The Basics Of Green Architecture
You would have probably heard a lot about building ‘green houses, about using ‘green designs to conserve our natural resources and save money. And perhaps you wonder how? Well to answer those questions we must place in perspective what our average normal buildings consume. As a ballpark figure, in the US, normal commercial buildings account for about 18 percent of the total energy consumption and 33 percent of the total electricity consumption. On an average every year such buildings generate about 18 percent of total manmade CO2 emissions in the US. Green designs aim at cutting these figures, which in turn yield many benefits.
Green designs approach the entire process of building houses in a holistic manner. To arrive at a green design requires a complete estimation of the terrain, availability of locally available construction material, suitable local green designs, application of relevant green technologies as also the sort of incentives offered by the government.
How do designers use ‘lay of the land for their green designs? Terrain mapping includes wind flow studies to arrive at the best optimum positioning of windows and ventilation shafts so as to use natural air and obviate the use of air conditioners. Terrain mapping also includes considerations of astronomy wherein the average annual day/ night hours are calculated so that the best optimum mix of solar technologies can be utilized. Technology is brought in to control the switching on and off of lights according to the daylight to conserve electricity. They check the consistency and composition of soil, the depth of the water table and then calculate the best way to utilize nearby water resources and develop water-harvesting processes best suited for the site. Water conservation is a key aspect of green designs wherein recycled water from the bathrooms is used to green the gardens. Scientifically designed roofs, channel rainwater to soak pits, which help invigorate the underlying water table, are some other ways that are incorporated in green designs.
Green designs use concepts such as Compressed Earth Blocks, Cob Houses, Earth Shelters, Straw Bale, Rammed Earth, Adobe (not the software!) construction and likewise. Each of these designs has its pros and cons and of course applicability depending on the area where one decides to use them. The vital detail is that such designs are no longer the in the realms of conceptual art but are being used by mainstream architects. Additionally, almost every state in the US offers attractive tax benefits to go green helping save precious money. Green designs are truly the future of architecture.
More information about sustainable design, see AIA.org.
