Green Architecture and the Environmentby Nadir Huseynov | 20-04-2021 01:56 |
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 At a time when more and more sustainable buildings have become necessary, a closer look makes us see beyond the project itself. It is at this moment that green architecture comes into play: a set of practices, concepts and techniques that make a total difference in the efficiency of sustainable construction.Appeared in the 2000s, this movement aims to create harmony in the final work, avoiding unnecessary damage to the environment at each step of its execution, reducing waste, for example.Starting with the conception of sustainable architectural design, the responsible professional takes into account details such as the optimization of natural resources and the lower impact of buildings on the environment. As an example, we take into account the conditions of the climate and ecosystems surrounding the buildings, taking advantage of what they have to offer, optimizing them, and causing the least possible impact on the environment where the work will be carried out.Reducing the use and minimizing the waste of construction materials is one way and increases the efficiency in the effort for a low energy consumption.Taking advantage of the natural light, ventilation or heat of the region increases the comfort and wholesomeness of the building's internal environments and considerably reduces energy consumption, the conventional one being substituted by renewable sources.As for the use of water, in green architecture projects, the idea is to always use the minimum necessary. Through intelligent management, water reuse technologies, the capture and use of rainwater, it is possible to drastically reduce water consumption, as well as spending on this consumption.The installation of taps and showers with timers, the adoption of the solar water heating system are an example that technology is increasingly evolving to help these actions.When choosing environmentally friendly materials, extra attention is needed, as what appears to be sustainable is often not. One example is bamboo, which is found in abundance in some Asian countries. Its use is no longer sustainable since it has to be sent to Brazil, generating transportation costs among others. The ideal is to always use what you have in abundance in the region where the work will be carried out, since the transport of the materials generates emission of polluting gases and other unnecessary consumption.Finally, we have the issue of waste. Separating them in the work and giving each one the proper destination, makes it easier to reuse or recycle them.More than just technical terminology, green architecture is a new way of looking and creating. It is a constant effort to preserve the planet and, in a more localized way, the environment in which people will live. |
