Assessing the sustainability of buildings using a framework of triad approaches

Five triads are presented that can be used as a framework to rank sustainable measures for the built environment in terms of space, transport, energy, water and materials. These new triads are all based on the same known principle of the Trias Energetica, which constitutes a three-step strategy to come to sustainable energy use. Most favourable measures which prevent energy use are defined as the top step and least favourable measures which only benefit the energy efficiency form the last step. In between, the renewable energy sources have found their position. Analogous to this Trias Energetica, the terms ‘Trias Toponoma’ for space-use, ‘Trias Poreutica’ for transport, ‘Trias Hydrica’ for water consumption and ‘Trias Hylica’ for materials are introduced and explained. The framework of triads can be utilized by city planners, architects, facility managers, house owners, real estate agents and other parties in the building sector to communicate and make decisions on adopting sustainable measures, which will help to decrease the environmental impact of the building sector and to stimulate the development of sustainable buildings.