Sustainable buildings in the tropical areas are becoming a major issue today. As a result of industrialization, an increase in energy consumption will occur. This report focuses on presenting basic principles ,of sustainable design and the way they are implemented in the Brazilian market. As the building sector in the country is booming, most economic quarters have engaged in policies that look for better environmental practices in terms of process and products. Considerations include the choice of the site, external arrangements, optimum use of energy, choice of materials, ensuring a long life for buildings, ease of maintenance and stabilisation of building waste among others. Many projects to reduce energy consumption are under way with quite some success. In order to analyze the bio-climatic principles of creating a healthy built environment in Brazil, and to outline the fact that sustainability is beginning to gain popularity here, case studies on social housing and ambitious projects are taken into account. Copyright © 2011 IAHS.
