| There once was a day where one someone was | | | | the building site itself. Well-insulated doors, windows |
| speaking about the word green, it was obvious they | | | | and walls reduce energy usage and loss. |
| were referring to a color formed by mixing yellow | | | | 5. Green Architecture promotes improved health of |
| and blue. That assumption is no longer true; with our | | | | the occupants of the building, due to better natural |
| society leaning toward a healthier environment and | | | | air circulation and use of natural light. |
| ways we can help save the earth, the term green | | | | 6. Provides onsite facilities for recycling, thereby |
| now takes on a whole new meaning. One way to | | | | minimizing waste being sent to landfills. |
| support an environmentally conscious lifestyle is with | | | | Materials Commonly Used in Green Architecture |
| green architecture. | | | | 1. Recycled materials such as wood, tiles and bricks |
| 'Green Architecture' is a form of environmentally | | | | that are available at the building site or in/near the |
| sensitive design and construction. Energy-saving, | | | | surrounding area. |
| sustainable development and natural materials are all | | | | 2. Where new materials are used, the focus is on |
| hallmarks of this form of construction. Green | | | | material that can be rapidly replenished, such as |
| Architecture is also sensitive to the impact of the | | | | bamboo, which can be harvested for commercial use |
| construction on the environment in the years and | | | | in just 6 years. |
| decades after the construction is complete. It | | | | 3. Insulation made from low volatile organic |
| explores a relationship between architecture and | | | | compounds that use materials such as recycled denim |
| ecology. | | | | as opposed to fiberglass insulation - which has |
| One of the key points to green architecture is to | | | | long-term adverse effects. Insulation may be treated |
| create synchrony with the surrounding environment. | | | | with boric acid to retard insect damage. Organic or |
| Everything about a green building should easily | | | | milk-based paints also afford protection. |
| transition from the natural landscape, including the | | | | 4. Solar energy is an abundant resource that is used |
| building materials. The best material to use for green | | | | through passive solar, active solar and photovoltaic |
| construction is materials that have been recycled or | | | | techniques. |
| come from easily restored resources. | | | | 5. Packed gravel in parking lots and driveways instead |
| Advantages of Green Architecture: | | | | of concrete reduces rainwater run-off and |
| 1. Optimizes the use of resources, especially energy | | | | replenishes ground water resources. |
| and water. At the design and construction stage, it | | | | Many countries have developed their own standards |
| incorporates resource recycling during construction, | | | | of Green Architecture for energy-efficient and |
| and later when the building is being used. | | | | sustainable building. Given below are some common |
| 2. It causes minimal impact on the environment during | | | | standards: |
| the entire building life cycle of siting, design, | | | | 1. Code for Sustainable Homes - United Kingdom |
| construction, operation, maintenance and removal. | | | | 2. EnerGuide for New Houses - Canada |
| 3. Where possible, the natural topography is used to | | | | 3. House Energy Rating - Australia |
| optimize energy usage. | | | | 4. Green Globes - USA, Canada and UK |
| 4. It leads to reduced operating costs by optimizing | | | | Practitioners of Green Architecture and sustainable |
| resource usage. Green Architecture focuses on | | | | development seek to achieve ecological and aesthetic |
| recycling resources - especially water. Wherever | | | | harmony between structures and their surrounding |
| possible, it focuses on using building materials from | | | | natural environments. |