While sustainable design has many advantages, it’s important to remember that preindustrial building cultures used materials that were not detrimental to the environment. These materials included low-energy, renewable, and durable materials, such as bricks, stone, and wood. In addition to being low-energy, these materials were durable and allowed a wide variety of expressive forms. Today, we’ll take a look at three ways in which we can incorporate sustainable design architecture.
Building placement is detrimental to the environment:
Sustainable design architecture focuses on building in less harmful ways to the environment. For example, sustainable building sites treat, manage, and reduce storm-water runoff. Landscaping practices include supporting native flora and fauna. Rather than using synthetic materials for exterior finishes, sustainable buildings are made of natural materials. This type of design architecture is often small-scale and involves local materials. However, there are differences between natural building and sustainable design architecture.
When planning a building project, cost-effectiveness must be a consideration. While cost-effectiveness is important for any project, it is not the only consideration. Many people also feel strongly about social constructs such as class, gender, and race. The social and environmental benefits of sustainable architecture can encourage people to adopt greener practices, and the creation of sustainable buildings can help the community as a whole become more aware of the benefits of sustainability.
Low-impact materials:
Environmentally-conscious construction can be a valuable tool for improving a building’s energy efficiency while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Currently, the construction and use of buildings account for 50 percent of energy consumption and are the biggest contributors to this figure. When choosing low-impact building materials, local governments should partner with landscape architects and designers to promote awareness among residents. The following sections will provide an overview of the benefits of using low-impact materials in architecture and design.
Low-impact building designs should be as simple as possible. Solar gain and energy saving are key components of low-impact buildings. Energy-efficient appliances and systems are also beneficial for the environment. If possible, avoid high-tech appliances and start by choosing materials that can minimize the building’s impact on the environment. Energy-saving features should be prioritized first, such as appliances that use less energy or water. Energy-generating options should be implemented last.
Low-energy lights
Building designers can use low-energy lights to promote sustainable design. By incorporating these lights into a building’s design, they can reduce its energy consumption and improve its indoor air quality. In addition, they can reduce a building’s CO2 emissions, which contribute to climate change. For example, using fluorescent lights instead of incandescent lights can lower the building’s energy consumption by as much as 50%.