ABSTRACT
Since the publication of the first edition of Ecohouse many of the concepts relating to environmental impact have become more widely known and the availability of commercial environmental impact assessment services has increased. Despite this increase in the availability of information, many architects and designers still have to rely on common sense and deal with constraints of budget and location when specifying materials. This chapter aims to introduce basic concepts and ideas that will help designers develop strategies for specifying materials which minimise negative environmental impact. A reading list at the end of the chapter lists more detailed sources of information about the environmental impact of building materials.
