Sustainable Architecture
explanatory Essay
987 words
Well-recognized cities worldwide have built over the years great buildings with a variety of designs and concepts however consequently too much building has been making grievous decrease on energy efficiency. Now, “Green Architecture” has been popularized and as a result a modicum of energy efficiency has increased and also it has substantiated a new perspective, a new versatile way on architecture.
Now days, the world is intended to be in a worst scenario ever imagined. Climates, global warming and furthermore problems. However, I have noticed new changes, universally speaking, yet renewable energy has also been popularized to our world and I addition, it became part of Sustainable Architecture. “Sustainable Architecture describes the fact that we can only exist and create with the availability of natural resources. Those resources are the foundation of our world. Sustainable architecture proclaims this fact to the world… And that is probably the most appropriate understanding of the term.”(Brooks, 92) That’s why these resources exist within our environment but only few of the people anticipated a good use for them just t increase likelihood the worlds energy efficiency and also the natural environment. Speculating Asia’s growth both in wealth and population, it has been a great risk for them consequently they had been temporizing endeavoring new ways of preventing massive energy consumptions and wastes from resources. “How can we protect our natural resource base while sustaining our socio economic gains? My answer in two words: systems and self.”(Ms. Galang, 1)
This Sustainable Architecture began long ago with scientists brainstorming and designing a new design for an eco-home that’s liable on decreasing massive numbers of en...
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...aking for Nature. Boston, MA. Houghton Miffin Company. 1980, Print.
Dell’Isola, Alphonse and Stephen Kirk. Life Cycle Costings for Design Professionals. New York, McGraw-Hill. 1981, Print.
Galang, Angelina. Balancing Asia’s Growth and Environmental Sustainability. Philippines, Miriam College. 2003, Print.
Hopkins, Graeme and Christine Goodwin. Living Architecture: Green Roofs and Walls. Collingwood, CSIRO Publishing. 2011,Print.
Hymers, Paul. Converting to an Eco-Friendly Home. New Holland, Garfield House. 2006, Print.
Loh, Susan. Green Roofs: Understanding Their Benefits for Australia. Brisbane, Australian Institute of Architects. 2009, Print.
Santini, Claudio and Dafna Zifarro. Green is Beautiful: The Eco-Friendly House Australia, The Images Publishing Group Pty Ltd. 2009, Print.
Snyder, Stephen and Dave Bonta. New Solar Home. Utah, Gibbs Smith. 2009, Print
In this essay, the author
- Explains how "green architecture" has substantiated a new perspective on architecture.
- Explains that renewable energy has been popularized to the world and sustainable architecture proclaims that we can only exist and create with the availability of natural resources.
- Explains that sustainable architecture began with scientists brainstorming and designing a new design for an eco-home that's liable on decreasing massive numbers of energy consumption.
- Explains that sustainable architecture has efficient technologies that incorporate ways of not wasting the wind, water, and the sun’s rays.
- Explains that sustainable architecture refers to basic urban houses that have been making approaches to avoid global warming and other problems.
- Explains that building sustainable architecture can change people's lives and fill their hearts and souls with joy, pride, and self-confidence.
- Describes the works of paul brooks, alphonse dell'isola, and stephen kirk. life cycle costings for design professionals.
- Explains hymers, paul, and loh, susan. green roofs: understanding their benefits for australia. brisbane, australian institute of architects.
Related
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- Green Buildings/Green Architectureanalytical essayIntroduction A green building (also referred to as sustainable building or green construction) is a structure that employs an approach that is responsible for the environment besides being efficient in regard to resources all through its life cycle: This is from selecting the site to designing it, constructing, operating, maintaining, renovating and demolishing it. To achieve this, the client, the engineers, the architects and the entire design team closely cooperate at all stages of a project (Yan and Paliniotis, 2006). Practicing Green Building complements and expands the conventional building design areas of comfort, durability, utility and economy.
In this essay, the author
- Explains the first rule of thumb during construction is to avoid sprawl building that is, distribution in anarchic fashion. buildings occupy the largest amount of land especially in the united states.
- Explains that every construction project has its roots in the design and concept stages, which bear the greatest impact on performance and cost.
