ARTS AND DESIGN FOR A SUSTAINABLE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Buildings account for a large amount of land use, energy and water consumption, air and atmosphere alteration. Considering the statistics and the impact of the built environment on human health as well as the natural environment, reducing the number of natural resources consumed by
the buildings industry and the amount of pollution given off is seen as critical to achieve a sustainable environment. This study aimed at assessing arts and design for a sustainable built environment. The methodology adopted is the descriptive research method which involved an indepth review of literature related to the study, observation schedule and selection of foreign and
local Case studies to compare and deduce data concerning eco-friendly and mixed-use buildings, and field surveys to obtain data on some of the selected case studies. This study established a design frame work from the findings, through which a design proposal for a mixed-use, ecofriendly building while implementing eco-friendly design. The research concluded that ecofriendly
building principles and techniques have five major components namely: energy efficiency and conservation, water efficiency and conservation, materials conservation, waste reduction, reuse and recycling and humane adaptation. Adopting these five criteria in the design and construction of buildings in Nigeria will improve the environment by reducing the negative impacts of unsustainable building practices as recommended by the study.