1. Ecological Design
NR 107

2. Design: What is it?
Design is used to make plans or arrangements that help solve problems in our world
We are all designers and use design everyday and in all parts of our life
Design must be based on intent, what do want to accomplish? What kind of world do we intend to live in?

3. Ecological Design Based on ecology/biology
Uses the living world as the matrix for design
Follows the laws of nature
Must be sustainable if we hope to sustain human life on this planet!

4. “Ecological Design: The design for human settlements and infrastructures that incorporates principles inherent in the natural world in order to sustain human populations over a long span of time. Adapts the wisdom and strategies of the natural world to human problems”
-Nancy and John Todd

5. The New Alchemy Institute
The New Alchemy Institute was a small group of people who were some of the first to develop, promote, and practice ecological design.
Took on the challenge of creating a self sustainable community.

6. Agriculture Organic Farming Integrated Pest Management Crop rotation
Composting
Tree planting

7. Solar Algae Ponds 5ft x 5ft transparent tanks used to grow fish
Extremely low energy input compared to other meat production
Viable solution for protein production
Also produced hydroponic vegetables

8. Education The natural world should be used as an outdoor classroom
Out of the box, non-linear thinking must be promoted
Must teach respect for the nature and ecological limits

9. Architecture Minimal ecological footprint Energy efficient
Recycle materials
Natural materials
Integrate all aspects of our daily lives (school, work, play)

10. Living Machines Treat waste water naturally
Use ecosystems self regulation process to remove harmful chemicals and bacteria
Proven to work better than any current waste water treatment
Many located all over the world including South Burlington

11. Technology
Current technology is produced without any basic philosophy which has caused the development of many harmful products
Instead technology should be developed to help promote environmental and human health

12. EcoVillage
Communities designed around the principles of ecological design
Beginning to develop all over the world
Show potential for sustainability and excellent environmental and human health

13. Living Machine/Eco Machine

14. What are Living Machines?
A different way of think about water treatment
Designing with technologies that are not harmful or toxic to the environment
Machines that uses different ecology systems to treat water

15. Primary Functions Treating municipal and industrial wastewater
Restoring contaminated bodies of water
Also can grow food, generate energy, clean the air, heat and cool buildings

16. Bring together all kingdoms of life
Design Rule #1
Bring together all kingdoms of life

17. What does that mean? bacteria algae micro-organisms
numerous species of plants and trees
snails
fish
other living creatures

22. Eco-Cells

23. Eco-Restorers
Employing low energy and cost effective methods of purifying wastewater, removing pollutants and digesting sludge
Ideal for situations where little land is available or tourist attraction

24. Lake Restorers Large scale Ecologies on floating rafts
treatment of waters and biological solids in ponds, lagoons (including wastewater treatment lagoons) and slow-moving water bodies, such as canals

25. Floating Platforms

26. City of Emmen Zoo, Netherlands

27. El Monte Sagrado Resort

28. The Living Roof Once installed, needs little or no maintenance
Regenerates itself
Protects against UV radiation, thermal shock, high winds and oxidation
Blocks some ambient noise
Natural cooling system
Reduces heat loss from building
in cold weather
Absorbs carbon
Dioxide & rain water

29. The Gap Remodeling
Second most energy efficient building in the state of California
Beats California’s energy requirements by 30%
Living Roof
Raised floor for air flow
Many windows provide exceeding
amount of natural lighting

30. Ford Motor Company Sky Lights to let in natural light during the day
They are frosted to cut out glare and thermally insolated
“Living Roof” roof of building covered with growing plants
Longer roof life (at least twice as long)
Wetlands to be habitat to birds and insects and to control runoff
Mezzanines were designed to keep workers
safely off the floor when walking from place to place.
Phytoremediation was the
process used to neutralize toxins in the soil.

31. The IBM Facility Two buildings that wrap around courtyard Many windows
Upper levels have balconies, terraces, and gardens
Water course from level to level

32. Ingredients in products are tested for carcinogenicity, endocrine disruption, toxicity, etc.
Also tested for health criteria such as: bioaccumulation, heavy metal content, and aquatic toxicity

33. Since design influences all aspects of our lives it
Since design influences all aspects of our lives it has a great effect on the environment and human health
Over Population
Ecosystem Stability
Oil Depletion
Biodiversity Loss
Waste removal
Water Quality
Food Security
Mental health
Physical health
Malnutrition
Spread of diseases