We all know that sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. When we apply this concept to architecture, it refers to the practice of designing buildings to create living environments that work to minimize energy consumption & human use of resources. The construction materials, design, methods & use of resources, including heating, cooling, power, and wastewater treatment, reflect a few aspects of sustainable architecture. The concept is simple; all you need is to aim making structures to provide healthy environments, improve the quality of life, and avoid the production of waste to preserve the long-term survivability, energy & resource efficiency. It is interesting to note that sometime before, the term sustainable architecture was known as solar architecture, as the idea was not to build in the shape of design & waste management but to capture solar energy to satisfy the need for energy consumption. But eventually, it expanded its scope to water usage, climate control, air purification, wastewater treatment, and overall energy efficiency. In the constant phase of time, urban society has seen a rapid increase in demand for settlement. Due to the growth of new habitats, natural resources are consumed more frequently & daily usage increases. Our earth has limited space & resources that are incompatible with urbanization. It is now necessary to strike a delicate balance between the form, function, and interactions of a building with its surroundings to qualify as sustainable. This concept is needed to utilize even new & old architectures in accompanying social, economic & environmental welfare. Yet, in the midst of all of these sustainable needs of the hour, are we following them? There are many ways we can incorporate these practices into our daily lives. If yes, then how? Read on to know the entire concept.
Purpose of Architecture.
A very legitimate question arises here. When we explain sustainable architecture, we ask: how come architecture fulfils our needs? What is the purpose behind it? So the answer lies here. The primary purpose of architecture is to improve the quality of human life. In addition to fulfilling a necessity of society & individuals as far as places to live or work are concerned, it also has the potential to create a more serene and happier environment. It is a notion of deriving from nature & encaptivating the life & freedom within the structure. Well, the purpose of architecture does not hold only for utility. It is also used as a symbol to signify power, memorize an event, or depict the money and culture of a particular era. It has high complexities & for that, the architects prefer building a model. These architectural models are built for visualization purposes to understand the space & mass concerning surroundings & its users. These models act as a design tool to understand the principles of volume & proportion. The great Vitruvius, architect emphasized that the three pillars of architecture lie in durability (firmitas), usefulness (utilitas), and beauty (venustas).
Coming back to sustainability in architecture, the fundamental gap encountered to make it work is the knowledge of the environment and its behavior. It could be understood when you live in sync with the outside environment. For instance, buildings that don’t use air conditioners but are constructed in the form of ventilating with the natural environment or better daylight design will encourage users to use less artificial light. The design aesthetics allow the users to take up some healthy options for physical activity & more human interaction leads to the necessity of such structures. But these structures are in themselves challenging for an architect to design & develop. The architects have to take the site landscape, energy management, and stormwater management into consideration when planning and then applying them with environmentally friendly systems and building materials during construction. The task is to create buildings that require less land development, use more environmentally friendly natural materials, and are more energy-efficient. It even involves utilizing active & passive techniques based on fewer energy needs and generating its own energy. This conscious approach is necessary for energy saving & ecological concerns. Let us take an example of the importance of sustainable architecture & how architects can develop it. Say, in your locality, the land acquired for building a complex and it consists of 100 trees. Whether you feel it or not, it’s a concern in the future. What is your first approach to developing your space without diminishing the natural environment? Can it be done with minimum wastage? Or to entirely shift the plantation to a new place instead. Or the best plan is to let them be at their place and construct around it to form the best green building. We will understand these aspects in the upcoming sections of the article more clearly.
What Do You Mean by Sustainable Architecture?
When we talk about sustainable architecture, we are not confident about how well it goes. It is because of the reason that even with best practices, there cannot be a single structure that delivers 100% sustainability and its energy emission is net zero. Now, the question arises, Why? In this section, we are discussing those answers.
