Building Designers Association of Australia (BDAA) has long held the view that a commitment to Ecologically Sustainable Development (ESD) is an integral part of our members’ role as designers and creators of the built environment. Our members are committed to ESD. To realise this goal, we regularly participate in continuing professional development to keep abreast of the latest trends and developments in ESD. We are committed to designing buildings that:

• Reduce energy use, and move towards being carbon neutral or better.
• Consume less water, and contribute to self sufficiency.
• Avoid contaminating water.
• Use renewable and recycled materials wherever possible.
• Consider life cycle, minimise waste and allow recycling at end of life.
• Don’t diminish air quality overall, and especially indoor environmental quality.
• Eliminate soil loss.
• Conserve and restore biodiversity.

Achieving ‘sustainable buildings’ is still a work in progress, and at BDAA we are seriously working on it. We have made a lot of progress over the last 20 years, and recognise we still have a long way to go.

Building designers are creative solution finders and problem solvers. We are committed to finding built solutions to our client’s needs that don’t compromise the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

We are in a sense ‘human rights workers’ because we work to protect the rights of future generations and those current generations who are less fortunate than us.

We also design exciting, functional, economical buildings and have many satisfied clients. We need clients with a similar commitment to ESD so we can create a more sustainable future together whilst improving our economy, society and lifestyle.

As an association we actively participate in industry wide ESD promotional activities from seminars, trade shows and conferences and actively encourage our members to participate in Design Awards and of course run our own program annually.

Our national Design Awards program has two dedicated categories for sustainable design, however all categories (with the exception of Interior Design and Heritage) require details regarding their ESD credentials and must provide extensive information about adaptability, indoor air quality, passive design, materials use, energy use and water use, with entries accompanied by a certificate from a NatHERS accredited energy / sustainability assessor.

The BDAA Chapters around Australia are also encouraged to run local Design Awards events to mentor and assist members in the understanding of the principles needed to participate as a leading designer not only within the boundaries of BDAA but in the wider community, national and international levels.

Our commitment to ESD is a cornerstone of the association.