Green Architectural Practices

Posted on: 2012-07-16

Green Architectural Practices
Green building (also known as green construction or sustainable building) refers to a structure and using process that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout the life-cycle of a building: from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition. This requires close cooperation of the design team, the architects, the engineers, and the client at all project stages.The Green Building practice expands and complements the classical building design concerns of economy, utility, durability, and comfort.

Although new technologies are constantly being developed to complement current practices in creating greener structures, the common objective is that green buildings are designed to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment by:
Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources Protecting occupant health and improving employee productivity Reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation

A similar concept is natural building, which is usually on a smaller scale and tends to focus on the use of natural materials that are available locally. Sustainability may be defined as meeting the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.Green building does not specifically address the issue of the retrofitting existing homes.

Green building practices aim to reduce the environmental impact of buildings, and the very first rule is, do not build in sprawl (spreading in disordered fashion). No matter how much grass you put on your roof, no matter how many energy-efficient windows, etc., you use, if you build in sprawl, you have just defeated your purpose. Buildings account for a large amount of land

Green architecture is designing with nature. It is essential component of sustainable design, applying the techniques of sustainable design to architecture that are concerned with the ecological and aesthetic harmony between structure and its surrounding natural and built environment. It is a practice of creating a structure that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout its life-cycle.

The buildings or houses are designed to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment through efficiently using energy, water and other resources.It protects peoples health by reducing waste, pollution and environment degradation. It focuses on sustainable site development, improvement of indoor air quality, water management, energy management, solid waste management, green materials and preservation of cultural contexts.

Green architecture involves a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in human and environmental health. This involve sustainable site selection and development, energy efficiency, water conservation, clean air, use of low-impact materials, renewable resource, and preserving indoor air quality.

Because of the urbanizations in Asia, Asian countries are increasingly looking towards Green Architecture in local conditions to preserve their resources and environments. Among these countries include Singapore, Hong Kong, China and India are practicing sustainable structures. Example of LEED approved structure in Asia is Eaton in China. Because of 31% of furniture is reused, 34% reduction in water use, 70% percent of wood is forest stewardship council certified, 76% regional material used, 88% demolition debris recycled, 90% of seats have daylight and views and 100% carpet is recyclable, it gained LEED gold certification.

The several features that enables it to operate more efficiently and with less environmental impact when compared to similar manufacturing facilities. It is oriented with respect to the sun path to minimize unwanted heat gain and maximize natural day lighting. The building should be well insulated with a reflective roof to further reduce heat gain. The transportation to the facility they are all parts of the plan when cosidering for LEED certification .

If we can reuse the materials used for construction that is the best practise which will reduce the cost of l construction materials and try to get the marterials which were locally produced, try to see if the site can be preserved or restored with native plantings to minimize runoff and reduce landscape maintenance.

We need to change the way we build because buildings are 47% responsible for the CO2 emission across the 25 nations of European union and climate change is 90% certain due to human activity, mainly through burning of fossil fuel (for energy). Green architecture is a simplified lifestyle. Changing the actions of the people is one way of saving the planet and that includes the structures that people use.

Building green structures is one way of protecting the environment. Sustainable design is meeting the needs of the present generation without impairing the ability of future generations to meet their needs. It is a way of saving the future.