Now, sustainability in architecture solely depends upon the locality, its resources and skills to build. For instance, over the next 50 years, the region should not exhaust its resources. And in a limited number of years, the environment must not be able to break down its byproducts. Further, to measure sustainability and to enhance the architectural model, the parameters could be renewable energy generated on-site, use of off-site electricity generated from fossil fuels, water utilization, material used approach (3R), the resilience of the building & more. Then comes, the ability of the building to sustain against extreme climate conditions and resource utilization as per carrying capacity for a long-term basis. One has to keep in mind that he must use indigenous technology to not reduce cost-effectiveness, and it must be suited to the natural surroundings of that region. This involves the usage of limited resources and minimum waste production. The best way to do this is implementing the 3Rs for using the product and its leftovers within the cycle again & again without harnessing resources to reduce pollution. It deduces that a sustainable building must fulfill the approach of material, design, and technique as the crucial characteristics. As society moves forward in this direction, some other obstacles act as challenges, like conservation & greenery. Now, another problem is that often the community is confused with greenness and sustainability. To plant greenery without thinking about aspects of waste management, temperature control, and energy efficiency is not sustainable architecture. Then there is fear of bringing a change in society to ultimately lead to a better life but affecting the present for some time is efficient for the long run. The economic concern is one crucial factor that counts for substantial investment for the human race. People need to understand that this process is more cost-effective & healthy, which leads to better quality & intuitiveness of life. This field needs to be studied in the balance of ecology as poor design costs more & destroys the essence & value of sustainability. Finally, there is ignorance of the past architecture & heritage constructed with nature-centric principles & tied to pure sustainability. We, humans, tend to forget the great of ancient times & afraid of lifestyle changes, but that is what sustainable architecture requires. The time has come when we need to look back & ahead of us to design & accumulate ourselves with it.
Among the best sustainable architecture examples right now are The Edge in the Netherlands and David & Lucile Packard Foundation Headquarters in California, certified as the largest net-zero emission buildings worldwide. The latter is 95% recycled and has 915 photovoltaic cells on the roof. Roof gutters on this building collect over 20,000 gallons of rainwater each day, primarily used for irrigation and bathrooms. The Dixon Water Foundation Joset Pavillion in the United States & SunCarrier Omega solar-powered building in India are other great sustainable architecture examples. The subcarrier is a self-sustaining wonder in itself. The complex runs entirely off the grid using nothing but the energy beamed by the lone star of the solar system.
Every country in the world is best suited for sustainable architecture based on its resources, landscapes & policies like climatic conditions, freshwater, oil & natural gas, natural vegetation, or forests. But, as per some guidelines based on various factors, the eminent countries are the US, Canada, China, India, Brazil, Germany, and some more. With the increase in demand for housing and sustainability, the future holds the golden pathway for this architecture. From saving natural resources or living in constant touch with the environment inside the building to the generation of self-sufficient energy needs, the goal will lead to a net-zero carbon footprint on the planet.
Understanding Green Architecture.
In addition to conventional building methods, green architecture utilizes sustainable design practices. It is a concept solely focused on the environment that takes incremental steps towards environmental sustainability. The green building design practice includes the aspects of energy efficiency, renewable sources such as wind, water, or solar, implementing natural ventilation systems, and construction materials that minimize the carbon footprint as an effort towards sustainability. So, how is green architecture different from sustainable architecture?
Green Architecture Vs Sustainable Architecture.
Green building is not necessarily always sustainable. The term sustainable encompasses all of its three pillars; people, planet & profit, providing a productive and healthy environment over the long haul without compromising the environment. But the concept of green architecture further involves site planning, land use planning issues, and community harmony in addition. The growth & development of the communities impact the natural environment on a certain level. During the construction, design, operation, and processes of a building, natural resources are depleted, so an accountable management system is required. Whenever a green building is planned, it consists of a renewable source like solar, wind, or hydro method for energy demand, efficient water resources, adaptive design for changing environment, and utilization of green roofs. To enhance its capacity to become more sustainable, it uses non-toxic, low-impact, and ethical materials that reduce waste and pollution with more reusable capabilities. Once a building is in functional form, it attributes some characteristics that help in determining its utility. Some of them are indoor environmental quality cleanliness & noise pollution, design innovation, location and transport, whether it sits in an environmentally sensitive zone or its sustainable ties. One such building is Beitou Public Library, Taipei, Taiwan, which utilizes energy with innovative large windows and roof covered with greenery providing water through a retention system. These buildings strive to reduce their CO2 levels by reducing energy wastage, opting for LED lighting, and improving the health of the building by doing air quality monitoring regularly.
