Title: Sustainable Architecture Article
Author: Sam-Haendell W. Thosiac
Publication Date: July 2024
Source: SSRN Electronic Journal
DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.4910753
Citations: 0
Reads: 1,962
Note: Content uploaded by the author on October 11, 2024.
Overview of Sustainable Architecture
Focus on reducing environmental impact and enhancing energy efficiency.
Discusses historical roots and evolution into current practices.
Principles of Sustainable Architecture
Energy efficiency, resource conservation, improved indoor environmental quality.
Design Strategies
Use of leafy building materials, renewable energy systems, smart building technologies.
Case Studies
Highlight successful implementations in residential, commercial, and public buildings.
Benefits
Environmental, economic, and social dimensions.
Challenges Faced
Higher initial costs, regulatory barriers, complexity of technologies.
Future Trends
Innovations in materials and design approaches.
Conclusion
Emphasizes the importance of sustainable architecture for addressing environmental issues.
Bioplastics: Renewable biomass-derived materials, lowering environmental impact compared to conventional plastics.
Carbon-Negative Concrete: Concrete absorbing more CO2 than emitted during production.
Smart Glass: Glass that adjusts properties based on environmental conditions to improve energy efficiency.
Biomimicry: Design inspired by nature to achieve sustainability.
Modular Construction: Prefabrication of building components to reduce waste and construction time.
Vertical Farming: Urban agriculture using stacked layers to minimize transportation emissions.
Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV): Solar panels integrated into building materials.
Green Building Materials: Environmentally friendly materials with sustainable lifecycle impacts.
Renewable Energy Systems: Energy generation from renewable sources to reduce fossil fuel reliance.
Energy Efficiency: Designing buildings to use less energy through various measures.
Water Management: Technologies for water conservation and waste reduction.
Smart Building Technologies: Automated systems for improved building performance.
Sustainable Design: Approach that minimizes environmental impact and enhances livability.
Indoor Environmental Quality: Quality of the indoor environment, affecting health and comfort.
Passive Solar Design: Utilizing building features to optimize solar gain.
LEED Certification: A green building certification program assessing environmental performance.
Environmental Impact: Effects of buildings on the environment regarding energy, resources, pollution.
Resource Conservation: Efficient resource use to reduce waste.
Climate Change Mitigation: Strategies to decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
Zero-Waste Construction: Approach to eliminate waste through effective planning and recycling.
Eco-Friendly Materials: Materials with minimal environmental impact.
Renewable Resources: Resources replenishable over short periods.
Green Roofs: Vegetated roofs that provide multiple environmental benefits.
Definition and Scope
Architecture encompasses all built environments and evolving from ancient civilizations.
Sustainable architecture minimizes environmental impact throughout a building's life.
Importance
Addresses climate change, resource depletion, and pollution.
Significant contributor to global energy and CO2 emissions.
Historical Evolution
Traced from ancient practices to modern complexities.
Ancient Civilizations
Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, and Greeks utilized local materials and climate-responsive designs.
Medieval to Renaissance
Continued practices of sustainable techniques in various forms.
Architectural Developments
Interaction of innovative design with historical principles.
Notable Figures
William Morris and Frank Lloyd Wright integrating sustainability in designs.
Influence of the industrial crisis on energy-efficient designs.
Core Principles
Energy Efficiency: Optimize orientation, form, insulation, and renewable sources.
Healthy Indoor Environments: Quality air, thermal comfort, acoustic management.
Material Use
Recycled materials, locally sourced products, low-impact construction.
Renewable Energy Systems
Solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal systems.
Water Management Techniques
Innovations in plumbing and harvesting rainwater.
Smart Building Technologies
Employed for operational efficiency.
Environmental Benefits
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, conservation of resources.
Economic Benefits
Cost savings and incentives promoting sustainability in construction.
Health Benefits
Improved indoor air quality leading to better health outcomes.
Initial Costs
Higher upfront costs for sustainable materials and technologies.
Regulatory Barriers
Variability in codes and standards across regions.
Market Acceptance
Ongoing resistance to adopting sustainable practices.
Emerging Materials and Practices
Use of bioplastics, carbon-negative concrete, and innovative design techniques.
Conclusion
Need for sustainable architecture to fulfill future environmental demands while addressing current challenges.