Green Architecture and the Environment
Introduction
Green Architecture
Definition and Origin
Green architecture or Sustainable building is the practice of building homes which are environment friendly and resource efficient throughout its life time. It is a way of reacting to the global economic crisis, environmental issues, growing human population, destruction of natural resources and the loss of biodiversity. While it may seem that this practice started only a few decades ago when environmentalists and conservationist were given life, the ancient people put it up to use already way back in their own times. The Anasazi Indians, for example, had built their homes in oriented in the path of light during the day. This provided them with enough heating and sunlight for their agricultural plants. Moreover, they have “tanks” which capture rainwater. This stored water will then be used for irrigation. More importantly their houses were only made up of stones, woods and mud which are non-toxic and non – hazardous to the environment.
According to some, green architecture probably started long ago, when electricity wasn’t present. That way, the people would utilize the use of their surroundings. An example of this is planting plants and trees around their abode to provide cool ventilation.
Either way, green architecture for the older generation was used, because of the lack of technology. However, in the modern times, green architecture gained popularity, because of the high costs of energy dependent lifestyles and the increasing environmental awareness.
Goals and Elements
Green architecture’s main goals are to reduce human exposure to toxic materials, conserve non renewable materials, use energy, water and other resources efficiently, improve household productivity and good design.
Sustainable building uses energy efficiently by incorporating more windows to its design and placing them in such a way that air will flow normally. Windows are usually triple or double glazed to pacify the intensity of the
Green Architecture
Definition and Origin
Green architecture or Sustainable building is the practice of building homes which are environment friendly and resource efficient throughout its life time. It is a way of reacting to the global economic crisis, environmental issues, growing human population, destruction of natural resources and the loss of biodiversity. While it may seem that this practice started only a few decades ago when environmentalists and conservationist were given life, the ancient people put it up to use already way back in their own times. The Anasazi Indians, for example, had built their homes in oriented in the path of light during the day. This provided them with enough heating and sunlight for their agricultural plants. Moreover, they have “tanks” which capture rainwater. This stored water will then be used for irrigation. More importantly their houses were only made up of stones, woods and mud which are non-toxic and non – hazardous to the environment.
According to some, green architecture probably started long ago, when electricity wasn’t present. That way, the people would utilize the use of their surroundings. An example of this is planting plants and trees around their abode to provide cool ventilation.
Either way, green architecture for the older generation was used, because of the lack of technology. However, in the modern times, green architecture gained popularity, because of the high costs of energy dependent lifestyles and the increasing environmental awareness.
Goals and Elements
Green architecture’s main goals are to reduce human exposure to toxic materials, conserve non renewable materials, use energy, water and other resources efficiently, improve household productivity and good design.
Sustainable building uses energy efficiently by incorporating more windows to its design and placing them in such a way that air will flow normally. Windows are usually triple or double glazed to pacify the intensity of the
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