- Opines that water conservation and protection are core objectives in sustainable building. the use of greywater and non-sewage on site trims down demands on the local aquifer.
- Explains that green building aspects are incorporated into the o&m segment of the life of a building.
- Explains that organizations have developed standards, rating and codes systems that let consumers, building professionals and government regulators accept green construction with confidence. written codes enable local governing bodies adopt them as bylaws toward diminishing local environmental effects of structures.
- Describes the unique form of the centre for construction excellence, which marries the landscape and the building. the varied and dramatic interior spaces and playful color use in animating the facades provide inspiration especially in green architecture.
- Recommends that the globe embrace green architecture as studies have indicated that it is worth the effort in the long term. canada has set the pace by doing green buildings like algonquins acce building.
- Explains that a green building employs an approach that is responsible for the environment besides being efficient in regard to resources all through its life cycle.
- Explains leed, a third-party program of certification, which encourages worldwide adoption of green buildings and development practices through universally accepted performance criteria and tools.
- Explains that sustainable development concepts began in the 1970s owing to pollution of the environment concerns and energy (more so fossil oil crisis). green building is a collection of skill, techniques, and practices to decrease and eventually eradicate the impacts of structures
- Argues that lca helps avoid a tapered outlook on economic, social and environmental concerns by appraising the full scope of impacts connected with every phase of the process.
- Explains that green buildings use embodied energy to process, extract, install, and transport building materials, as well as operating energy for services like power and heating for equipment.
- Explains the ieq class in the leed groupings, which aims at diminishing volatilke organic compounds (vocs) among other impurities in air.
- Explains that green architecture aims to diminish waste of materials, water and energy during construction. deconstruction is an approach to harvest what is generally considered waste and retrieving them as valuable materials for building.
- Analyzes how the cost of green buildings has come under criticism. the life-cycle cost is pitted against up-front cost knowledge, and higher student or worker productivity is a factor concerning cost and savings deductions.
- Cites greer, d, alevantis, berman a, perlman j, and mills, e. the costs and financial benefits of green buildings: a report to california’s sustainable building task force.
2880 wordsRead More - Green Architectureexplanatory essayGreen Architecture Green architecture is an approach to building which has become more popular in the last 25 to 30 years. Also known as sustainable design, green architecture is a method of design that minimizes the impact of building on the environment. Once thought of as unconventional and nonstandard, both regulatory agencies and the public alike are quickly accepting green architecture as a socially responsible and logical means of construction. The beginnings of today's green revolution can be traced back to the environmental awareness of the 1960s and European design.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that green architecture is a method of design that minimizes the impact of building on the environment.
- Explains the beginnings of today's green revolution can be traced back to the environmental awareness of the 1960s and european design.
- Explains that green architecture can be organized into several areas of application, such as sustainability, materials, energy efficiency, land use, and waste reduction.
- Explains that green design reduces the dependence on resource intensive products and materials, and considers materials that minimize waste or can be recycled.
- Explains that green architecture integrates energy efficient mechanical systems and conservation methods. green buildings reduce or eliminate the dependence on fossil fuels and minimize waste through gray water recycling and other sustainable energy strategies.
- Explains that land use and building orientation plays a critical role in green architecture. a green building is located to take advantage of its climate and surroundings.
- Explains that green buildings eliminate waste by using modular systems of construction, recycled products, and efficient use of materials. the ideal green building would create no waste during construction or use, so the impact on the environment and resources is minimized.
- Opines that environmentally sensitive development at all levels housing, commercial and institutional appears to be a promising approach to achieve sustainability in these terms. humanity needs affordable, healthy, durable, comfortable housing and workspaces designed to maintain or uplift the human condition.
- Opines that corporate leaders have recognized the market value of environmentally sound products and manufacturing approaches. in the next 10 to 20 years, a more sustainable economy and infrastructure will be needed to head off environmental problems.
