Reading Summary While reading about the Holistic Approach to Building Design and Construction, the book discusses various ways to ensure sustainability throughout the building process. From discussing nationally accredited programs, like LEED, to the theories of sustainable designs and rating systems, we see the importance of designing in a sustainable way that's safe for our planet. More specifically, in chapter 1 of Sustainable Building Systems and Construction for Designers , it elaborates on a concept of sustainable design called Permaculture. The book defines it as "an integrated, evolving system of perennial or self-perpetuating plant and animal species useful to man." Permaculture ultimately is a way to use naturally occurring plants and integrated systems to completely eliminate the need for irrigation systems. By doing this, designers are not only to save money, but are also able to reduce soil and nutrient losses from the home to groundwater and local bodies of ...