New triplet visions on sustainable building

The theme for the second World Sustainable Building Conference is "Action for sustainability". A new vision has been developed that makes actions easier by specifying sustainable measurements by compartments. Each compartment contains three levels of sustainability and there are four compartments defined: energy, water, materials and space. The compartment energy has been introduced by Lysen (1996) under the name "Trias Energica" after Charles de Montesquieu his "Trias Politica" from 1752. This first three-step vision had not a sequence in the degree of sustainability. Duijvestein (1997) introduced a more structured method, which placed the three steps in sequence of sustainability. The most favorable measurement was put on top and the least favorable became the last step. This process has led to the "Trias Energetica". Based on this same concept, new concepts are derived for the compartments water, materials and space. In accordance to the Trias Energetica, the terms "Trias Hydrica" (for water), "Trias Hylica" (for materials) and "Trias Toponoma" (for space-usage) are introduced. These triplet visions make it possible for governments to make policy by aiming on steps instead of specific measurements. By doing so the freedom of creativity for the architect, constructor and customer will be greater and the measurements can better fit the construction’s functions.