Sustainability refers to the ability to inflict little damage to the environment. Sustainability in architecture implies the use of design strategies that decrease negative consequences for the environment (“Sustainable” par. 4). Architects use safe materials and water management systems during construction. Spending on sustainable design can benefit air and soil quality positively and bring well-being to society. Strategies of sustainable architecture, types of buildings, bionic design, and examples of eco-friendly constructions will be described further in detail.
When designing environmentally friendly buildings, architects apply several strategies. One of them is called passive sustainable design, which implies the effective use of daylight and natural ventilation to reduce energy consumption in buildings (Carbonnier par. 3). Sun orientation and climate are considered when architects make decisions regarding the placement of windows. Thermal mass techniques are used when walls absorb heat from the sun and transfer it for use at night. Architects also implement efficient electrical and plumbing systems with small environmental impact (Carbonnier par. 4).
Another strategy is to use renewable energy such as solar and wind for heating. Architects may also buy construction materials, such as steel, lumber, and concrete, from environmentally responsible producers. Landscaping choices also matter, for example, architects can decrease irrigation demands by using plants and trees that are native to the site (Carbonnier par. 7). Some trees can shade the roof, reducing solar heat gain; therefore, tree planting should be carefully considered for economizing energy. Moreover, stormwater management systems such as retention ponds and pervious pavement can be implemented to reduce water runoff and allow it to get absorbed by the ground (Carbonnier par. 8). All of the measures described above can reduce the environmental harm of civil construction.
As the world’s governments strive for the reduction of carbon emission, architects offer various types of sustainable architectural solutions, and Pembina Institute categorizes buildings according to several types. For example, “net-zero energy ready buildings” may use electricity and fossil fuels for heating produced by local utility services providers, while “net-zero energy houses” generate energy on-site to cover its annual consumption. Meanwhile, “net-zero carbon buildings” produce and use low-carbon energy (Heerema par. 5). In contrast, “zero-carbon houses” do not use fossil fuels at all and utilize clean electricity instead.
To achieve sustainability goals, architects draw inspiration from mechanical properties and structural relationships of objects from nature and apply them to a building’s design. Bionic green architecture is essential to maintain the ecological balance between natural environments and buildings. For instance, architects imitate cobwebs and eggshell in the construction of shell structures and suspension cables to use building materials more efficiently (Yuan et al. 771).
They also use bionic functions of ventilation systems from termite mounds to create architectural innovations. Moreover, architects use plants and animals as bionic design materials. For instance, they utilize polar bear fur and lotus leaves to achieve regulation mechanisms on house surfaces, which allows buildings to adjust to the environment and allows for sustainable development (Yuan et al. 771). Mechanisms of biological systems should be studied further to support innovation and efficient construction of green buildings.
Prominent examples of sustainable constructions can be found in Australia, Canada, Asia, and across Europe. Opened in 2011, Pixel Building is Australia’s first carbon-free structure that produces its power via wind turbines. Its colorful panels provide shade and maximize daylight as necessary, while a roof captures rainwater (“Green” par. 2). Another marvel of contemporary architecture is One Central Park, a glass tower that hosts 250 species of plants, and consumes 25% less energy than any building of a similar size. Similarly, a futuristic Bahrein’s World Trade Center produces its electricity with the help of wind turbines placed on sky bridges between the two towers (“Green” 8).
Meanwhile, Vancouver Convention Centre West has four hives of honey bees to pollinate plants on its rooftop. The plants preserve heat in winter and reduce its accumulation in summer (“Green” par. 13). The roof’s sloping shape helps to drain water and distribute seeds, while the underwater columns act as a habitat for marine animals.
Europe is also famous for sustainable buildings that aim at decreasing human impact on the environment. For example, Copperhill is a multi-purpose project that burns waste to produce energy, and it also has a sports facility inside and an artificial ski and snowboard slope (“Green” par. 20). 440, 000 tons of waste are burnt annually to generate energy for Danish households. Meanwhile, Italian designers help the environment by constructing buildings with trees in them. For example, Stefano Boeri designed Bosco Verticale tower with plenty of space for tree-growing (“Green” 24). The vibrant flora of the building improves air quality in it and the city.
Holland architects also focus on sustainability as they create buildings. For instance, PLP Architects designed the Edge, a light app-controlled building with solar panels on all of its surface. Sensors detect lighting needs and adjust electric lights accordingly, providing 80% savings of electricity in comparison with other buildings (“Green” par.36). Another innovative change in European building design is a shift towards natural ventilation. For example, architects of Marco Polo Tower in Hamburg, Germany, implemented a natural system of ventilation and a heat exchanger on the roof that circulates warm air through a cooling system.
Asian architects are on a par with their European colleagues in terms of sustainable construction. For example, PARKROYAL Collection Pickering in Singapore has several sky gardens placed along its façade, and palm trees and waterfalls provide a cooling environment. Similarly, 18 Robinson tower has many green spaces and design that increases the amount of sunlight in the building (“Green” par. 43). Meanwhile, the Japanese ACROS commercial building has 15 gardens for visitors to enjoy, and the Indian Suzlon One Earth campus has wind and solar turbines to cover 100% of its energy requirements.
Overall, contemporary forward-looking architects search for ways to decrease the carbon footprint in constructing buildings. Their efforts coincide with the goals of many governments in the world. For example, architects use passive sustainability strategies to account for the amount of light and use native trees in the construction area. They implement efficient electrical and water systems and use materials from environmentally conscious producers. Finally, they utilize renewable sources to meet the energy requirements of the buildings. Numerous examples of contemporary buildings from various regions of the world demonstrate that architects have started to care more about sustainability in constructing buildings.
Works Cited
Carbonnier, Eric. “The Top 6 Sustainable Architecture Strategies for Public Building Design.” HML Architects. 2018. Web.
“Green Buildings: 18 Examples of Sustainable Architecture Around the World.” CNN. 2020. Web.
Heerema, Dylan. “Five Types of Green Buildings Explained.” Pembina Institute. 2018. Web.
“Sustainable Architecture: What Is It and How Do We Achieve It?” Barker Associates. Web.
Yuan, Yanping, et al. “Bionic Building Energy Efficiency and Bionic Green Architecture: A review.” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 74, no. 7, 2018, pp. 771-787.