Photo by Blake Wheeler on Unsplash
The world is rapidly changing; unfortunately, our environment takes the brunt of the consequences. Natural resources are being depleted. The air is getting hotter because of global warming. Pollution is on the rise. But what can you do about it?
Before being “green” became mainstream, eco-friendly homes were chunky and unattractive. Eco-friendly homes and architecture have come a long way in helping the environment.
Now, green homes are both attractive and eco-responsible. Here are 8 ways architecture is leading eco-friendly living!
Passive Design Strategies
Passive design strategies use natural elements within your home and space to make it more eco-friendly. They’re focused on the design and structure of your home.
Passive designs consider wind patterns and the sun’s orientation during construction.
For example, an architect might use a more extensive roof to offer some relief from the sun during summer. It’ll also give you better insulation to keep warm during winter.
These adjustments to the design mean you won’t be reaching for the thermostat whenever the weather kicks up.
Another example of a passive design strategy is building the layout of your home to improve cross-ventilation. This improves the airflow so you won’t need to use your air-conditioner as much as you used to.
Passive design strategies are great to consider when purchasing a new home.
Energy-Efficient Building Materials
A significant part of having an eco-friendly home is using energy-efficient, green building materials. You could choose to go with hardwood floors or well-made furniture. These last longer and don’t contribute to waste.
Energy efficiency in green building designs includes things like solar panels. It could also involve implementing structures that derive energy from natural sources, like wind or water.
This reduces your energy bill and does wonders for the environment by reducing pollution.
Geothermal energy systems use the temperature of the ground to create electricity. This is another kind of renewable energy often accomplished using an air-source heat pump.
This is great for heating your home during winter.
Green Roof Systems
Have you ever seen those gorgeous rooftop gardens? The ones with trees and grassy lawns? That’s a green roof system.
Green roof systems aren’t an option for every home. They work best on more significant buildings, like apartment complexes or office buildings.
Green roof systems are great because they help improve air quality. These systems also help reduce the amount of CO2 in the air and the building’s temperature.
Solar Power Integration
Did you know that the annual carbon footprint in the US is the highest in the world? At 16 tons per person, it cuts the competition down! By integrating solar power, we can reduce that by 25%!
Solar power is an easy way to implement renewable energy and lessen our reliance on carbon fuels.
Solar panels are a great way to power your home and have the added benefit of reducing your energy bill.
Water Conservation Strategies
One of the ways eco-friendly architecture helps the environment is by introducing water efficiency. This involves reducing water waste by using water-efficient plumbing and reducing the strain on water resources.
There are specifically-engineered systems that work to purify your water. It allows you to use alternative sources of water, like rainwater. So, this is a great option to reduce your water bill.
A great example of water conservation plumbing is the dual flush toilet. This toilet reduces the amount of water used for flushing. You could also look into low-flow faucets, greywater recycling systems, and water-saving showerheads.
Green Building Certifications
Green building certifications are green building rating tools. These assess and evaluate which buildings meet sustainability requirements and standards.
Companies and organisations can earn a sustainable building certification if they meet those requirements. It also acts as an incentive to push the boundaries of sustainability.
Certifications do vary depending on their approach. They can also be applied to construction, operation, renovation, maintenance, planning, and design.
Adaptive Reuse and Renovation
The global population is ever-increasing, and our shared natural resources bear the brunt of its effects.
With the innovation of contemporary architecture, valuable resources like water and energy can be protected and recycled.
Eco-friendly architecture boosts energy efficiency and reduces the environmental impact on resources. It can also save you a ton of energy and water bills.
Smart Home Technology
A fantastic addition to eco-friendly architecture is introducing an intelligent home system.
An innovative home system takes care of the little things like controlling the temperature and monitoring water and electricity usage. It can also check up on any water leaks.
More advanced systems come with fancy energy-saving upgrades. For example, occupancy-sensing lights. This means you always have to remember to switch off the lights after leaving a room.
It can also alert you if any of your appliances need changing.
Smart homes easily link to devices such as ALEXA, which allows you to control your sound and entertainment system.
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