XII Международная студенческая научная конференция Студенческий научный форум - 2020

Based on materials from English-language sites, green architecture is a sustainable method of green building design: it is design and construction with the environment in mind. Green architects generally work with the key concepts of creating an energy efficient, environmentally friendly house.

Green architecture may sound new, but it has always been among us. Historically, it was necessary for survival. Easy examples of this are cracking windows to catch a breeze to cool off interior spaces in the summer, or building structures that capitalize on collecting natural light.

Green architecture can date back to ancient civilizations that adapted to live in extreme climates. The Montezuma Castle, a remote desert cliff dwelling between Phoenix and Flagstaff, Arizona, is one example.

The highest goal of green architecture is to be fully sustainable. Simply put, people do "green" things in order to achieve sustainability. Some architecture, like Glenn Murcutt's 1984 Magney House, has been an experiment in green design for years. While most green buildings do not have all of the following features, green architecture and design may include:

Ventilation systems designed for efficient heating and cooling

Energy-efficient lighting and appliances (e.g., ENERGY STAR® products)

Water-saving plumbing fixtures

Landscaping with native vegetation and planned to maximize passive solar energy

Minimal harm to the natural habitat

Alternative renewable energy power sources such as solar power or wind power

Non-synthetic, non-toxic materials used inside and out

Locally-obtained woods and stone, eliminating long-haul transportation

Responsibly-harvested woods

Adaptive reuse of older buildings

Use of recycled architectural salvage

Efficient use of space

Optimal location on the land, maximizing sunlight, winds, and natural sheltering

Rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse

You don't need a green roof to be a green building, although Italian architect Renzo Piano not only created a green roof but also specified recycled blue jeans as insulation in his design of the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. You don't need a vertical garden or green wall to have a green building, yet French architect Jean Nouvel has successfully experimented with the concept in his design for One Central Park residential building in Sydney, Australia.

The basic qualifications are as follows:

Sustainable site development involves, whenever possible, the reuse of existing buildings and the preservation of the surrounding environment. The incorporation of earth shelters, roof gardens, and extensive planting throughout and around buildings is encouraged.

Water is conserved by a variety of means including the cleaning and recycling of gray (previously used) water and the installation of building-by-building catchments for rainwater. Water usage and supplies are monitored.

efficiency can be increased in a variety of ways, for example, by orienting buildings to take full advantage of seasonal changes in the sun’s position and by the use of diversified and regionally appropriate energy sources, which may—depending on geographic location—include solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, water, or natural gas.

The most desirable materials are those that are recycled or renewable and those that require the least energy to manufacture. They ideally are locally sourced and free from harmful chemicals. They are made of nonpolluting raw ingredients and are durable and recyclable.

Indoor environmental quality addresses the issues that influence how the individual feels in a space and involves such features as the sense of control over personal space, ventilation, temperature control, and the use of materials that do not emit toxic gases.

The materials used in green architecture are those that encourage good thermal performance, energy efficiency, water efficiency, resource management and save general construction costs. The materials long-term effects on the environment are a key criterion for selection. The following list provides a guide to the types of materials which are suitable for green building. The best materials are those which combine several of these features; materials like Accoya modified wood. This is sustainable, durable, manufacture is resource efficient, it is made from renewable material and it is non-toxic. Materials like these are the mainstay of the most ecological builds and their use helps towards obtaining certification such as LEED.

1. Recycled products

Recycled content products are used in green architecture on account of their resource efficiency. Examples of recycled products include paper insulation from recycled newspapers and cardboards, cotton insulation from recycled denim, recycled stone and recycled steel. They are effective because they use fewer chemicals and energy to process and also require fewer virgin resources.

2. Materials manufactured with resource efficient processes

These materials are preferred in green construction because they not only require less energy to produce but also minimize resource wastage and greenhouse gas emissions. An example is sustainable concrete made from crushed glass and wood chips or slag.

3. Natural, abundant or renewable materials

These materials can be obtained from sustainably managed and naturally occurring sources. They must also be renewable and adequately abundant in nature. Examples are certified wood and solar tiles.

4. Refurbished, salvaged or remanufactured

As the name suggests, these are the materials that are refurbished, salvaged or remanufactured. Their essentiality includes their inherent capacity to create value and saving materials from disposal or generating landfill waste. The materials are renovated, repaired or improved in performance, functionality or quality. Examples include plastic ceilings.

5. Reusable and recyclable materials

These are the materials that were previously used, but are still in good condition and can be used in new construction. Examples include old plumbing and old doors.

6. Durable materials

Materials that last longer are more environmentally friendly because they eliminate the need for frequent replacements and maintenance. They also reduce the overall costs of dependence of new upgrades in an already constructed building or house. Besides, durable materials have high reusable and recyclable value.

