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Green Buildings
From WikiVerde
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Structures Of The Future
Today, the world is becoming more aware of the negative effects human life has on the earth and more and more people everywhere are concerned about how best to prevent degradation of the environment.
The way we construct our buildings has a lasting impact on our surroundings. In America, for example, buildings use between 40 and 49% of total energy, 70% of electricity, 25% of water consumption and is responsible for 38% of carbon dioxide emissions.
Green building uses resources sparingly, and makes the most of sustainable design and construction techniques and materials. Thus green building not only saves the environment, but also keeps costs down and keeps occupants of the building healthier with better air and light quality.
What Makes A Building Green?
Let’s take a look at some green building practices. To start with, green designers try to make their creations blend in with the immediate environment, so that the structures are not immediately displeasing to the eye. Design should also take prevailing winds and natural light into account, so that the building can be kept cool and bright with minimal use of energy. Solar heating, wind and water power, heat recovery systems and proper insulation can help reduce energy consumption further. Provision for rain-water harvesting is also a good idea.
The materials used in construction are eco friendly, such as bamboo, cork, straw, recycled stone and metal, etc. In the case of insulation, for instance, it’s better to avoid toxic or carcinogenic materials and go for material like cellulose or recycled denim that emit lower quantities of harmful toxins. Salvaged material also goes into the construction of a green building. Waste of material is kept as low as possible.
Ideally, the materials should be procured locally to minimize energy use during transportation.
Green Around the World
Across the globe, there are various standards that mark a building as green:
UK
In Britain the Code for Sustainable Homes, One Planet Living, BRIAM, the Association for Environment Conscious Building (AECB) and the U.K. Building Regulations provide guidelines for sustainable construction. The planned Waugh Thistleton Residential Tower in London will have helical wind power, which is slated to produce more than 15% of its own power requirements. Manchester’s CIS Tower is remarkable for its use of solar and wind power.
Middle East
The green buildings presently under construction or being planned in the United Arab Emirates include the “super greenscraper”, Burj al Taqa, which will feature the use of solar panels, seawater and a huge wind turbine; Dubiotech, projected to be among the biggest green structures in the world; and the Dubai International Financial Center Lighthouse Tower All these ecologically friendly buildings will be a part of the Dubai skyline. Abu Dhabi will be home to the Masdar Initiative, a community which will have neither emissions nor waste, thanks to its totally self-sustaining model.
Bahrain plans to construct the Bahrain World Trade Centre Towers with huge propellers producing a speeded air flow.
The Americas Go Green
In Canada, EnerGuide for House standardizes energy retrofits & upgrades, while EnerGuide for New Houses deals with new buildings. Green Canadians also follow the suggestions of the Green Building Council, and use the resources at the Light House Sustainable Building Centre which helps in the implementation of green building norms. Green buildings in Canada include the Beamish-Munro Hall at Queen’s University and the Gene H. Kruger Pavilion at Laval University.
In the U.S., the Clinton Presidential Library in Arkansas and the Ridgehaven Building in San Diego with its bright airy rooms and high energy efficiency, have been renovated up to green standards. Miami’s Cor, a twenty-five storey tower adds beauty to sustainability with its marvellous combination of aesthetics and energy efficiency. In New York, the Hearst Tower used 80% recycled steel in its construction. Green structures on the cards like the Bank of America Tower in New York, the Civic Tower and the Transbay Tower in San Francisco, 340 On The Park in Chicago will delight ecologically conscious users.
Green Asia
The Chinese have taken advantage of wind power, with the Pearl River Tower, to be completed next year in Guangzhou. It will also boast geothermal heat sinks, waterless urinals, daylight responsive controls, ventilated facades and integrated photovoltaics. Japanese eco-conscious builders follow CASBEE; the Taiwanese EEWH and in Singapore, it’s BCA Green Mark.
Green As Far As The Eye Can See!
As far as Europe is concerned, the Netherlands has the residential building Urban Cactus noted for its porch designed for photosynthesis. In Germany, it is the DGNB that regulates green building and many constructions, such as the Solar Village and the Vauban Development in Freiburg, Baufritz’s houses, the BMW Welt and the Reichstag Building are highly energy efficient. Australia uses the House Energy Rating, the First Rate system and the Green Building Council as green guidelines. Melbourne’s CH2 is an award winning based on a green design on power saving principles - using photovoltaic cells and louvers, thermal mass cooling, sewage recycling, wind power, to name a few. The city also has the EcoLicn, the 60L and an environmental park called CERES. In Sydney, 30 The Bond emits 30% less CO2 than a similar building of its size. Adelaide is known to eco thinkers for the Eco City development and the Aldinga Arts Eco Village. Canberra’s Trevor Pearcey House recently received the 6 Green Star Award.
In Russia, green buildings include the Khanty Mansiysk Tower in Siberia, suitable for weather extremes and the Crystal Island in Moscow. Both buildings were designed by Foster & Partner. The India Tower in Mumbai, a multipurpose building has already got a U.S. LEED gold rating although it will be finished only in 2021. It has rainwater harvesting, solar shading, and wonderful natural ventilation and light. Indian green construction is supported by the Indian Green Building Council.
A Greener Tomorrow
With architects, builders, and governments all getting greener, is to be hoped that we can look forward to a future that features green buildings as the norm rather than the exception.
