Ecological design and energy awareness
As architectural and design standards focus more on sustainability and energy efficiency, the industry has reached its most innovative point yet.
Combining efficiency with aesthetics and functionality is a switch that has inspired some of the most awe-inducing designs that the world has ever seen. Taipei 101, a 101-story skyscraper in China, has the distinction of being the largest green building in the world, with a platinum certification from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The India Tower, when it was unveiled in 2010, was a 74-floor architectural wonder that took advantage of solar heating patterns and ventilation to create a fully functional space for offices, homes, and retail. And the Bank of America tower in New York City is made from recycled materials and maximises its use of rainwater.
All of these buildings keep one simple principle in mind -- to work with nature rather than against it. Environmentally aware architecture is quickly becoming the norm rather than an outstanding concept, but developments in this particular field continue to amaze. Here are some of the most inspired concepts for eco-design.
Using the sun. Many builders are familiar with the principle of orienting a home directionally to take advantage of the sun. South-facing windows, as a classic example, allow more sunlight and heat into a home. However, materials can be chosen wisely to capitalise in on the way heat travels through solids, liquids, and air. This is called passive solar design because it relies almost entirely on the nature of heat, rather than mechanical tools that produce heat.
Earth elements as building materials. Another technique that can maximise the help of nature when it comes to building sustainable dwellings is designing a home or building that is partially underground. Earth-sheltered homes may feature entrances above ground while the rest of the structure is built by excavating a space in existing earth. This highly reduces the need for artificial building materials and provides protection from extreme temperatures and weather patterns.
Cooler roofs. For homes in particularly hot climates, using roofing shingles, tiles, or paint that reflects heat and prevent heat absorption can lower power costs because they reduce the need for air conditioning. This is especially useful for urban areas where machinery is more prone to creating heat and the building materials are more likely to trap heat and drive up the temperature. And because the temperature of such roofs drops by up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), the material may actually endure a longer life.
Material reduction. When thinking of sustainability, one of the most important principles involved is waste reduction. Many builders are learning how to achieve this by using less lumber in the construction of a building. This usually involves increasing the amount of insulation used in conjunction with that lumber to create steady walls that are also more resistant to heat loss. Building a home or building with increased insulation has many benefits to the owner or occupier, including lower labour costs over the short term and lower energy costs over the long term.
Upgrading existing buildings. Even if a home or building was constructed decades before energy efficiency became the standard, there are improvements that can be made to increase its sustainability. Installing a solar power system, retrofitting doors and windows with weather stripping, and adding insulation to cut heat loss are all common examples of making older buildings more energy efficient.
Combining efficiency with sustainability. The most efficient buildings in the world combine all or most of these design principles, alongside state-of-the-art technology such as solar water heating and the most efficient lighting techniques, to go completely off the grid and avoid the use of traditional electricity services altogether. This kind of design is good for the environment, but it also benefits its owner financially by reducing the risk from rising energy prices.
As this field continues to develop, it becomes even more unpredictable. Just ten or twenty years ago, many of these techniques had yet to become common practice. The ecologically driven architecture of tomorrow is anyone’s guess, but one thing is certain: working with less has enabled architects and builders to do so much more.
