Development of a decision support model for building design : based on the cradle to cradle principles and the building Villa Flora

The aim of this research is the development of a model that could guide both the design and the evaluation process of buildings according to the Cradle to Cradle® (C2C) principles. The model is suggested as a response of a lack of methods that could lead buildings towards a positive environmental impact. Agreeing with Braungart and McDonough theories, the traditional focus of Sustainability is only delaying the environmental damage without providing a real solution. Cradle to Cradle® represents a better approach based on eco-effectiveness, where products and systems stop being ‘less bad’ and become ‘good’.