Why Sustainable Architecture Makes Sense

During the building or renovation of homes and buildings, the aim of sustainable architecture is to complete a project that is not only pleasing to the eye but is also environmentally friendly.

This can be achieved through a combination of:

• The use of renewable materials
• Technology that is energy-efficient
• Innovative architectural design

A key reason highlighting the importance of sustainable architecture:

There is no doubt whatsoever that homes and buildings have a highly significant impact when it comes to carbon emissions.

The Environment Programme headed by the United Nations has produced figures stating that buildings account for almost 50% of global energy use.

Two stark findings also state that they produce 40% of all greenhouse gas emissions and 20% of all solid waste.

Responsible architectural firms have been implementing sustainable practices for quite some time now. They are constantly coming up with innovative sustainable design strategies that will hugely benefit your project.

These strategies not only reduce energy consumption, they also reduce environmental damage.

Minimising environmental impact:

The ever-growing demand for new buildings in the form of homes, and commercial concerns such as restaurants, shopping centres, leisure facilities and office space means there is a real responsibility for architects to address these challenges in a way that ensures waste is reduced, sustainable products are used and the end result is aesthetically pleasing.

By achieving such goals, they are contributing greatly in terms of minimising the environmental impact of any new or refurbished development project.

A further positive is that these sustainable methods ensure long-term benefits through the design of energy-efficient buildings.

Sustainable architecture is not confined to new projects:

Anyone considering the refurbishment of their home or business premises should be aware that sustainable architectural practices can also benefit such a project.

This is achieved through the re-design of buildings in a far more energy-efficient manner and will introduce such things as:

• Solar Panels
• Environmentally friendly insulation methods
• The latest, low-energy heating systems

These are all quite straightforward and effective ways of ensuring that a property achieves its aim of becoming ‘greener’ through re-design and operation.

Depending upon the type of project you are undertaking, you may also find government schemes available that make such ‘green’ initiatives even more attractive.

Include a green architect from the conceptual stage

There is no doubt that the most sustainable building projects are those that are designed and overseen by ‘green’ architects from the conceptual stage onwards.

This is because your chosen architectural firm will then have full scope to introduce innovative and unique eco-friendly design measures at just about every stage of the project.

By doing so it will mean the finished design is created consuming less energy, yet providing highly advanced methods of sustainable technology.

Sustainable architecture benefits everyone:

The completion of an ideal building project is one that is environmentally sustainable for the long-term benefit of everyone.

It promotes occupant health by using natural, renewable materials, sourcing energy and water, and functionality that affords positive environmental benefits.

The implementation of sustainable architecture is of extreme importance. Benefits are far-reaching, not just for those who live or work in such buildings, but the surrounding community and its economy.