the building’s lifetime.

 

 

In this episode, you’ll find out: 

 

●      How to use utility bills to drive sustainability efforts in a building

●      How much existing buildings contribute to climate change

●      How architects can integrate sustainability into their final designs

●      How simply turning things off can produce the most energy savings

●      What happens when sustainability efforts are considered from the pre-design stage

 

 

Resources Mentioned:

 

●      Podcast: https://www.theschimgroup.com/podcast

●      Email: info@theschimgroup.com