When society progresses with green architectural models, it tends to have an enormous positive impact. From an environmental point of view, it enhances and protects biodiversity and ecosystems with improved air and water quality, reducing waste streams, and conserving and restoring natural resources. Efficient and sustainable material improves the overall quality of life by using recycled material and reusing resources. Sustainable architects, engineers, and green designers are tapping into existing resources to reduce carbon footprints and save natural resources. It minimizes strain on local utility infrastructure by accessing local technology, enhancing occupant health & comfort. The green design techniques also incorporate economic aspects from a side angle. It provides immense durability that not only endures for years exposed to the elements but requires much less maintenance & optimizes life-cycle performance while reducing costs. These buildings need to pass certain rating levels to certify themselves as green architecture. As a result, there is a need to conserve soil and topsoil upfront. Optimizing building design and structure with an enhanced indoor environment (air quality & thermal quality) helps to reduce conventional energy consumption. This list goes on.
One of the most crucial questions in everyone’s mind after learning these is, whether these new building designs can be implemented on the existing ones. So, the answer is Yes, it is impossible to alter the materials or layout of an already erected structure. The effective treatment of wastewater, along with composting and energy generation, can be used to convert existing buildings into green ones. Combine them with renewable energy sources to generate on-site energy. Most buildings in the early 1900s were greener in terms of indoor climate, ventilation, and transportation, and materials were local, better adapted, and produced less waste. But one of the significant points is, according to Alberti and Brunelleschi, any new constructional additions to the existing structure deplete the life period of it. Hence, the architects need to plan accordingly, without compromising the security of the existing structure.
There are several reasons for the slow pace of growth of the sustainable architecture movement, including cost, structural resistance, lack of expertise and research, lack of funding, and perceptions of trade-offs between sustainability and quality.
Talking about green architecture, India has the best sustainability in architecture society in its past. Taking guidance from its ancient experience has developed a ton of green architectural marvels. One such building is Suzlon One Earth Campus, Pune, the greenest building in India, with a 7% consumption of energy on-site from hybrid wind turbines, solar panels & photovoltaic cells, and 93% from off-site wind turbines.
Another noteworthy feature to add to the green architecture is the landscaping with very efficient water management systems and reflective pools form the main feature of the landscape design, adding to the natural beauty of the campus, and creating a cool microclimate in the surrounding structures.
Components of Sustainable Architecture: Design & Management.
All around the globe, practices and technology play a crucial role in the power shifting towards sustainable development, made by continual efforts by initiatives in environmental factors to strive towards the fundamental principles of sustainability. The methodology derived from the interest in energy-saving, space efficiency, structural design efficiency, water resources, and techniques, material selection, indoor environment quality, and waste reduction has put sustainable design practices as the leading edge for industries & residential constructions. Today, after realizing the need for green development, the outcomes are seen as a culmination of these principles. The urgent need to reduce the impact on the environment with proper design & techniques also tends to increase the life cycle of the building. The notion is to design it with the natural features & resources in that region.
