Today's building industry focuses on conservation, recycling and long-term performance in a comprehensive strategy known as sustainable design. This practice involves the careful selection of building materials, construction methods and design details to create structures that consume fewer natural resources to build, maintain and remain viable in the future.

Architects are in a unique position to affect the environment, since they often control or influence factors such as avoiding the conversion of wetlands to building sites; selecting materials to conserve resources, promote durability and reduce embodied energy; siting to benefit from renewable sun, wind and water energy; using natural light to improve productivity and reduce energy costs; using passive strategies for mechanical heating and cooling; and improving indoor environmental quality (IEQ) through the use of low-emitting materials, acoustic performance, and daylighting.

According to the American Institute of Architects (AIA), U.S. buildings consume 17 percent of the water, 33 percent of the energy, 40 percent of the raw materials, and 66 percent of the electricity worldwide, while contributing 40 percent of the landfill waste and 10 percent of the particulate emissions. While the environmental impact is clear, the business implications are also costly.

Sustainability is perhaps most viable when viewed as part of a business strategy. Effective, efficient work environments that provide a clean, healthy building environment free of contaminants have many benefits, including increased productivity and job satisfaction, enhanced brand image, and better employee retention. Workplaces that foster communication and innovation require noise control, privacy, and adaptability.

Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is a vital consideration because it has such an impact on the health and wellbeing of a buildings occupants. The choice of building materials is a critical factor because many products can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which include thousands of synthetic and natural chemicals emitted by a wide array of materials. Many interior environments with demanding functions (such as food preparation, hydrotherapy, exercise, athletics and cleanroom control) require even higher performance.

For example, schools require efficient temperature control, adequate lighting and ventilation and excellent indoor air quality to avoid exacerbating the already high levels of asthma among students. Schools, however, are also typically strapped for funds. Daylighting, high-performance glass, renewable energy systems and adequate ventilation can be cost-neutral, yet have a significant impact on both indoor air quality (IAQ) and IEQ.