With the global effort to reduce the effects of climate change across all industries, the architecture industry is no different. Enter green architecture.
Green architecture is the process of minimizing the harmful impact that a structure has on its environment. Managed through a mindful selection of materials used throughout the build, the focus on energy-saving construction techniques and the preservation of the surrounding biodiversity, green architecture is paving the way to a healthier, more conscious design industry specialisation.
What does green construction entail?
Green construction refers to the measures taken to minimize the environmental footprint.
Typically unique in its own design, a green building may feature but is not limited to the
conservative use of energy and other resources, the addition of a renewable energy power source,
waste reduction efforts, sustainably sourced materials, as well as, design with the consideration of the quality of life of occupants at its focus.
With economic priorities in consideration, opting for a green build should be viewed as a monumental asset creating healthier living conditions paired with an unlimited free source of solar energy.
Typically, a green conversion can come at a significant price however once installed, the impressive gains achieved can hugely outweigh the initial
investment. It’s also important to keep in mind that the main cost of owning a solar-powered system comes with the initial purchasing of the equipment.
Is green architecture really effective in helping the environment?
Eco-conscious driven construction does harness the ability to regenerate life.
Through environmentally responsible construction, buildings now have the opportunity to regenerate their surrounding biodiversity. Some examples of regenerative green architecture include, green roofs, otherwise known as vegetated roofs, are able to control stormwater runoff and decay while improving water quality, and while constructing buildings that use as little energy as possible is a priority, designing a way for these buildings to produce and store energy is preferred as this pre-emptive effort allows for continuous energy conservation.
What materials are used for green architecture
The purpose of sourcing local, recycled materials is to create eco-conscious procedures facilitating the building of new structures.
Below are a few green materials changing the architecture game.
- Bamboo is widely considered to be one of the most ecological materials for home builds. Not only does bamboo have a reputation for growing up to three feet within a day, its regeneration rate after harvest is extremely high.
- Durable, flexible, noise-absorbing, insulating, with a quick regrowth rate, the gains from incorporating cork into your renovation are overwhelming.
- Precast concrete slabs are an affordable building material, created using far less energy than traditional concrete slabs. They are also great at internally regulating the temperatures of a building.
- Using reclaimed wood directly reduces the amount of timber in landfills. Not only is giving new life to locally-sourced recycled wood environmentally friendly, but the possibilities of usage are endless, from upcycled flooring to the timeless addition of faux wooden beams, recycled wood offers unlimited opportunities.
- Ever heard of HempCrete? This innovative and biodegradable product, formed from the fibres of a hemp plant, is a long-lasting and lightweight material that absorbs more CO2 than it emits.
Green architecture is more than a colour, selecting sustainable construction materials and techniques will not only reduce your ecological footprint, but its regenerative nature will help you save money, both during building and long after.