Sustainable architecture is architecture that uses environmentally friendly techniques and materials in the design and construction process of houses, buildings, public spaces, etc. Sustainable architecture takes into consideration and respects the space and environment where the project is carried out, which is why its application to all types of projects is of the utmost importance. Although the cost of executing sustainable architecture projects is high, efforts must be made to be as respectful and responsible as possible with the environment.

In Peru, some sustainable architecture projects have been implemented; among them are the following:

Westin Hotel

Westin Hotel. República, L. (n.d.). Conoce Cuatro Proyectos Arquitectónicos sostenibles en el Perú: Vivienda: La República. Últimas Noticias del Perú y el Mundo en larepublica.pe. https://larepublica.pe/metro-cuadrado/2020/02/25/conoce-cuatro-proyectos-arquitectonicos-sostenibles-en-el-peru

This hotel is located in the region of Lima, Peru. The Westin Hotel has water-saving and energy-efficiency policies that allow it to consume 45% less water than LEED international standards for buildings of the same size. LEED (Leadership Energy & Environmental Design) is an international project certification system based on eco-efficiency standards and sustainable and eco-friendly strategies. The Westin also has a comprehensive energy savings program, which has enabled it to achieve energy efficiency greater than 75% of hotels of the same size. In addition, 64% of the hotel's maintenance, cleaning, and repair operations are sustainable. For example, garden waste is recycled, and only environmentally friendly products are used for cleaning, maintenance, or painting the building. Due to all these measures that it has been implementing, the Westin Hotel received LEED certification.

Leuro Business Center

Edificio Leuro: Ejemplo de modernidad y sostenibilidad en Miraflores. Municipalidad Distrital de Miraflores. (2021, May 15). https://www.miraflores.gob.pe/edificio-leuro-ejemplo-de-modernidad-y-sostenibilidad-en-miraflores/

This 17-story building is also located in the Lima region, the capital of Peru. It is considered a sustainable building for the following reasons:

*It has 1,300 square meters of green roofs and terraces.

*It has an advanced water-saving system. The building has water treatment plants that recycle water to be used first in sinks and then in toilets or for watering green areas.

*It has a sophisticated air conditioning program.

*Energy savings, thanks to LED lighting throughout the building.

*It has a sophisticated drip irrigation system.

The Leuro Business Center was the first to obtain LEED Platinum Certification in Peru.

Roche Laboratory

The Roche laboratory is also located in Lima and was the first to receive LEED-Gold certification in Peru thanks to the implementation of sustainable and eco-friendly strategies in its offices. This laboratory achieved efficiency in the use of electrical energy and potable water, the proper management of waste and emissions, and the quality of the indoor environment (air quality, thermal comfort, lighting, etc.) to receive LEED-Gold certification.

Sustainable architecture is gradually gaining ground in Peru. Although most of these types of projects have been executed in the capital of Peru, thanks to large sums of money invested, it is expected that small businesses will gradually join in and implement sustainable and eco-friendly strategies and practices in their offices. Due to the terrible effects of climate change and pollution that we are currently facing, sustainable architecture should no longer be one of the options, if not the only option, for designing and building houses, buildings, public spaces, etc.

Reference materials:

República, L. (n.d.). Conoce Cuatro Proyectos Arquitectónicos sostenibles en el Perú: Vivienda: La República. Últimas Noticias del Perú y el Mundo en larepublica.pe. https://larepublica.pe/metro-cuadrado/2020/02/25/conoce-cuatro-proyectos-arquitectonicos-sostenibles-en-el-peru 

Libélula, P. (2019, December 11). Retos de la sostenibilidad de Lujo: El Caso del Hotel Westin Lima. Libélula. https://libelula.com.pe/retos-de-la-sostenibilidad-de-lujo-el-caso-del-hotel-westin-lima/ 

Edificio Leuro: Ejemplo de modernidad y sostenibilidad en Miraflores. Municipalidad Distrital de Miraflores. (2021, May 15). https://www.miraflores.gob.pe/edificio-leuro-ejemplo-de-modernidad-y-sostenibilidad-en-miraflores/ 

Roche Recibe Certificación LEED-Oro por implementación de oficinas green. Stakeholders Sostenibilidad. (2010, July 26). https://stakeholders.com.pe/noticias-sh/roche-recibe-certificacion-leed-oro-por-implementacion-de-oficinas-green/