Sustainable architecture is the practice of designing buildings while taking into consideration sustainable development and environmental growth. It aims to minimize environmental impact of buildings through moderation in the utilization of energy and development space as well as building materials. To be able to strongly promote the practice, there are some basic elements to keep in mind:
Small space
More often than not, large houses consume a tremendous amount of energy. Aside from that, they also need a lot of building materials. To minimize wastefulness, smaller houses are now preferred as these facilitates energy conservation and reduces depletion of natural resources.
Solar energy
A solar-heated house makes it very comfortable to live in. A well-built passive solar energy should be able to provide enough sunlight into the rooms.
Water conservation
In making green buildings or green homes, the use of low water should be highly taken into consideration. Toilets, shower heads, faucet aerators and flow restrictors should be carefully chosen. Others even use drought-tolerant plants in order to minimize water usage.
Renewable energy
A good way to produce electricity while conserving fossil fuel is by making use of the natural powers of the wind, water and the sun.
Natural and local materials
Nature provides us a wide range of materials which we can use to make homes and buildings – mud plasters, lime, glass, bricks, tiles, bamboo, grasses, paper, reeds and natural fibers. Using local materials for construction minimizes transporting costs and hassles. You may also use plants to enhance natural ambiance in your living space. Aside from the ambiance, plants also release oxygen into the air.
These are some of the basic elements of green architecture. Considering green homes and green buildings will not only help you save the environment, it will also help you save on costs, in the long run. Thank you for taking the time to inform yourself about how to build a greener home.