Green architecture,
pPhilosophy of architecture that advocates sustainable energy sources, the conservation of energy, the reuse and safety of building materials, and the siting of a building with consideration of its impact on the environment. In the early 21st century the building of shelter (in all its forms) consumed more than half of the world’s resources—translating into 16 percent of the Earth’s freshwater resources, 30–40 percent of all energy supplies, and 50 percent by weight of all the raw materials withdrawn from Earth’s surface.
Architecture was also responsible for 40–50 percent of waste deposits in landfills and 20–30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. Many architects after the post-World War II building boom were content to erect emblematic civic and corporate icons that celebrated profligate consumption and omnivorous globalization. At the turn of the 21st century, however, a building’s environmental integrity—as seen in the way it was designed and how it operated—became an important factor in how it was evaluated.
In the United States, environmental advocacy, as an organized social force, gained its first serious momentum as part of the youth movement of the 1960s. In rebellion against the perceived evils of high-rise congestion and suburban sprawl, some of the earliest and most dedicated eco-activists moved to rural communes, where they lived in tentlike structures and geodesic domes. In a certain sense, this initial wave of green architecture was based on admiration of the early Native American lifestyle and its minimal impact on the land. At the same time, by isolating themselves from the greater community, these youthful environmentalistswere ignoring one of ecology’s most important principles: that interdependent elements work in harmony for the benefit of the whole.
Influential pioneers of the 1960s and '70s, such as Lewis Mumford, Ian McHarg, and James Lovelock, shaped green design and popularized environmental principles. Mumford proposed a simple solution to the energy crisis: harness solar energy through plants for food, power, and manpower. McHarg's "Design with Nature" laid groundwork for green architecture, emphasizing human stewardship and "cluster development" to preserve natural environments. Lovelock's Gaia hypothesis conceptualized Earth as a unified organism sustaining life. Arne Naess advocated "deep ecology," valuing every living creature's role in Earth's balanced system. Economic and political factors in the 1970s accelerated green awareness, prompting investment in alternative energy sources post-OPEC oil crisis.
The innovations of renowned green design leaders have been cataloged into a comprehensive database of environmental construction techniques and sustainable materials. These principles, rooted in centuries-old practices, continue to underpin modern advancements in environmental technology. Key green design principles for 21st-century homes include:
The success of the environmental movement hinges on fostering a global philosophy of sustainability and embracing integrative thinking within the building industry, as advocated by Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson.
By the mid-1980s and continuing through the ’90s, the number of environmental advocacy societies radically expanded; groups such as Greenpeace, Environmental Action, the Sierra Club, Friends of the Earth, and the Nature Conservancy all experienced burgeoning memberships. For architects and builders a significant milestone was the formulation in 1994 of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards, established and administered by the U.S. Green Building Council. These standards provided measurable criteria for the design and construction of environmentally responsible buildings. The basic qualifications are as follows:
1. Sustainable site development prioritizes reusing existing buildings and preserving the surrounding environment. It promotes earth shelters, roof gardens, and extensive planting in and around buildings.
2. Water conservation involves cleaning and recycling gray water, installing rainwater catchments for each building, and monitoring water usage and supplies.
3. Energy efficiency can improve through building orientation to optimize sunlight and the use of diverse, regionally suitable energy sources like solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, water, or natural gas, depending on location.
4. The best materials are recycled or renewable, require minimal energy to make, ideally sourced locally without harmful chemicals, made from nonpolluting raw ingredients, durable, and recyclable.
5. Indoor environmental quality focuses on factors affecting individual comfort, including personal space control, ventilation, temperature regulation, and use of non-toxic materials.
For architecture to go truly green, a radical overhaul of form and content is crucial. This requires a new, contextually integrated, socially responsive, and ethically functional architectural language, drawing inspiration from environmental science and technology. Just as the Industrial Revolution spurred change in the 19th century, the information revolution offers a conceptual model for a new approach to architecture in the 21st century. Local governments should encourage artistic responses that blend architecture with regional attributes like topography and vegetation, fostering innovative merges of buildings and landscapes. Green design must prioritize the psychological and physical well-being of inhabitants, engaging multiple senses in both buildings and public spaces. While advances in environmental technology have bolstered sustainable goals, the environmental crisis demands a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach beyond technological solutions. The growing desire for symbiotic relationships between shelter and ecology signals progress in developing a consensus philosophy of the environment. As Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world."
