The physical and urban environment deteriorate with the increase of peripheral developments as the-y incentivize urban sprawl. Urban sprawl characterizes the growth of the MMA as it has expanded away from its central urban area resulting in low density communities reliant on automobile use, lack of pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods and deficient public transportation, thus having a negative impact on the built environment. Consequently the physical environment is affected negatively in two ways, the first being high C02 emissions from car dependency and from the production of construction materials, and the second in the loss of rural areas as these are changed to urban land. The impacts of these two aspects fall at a social level, the first aspect is walkability as it is disregarded since urban growth focuses on automotive mobility rather than focusing on the pedestrian. The other aspect regards the low standard of the dwelling’s external core, which as it has been stated is deficient due to usage of low quality materials, impacting negatively on the user’s internal thermal comfort and high energy consumption.

Through the implementation of sustainable strategies, a low environmental impact housing model is achievable. The proposed project sets an example, both in design and construction method, of a climate responsive project in the local context.