Sustainable Design in Architecture (part 2)

 

In the most recent blog, we left off talking about the architectual aspects of green architecture. However, there are also construction aspects of architecture that could make buildings more sustainable, which includes how we select our building materials, manage the flow of water, and more. 

Material Selection: Choosing eco-friendly, recycled, and locally sourced materials to reduce the carbon footprint and minimize waste.

Water Conservation: Implementing technologies and strategies to reduce water consumption through methods like rainwater harvesting and efficient plumbing systems.

Green Building Design – Water efficiency

Site Planning: Focusing on the impact of the building on its surroundings, including preserving natural landscapes and minimizing disturbance to ecosystems.

Sustainable Construction: Adopting construction practices that reduce waste, energy consumption, and emissions during the building process.

Indoor Air Quality: Prioritizing the use of low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) materials to ensure healthy indoor environments.

Life Cycle Assessment: Considering the long-term environmental impact of a building, from construction to demolition, to make informed design choices.

By emphasizing the above elements, sustainable design creates buildings that not only function efficiently and meet the needs of their users but also contribute to a healthier planet by minimizing resource consumption and environmental harm.

Green Building Practice – Reduce impermeable surface

Here, we need to address a special nonprofit organization USGBC – U.S. Green Building Council. It was founded in 1993 and its mission is to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. The core work of USGBC is about LEED system (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), which is the world’s most widely used green building rating system. This system assesses and scores buildings based on six key aspects, determining the building’s LEED level. These six aspects include:

1. Sustainable sites

2. Water efficiency

3. Energy and atmosphere

4. Materials and resources

5. Indoor air quality

6. Innovation and design practice

LEED certification helps establish confidence and trust with third-party validation of environmentally responsible construction practices. Buildings that meet or exceed LEED requirements cost less to maintain and produce less waste. Additionally, there will be tax incentives associated with the LEED ranking.

As the climate warms and natural resources are depleted, the importance of green buildings and sustainable architecture becomes increasingly vital in our pursuit of a more eco-friendly future.