Breanna McArdle

Informative Speech Preparation Outline

Specific Purpose: To inform my audience about sustainable architecture and the impacts it has on
the environment and people’s mental health

Central Idea: Sustainable architecture is a growing architectural style that is essential in

protecting the environment and the mental health of humans.

I. Introduction
A. Picture this: It is 7:55 a.m. and you are running late to class.
1. You are briskly walking to class when you notice the grass on the roof of
the JAAC for the first time.
2. Seven of Belmont’s buildings are LEED certified, a certification process
made to make more buildings in the United States as sustainable as
possible.
B. As a second-year architecture major, I noticed the LEED certifications on
Belmont’s buildings almost immediately and started to do research.
C. With the rise in climate change, sustainable building codes and restrictions are
becoming more popular.
1. Sustainable architecture will most likely affect your future homes, work
settings, and recreational life.
D. Sustainable architecture is a growing architectural style that is essential in
protecting the environment and the mental health of humans.
E. Today, I will be explaining what sustainable architecture is, how it protects the
environment, and why it is beneficial for people all over the world.

(Transition: To jump right in…)

II. Body
A. Sustainable Architecture is defined by three ideas: the environment, the economy,
and social equity.
1. According to the article “Green Architecture: A Concept of
Sustainability”, the environmental aspect of sustainable architecture is any
effort that “reduces pollution, conserves natural resources and prevents
environmental degradation.
a. You might be more familiar with this aspect of sustainable
architecture.
i. You might have heard other names such as green
architecture, eco-friendly design, environmental
architecture, etc.
 b. Specifically, sustainable architecture uses local materials, efficient
use of space, efficient ventilation systems, water-saving plumbing
fixtures, and alternative power sources like wind or solar energy.
i. A lot of these techniques are requirements for LEED
certification.
2. We’ve mentioned the environmental aspects of sustainable architecture,
but sustainable architecture is also good for the economy.
a. Passive energy techniques like passive solar design allow
homeowners to save money.
i. According to an article “Green Architecture: A Concept
of Sustainability”, while it might cost up to 10% more for passive
solar designs, you will save between 30-40% on electricity.
3. Along with the environmental and economical aspects, sustainable
architecture is also defined by its social equity.
a. Social equity is essentially how inclusive a building is.
i. Sustainable architecture includes principles like ADA
guidelines to allow people with disabilities to experience the space
the same way other people do.
B. (Transition: Now that we’ve clarified what sustainable architecture is with the
three Es), we need to understand how it protects the environment.
1. Architecture accounts for 30% of total carbon emissions according to the
article “A Guideline for Assessing of Critical Parameters on Earth
Architecture.”
a. The increase in carbon emissions within architecture and other
industries increases sea levels and the severity of storms, droughts,
fires, and other natural disasters.
i. All of these issues led to hunger and disease within the
human, animal, and plant populations.
b. With sustainable architecture, society can reduce their carbon
emissions significantly.
2. Additionally, the construction of buildings and homes leads to a large
amount of material waste.
a. Specifically in the United Kingdom, construction materials are ⅓
of the total waste in landfills according to an article called
“Towards the Microbial Home”.
b. Not only is there waste within the construction phase, but after the
building is finished, too.
i. Almost half of energy consumption within a building is
wasted.
ii. Sustainable architecture uses more effective ventilation
materials, natural lighting, and plants to catch water runoff.
 3. One of the largest factors in architecture that leads to the destruction of the
environment is land usage.
a. According to “A Guideline for Assessing of Critical Parameters on
Earth Architecture”, in the next 20 years, China will need 40
billion square meters of space for their growing population. This is
equivalent to adding one New York City to China every two years.
i. One solution sustainable architecture provides for land
usage is building up rather than out.
b. Many cities are building more townhouses, apartment complexes,
and community spaces.
i. With sustainable architecture, humans will still have
enough parks, gardens, and other natural elements in their
townhomes to feel less urbanized.
ii. Habitat 67, a housing complex designed in 1967 by
Moshe Safdie in Montreal, was one of the first buildings designed
with some sustainable architectural principles. The complex was
built to save space but allows each family to have their own garden
and path.
C. (Transition: Speaking of gardens), my last point is that sustainable architecture is
beneficial for us.
1. Right now, climate change is causing a lot of mental health illnesses and
struggles for the entire public.
a. With extreme temperatures, the elderly, people in poverty, and
children have a higher risk of behavioral disorders, violence, and
suicide according to an article “Designing Urban Green Blue
Infrastructures for Mental Health”.
2. However, sustainable architecture is significantly lowering stress, anxiety,
and aging.
a. Something as simple as a view of a garden, trees, or vegetation can
improve our mental health and ability to learn.
i. In a study in 2016 mentioned by “Exploring a Sustainable
Building’s Impact on Occupant Mental Health,” elementary school
students learning the same material did significantly better on a test
in a school with large windows, green walls, and a nice view than
students in a regular classroom.
b. Additionally, a study by scientist, de Kelijzer, showed that with a
10% increase in green spaces, the age of natural death increased.
i. People lived longer near parks, gardens, and sustainable
architecture.

(Transition: Before we hopefully all go enjoy the beautiful weather, I want to remind you that…”
III. Conclusion
A. Sustainable architecture is vital for the progression of society.
1. Sustainable architecture is meant to help the environment, economy, and
equity within humanity.
2. It is also important in protecting both nature and people.
B. To answer the big question, the grass on top of the JAAC collects rainwater from
storms, cools the building down saving money on heating and cooling, and
provides a sanctuary for birds and insects.

References
Andreucci, M. B., Russo, A., & Olszewska-Guizzo, A. (2019). Designing urban green blue

infrastructure for mental health and elderly wellbeing. Sustainability, 11(22), 6425.

https://doi.org/10.3390/su11226425

Armstrong, R. (2023). Towards the Microbial Home: An overview of developments in next‐

generation Sustainable Architecture. Microbial Biotechnology, 16(6), 1112–1130.

https://doi.org/10.1111/1751-7915.14256

Hu, M., Simon, M., Fix, S., Vivino, A. A., & Bernat, E. (2021). Exploring a sustainable

building’s impact on occupant mental health and cognitive function in a virtual

environment. Scientific Reports, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-85210-9

Niroumand, H., Zain, M. F. M., & Jamil, M. (2013). A guideline for assessing of critical

parameters on Earth Architecture and earth buildings as a sustainable architecture in

various countries. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 28, 130–165.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2013.07.020

Ragheb, A., El-Shimy, H., & Ragheb, G. (2016). Green Architecture: A concept of

Sustainability. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 216, 778–787.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.12.075