In recent years there has been a growing environmental consciousness involving most professions – especially architecture. Architects and builders agree that buildings must be an asset to the environment rather than a liability.

All buildings, both private and public, must be responsive to environmental conditions and be designed according to principles of ecological
architecture; that is, they must be sustainable.

Therefore, it has become vitally important that proposed projects be carefully evaluated with regard to the state-of-the-art materials and methods of green design. The following list of principles provides a basic framework by which to design buildings that are sustainable and built in harmony with nature.