Buildings that last

"Provides a basis for participating in the discussion about sustainable housing with experts for people whose everyday field of work does not encompass construction. ... The book is not about bricks and adobe, about cladding of aluminium or glass, or about the difference between natural and mechanical ventilation. These are important aspects, but the key to sustainable building is that the partners in the construction process, and commissioning bodies also have an important responsibility here, consider at an early stage the physical, social and cultural environment in which an organization wishes to be accommodated. This can lead to the unearthing of surprising solutions which are considerably more sustainable than what has been the norm up to now. The supply of accommodation is still too often a question of meeting the demand for floor space in square metres. This book includes examples of studies into the construction of offices in 2040, buildings that will have an environmental impact that is 95 percent less than was the norm at the end of the last century. Today's top-scoring projects are also reviewed. There is still a long way to go. The environmental index that is presented in this book serves as a compass. It is a powerful tool that indicates the direction that accommodation for organizations must take in order to become truly sustainable"--Back cover.