 As the green movement continues to grow in support, EnviroCitizen.org recognizes that you may have heard the term “green architecture” mentioned. What is green architecture? Green architecture is a method of designing a building that enhances sustainable, healthy living. Many things can determine whether a building or architectural project is green or not. One of the greatest features of any green architecture is its locality-if the building construction will use local sources of materials. Another aspect of locality is whether or not a building takes the local climate and environmental factors into consideration. For example, a home built in a hot, dry climate (like southern Arizona) will have different climate and environmental factors than a home built in a cold, wet climate (like northern Minnesota). Green architecture takes these factors into consideration.
Green architecture is also about efficiency-energy efficiency, resource efficiency and design efficiency. Green architectural projects are designed to take advantage of solar energy in many ways, such as positioning a building to use natural day light to reduce the need for electrical lighting. Green buildings are also positioned so that the sun naturally heats the structure, reducing the need for artificial heat. In short, green architecture focuses on every aspect of a building, from construction to use, making sure it is energy efficient.
The best green architects use renewable and/or recycled materials during the construction process. Green architecture can have luxurious features, but green architecture is by design, efficient and functional. Green architecture is actually going to great lengths to redefine the term “luxury”. Rather than imported marble countertops, a green architect may use local, sustainable resources instead, such as a recycled countertop from a demolished site or one made from recycled materials. In many ways, a countertop that was made sustainably and with eco-friendly resources is now considered more luxurious than imported marble!
Green architecture is about more than just locality and resources. Green architects focus on making a home efficient in other ways, too. Rainwater and gray water (the water that comes from your bathroom sinks and showers) can be captured, so that the building can reduce its need for water from other sources (such as public water supplies). Solar energy can be harvested to reduce a buildings need for electricity made with fossil fuels. Most importantly, green architecture is about a focus on and commitment to sustainability and green building practices. Today, there are more and more eco-friendly resources for builders and green architects. If you're planning to build or remodel, there are many resources that you can take advantage of and green architects are a great place to start.
Green architects understand what it takes to make a project green, and they have the resources and connections to get it done efficiently and effectively.
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