661 wordsRead More - Costs and Benefits Analysis of LEED Building Projectsanalytical essayAs the environmental problems become more and more serious these years, especially that intense negative impact that buildings in modern cities bring to the cities, the concept of Green Building is being more and more important considered by local and federal government. According to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), a green building is one that utilizes design and construction practices that significantly reduce or eliminate the negative impact of buildings on the environment and the building's occupants. Besides the more and more advanced building structure and technology, the main goal of green building is to protect the health of the occupants, save energy and reduce pollution to environment. There are many certifications of green buildings to judge whether the building meets the standard of green buildings and what environmental performance level is this building at, to help government regulators, building professionals and consumers to see better how this building can be improved and what is its impact on human beings and environment. Such green building programs include Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program, National Association of Home Builders (NAHB Green), etc. Among them, LEED is one of the most popular certification programs that give the building credits for its environmental performance. In this essay, I will discuss the costs and benefits of different types of building projects that were certified by LEED.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that green building is a design and construction practice that significantly reduces or eliminates the negative impact of buildings on the environment and the building's occupants.
- Describes the genzyme center in boston, massachusetts, which is one of the most environmentally responsible office buildings ever built in the united states.
- Explains that the design principle of the genzyme center is its positive effect on employees working inside the building.
- Explains that the genzyme center does a great job in walking tour of the building and has professional volunteer tour guides who will show its design elements and green features.
- Analyzes the costs and benefits of genzyme center. the building is still providing benefits for its employees, community and society, and it will need to maintain its high quality of green design certified by leed.
- Analyzes a case of house in green building in santa monica, california. z6 house is the first home to be awarded the platinum leed rating.
- Explains z6 house's six zeroes, which are zero waste, energy, water, carbon, emission, and ignorance.
- Explains that leed, or leadership in energy & environmental design, is a green building tool that addresses the entire building lifecycle recognizing best-in-class building strategies.
- Explains that helios house is the first gas station in the united states to be submitted for leed certification.
- Explains the environmental benefits that genzyme center brings to its employees, the community and the society are directly proved by the leed rating consequence.
- Explains that z6 house is an inspiration for architects and building owners of the concept of applying green building strategies to individual houses.
2769 wordsRead More - Sustainable Designexplanatory essaySustainable Design Sustainable design seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment, the health and comfort of building occupants, thereby improving building performance. The basic objects of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimal waste, and create healthy, productive environments (“Sustainable Design”). Focusing primarily on the sustainable design principles, there are five, including: low-impact materials, energy efficiency, quality and durability, design for reuse and recycling, and renewability. As sustainability appears to become the necessary trend in architecture, the question concerning the cost versus outcome of “going green” really an investment or a waste of time and money comes to mind. With our research provided below, we believe the expenses may truly be with the investment in the end.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that sustainable design seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment, the health and comfort of building occupants, thereby improving building performance.
- Explains that low-impact materials include non-toxic, sustainably produced or recycled materials that require little energy to process. straw is a byproduct of the harvesting process for barley and wheat.
- Explains the importance of quality and durability in sustainable design.
- Recommends reusing cabinetry or buying salvaged, greener materials, and environmentally preferable countertops for sustainable design. vetrazzo and icestone are environmentally friendly alternatives to granite.
- Explains that ikea claims that 91% of the materials used in their products were renewable, recyclable or recycled. reclaimed wood is also used for reusing in interior design.
- Opines that recycling in sustainable design grows bigger and bigger, especially since buildings have to be built so that almost all the material can be reused.
- Explains that sustainable design is affordable when you reconsider what impact it has. recycled materials are always cheaper than new materials, and renewing energy is more expensive.
- Explains that cork is an all-natural material made from the bark of the corke oak that may be sued for flooring. linoleum is a natural alternative to natural stone.
- Explains that energy efficiency can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce climate change, and preserve our environment. there are three different types of energy efficiencies that can be beneficial.
- Explains that the 1970 energy crisis alerted us to the dangers of relying on fossil fuels for our existence. victor papanek and other pioneers in the design world began to examine ways of making products that used less energy and made use of recycled materials.
- Explains that renewable resources are natural resources, which can replenish with time, and are part of the earth's ecosphere.
2494 wordsRead More - INTRODUCTION The present world with its sustainable resources, environment and way of life became developed. The population growth, consuming almost all the available resources, to meet people’s needs, should be a major concern. The consumption of material and energy around the world which is about to eliminate the available supply, has increased over the last two decades, especially in the built environment. In order to access other reserves of fuel, the more energy will be needed to use. “We are consuming the Earth’s natural resources beyond its sustainable capacity of renewal” said by Herman Daly, Beyond Growth, Boston 1996, 61[1] .
