MSc. Fatin hashim kareem
With the increase in population numbers in the world in the recent period, a lot of pollution has appeared that has caused many problems or harmful phenomena, and the most prominent of these phenomena has been climate change in addition to air pollution and other phenomena. Therefore, special attention was paid to adding plants or green elements to everything related to architecture, and this was precisely the beginning of the emergence of the term “sustainable architecture” or what is called green architecture. Green buildings or environmentally friendly buildings began to appear mainly in many areas. Through this article, we will learn more about environmental architecture, such as its importance and its most prominent characteristics...etc
Sustainable Architecture is a method of construction, and the difference between it and other construction methods is that it specifically cares about the environment and always takes it into consideration. Green architecture results in a group of environmentally friendly designs or buildings. Renewable energy sources or energy-saving materials are used to make a building with an ideal design.
Environmental architecture or smart architecture, as some call it, are smart and unique buildings that help protect nature or the environment from damage resulting from pollution. These buildings are specifically designed and constructed through a set of technologies or methods that make the architecture most suitable for the natural environment.
The difference between green architecture and sustainable architecture
Many people think that there are basic differences between Sustainable Architecture and green architecture, but in fact, sustainable and green architecture, smart architecture, or as some call it, local architecture, are all terms with the same meaning, and they all indicate the design of architectural buildings in a way that takes into account the environment. Taking into account and in a way that never depletes natural resources, by which we mean water or energy.
As for sustainable architecture, it has many basic characteristics, the most important of which are the following:
• Reducing pollution in the natural environment and preserving the environment from pollution.
• Preserving natural resources such as water and not wasting it during construction.
• Relying on the use of renewable energy during the design and construction of buildings.
• Interest in using recycling to make materials used in construction.
• Pay attention to avoiding all elements that cause noise pollution.
Sustainable architecture goals
Sustainable Architecture has a basic set of goals, and the goals of architecture can be summarized
Sustainable in all of the following:
• Use water, energy and resources in an efficient manner.
• Ensure the use of solar energy and renewable energy.
• Reducing pollution and completely eliminating waste produced by humans.
• Ensure the use of non-polluting or toxic materials when building.
• Taking the environment as a basic element when designing or constructing buildings.
What are the most important standards and principles of sustainable architecture?
When talking about Sustainable Architecture or green architecture, you will find that it has a basic set of standards, the most important of which are the following:
First: energy efficiency
One of the most important standards related to smart architecture is the energy efficiency element, and by this standard we mean in particular the use of all...
Elements of renewable energy, the most important of which are wind, in addition to solar energy or natural lighting, are used
In many functions, the most important of these functions is heating in addition to ventilation.
Second: Water use efficiency
The second criterion for sustainable architecture is the efficiency of water use. Through green architecture, the main focus is on rationalizing the use of water and reducing its consumption. Through environmental architecture, water is also recycled, purified again, and used in building green buildings. .
Third: Land use efficiency
The third criterion related to green architecture is the efficiency of land use. You should be primarily concerned with exploiting every part of that land. A part of the land can be allocated and designated for the home garden, and another part can be allocated to add natural features to it.
Fourth: Material efficiency
The fourth criterion for environmental architecture is the efficiency of materials used in construction. Specialists in designing green buildings choose materials that conserve energy during construction, in addition to making a design based on the use of environmentally friendly materials...etc.
Fifth: Preserving natural characteristics
One of the most important criteria for green architecture is the interest in preserving natural characteristics. Through this type of architecture, the designer tries to completely avoid any damage that may occur in the natural or environmental systems surrounding those buildings. Therefore, what is called green designs has recently appeared, and it has been These designs were created specifically to completely reduce any harmful effects on the environment.
Sixth: better health
Plants certainly help make people's health better; Therefore, the use of plants in green buildings or modern technologies called environmental architecture or green architecture helps make people healthier, and the matter is not limited to that, but non-toxic materials are used in construction and do not cause any harm to the environment.
Sustainable and green architecture building materials
When talking about what is used in sustainable architecture - or green architecture, the most important materials that come to our mind are these materials in particular, as follows:
Clay bricks
Concrete
ICF insulated concrete walls.
Wooden panels
Hay bales
Timber Crete wood concrete.
Walls are quick to install
Compacted land
The most important green architecture buildings
Through this paragraph, we will discuss the most important examples of green buildings or what is called Sustainable Architecture. The most important of these buildings are the following:
First: Pixel Building (Melbourne, Australia).
The Pixel Building was built to be the first completely carbon-free building of its kind, specifically in Australia. The most important feature of this building is that it mainly helps generate energy, and this is done through colorful panels. This building also helps in treating wastewater and generating energy through... Vertical wind turbines installed in this building.
Second: One Central Park (Sydney, Australia).
As for the One Central Park building, it is the second building for environmental architecture. This particular building has many types of plants, in addition to many types of Australian flowers. The most important feature of the One Central Park building is the energy saving element. It turns out that this The building in particular saves energy, as it consumes 25% less energy compared to traditional buildings.
Green architecture in interior design is also called sustainable interior design. Through this type of architecture, people’s lives are improved. Green buildings help completely reduce all negative effects that occur in the environment. Engineers are keen to prepare designs that are implemented using materials. Environmentally friendly.
Lighting
In environmental architecture or sustainable architecture, attention is paid to the lighting element. Lighting depends on a set of basic elements that affect it, the most important of which is the direction of the building in addition to the depth and size of the room. The artificial elements for lighting are chosen with great care.
Furniture
For green architecture, furniture is considered one of the most important elements that play an important role. Therefore, appropriate pieces of furniture should be chosen for the building. These pieces should be of an appropriate size and should be durable. The most important specifications for these pieces of furniture should be simple in appearance. The design, or that these furniture pieces specifically fall within the category of sustainable design.
The most important frequently asked questions about green architecture
Through this paragraph, we will clarify a set of basic questions that relate primarily to what is called environmental architecture. The most important of these questions are the following:
What are sustainable homes?
A sustainable house is considered a type of house. As for the design of this particular building, it is done through a set of basic standards. The most important of these standards is that the proportion of energy and the proportion of water be reduced. It is also required that these buildings reduce all impacts on humans, we mean what is related to their health. .
How do I make the building sustainable?
You can succeed in sustainable architecture through a set of basic steps, the most important of which is to replace all your light bulbs with energy-saving ones, in addition to using building materials that are sustainable, and you should also recycle...etc.
What is the meaning of sustainable cities?
When talking about sustainable cities or eco-cities, what comes to our mind is that they are cities that were designed to fully take into account the environmental impact, in addition to being cities that use less energy and water...etc.
Who are the pioneers of green architecture?
There are many names that fall under the word pioneers of green architecture, and the most important of these names are William McDonough and Bruce Fall, in addition to Thomas Herzog specifically from Germany. Richard Rogers from Britain is also considered one of the most important pioneers in environmental architecture.
What is sustainability in architecture?
Sustainability in architecture is to follow a set of techniques that make the design being prepared fit environmental standards, and we mean that all buildings are designed in an innovative way that reduces the energy consumption process.
Is everything green sustainable or is everything sustainable green?
As for the word sustainable, it is closely related to what is called environmental health, and when talking about sustainability, the matter is mainly related to environmental health, and the matter is not limited to environmental health only, but also includes social benefits. As for green products, it is not required that they be The products are always sustainable!
Thus, you have learned all the information regarding Sustainable Architecture, and if you want to rely on a group of engineers specialized in preparing designs that are related to architecture, you can rely on the engineers present at Atek Interior and Exterior Design Company.