101 Rules of Thumb for Low Energy Architecture

Chapter 1Working with Site and Location

• Sun and shade
• Climate and micro-climate
• Shelter from wind and rain

Rule 1. Buildings Use Half the World’s Energy

We use half of all the energy we generate in the world, much of which is created by the burning of fossil fuels, to run our buildings. Add transport to and from those buildings, and designers of the built environment have some control over, and responsibility for, 75% of global energy use.

Rule 2. Think before You Build

Buildings last an age and consume energy throughout their lives, so whether to build or not to build is a big question. The answer might be to refurbish, reorganise, ...