Ecological and Sustainable Design (ESD) focuses on the theory and practice of architectural and environmental design that makes maximum use of the same renewable energy flows and material cycling processes by which all other living systems on earth are sustained. It is an approach to design that is holistic in nature, encompassing a concern for ecological systems, building technological systems, and socio-culturalexistential systems. Ecological systems are studied not only as the context for architecture but also as models for design, providing the fundamental principles by which sustainable buildings are designed and operated. Energy and resource conserving building technologies as well as healthy and ecologically benign building materials are studied so that ecological design principles can be implemented in environmentally appropriate architecture. The emphasis also stresses the socio-economic, political, and culturalexistential context of design as a complexly structured framework within which questions of sustainability must be considered and building designs implemented. The ESD option necessarily involves the development of a broad understanding of architectural and environmental design that is as much philosophical as it is practical.

Get a free counselling session with our experts. Find the right course, university and scholarship Profile evaluation, SOPs, LORS, Visa and more...

Course fees are indicative and should be used as a guide.

How does IDP FastLane work?

Create your IDP profile

If you aren’t eligible for the above entry requirements, you might ant to explore pathway options at

If you want to find out more, speak to our counsellors.

Find entry requirements, course fees and intake dates for studying a

Master of Science in Architecture - Ecological and Sustainable Design

At Kansas State University

How does IDP FastLane work?