For many people sustainability has become synonymous with energy efficiency, but the concept is much broader in its implications. Where do the building materials come from? Are they recycled or can they be? How much energy and waste is expended in their manufacture? A building may be energy efficient but not rate very well from a sustainable perspective. Beyond the materials themselves, we must also consider how they are being used. I try to encourage my clients to think beyond simply a tight building shell and ask more fundamental questions regarding orientation and volume. The design of a building is always a balancing between needs, wants, and budget. The more clearly we define the issues the clearer, if not easier, the choices will be.