THE KEY VALUES
Respecting Nature
Acknowledging nature as a living. interconnected system with intrinsic value beyond human use. This value calls for humility in design, recognizing ecological limits and honoring the rights of natural systems to exist. function, and regenerate.
Accepting Coexistence with Ecosystems and Species
Promoting designs that allow humans and ecosystems to share space harmoniously. This includes preserving habitats, enabling wildlife movement, and designing with natural processes rather than against them.
Embracing Eco-centric Values
Shifting from a human-centered worldview to one that places ecological wellbeing at the core of decision making. An eco-centric approach considers long term environmental consequences, prioritizes biodiversity, and values the health of the planet as inseparable from human prosperity.
THE FUNDAMENTALS
To embed eco-centric ethics into architectural practice, this framework establishes nine core Fundamentals that define architecture's responsibility toward nature. These Fundamentals recognize ecosystems as living entities with inherent rights and continuity and set the minimum ethical conditions for design, construction, and operation. Together, they guide architects to move beyond harm reduction toward practices that protect life, enable natural movement, strengthen ecological connections, and ensure long-term accountability to the natural world.
1. Right to life, nourishment and procreation
2. Freedom to continue natural movement
3. Interconnectivity of broader ecosystems
4. Understanding diverse ecosystems
5. Embrace and retain native and local biodiversity
6. Net positive outcome
7. Minimal impact
8. Mindful and responsible construction
9. Commitment to continuous accountability
(Extracted from Eco-Sensitive Built Environment published by WNPS, SLIA, NT)