In this essay, the author
- Describes how el mandara eco-resort was completely renovated by a group of young people. local materials were used, such as mud bricks and palm fronds to provide appropriate shading.
- Explains that green buildings are designed to protect the human health and decrease the negative impact on the environment.
- Explains the financial benefits of 30% reduced consumption at an electricity price of $0.08/kwh, with a 20-year npv of over $5/ft2.
- Explains that green building reduces costs and provides financial benefits that traditional building doesn't include in their methodology.
- Explains that the financial benefits of green design are between $50 and $70 per square foot in a leed building.
- Explains the impact of the development on the environment and its resources should be understood in order to move forward towards a way to make the relationship between development, growth and environment possible.
- Explains that the history of green building dates back much further than the 1970's. with local materials and simple mechanical systems, these homes were able to protect the environment from all the negative effects.
- Explains how the invention of air conditioning, reflective glass, and structural steel popularized the enclosed glass and steel buildings that glow all the cities of today.
- Explains that president clinton announced his plans to initiate the greening of the white house to improve energy usage and environmental performance by reducing waste and increasing use of renewable resources.
- Explains that roof, windows and walls of the white house were an option to increase the building’s efficiency by losing a massive amount of energy through them.
- Explains the recycling program for aluminum, glass, paper, newsprint, furniture, batteries, fluorescent lamps, paint solvents, and laser printer cartridges. the white house is participating in a pilot program to test electric vehicles.
- Explains that green building is a concept that depends on building an environment which has positive and negative effects on earth, as well as the people who live in buildings.
- Explains that green buildings and conventional ones are not different in shape or color, they are simply different. green buildings are known to have a lot of saving cost, as mentioned in 'dumaine, b.
1639 wordsRead More - The Benefits of Environmentally Responsible Residential Housinganalytical essayPijawka, K. David, and Kim Shetter. "Sustainable Design." The Environment Comes Home: Arizona Public Service Environmental Showcase Home. Tempe: Herberger Center for Design Excellence, 1995.
In this essay, the author
- Proposes that society should provide more incentives to encourage environmentally responsible residential development to reduce pollution, conserve limited resources, and ensure a sustainable future.
- Argues that the need for environmentally responsible housing must be established with consumers before more environmentally-friendly houses are demanded in the market.
- Explains that environmentally responsible residential housing conserves natural resources such as water, air, land, wood, fossil fuels, and other building materials.
- Illustrates the use of grey water for outdoor water needs and rain collection for usable indoor water. environmental homes can also include water conserving appliances like toilets.
- Argues that more environmentally responsible residential development ensures a sustainable future by reducing pollution, conserving natural resources, and planning for the future.
- Explains that environmentally responsible residential development reduces air pollution and water pollution. the "space age" home in flagstaff uses roof collectors, grey water and compost toilets to reduce land contamination.
- Argues that society should provide incentives to promote environmentally responsible residential housing. they state that the limited number of incentives now offered by federal and state governments are not promoted to their full potential.
- Cites arizona state, arizona solar energy research commission, and arizona department of revenue's tax form and tax information system.
- Cites griffin, c. w., jr. and loeb, penny. the environment comes home: arizona public service environmental showcase home.
2485 wordsRead More - Green Affordable Housingopinionated essayGreen building has come forth over the past decade as a positive movement to produce high-performance, energy-efficient structures that improve comfort and health for resident, meanwhile, minimizing environmental impacts. Nevertheless, a common sense that green features is expensive and not suitable for affordable housing. Recent studies are showed that green buildings have a modest initial cost premium, but the long-term benefits far exceed the additional capital costs. For this report, I will introduce a financial analysis -Net Present Value (NPV), and discuss the impacts of NPV analysis for green affordable housing.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that green buildings are expensive and not suitable for affordable housing. green buildings have a modest initial cost premium, but the long-term benefits far exceed the additional capital costs.
- Explains that affordable housing means housing is affordable to households with a median or lower income as rated by county or state.
