As awareness of climate change and its effects grows, an increasing number of people are looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact. More and more, this is leading them to consider green building practices.
While green building has been around for a while, there are some new philosophies and approaches that are making their way into the mainstream. In this blog post, we will look at five of the most popular green building concepts and innovations that are currently popping up in designs around the world.
The Rising Popularity of Green Architecture and Design
Green building is a form of sustainable architecture and design, which prioritizes environmental responsibility. This means using building materials that are renewable or recyclable, minimizing waste, and maximizing energy and water efficiency.
Besides the need to reduce our environmental impact, there are many reasons for the increase in interest in sustainable buildings, including the fact that sustainable buildings often cost less to operate and maintain than traditional buildings. They can also provide a healthier indoor environment for occupants.
Popular Trends in Green Architecture
Automated IoT HVAC Systems
One popular green building concept is the use of automated IoT (Internet of Things) HVAC systems. These systems are designed to optimize comfort and energy efficiency by automatically adjusting the building’s heating and cooling based on real-time data.
IoT HVAC systems are becoming increasingly popular in both commercial and residential buildings as they offer several benefits over traditional HVAC systems. For example, IoT HVAC systems can save energy by only heating or cooling specific areas of a building when it is occupied. They can also improve indoor air quality by monitoring and adjusting ventilation rates based on air quality data.
Biophilic Design
Biophilic design is another green building philosophy that is gaining popularity. Biophilic design is all about incorporating elements of nature into the built environment. This can be done in a number of ways, such as using natural materials, providing views of nature, allowing in natural light, and incorporating living plants into the design of a space.
Biophilic design is becoming more popular as we recognize the importance of connecting with nature. Studies have shown that biophilic design can have many benefits, including reducing stress levels, improving cognitive function, and increasing productivity.
Biophilic design can be seen throughout history and across cultures. In fact, one of the wonders of the ancient world could be considered as adhering to this philosophy. A current example would be the Bosco Verticale in Milan, Italy. These residential towers feature walls and balconies covered in thousands of lush shrubs and bushes, fed by a captured rainwater irrigation system.
Retrofit Wherever Possible
One of the most important green building philosophies is the idea of retrofitting existing buildings rather than demolishing them and starting from scratch. Retrofitting means making changes to an existing building so that it meets current standards for energy efficiency and sustainability.
This is important because it helps to reduce waste and save energy. It also means that we can still use existing buildings that are already part of our built environment, rather than having to replace them from the ground up with new buildings.
There are several ways that architects are retrofitting existing buildings to be more sustainable. Focusing on space utilization and energy management are just two ways to make buildings more sustainable and efficient. Depending on the building in question, it can also be possible to add water recycling systems, green roofs, or other cool roofs that reflect instead of absorb sunlight and heat.
Green Building Materials
Another important green building philosophy is the use of green building materials. Green building materials refer to those that are sustainable, renewable, or recyclable, and those that do not contain chemicals that are harmful to human health, such as paint made without VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Such materials are often made from natural or recycled materials and they have a lower environmental impact than traditional building materials.
Using green building materials is important because it helps to reduce our impact on the environment. It also means that we can create buildings that are healthier for the people who use them.
Some popular green building materials include bamboo, cork, reclaimed wood, recycled metals, stone, and sheep’s wool. Other green building materials can also include energy-rated windows and doors, as well as the aforementioned zero-VOC paint.
Net Zero Cycle
The net-zero cycle is a philosophy that is becoming increasingly popular in the world of green building. The net-zero cycle approach aims to create a closed loop system where all waste is either reused or recycled. In a closed loop system, there is no need for new materials to be created, which means that we can save energy and resources.
Final Thoughts
The ideas mentioned above are just a few of the most popular green building philosophies that are making their way into the mainstream right now. As more people become interested in sustainable architecture, we are likely to see even more innovative and exciting green building approaches being developed and used—which is better for all of us!
Bill Starkey 