The Environmental Design Pocketbook

Summary

Sofie Pelsmakers' The Environmental Design Pocketbook provides practical guidance for incorporating environmental performance into architectural design, from initial site analysis to building details and retrofit strategies.
The second edition covers 12 major subject areas, including climate-change mitigation, adaptation to changing climates, environmental site planning, urban greenery, water and flooding, indoor environmental quality, building fabric, retrofit, energy demand, zero-carbon buildings, and renewable technologies.
The book is particularly useful as a desk reference because it distills technical information into diagrams, checklists, design recommendations, and performance data. Much of its regulatory discussion is specific to the UK, so local building codes and climate conditions must be considered when applying the guidance in Bangladesh.

Key takeaways

• Integrate environmental performance into the earliest stages of architectural design.
• Assess climate risks and future weather conditions when planning buildings.
• Use site analysis to understand sun exposure, wind, vegetation, water, and surrounding context.
• Consider urban greenery and biodiversity as part of environmental design.
• Manage rainwater, flooding, and water demand through coordinated site and building strategies.
• Design indoor environments that provide appropriate warmth, light, fresh air, and comfort.
• Improve the thermal performance of the building envelope.
• Reduce energy demand before selecting renewable-energy systems.
• Evaluate existing buildings for retrofit and energy-efficiency improvements.
• Coordinate construction details to reduce heat loss, air leakage, and moisture problems.
• Consider zero-carbon strategies across energy demand, energy supply, and building operation.
• Use checklists and measurable performance criteria to assess design decisions.
• Treat environmental design as a whole-building process rather than a collection of isolated technologies.
• Verify the applicability of regulatory guidance before transferring it to another country.

Practical application

Site analysis: Prepare sun-path, wind, vegetation, topography, and drainage studies before fixing the building orientation.



Climate-responsive planning: Test building form, orientation, shading, and openings against local climate data.



Envelope design: Compare roof, wall, glazing, shading, and insulation strategies for thermal performance.



Indoor comfort: Evaluate daylight, glare, ventilation, humidity, and indoor temperature.



Water management: Integrate rainwater harvesting, site drainage, flood resilience, and efficient water fixtures.



Energy strategy: Reduce cooling and lighting demand before sizing mechanical systems or renewable technologies.



Retrofit assessment: Identify opportunities to improve existing buildings through shading, sealing, ventilation, and envelope upgrades.



Design coordination: Review environmental performance alongside structure, services, cost, and maintenance.



Bangladesh application: Prioritize solar shading, monsoon protection, humidity control, natural ventilation, rainwater management, and locally appropriate materials.



Performance validation: Use simulations, calculations, and post-occupancy feedback where possible to test whether the intended environmental strategies work.

Good to know

Who it's for: Architecture students, practicing architects, building engineers, planners, developers, and sustainability consultants

ISBN: 9781000705058

Topics

Sustainable Architecture Environmental Design Climate Change Passive Design Building Physics Energy Efficiency Thermal Comfort Daylighting Ventilation Building Fabric Water Conservation Flood Risk Urban Biodiversity Retrofit Zero-Carbon Buildings Renewable Energy Low-Energy Housing