- Explains that residents living in green housing can realize long-term savings through green features and energy efficiencies. green, affordable housing shows an opportunity to decrease costs, such as utility and transportation costs.
- Explains that traditional analysis gives a mistakenly high value to dollars in the future, but in reality, money is given lower value than money today.
- Opines that we need to forecast the benefits and costs in today’s dollar including opportunity costs and use expected value to estimate uncertain benefits.
- Explains that a nominal discount rate can be used to converse real to nominal.
- Explains that after calculating the npv, we are not only calculated monetary costs and benefits, but also need to consider non-monetary cost and benefit.
- Explains that life-cycle costing is an economics tool to assess the total cost of a product.
- Explains that this report introduces net present value discounting and life-cycle costing to evaluate green projects, due to some financial systems fail to consider the long-term value for green investments.
- Opines that resources to sustain homebuyer awareness on how to keep their property green must be taken from existing sources.
- Explains that for energy efficiency, the repair fees may cost much. solar pv panels need to be delivered on time. before or after would occur cost increasing.
- Explains that for this project, the developer considers different income level residents. the rental can cover all income levels.
- Explains that green features were added to the design after the contractor was selected to avoid costly and time-consuming confusion.
- Explains that affordable housing developers use many funding sources, each with its own criteria and regulations. it can be difficult to fit new technologies and ideas into the existing funding criteria.
- Opines that life-cycle costing and net present value analysis encourage housing developers to build green, affordable housing. they can truly see the results through the model.
- Compares the life span of a green project and its hypothetical, conventional counterpart using projections for development costs, interest rates, annual operating costs and future replacement costs. the difference between the green total cost and the conventional cost describes the expected cost increase or savings that green building owners and residents will experience.
- Explains that the project is located in santa monica. it includes two buildings, totaling 30,592 square feet with 34 units. the rehab of 20th street apartments is concentrate on improving energy efficiency and affordability for residents.
- Explains that green features are added in this program, such as water efficiency, energy efficiency and indoor environment quality. some benefits come at no additional cost to developers and residents.
- Analyzes the net present value of the retrofit features, stating that they are worth $165,000 over their life, which equates to an almost $6,500 benefit per unit.
- Explains that betty ann gardens is located on a 3.87 acres site and contains 76 units in 73,922 square feet of floor area.
- Opines that each model exists limitation. it only considers the building itself, which means the model is not comprehensive. residents and owners gain lots of benefits from green building, but they did pay a lot.
- Explains that affordable housing developers are risk-adverse because they have little margin for project failure. any cost increases directly affect developer fees, which are used to sustain the organization and fund future development.
- Analyzes how the green building decision at betty ann gardens generates value for the residents and the project owner. the benefits to the developer didn't include any benefit from air quality and water-efficiency.
1511 wordsRead More - St Diamond Building Case Studyexplanatory essayIn developing this contemporary and iconic building, the design focuses on practical attributes and optimises energy efficiency. The design strategy encapsulates four key aspects:
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the 4,928 square metres diamond building is the energy commission's social commitment to the present and future generations of malaysia.
- Describes the diamond building as an imposing and unique landmark amidst the impressive architectural landscape of putrajaya.
- Explains that the design strategy encapsulates four key aspects of this contemporary and iconic building: practical attributes and energy efficiency.
- Explains that globally, green buildings are being recognised and accredited, leading to the introduction of various tools and indices with one common objective that is to evaluate, measure, distinguish and sets apart this uniquely designed buildings from the rest.
- Explains that the diamond building was named the most energy-efficient building at the asean energy awards (aea) 2012 held in phnom penh, cambodia.
- Explains that the diamond building is designed with functionality using state-of-the-art technology to optimise energy and water efficiency and indoor and outdoor environmental quality.
- Explains that the diamond building's roof is insulated with 100mm insulation boards to keep heat absorption low. it is impervious to climate change and maintains a well-balanced atmosphere.
- Explains that efficient water fittings are used within the building, such as dual flush toilets, waterless urinals and water taps with aerators for economical water flow.
- Explains that waste water from toilet wash basins and floor traps is collected and discharged to irrigate the mini wetland area.
