Words the drawing set actually uses

The historical Guide published both NOT 11 and EDG 70 — Glossary of environmentally sustainable design. This page keeps the public vocabulary small enough to scan and linked enough to teach.

Adaptive comfort

A model of thermal comfort that allows a wider indoor temperature range when people can adapt — clothing, windows, fans. Used in Australian handbooks and some Green Star pathways. Read the note

BASIX

NSW residential sustainability planning instrument covering energy, water and thermal comfort for many new dwellings and some alterations. Read the note

BIPV

Building-integrated photovoltaics: cells that are the weather or visual layer of a façade, canopy or roof, not only a racked module. Read the note

Biophilic design

Design that connects people to living systems and natural patterns. Educational framing only — not a health claim. Read the note

Blackwater

Wastewater that includes toilet waste. Higher pathogen risk than greywater; different plant and approval path. Read the note

Daylighting

Using sky and sun to light occupied rooms, then dimming electric light. A design problem before it is a fitting schedule. Read the note

Design for disassembly

Detailing so materials can be taken apart for reuse or recycling instead of demolition as mixed waste. Read the note

Embodied energy

Energy already used to extract, make, transport and construct a material. Contemporary practice also tracks embodied carbon. Read the note

ESD

Ecologically sustainable development / environmentally sustainable design — in this catalogue, the Australian professional shorthand for climate-and-ecology-literate practice. Read the note

Green Star

Voluntary project rating framework administered by the Green Building Council of Australia. Design, as-built and performance flavours exist; a plaque is not a NABERS score. Read the note

Greywater

Comparatively light wastewater from showers and laundries, still regulated. Not the same as blackwater. Read the note

IEQ

Indoor environment quality: air, light, sound, pollutants and perceived comfort. Educational, not medical advice. Read the note

NABERS

National Australian Built Environment Rating System — operational performance ratings, especially energy and water, for many existing buildings. Read the note

NatHERS

Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme — thermal performance rating used in the Australian residential regulatory pathway. Read the note

NCC Section J

Energy-efficiency provisions in the National Construction Code that affect many commercial façades and services packages. Read the note

Passivhaus

International fabric and ventilation performance method (heating/cooling demand, airtightness, primary energy). In Australia it sits beside the NCC and NatHERS. Read the note

POE

Post-occupancy evaluation — structured feedback on how a place is used and how it performs after handover. Read the note

Thermal mass

Heavy materials that store heat. Helpful when placed inside the insulation line and paired with winter sun and summer shade. Read the note

WSUD

Water-sensitive urban design: keeping, treating and reusing rain close to where it falls, as urban infrastructure rather than decoration. Read the note