Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1333960
148 Understanding the project e design process Understanding the space Understanding building structures Organising the space e human interface Communicating design Sustainable design Sustainability and material use Stone e use of almost any material within a scheme is going to impact the environment in some way. Natural materials such as wood and stone are used for many reasons, not least because of their looks, but acquiring these materials can put a strain on the local environment. Variations in the pa erning of stone occur wherever these materials are found, and particular variations that are sought for their decorative eff ect can be extremely localised. Some of the most sought-a er examples are now reaching exhaustion in the quarries where they originate and once they are used, they are gone forever. When stone is quarried, it is sawn to size and o en polished to bring out the pa ern inherent in the material. Both of these operations require large amounts of water to cool the saw blades and polishing machinery, and there have been instances where the large demand for water for these purposes at quarries in Asia has resulted in the failure of drinking water supplies in surrounding villages. Many designers are unaware of the connection between timber used in construction and furniture production and the eff ects on the environment when that timber is illegally logged. e need for responsible sourcing cannot be overemphasised.