Being an architect these days is no easy job. With the constant change of time and trends, it’s sometimes hard to stay ahead of the curve. That’s where we come in, guiding you through waves of change in the industry such as the green building movement.
Although green construction has been on top of our minds for some time, doesn’t mean that every building that’s constructed today holds a LEED or BREEAM* certification. To achieve this your building must answer some essential environmental requirements. So how can you, as an architect, become part of the green building revolution? By getting to the bottom of the principles of green building, the challenges that come along with it and the innovations driving the future.
Energy Efficienct Design: Integrate energy-efficient features as insulation, HVAC systems, energy-conserving lighting and passive design strategies such as orientation, shading and natural ventilation.
Water Efficiency: Minimising water consumption and reducing the strain on water resources goes beyond water-efficient fixtures. By implementing rainwater harvesting systems, greywater recycling and native landscaping, the water conservation process becomes easier.
Material Selection: While choosing building materials, opt for green building materials that are sustainably sourced, non-toxic, durable, and recyclable or biodegradable. It’s important to note factors such as embodied energy, life cycle assessment, and environmental certifications, for example Cradle to Cradle Certified products.
Waste Reduction: During the construction process there’ll always be waste but by adopting practices as recycling, salvaging materials, and designing for deconstruction you’ll reduce the construction waste significantly.
Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ): Green building practices also include promoting the occupant’s health, well-being and productivity. By enhancing indoor air quality, thermal comfort and daylighting with the use of low-VOC (volatile organic compound)materials, adequate ventilation, and efficient building envelope design, you’ll create a safe haven where people can thrive.
Site Selection and Land Use: Where you build is also a crucial factor in green building. That’s why it’s important to select sites that minimise environmental impact, preserve natural habitats, and promote sustainable transportation options, such as proximity to public transit, access to amenities, and the preservation of open space biodiversity.
Site Planning and Design: Climate change is inevitable and designing in preparation for it is becoming more and more crucial every day. By incorporating green infrastructure elements such as green roofs, permeable pavements, and bioswales (channels engineered to concentrate and transport stormwater runoff while eliminating debris and pollutants) you’ll mitigate environmental impacts and enhance ecosystem services. Next to that, implementing resilient design strategies, such as flood-resistant construction, passive survivability, and flexible building layouts, can also prove beneficial for the future.
Every practice is faced with a challenge such as balancing it with aesthetics and functionality, meeting stakeholders’ requirements, and budget constraints. But thanks to the innovative solutions within the green building movement these challenges will become obsolete. Ready to get to know the newest additions and innovations in green building? Be sure to follow along during our next modulyss Talks on Green Building Practices with experts in the field Sabine Oberhuber, Lucie Ladigue and Naomi Sakamoto.
