30 Apr An ecological construction: what is it?
People often ask me this complex question. There are several possible avenues to answer it. However, I will focus on the most elemental approach easily applicable when undertaking a construction project: source reduction.
This strategy is adopted at the very first stage of the construction project when the housing program is defined. What are the real needs of the household lifestyle? How much floor space is needed to meet these specific needs?
The ideal solution is to minimize the home’s footprint to limit any disruption to the immediate environment and its volume to reduce the quantity of materials required to build it. It is also a priority to validate whether spaces can be multipurpose. Can they serve different functions at different times without multiplying them?
An important task often goes under the radar at this crucial stage of defining needs. It involves taking inventory of your material assets and asking yourself whether it is necessary to keep all these objects. Couldn’t a non-profit organization, friends, or relatives benefit from them if they are unused? Minimalism allows us to reduce storage space in favor of the living spaces shared with our loved ones in our daily lives and where we create meaningful memories.
The consequent result of minimizing the building, material assets, and budget of one’s home reflects an environmentally conscious behavior and leads to greater freedom. This freed-up time and budget can undoubtedly be used in other ways, according to each household’s priorities, whether in a more enriching social life or a more committed involvement in the community.
Have a sound reflection!