What is Green architecture: everything you need to know
The conservation of energy sources and the impact of building materials are among the topics at the core of the construction industry. As a consequence, Green architecture plays a new key role in the development of residential areas and urban redevelopment. Let’s explore together how it works and what aspects distinguish it.
What are five common characteristics of Green architecture?
Green architecture is a philosophy that puts sustainability and technological innovations at the centre of the debate. It is an approach to designing buildings that prioritise
- environmental responsibility and
- resource efficiency.
It tries to minimise the negative impact of buildings on the natural environment and living communities. Architects and designers pay particular attention to sustainable materials and eco-friendly solutions. A long lasting quality is one of the main features of Green architecture, but not the only one.
We can identify five common characteristics about Green architecture.
- Sustainable design involves careful planning to reduce the impact of a building on the environment.
- Energy efficiency is achieved with advanced technologies and reducing energy consumption such as water and electricity.
- Indoor air quality is another main element of green buildings. Environmentally friendly and no-toxic materials increase occupants’ health and improve living standards.
- Sustainable building materials can be recycled and contribute to minimise energy waste.
- Solar panels and other solutions to harness renewable energy resources limit the reliance on non-renewable energy sources and greenhouse gas emissions of the buildings.
For a material to be considered sustainable, it needs to meet specific requirements.
- It should not require a lot of energy or use harmful chemicals during production.
- The raw materials used should be natural, recycled, or able to be recycled.
- It should not release harmful substances into the air or environment.
- When it is no longer needed, it should not turn into harmful waste
- Instead, it should be possible to reuse or recycle it.
Bio-bricks and wood as well as cellulose fibre panels are among the most innovative materials making their way into Green architecture. Expanded metal can also be considered an eco-friendly building material.
The first step of expanded metal processing creates no waste, and the change happens without using harmful stuff, which stops harming the environment. Even aluminium, which is often used in making expanded metal mesh, is found naturally in bauxite minerals. It keeps working well, even when it is made from 80% recycled material.
Plus, at the end of its long life, expanded metal can be recycled. Painting and anodizing can protect it for at least twenty years.
Expanded metal is also an effective solution for creating shading systems. It has all the necessary qualities to act as a protective screen for building facades, ensuring comfort indoors and contributing to energy conservation.
To reduce external heat, the mesh is an ideal choice. Its manufacturing techniques allow for the creation of models with adjustable open areas that provide control over the amount of sunlight. This setup simultaneously enhances natural light intake and improves the perception of the surrounding environment.
Energy efficiency is coupled with architectural harmony, resulting in a sense of movement and visual lightness.
What is the difference between Sustainable and Green architecture?
We have heard a lot about “green” and “sustainable” when talking about buildings in recent years. Whether it is called a green or sustainable project, sustainable or green design, there is a growing interest in making buildings more environmentally friendly. People often use “green” and “sustainable” interchangeably, but they have some differences in meaning.
- Sustainable architecture is about designing buildings that do not harm the environment from start to finish. It means using energy wisely, choosing materials that can be renewed or recycled, and reducing waste. Sustainable buildings aim to be good for the environment, people, and the economy in the long run.
- Green architecture, on the other hand, is more about the environment. It focuses on things like saving energy, using renewable energy sources like solar power, being smart with water, and picking materials that are good for the planet. Green buildings aim to have a smaller impact on the environment and help keep our world healthy.
The United States is one of the largest markets for Green architecture and it contributes to getting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification. It is a system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is based on various criteria such as:
- sustainable site development;
- water and energy efficiency;
- indoor environmental quality;
- materials selection;
- innovation in design.
LEED Certification provides economic benefits (reduced operating costs, increased property value, and improved occupant health and productivity). It is widely used by architects, engineers, developers, and building owners as a benchmark for green building performance.
Who created Green architecture?
Green architecture, also known as Sustainable or Ecological architecture, has changed over time thanks to lots of architects, designers, and thinkers. Although it is hard to say who started it all, some people made a big impact.
Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the first architects known for thinking about how buildings could fit in with nature instead of standing out from it.
In the 1900s, architects like Buckminster Fuller, who built dome-shaped structures, and Ken Yeang, who focused on designing buildings that worked well with nature, added a lot to the field.
Later on, groups like the U.S. Green Building Council got involved, pushing ideas like LEED certification, which recognizes buildings that are good for the environment.
Today, architects keep finding new ways to make buildings that use less energy, use eco-friendly materials, and make people feel good when they are inside.
What is the difference between Biophilic and Green architecture?
When discussing sustainability and the construction industry, reference is also made to Biophilic architecture. Biophilic architecture is about designing buildings that connect people with nature.
It includes things like adding natural light, plants, and materials to make spaces feel more like the outdoors. The goal is to create environments that make people feel happier and healthier.
Biophilic and Green architecture share common sustainability objectives but diverge in their design focus and consideration of human-nature interaction.
- Green architecture primarily targets the mitigation of buildings’ adverse environmental impacts.
- Key strategies involve optimising energy efficiency, conserving water resources, utilising renewable materials, and minimising waste generation.
- The ultimate goal is to curtail resource consumption, pollutants, and the overall environmental footprint over a building’s life cycle.
- Biophilic architecture goes beyond just caring about the environment to focus on how people and nature can work together in buildings.
- It aims to make people feel better and work better by adding things like lots of natural light, nice views, indoor plants, and using materials found in nature.
- The idea is to create spaces that make people feel good and help them be more productive.
In short, Green architecture focuses on being environmentally friendly, while Biophilic architecture emphasises how being connected to nature benefits our minds and bodies in buildings.
These two approaches often mix together in designing buildings that are good for the environment and make people feel good too.