1. Structural Design Efficiency.
Any architecture relies on the site selection, planning, and design stages that incorporate the structural integrity of the building. In terms of consolidated energy of structural materials, durability, design flexibility, and demolition, these structural designs can significantly contribute to overall sustainability in architecture. This development stage plays a vital role in determining the life cycle of the building and has a profound impact on the cost and performance. The purpose is to bring more sustainability to architecture, aiming to reduce raw material requirements and energy use. The objective is always to minimize the environmental impact, energy use, and other sustainability issues. It is possible to do so by cutting the material used, material production energy, embodied energy, and maximizing structural system reuse. The process begins by obtaining the site depending upon various climatic factors like the location of the site, and macro and microclimate of the place. Then comes the topography of the site, assimilating all the natural elements present there. These factors are analyzed & then taken into consideration while finalizing the orientation and form of the building. The size and orientation of the opening depend upon the direction to construct shades or chajjas over there. These design aesthetics are technical, but you can always add the pinch of taste of your choice and comfort that combines with the ongoing process. Diving deep into that calls for thoughtful design strategies that enhance durability & flexibility, having open floor plans with planning for future additions. An open floor plan will employ removable partitions that also avoid bearing walls. The ability to reconfigure wall partitions without undergoing structural rebuilding will advance structural reuse during user changes. Once the structure is completed, to determine the efficiency, we use parameters like the agricultural potentiality of the land, the contour of the site with the building costs, distance from places of work, transport facilities, velocity and wind direction. Then, this location, orientation, and landscaping of a building all affect local ecosystems and energy utilization.
According to the WBDG Sustainable Committee,
“The site of a sustainable building should reduce, control, and/or treat storm-water runoff. If possible, strive to support native flora and fauna of the region in the landscape design.”
2. Energy Consumption.
Improving the energy performance of new and existing buildings is imperative to increase our energy independence. It is a major component of fulfilling sustainable architecture and can be accomplished in many ways. Some of the ways are: deploying renewable energy sources like solar and wind power or shifting to energy-efficient equipment. In a system, the energy required is primarily extracted, processed, transported and then used for operating in a building, leading to losses. By implementing net-zero energy buildings, we can significantly reduce our reliance on fossil fuel-derived energy. An alarming fact is that 50% of the energy produced in conventional buildings is lost. Here, 60% in heating and around 30% drained by electrical appliances in households where the use of electricity in facilities is much higher in countries in transition than in developed countries. Contrary, a sustainable building uses less energy and may make up to 30% of overall life cycle energy consumption. Before jumping to the higher level reduction measures, we should apply some in our daily lives, like reducing dependence on air conditioning or other power-hungry systems, relying more on natural lighting, and simply turning off lights when not in use. When we talk about scaling our measures, designers use high-performance windows and extra insulation in walls and ceilings based on the correct choice of the shape of the building, the position, and the size of the window. Another strategy is passive solar building design, which often appears in low-energy homes. A proper choice of building orientation and position for windows, walls, and trees to shade roofs during the summer helps conserve energy while increasing heat gains in the winter. In addition, effective daylighting can provide more natural light and reduce the need for electric lighting during the day. Apart from the design and optimization, it is utterly required to generate at least 30% to 40% energy on-site. The energy-efficient structures are passive solar architecture and renewable energy resources like solar, wind, or the latest helical turbine methods. We know about solar panels, but passive solar architecture does not require hefty systems or maintenance and indirectly uses solar radiation. Two ways to use passive systems are wall systems with a collector function where large refractive windows provide for collecting and trapping the solar rays. While in others, it is more like a greenhouse system that insulates the structure and captures the heat for water management systems. These methods are applicable for particular task fulfillment and aid the broader procedure for better efficiency. In an energy-efficient building, power generation is the most expensive component. But in the long run, it is an economical and sustainable feature. One can easily achieve sustainable architecture through this key step.
