Holistic Design

Structures are part of the ecosystem in which they are built. If carefully designed, they can be in harmony with the nature of the “place” and recreate life cycles. Ecological architecture, in harmony with nature, contains living cultures and is a way for us to connect with our place in the world.

The building should not be considered as a fixed, built and finished box, but as a beginning that can be shaped and entered by life on the day the construction is completed, which can create new niches, new micro areas as nature and human hands touch, mature and enrich.

Architecture is the balanced and gradual harmony and dance of fullness with emptiness, open space with closed space, private with public, inside with outside. It is not a disconnected box, but a construct of connections between units, individuals and spaces. It is a reflection of a constant state of flux, transformation, taking with one hand and giving with the other, and the functioning of natural ecosystems on man-made orders.

This is what we understand on a conceptual scale from this very popular phrase "ecological architecture". This is how we understand the concept of sustainability as sustainable living. Ensuring the continuity of the resource flow to be sufficient for future generations.

On a physical scale,

A system/land/building so that we can use the adjective ecological;

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•   The most effective result should be achieved with the least effort,

•   Must have multiple functions; Each element should be able to serve multiple functions, and each critical function should be supported in multiple ways.

•   The flow of energies (water, food, energy, materials) must be in a complete cycle. The cycle should not be broken at any point,

•   There must be a harmonious and balanced diversity in every sense,

•   The highest efficiency should be obtained from each component,

•   Instead, “appropriate technology” (appropriate technology) should be made according to resources and expectations.

If we focus on these principles for ecological, sustainable architecture, the following basic study topics arise:

• Natural construction techniques suitable for the region and economical; Optimization to achieve local, economical and contemporary comfort conditions,

• Solar energy sensitive layout and design; greenhouses and winter gardens, trombe wall solutions, solar energy for hot water and electricity,

• Design to make best use of biomass

• Energy efficient, passive structure, heating - cooling and detail design

• Natural light and ventilation

• Contemporary comfort with natural construction techniques

• Water collection, storage, purification and rainwater harvesting,

• Practical and comfortable spaces, well-functioning space planning

By reconciling these study topics interdisciplinary with the holistic system design approach, we can design settlements that are compatible with water, energy, food and all resource cycles. Moreover, life in such settlements is pleasant and operating costs are low.