ABSTRACT
Design isn't just about objects. Events and processes can be designed as well, and how we design them can have an even bigger environmental impact than how we design our objects. For example, a building's operation consumes more than ten times as much energy as its construction. The flow of materials through the building during its lifetime—things like cleaning supplies, light bulbs, and water—are of critical importance too. Reducing the amount of plastic and petroleum we use in our buildings and products is good, but we can't overlook the great potential of the choices we make in the services we provide—how a building is maintained, for instance. Other services like healthcare, tourism, and entertainment are a largely untapped opportunity to reduce our use of petroleum.