- Explains that the green technology adopted in the diamond building contributes to resource efficiency and adds value to the well-being of occupants.
- Explains that the diamond building's interior fit-outs take on a minimalist approach to promote environmental sustainability. the plasterboards used for the ceiling contain low volatile organic compound (voc) emission and contain 30% recycled content.
- Explains that the slab cooling system improves the acoustic comfort of occupants in the work environment.
- Explains that regular maintenance is essential to ensure that the facilities receive the desired quantity and quality of light, can increase the efficiency and provides saving when it comes to the lighting system operation.
- Explains that the energy commission is responsible for regulating the electricity and piped gas supply industries in peninsular malaysia and sabah.
- Explains that a green building places importance on the structure and construction process to ensure that it is environmentally responsible and resource efficient.
- Explains how the diamond building incorporates green technologies into its design and construction, which ensures that natural resources are preserved and utilised in a sustainable manner.
- Explains that the building geometry with the 25-degree inclining facade was sculpted following the solar path.
- Explains that the clear dome forms the central atrium and designed for the optimisation of daylight. tannenbaum reflective panels allow deflection of light into the lower floors where daylight levels are the lowest.
- Explains the floor slab radiant cooling system provides air-conditioning needs for the diamond building via pipes supplied with chilled water embedded in the concrete slabs.
- Explains that the diamond building uses photovoltaics to harvest renewable energy. thin film pv panels have a total installed capacity of 71.4kwp, fed directly to the national grid.
- Explains that soft landscaping and water features create a cool and serene outdoor ambience, complementing the concept and functionality of the diamond building.
2123 wordsRead More - Green City Essayexplanatory essayConstructing ‘green cities’ using the appropriate off-the-grid techniques would be a solution between human-environmental interactions. Off-the-grid methods uses little or without reliance on services but instead, uses schemes and technologies of alternative energy systems that uses renewable energy such as solar panels and wind turbines. Off-the-grid constructions tend to be costly mainly due to its upfront cost, nevertheless, in most cases, it would be cost-effective in spite of the minor maintenance cost and would also be a solution to some of the ecological concerns. Through understanding the environment, architects could ideally use the concept of eco-cities to minimise the carbon emissions and also consider self-sufficiency to resolve the issues between the production and the zero-emissions requirement.
In this essay, the author
- Explains the concept of eco-city, which is a city built off the principles of living within the means of the environment. off-the-grid constructions tend to be costly mainly due to its upfront cost.
- Explains that wind turbines and photovoltaic panels are examples of energy production systems where the conditions of a particular environment have to be taken into account.
- Explains that the cost of conducting one turbine is considerably high and it also depends on the amount of energy you use per day. applying this concept to an eco-city would initially be a really expensive process.
- Explains how the fargo and maestas residence, designed by ryker and nave design, uses photovoltaic panels and wind turbines to generate electricity.
- Explains that built environments where the climate entails hot temperatures and an intensity of rainfall would be strategic when going completely off-grid.
- Explains how photovoltaic panels work by changing the light source coming from the sun into electricity.
- Explains how photovoltaic panels could be used to power appliances or as a supplementary which would be cost-effective in terms of the amount of panels.
- Argues that existing cities could advance on their sustainable strategies by using renewable sources effectively in ‘eco-cities’ like masdar to minimise carbon emissions.
- Opines that the project is a great model for the revolution of eco-cities in the future.
1794 wordsRead More - The Health Benefits of Urban Green Roofanalytical essaySyumi Rafida Abdul Rahman. (2012). Green roofs as urban antidote: A review on aesthetic, environmental, economic and social benefits. Department of Landscape Architecture. UTM.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that urbanized areas are growing rapidly every day in the midst of fast development and arrangement. the benefits of viewing nature go beyond aesthetic enjoyment to enhanced emotional well-being.
- Summarizes the contributions of green roofs that accompanied signing a new environmental movement.
- Explains that green roofs as urban antidote: a review on aesthetic, environmental, economic and social benefits.
- Analyzes the mental and spiritual impact of green roofs on health of residents living in urbanized areas.
- Explains that ulrich, r. s., dimberg, v. and driver, b. l. (eds) benefits of leisure. state college, pa, ventura.
889 wordsRead More