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The principle of holism looks at things in the context of the whole, seeking to understand the interconnections between the various parts that make up the whole. It is an over-reaching principle and embodies an attempt to embrace all the principles together in a mutually beneficial way.

 

Some of the tools that aid a holistic approach to design are outlined below:

• ​Holism, like nature, is cyclical and not linear. Look at how to encourage the repair, reuse and recycling of elements at every level. This includes not simply the recycling of waste but how to recycle energy, water and all the other materials and resources that a building will consume within its life span.

• Holism tries to understand things over a period of time. Thus it looks at the overall long-term benefits and effects, rather than only the superficial short-term gains. This can be called a life cycle approach to design.

• Everything is relative and needs to be understood in relation to its own specific context. While one needs to try and follow the various guides to sustainability, it is also important to realize that most rules or recommendations need to be assessed in relation to all the components of the design and that these will vary in every circumstance. Designers thus need to approach every design solution with freshness and open mindedness, flexibility and an ability to continue learning.

• While diversity is important to a holistic approach to design, it is less concerned with the quantity of diverse elements, but rather with the number of beneficial connections made between these components.

• Restorative design where humans assist in the healing and evolution of natural and human sub-systems.

• Regenerative design where humans actively participate as nature in the co evolution of the whole system.

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