3. Water Resources.
Freshwater resources in the world are increasingly becoming scarce. The excessive use of water from surface and underground sources has led to a deficiency in this precious resource. The climatic changes have reduced the extent of rainfall in many parts of the world, thus resulting in either droughts or floods but not sufficient precipitation. It reminds us of reducing water consumption and protecting water quality as the key objectives in sustainable building. Around the globe, the availability of freshwater resources for drinking purposes is falling short, and is unable to meet the ever-increasing demand for water supply. It exceeds more than the natural aquifers can give in a period. To the maximum extent feasible, facilities should encourage the reuse of reclaimed water on on-site projects when possible and utilize collected and purified water. Reducing wastewater can help optimize the system’s efficiency and enhance financial benefits. Various water efficiency measures like low-flow fixtures in showerheads, non-potable water for irrigation applications and dual plumbing in toilets reduce water waste, reduce energy use and yield lower sewage problems. While we have discussed the interior solutions for more efficient living, we can also use efficient exterior methods such as sustainable landscaping, drip irrigation systems, and xeriscaping. The landscaping method is the one that goes by its name, where trees are selected based on their grounds for shading purposes and where trees act as windbreakers. Using rain gardens and wetlands can reduce stormwater runoff by reusing wastewater and reusing it for filtration. Xeriscaping also aids in water management using this methodology. This term deals with dry entities that use the land to cover with landscaping that utilizes less water. The procedure of selection of plants is such that it should provide beauty and enhance the aesthetic appeal of the place following, the principle of water efficiency is our principal objective. The most common way is stormwater reuse through methods like rainwater harvesting, soakaways, infiltration ponds, and swales. These crucial ingredients are somewhat helpful steps to find sustainable architecture.
4. Use of Hedges.
In the past, hedgerows served as a marker of the boundary, and a barrier to prevent livestock from moving around. The mid-1900s saw some English hedgerows destroyed, notes Marrington. Hedgerows were plowed under during the Second World War so that large fields could become available to help feed the people and nation. They can also help protect the environment from climate change by storing 600 to 800 kilograms (1323 to 1764 pounds) of carbon dioxide each year for up to 20 years. You might wonder, what is a hedge? They are woodland edge habitat strips. There are many varieties of them. It ranges from closely cultivated scraggy hawthorn bushes, sparse in wildlife, to dense bushes tangled with dog rose, bramble, and honeysuckle, topped by mature trees. Many isolated patches of habitat fragmented across the landscape have been bound together by thick, flora-rich hedges, which provide valuable nesting and food-gathering opportunities for wildlife. For birds such as yellowhammers, whitethroats, blue tit, and great tits, it provides nesting posts, shelter, and nesting sites, while nectar, berries, and nuts provide food for an assortment of invertebrates, mammals, and birds. On arable land, hedges can reduce soil erosion and water runoff. They provide excellent wildlife habitats. In addition, the substantial root structures of trees and hedges on farmland also stabilize the soil. Hawthorn, Seabuckthorn, crab apple, and wild cherry are some plants that can serve as hedgerow plants and trees. They can contribute as a crucial element of sustainability in architecture. We can use it in modern homes departing our surroundings. Furthermore, hedgerows can protect the boundaries of highways and international roads, providing sustainable development. We can also use them in our gardens as a component of an essential wildlife source. With hedgerows as the future of sustainable development, we can also beautify our public spaces.
Material Selection & Optimize Building Space.
The proper management and use of materials in construction is also another huge concern for sustainable architecture to exist. As the population grows, the use of natural resources continues to increase. Reusing materials productively and sustainably across their entire life cycle is a concern of material efficiency. Good thermal performance, energy efficiency, water efficiency, and conservation of resources are the aspects assimilated in the designs to guarantee overall material efficiency. Sustainable materials reduce global warming, resource depletion, and environmental toxicity. A few of the properties of these materials include durability, renewable materials, non-toxic properties, and ease of manufacture. Among the materials available are lumber, bamboo, straw, dimension stone, recycled stone, hempcrete, recycled metal, etc. During the construction of a building, bio-climate architecture is a theory of design that dramatically enhances material efficiency. Suppose a residence is built based on geography where light is refracting from a particular angle that helps in ventilation. Here, you won’t have to use windows over to that side of energy-efficient higher quality glazing, use those windows to the side where the sun heat is more. These methods best utilize your cost & longevity based on climatic conditions. Then comes a curious question, What should be the characteristics while selecting a material? For starters, it should be non-toxic and locally available material as our priority is the environment and minimizing transportation costs without interfering with the local ecology. It could be a reusable, recycled, refurbished, or remanufactured material with sufficient durability, and moisture-resistant efficiency. Moisture-resistant materials are the ones that prevent the growth of biological contaminants in buildings and highly preferred in green architectures.
