Sustainable Interior Design & Architecture: Let’s dive into it!
« Ecology is no longer an option »
Nicolas Hulot
Today, it's hard to ignore the urgency and the climate crisis facing our planet. Climate change, global upheaval, the degradation of ecosystems, the collapse of biodiversity... These are brutal transformations with major consequences for society.
At Studio Bisson, we're particularly sensitive to these issues, which affect us all. That's one of the reasons why we're so keen to reconnect with local craftsmanship, but also to raise our community's awareness of these issues and point the way to solutions.
Although most of the measures need to be taken by public authorities and multinationals, we can't ignore the power of individual action. And first and foremost: awareness. Awareness of the current environmental situation is an essential first step towards a more responsible and respectful lifestyle, for a better future. So today, we're going to share with you all our knowledge about the environmental impact of architecture and decoration, as well as our advice on how to reduce it as much as possible.
An update on one of Europe's most energy-intensive sectors
Did you know? According to the UN World Resources Institute, the main contributors to global warming and CO2 emissions are :
Road transport (13%, i.e. 10.5% for road transport, just over 3% for other types of transport)
Deforestation (10.9%)
Energy consumption in residential buildings (10.2%);
Manufacturing industries (7%);
Oil and gas industries (6.4%);
Energy consumption of tertiary buildings (6.3%);
Livestock farming (5.4%);
Agricultural land management and production (5.2%);
Cement production (5%);
Chemical production (4.1%).
Building is one of the most energy-intensive sectors in Europe and one of the biggest CO2 emitters in the world.
Source: world green building council
When we talk about eco-responsible architecture, we need to think in 360 degrees: from raw materials to energy consumption to construction operations.
What is the situation in Portugal?
In Portugal, 55% of energy consumption is based on electricity. The role of architecture here is to reduce both demand and consumption.
If you take a closer look at buildings in Portugal, you quickly realise that they are poorly insulated. This is at the root of the over-consumption of electricity to cool and heat homes. The second point we note is the dampness of the homes. It's important to remember that the country is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, so construction must adapt to its environment and not the other way round.
Eco-responsible means taking care of the environment but also respecting people. Portugal is the 3rd country in Europe with the highest mortality rate in winter, even though its climate is considered to be one of the mildest. Health is also affected by the materials we use. WHO studies show that the air inside our buildings is 100 times more polluted than outside. In particular, paints, varnishes and glues release chemical compounds throughout their life cycle. This can lead to allergies, respiratory problems and even the risk of cancer.
What is a passive house?
"The species that survive are not the strongest, nor the most intelligent, but those that adapt best to change" Charles Darwin
In architecture, the idea is to adapt the building to its environment. The architect must learn about the nature, microclimates, exposure and climatic variations of the project site in order to propose appropriate solutions.
To be considered passive, the building must reduce electricity requirements by 90% compared with a "conventional" building.
Here are 3 key ways to move towards passive houses, i.e. houses that need little or no heating or air-conditioning to be comfortable in winter and summer:
Passive solar energy: To minimise energy needs, the first thing to think about is the orientation of the house. To maximise passive solar gain, the south-facing side of the house should be glazed as much as possible, or a glass roof should be installed on the south-facing side.
A garden for thermal comfort in the home: The choice of the type of vegetation and its location around the home provides protection from the cold and heat. For example, deciduous trees should be planted to the south, to keep the sun's natural heat in winter and cool in summer. On the other hand, evergreen trees will be used to protect against the cold and heat.
Reinforced insulation: Opting for effective thermal insulation is a long-term investment. Choose continuous insulation to avoid thermal bridges, combined with "warm" windows and ventilation with heat recovery. Natural bio-sourced insulation is also preferable, such as hemp, wood fibre and wool, or cellulose wadding. In certain regions where heavy rainfall is a problem, opting for a green roof has a number of advantages. As well as being aesthetically pleasing and blending in with the landscape, it can retain water (and so prevent flooding), as well as improving heat and sound insulation. A green roof also lasts longer because it is protected from UV rays. Finally, it's a haven for biodiversity.
Better use of water: Most of us today use drinking water for all our purposes. However, some regions offer us an abundance of rainwater that is perfectly suited to our needs, for watering our plants or for flushing our toilets. Harvesting rainwater would enable us to reduce our water use considerably.
As you can see, before you build and design your home, make sure you analyse your region and your environment carefully, so that you can adapt your home as best you can to make it as energy-efficient as possible.
Bien choisir ses équipements en prenant soin de notre environnement
"The future will be green or it won't be" Bob Brown
Today, there are many options for optimising our interiors and making them ever more ecological and eco-responsible.
In keeping with the idea of passive construction, we're going to play with the environment, the sun and plants, thanks to equipment such as adjustable wooden shutters or a pergola.
Immediately after electricity consumption, I think we need to focus our attention on water consumption. On average, we consume 40m3 of water per person per year. Showers and WCs account for 39% and 20% of household water consumption respectively. By opting for a water-saving shower head and dual-control flush, you can cut your consumption by as much as 50%.
And what can you do about decoration?
"Everyone is responsible for the planet and must protect it at their own level" Yann Arthus Bertrand
Did you know? We can have an impact on the environment through our interior design, in particular by reducing our electricity consumption.
Here are a few tips:
Furnishings and walls: Choose light colours and paints, and materials that reflect light. This increases natural light and reduces artificial lighting consumption.
Kitchen design: Keep cooking appliances as far away from the fridge and freezer as possible.
Furniture layout: Place the sofa and desk close to a source of natural light.
Shower rooms: Opt for taps with low flow rates or with mousseurs.
Lighting: give preference to LEDs
Television: limit its size
Curtains: Opt for thick curtains to keep the heat in at night, especially in winter (remember to close them after dark!).
When it comes to interior design, we all have to ask ourselves what impact a particular object or piece of furniture has or will have on the environment and our health. Is it really essential? Is it available second-hand? Will I be able to keep it for many years? These are just a few of the questions to ask before every purchase if you want your home to be eco-responsible and in line with the principles of slow-deco.
To find out more, take a look at our article dedicated to this philosophy. There you'll find lots of practical advice on how to tell at a glance which pieces of furniture are truly eco-responsible and which are classic (by paying attention to the choice of raw materials, the short supply chain, the packaging and the durability of the furniture, etc.).
"It's about getting out of a system where we produce to throw away" Cyril Dion
For all these reasons, at Studio Bisson we are adept at decorating with natural materials that create sublime minimalist and bohemian atmospheres. We're constantly on the lookout for the best local craftsmen who can best satisfy your desire for bespoke wooden furniture that's environmentally friendly and totally adapted to your needs. So how about a paradigm shift to a more respectful and responsible lifestyle? For your health, our planet and a home full of charm.