Green architecture is a method of minimizing the negative effects built structures have on their surrounding environment. It’s a philosophy that draws on the environment as inspiration to deliver low-impact, adaptable, and healthy spaces. Green buildings are made in accordance with this thinking. They are designed, constructed, and operated with a focus on conserving energy, sourcing eco-friendly/recycled materials, and preserving the biodiversity of the area.

 

 

What Does a Green Building Look Like? 

There’s no one way to make a green building. Any building, whether it’s a home, office, school, or other structure, can be a green building if it is made with these features: 

• Efficient use of energy, water, space, and other resources
• Use of renewable energy, such as solar energy
• Pollution and waste reduction measures, and the enabling of re-use and recycling
• Good indoor environmental air quality
• Use of materials that are non-toxic, ethical and sustainable
• Consideration of the environment in design, construction and operation
• Consideration of the quality of life of occupants in design, construction, and operation
• A design that enables adaptation to a changing environment
  
  

Green buildings differ from each other across regions and countries to account for unique variations in climate, cultures, and economic priorities. No two will be exactly alike. But one thing holds true: effective green architecture is not an add-on.

Technologies Used in Green Construction

 

Pixel Building (Melbourne, Australia)

Opened: 2010 | Use: Offices | Design: Decibel Architecture

When it opened a decade ago, the Pixel Building was Australia’s first carbon-neutral office building, generating all its own power and water on site. Among its energy-saving features are colorful, eye-catching panels that provide shade and maximize daylight as needed, supports that help process wastewater, a roof that captures rainwater, and a series of vertical wind turbines.

Shanghai Tower (Shanghai, China)

Opened: 2015 | Use: Offices, hotel and retail | Design: Gensler

The world’s second tallest building at 2,073 feet, Shanghai Tower is an architectural wonder as well as a sustainable one. A transparent second skin wrapped around the building creates a buffer of captured air that serves as natural ventilation, reducing energy costs, and 270 wind turbines incorporated into the facade power its exterior lights. Thanks to measures like these, the tower uses significantly less power than other skyscrapers and has a platinum LEED certification.

PARKROYAL Collection Pickering (Singapore)

PARKROYAL Collection Pickering takes obvious inspiration from Singapore’s tropical environment. The design is inspired by terraformed rice paddies, and numerous sky gardens have been inserted along the building’s facade.They deliver luxuriant greenery, including palm trees, to public areas and guest room balconies. These also provide a natural cooling effect. WOHA also incorporated crevasses, waterfalls and gullies into the design. These features are designed to be self-sustaining, taking advantage of Singapore’s abundant rainfall to irrigate all those plants through a drip system.

 

 

Bosco Verticale (Milan, Italy)

Opened: 2014 | Use: Residential | Design: Boeri Studio

Bosco Verticale translates to Vertical Forest. It's one of the most intensively green facades you'll find anywhere in the world. Bosco Verticale translates to Vertical Forest. It's one of the most intensively green facades you'll find anywhere in the world.Meet the architect transforming cities into 'vertical forests' Architect Stefano Boeri designed these deluxe apartments in the sky with plenty of spaces to accommodate large, full-grown trees, and a variety of ground cover plants and shrubs. The effect is “one of the most intensive living green facades ever realized,” according to Skyscrapercenter.com. All this greenery helps improve air quality in Bosco Verticale and the city more broadly.

 

Vancouver Convention Centre West (Vancouver, Canada)

Opened: 2009 | Use: trade shows, conventions, events| Design: LMN Architects

Great things are happening on the roof of the Vancouver Convention Centre West, the first building of its kind to get a double LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) platinum designation. So what’s creating the buzz? For starters, four hives of European honey bees have been installed to pollinate the roof’s plants and grasses, which in turn help reduce heat build-up in summer and retain it in winter. On top of that, the roof’s sloping shape also assists with water drainage and the distribution of seeds. But not all the action is on the roof. Some of the project is built over the water on piles (columns) that help support a marine ecosystem that includes native crabs, salmon and shellfish.

Benefits of green building

According to the most recent IPCC report, a “rapid and far-reaching” sustainable transition in land, energy, buildings, transport and cities is needed to meet global carbon reduction goals. Buildings account for almost 40 percent of global energy-related CO2 and will play a major role in a sustainable transformation.

Green buildings, like those that are LEED certified, are a global solution for cities, communities and neighborhoods. The tangible benefits may not be easily recognizable to tenants or visitors, but through sustainable design, construction and operations green buildings are reducing carbon emissions, energy and waste; conserving water; prioritizing safer materials; and lowering our exposure to toxins.

These outcomes are contributing to the global growth of the industry. According to the 2018 World Green Building Trends SmartMarket Report, many in the building and construction industry expect the majority of projects in the next three years to be green buildings. Looking ahead, creating spaces that support our health and well-being, as well as the economy and environment will be vital to accelerating sustainable development and delivering a better standard of living.