While designing architecture based on material, another aspect of space efficiency incorporates it, becoming a key component in sustainable building design. Through daylight introduction, interior daylighting increases. It requires an open floor plan to avoid blocking areas off from exterior windows to ensure a direct line of sight. Improving space efficiency by supporting more efficient underfloor systems helps in overall designing and optimizing spaces. They can help achieve sustainable architecture.
Waste Reduction.
Green architecture demands reducing the wastage of water, energy, and materials during and after construction directly minimizes the negative environmental impact. Reusing and reconfiguring any product reduces waste because less material is required to reconfigure or accommodate it for future changes. One goal is to reduce the amount of consumer product wastage that goes to landfills and minimize it through the integration of on-site solutions like composite bins and eco-friendly waste management systems. Once the building’s lifetime is complete, the debris is hauled majorly to the landfills, which contain toxicants contaminating the land permanently. Utilizing suitable building materials and disposing of waste wisely can reduce it. Materials explained in the upper material section can be used to extend the life of the structure, leading to a reduction in waste and fewer toxicants afterlife. The other characteristic of material should be the quality so, less chance of replacements being required and waste ending up in a landfill. Another way round, opt for products having minimal packaging to reduce the use of hazardous chemicals like lead, chromium, nickel, etc. It helps spread the importance of product quality and longevity among those designing sustainable buildings. While constructing a waste converting system, it also takes care of water recycling and energy-saving approaches to reduce water and energy wastage. One such method is to convert organic human waste into fertilizers, reducing waste and enhancing organic nutrients in the soil.
Indoor Environmental Quality: Herd Sustainability in Architecture.
Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) has a significant impact on occupants & involves the features of a comfortable interior space focusing on thermal comfort, proper ventilation, pleasant acoustic conditions, and the use of products that do not give off toxic compounds or gases. So, simply one can understand it as the internal conditions of the building that are suitable for all the people there. Other functional aspects are maximizing daylighting & reducing the use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) while focusing on temperature or air quality alone for the increased satisfaction of the occupants. The purpose of the principle is to assure the quality of IEQ for improved productivity & health. To improve the IEQ of the workplace, there are various techniques to apply, like adequate ventilation & exhaust, air monitoring systems, building commissioning & more. Cleanliness is about removing dirt and contaminants from a building while using less toxic materials. The initiation of the process from the construction can threaten the indoor air quality & can be reduced by flushing out toxins before occupancy and using construction materials low in harmful VOCs. It leads to the cleaning that removes pathogens, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects. It refers to procedures that minimize deteriorating effects fulfilling the goal to wideout adverse effects on the built environment and its occupants. The most important aspect of enhancing IEQ is choosing materials that are low in VOCs. It’s the toxicity found within products like paints, adhesives, cleaners, particleboard, etc. harming the air quality by releasing it in the air. Another measure is the control of moisture accumulation that, in the presence of bacteria & viruses, creates mites growth over surfaces and microbiological concerns. The internal aspect of air quality has an uncountable number of elements to take care of & plays the most crucial role after sustainability in architecture development. Hence, through the above-defined step guide, one can find sustainability in architecture.
How to Make Your Current Home Sustainable?
It is comparatively easy to build a new sustainable home given the expertise and awareness present in the current scenario. But, the major challenge comes from the existing ones, where practically nothing can be demolished for the sake of sustainable architecture. So, we created a procedural technique, suitable for any home or place to convert into a more eco-friendly living. We call it The Brick Technique. Let’s dive right into it and learn more.