7. Locally available

The use of locally available materials is also part of green architecture since it minimizes transportation costs, greenhouse gas emission during transportation, and the interference with the local ecology.

8. Non-toxic materials

Non-toxic materials are highly recommended in green architecture. They promote IAQ and they are substantially low in carcinogen elements, irritants or reproductive toxicants.

9. Moisture resistant products

Moisture resistant materials are the ones that hinder the growth of biological contaminants in buildings. They are 100% moisture resistant and thus highly preferred in green architecture in terms of improving IAQ.

10. Low VOC products

Products with low VOCs are a greatly desired in green architecture designs. They improve IAQ since they are non-toxic and less hazardous to the occupant’s health.

11. Water and energy conserving materials

Water conserving materials help in reducing the overall water requirements during construction and also in the lifecycle of the building or house. The materials are designed to reduce water wastage and enhance water quality in the landscape areas and within the building. Energy conserving materials, on the other hand, capitalize on scaling down energy costs and improving energy efficiency of the buildings. Examples of energy efficient materials are solar tiles and smart insulators.

As the world migrates towards a more sustainable future, architects are confronted with an important goal of design models that lessen the negative impacts on our environment due to construction. To make this a reality, the designs are guided by the principles of green architecture. Here are the principles.

Energy efficiency

The principles of green architecture incorporate various measures that encourage energy efficiency. It is done through designs that cut down energy consumption including the energy requirements for energy use and the exploitation of alternative and sustainable energy sources such as wind and solar. For instance, green architecture takes care of natural air flow patterns and natural lighting to reduce the needs for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning; and artificial daytime lighting respectively. The designs simply insist on reducing the lifetime costs of heating, lighting, air condition and other electric power usage requirements.

Water efficiency

Green architecture works with the inspiration of ecological surrounding to protect water quality and reduce water consumption or wastage. It is part of the sustainable principles in green construction which encourage the efficient use of water. This green architecture principle makes certain that water is harvested, used, purified and re-used during the entire construction period. At the same time, the architectural design ensures that in the entire life cycle of the building not only supports efficient water use but also preserves the quality of surrounding water systems and makes use of water recycling mechanisms.

Land use efficiency

Land use efficiency pertains to architectural designs that encourage suitable site development in terms of preservation of the surrounding environment and reuse of existing local materials. It advocates for the incorporation of roof gardens, earth shelters and extensive landscaping around and throughout the building.

Low environmental impact and conservation of natural characteristics

Construction projects are proven to be responsible for more than 50% of environmental impacts and the destruction of natural systems. Construction projects also contribute to about 10% of the total global emissions every year. One of the principles of green architecture is to therefore use green designs to lessen these environmental impacts. Particularly, this green principle is all about preventing degradation of the site during construction, sprawl management, and the controlled use of resources as well as ensuring energy-efficient buildings lessen the overall impacts on the environment. The design aids in the conservation of natural resources, improved water and air quality, and the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity.

Material efficiency

The proper management and use of materials in construction is also another huge concern. Proper construction techniques have to be employed and this is where green architecture comes in. As such, material efficiency is one of the green architecture principles as it creates designs that inspire sustainable construction by optimizing the construction operations. Material efficiency as a green architectural principle sees to it that the lifetime of the building enhances efficiency in terms of maintenance and operations. Energy efficiency and resource conservation are the aspects incorporated in the designs to guarantee overall material efficiency.

These principles are embodied in the following buildings of green architecture:

Architecture firm WOHA is a Singapore-based practice founded by Wong Mun Summ and Richard Hassell in 1994. They have built world-renowned green buildings, such as the Park Royal Hotel Pickering in Singapore, which features curved high rise gardens, reflecting pools, waterfalls and green walls.

PAZ Arquitectura created the Corallo House project in Santa Rosalía, Guatemala, which spans 8,040 square feet (or 747 square metres) and uses heat-repelling concrete foundation built around trees, made from recycled materials. The architect wanted the existing trees in the area to interact with the living space.

X-architecture is a British cross-disciplinary firm with offices in London and Tbilisi. They have built an extraordinary winery in Kakheti, Georgia, called Shilda. The form is a 'considered response to the environmental factors of the area and the qualities of the wine', according to the company website. The building is quite literally embedded within the landscape of the vineyards, making it barely noticeable from a birds eye view. What's more, the thermal mass of the soil is used to optimise the cooling of the building, and most of the facade is facing towards the north to avoid direct solar gain, reducing energy waste.

Thus, green architecture is evolving and will continue to evolve. New buildings and facilities are being built that will benefit people and preserve the cake. In my opinion, this is a direction that needs attention.

References

https://www.euronews.com/living/2019/07/10/5-magnificent-examples-of-green-architecture-around-the-world

https://www.britannica.com/art/green-architecture

https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-green-architecture-..

https://learn.g2.com/green-architecture

https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/materials-used-and-principles-green-architecture.php