According to Building Science for a Cold Climate, for a building to function as a moderator of the environment and to satisfy all other requirements, it must provide for the following:
a) i) be well matched to its purpose, ii) have durable materials and components, iii) have reasonable maintenance and operating costs
b) i) structural strength and rigidity, ii) resistance to initiation and spread of fire, iii) control of air and water quality and means for waste disposal
c) i) control odours, ii) control light, iii) control sound and vibrations
d) i) control heat flow, ii) control air flow, iii) control movement of water as vapour and as liquid, iv) control solar and other radiation