Step 1: Whitewash Your Walls to Recreate Them as Sustainable.
Walls play a crucial role in determining inner climatic conditions, and adding double insulation on them with less dense material, helps in doing it. Additionally, you can paint them with natural colours like sandalwood or ochrea – a natural pigment from the bark of trees. They also have a substantial impact on your home odor and sense of visibility.
Step 2: Working on Your Floorings.
Try to replace your granite or other heavy stones with less dense marbles, as they are more environmentally friendly.
Step 3: Reduce the Consumption of Available Resources.
Replace all your high-energy utilizing products with energy-efficient appliances like LEDs, air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, and ceiling fans with ENERGY STAR certification.
Step 4: All Your Taps Need a Makeover.
To consume less water, low-flow faucets, and showerheads fulfill your needs more consciously.
Step 5: Focus on the Production of Resources.
Yes, you get it right, you need to install some renewable source of electricity, like solar panels are sufficient for your daily supplies even in the most up and down of weather.
Step 6: The Key to Solving Any Problem Starts in Your Kitchen.
Utilize your kitchen’s organic waste and leftovers to turn them into compost. This compost can serve as perfect manure for your garden or nearby land to become more organic-rich soil, which has profound benefits.
Step 7: Transforming Your Internal Accessories and Changing the Design Landscape.
Doing some design changes during the renovation of your home allows more natural light to come in with better cross-ventilation, and it helps kill the bugs or mites present inside. It also reduces the toxic components with more fresh air without suffocation. Like, you can use light-coloured netted curtains that pass more light.
Step 8: The Old is Gold.
Use more sustainable or recycled furniture. If you are not money-savvy, you can opt for furniture made from renewable sources that are non-toxic, while if you want something for less, go for eco-friendly recycled furniture.
Step 9: Don’t Forget the Beautiful Plants.
Grow indoor plants to enhance the sustainable effect and provide natural air purification. They work better in conjugation with other eco-friendly aspects of the home and also act as mood enhancers.
Step 10: Measuring Your Consumption and Efficiency.
Use Smart meters for better control and efficiency. It works with the other appliances in the home and optimizes them as peruse rather than using them irrationally. They also have a measuring technique that keeps the details of your energy production and its exact usage. It will help you further down the road to optimize those appliances or if need to change them.
Please note that these methods can just make one step closer to sustainability, which is better than doing nothing.
Is Sustainability a Myth?
In this article, we have broadly discussed sustainable architecture, green architecture and the guiding principles. Still, we are not exactly on the path or that pace to creating a sustainable neighborhood. There might be many reasons, but we would like to consider the foremost that becomes the hurdles or misconceptions for a broad group of people. For the past few decades, the only concern is the development which indirectly comes from the expense of the environment. So, it became the notion that sustainability is all about the environment. In the meantime, with advancements in systems & different adaptations concerning the environment, health, and economy, certain myths develop within society as:
- Only green is sustainable. Not the other pillars of it.
- It is too expensive. This procedure & adaptation is only for riches.
- The measuring account is, only recyclable. The assumption of rapid recycling will aid in sustainability.
- It’s because of the population else we have a huge amount of resources.
- This process takes too much time, and can’t bring results in less time.
- The use of methodologies to reduce only carbon emissions can help in reducing global warming.
- Not supporting an individual taking initiative, thinking nothing will change.
- New technology can resolve all the issues.
- Taking it to a far extent without prior knowledge, suggestions were made to become vegan.
- Compostable & biodegradable are alike, without knowing where residue leaves & where not.
There is no limit to the myths in society. But, it depends on every individual, how he reacts & starts working. We have tried to pin down all the aspects of sustainable architecture from its necessity of adaptation to the reasons pulling us behind. In the mean time, don’t leave away without checking a much better option Biophilic architecture and let me know about your thoughts on what do you think the future of sustainability in architecture withholds.
