Green architecture is a philosophy focused on designing buildings with the lowest possible negative impact on the surrounding environment by using sustainable materials and energy sources in construction. This architectural style also emphasizes the importance of creating a healthy indoor environment for a building’s inhabitants.
The concepts of green architecture aren’t new. In fact, basic green architecture has been around since the time of ancient civilizations. Without the convenience of modern technology, these civilizations had to work with the earth to build livable structures. Without air conditioning, structures had to be built with natural ventilation to control the interior climate, and buildings were placed intentionally to maximize natural light.
“Sometimes people think of a green building as one that has solar panels on it, but it’s much more than that,” says Jim Schneider, a writer and LEED Accredited Professional who has worked in the building design and construction industry for almost 20 years. “The best sustainable designs seek to reduce waste, conserve energy and resources and offer a high degree of performance and function to occupants and the community. There are lots of ways to get to those goals, and the challenge and opportunity for architects is coming up with the right mix of materials, building products and systems that work together with a smart design to deliver an efficient, high-performing building.”
Reducing energy consumption is one of the biggest goals of green architecture, so it follows that these types of constructions will often include a power source that runs on renewable energy.
Green design’s focus on the environment starts before the home is even built. Green architects focus on using non-toxic, recycled and sustainable building materials.
