Nowadays society is really worried about nature.
Eco-buildings are becoming the reality and increasingly studies are developing
to make architecture more environmentally sustainable. Sustainability means not
harming the environment and making sure it can last while we move forward. It
is a big challenge design a building in harmony with the environment.
Architects have an important role to face this obstacle.
Eco-buildings are designed with purpose to save
energy, conserve water, protect natural resources and keep home healthy. For
accomplish these goals and make architecture sustainable is necessary to
recycling materials, reducing pollution and designing green buildings.
One way to protect nature is through the use of
recyclable and renewable materials. Use these materials in buildings can
maintain natural resources. In fact, when you recycle or renew materials, these
materials are used continuously, so new resources are conserved. Another point,
the use of renewable materials, including wood for reforestation, is a way to
decrease consumption of energy at each stage of the building process. This
energy is reduced because during the extraction and transportation of
materials, fabrication, assembly, building erection and maintenance minimum of
energy is be used.
According to Lloyd Alter, a past President of the
Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (2013,
December 12), using sustainably harvested wood is a way to recycle CO2
because when plants are growing up, they are absorbing CO2 from atmosphere and
liberating 02. That's why the new wave of using recycled wood construction is
so exciting, and why so many construction companies are using this approach and
allowing taller wood buildings. Using reforestation wood in construction is an
appropriate action to avoid global climate change and preserve natural
resources.
Construction activities affect the soil, air, water
and noise pollution. However, green buildings are solutions for alleviate these
problems caused by construction. These types of buildings produce less
pollution for the world because uses less toxic materials. Furthermore, the
trash generated by the construction is reused for recycle.
According to U.S Environmental Protection Agency
(2014), during the construction process of green buildings, toxic components
are substituted to safer chemistries. When toxic substances are reduced or
eliminated during manufacturing process, air quality is improved because the
air is keeping clean. If it is possible preserve the environment just changing
construction habits, we should make this happen.
Another benefit of using “green” materials in homes
is that it helps keep people healthy. Nowadays, people have many illness
because of air pollution. According to Robin Pharo (2010, December 1), green-building material manufacturers are
creating products to meet the environmental needs of homeowners without
compromising durability. It is important consumers select products that don’t
release significant pollutants into the building, such as no-VOC paints, formaldehyde-free.
Another option for consumers is they can look for
products that carry an emissions certification from a third-party organization,
such as Washington,D.C based Green Seal. This type of organization certifies a
vast array of products that can affect the indoor air quality of a home or
building. Health is the most valuable noun that humans have, so it is very
important people allow their time to research about healthy home products.
Green buildings provide positive effects in
economy. The initial investment of green building is the harder part of the
process because its cost is higher than the traditional buildings and that is
the reason why investors are doubt about investment future.
According to, Kampschroer (2009) 12 of the lasts
federal building built in the United States were green and they showed an
increase of 27% on people satisfaction, due to its bigger satisfaction these
buildings have a lower vacancy rates. In addition, they have an economy of
energy higher than 25% compared with average of commercial buildings and their
operating costs are on average 8 to 9% lower. Finally, green buildings are a
good and safe investment for long term, providing 6.6% total return on
investment.
When using the appropriate technology, architecture
can provide for people a better quality of life because it makes the house a
comfortable place with less money. It is increasingly common houses with
sunroof and system for rainwater because these technologies make renewable
natural resources. Also called rain harvesting, this simple system connect
downspouts (gutters) to a central water tank.
Sunroof is a way to collect solar energy. In
buildings, collected water can be used for clean common spaces and captured
energy can be used for heat water. In addition, using LED lights is a way to
decrease consumption of energy in homes because this type of lights have longer
operational life and efficiency compared
with incandescent bulbs, consequently consumer pay less for get energy service.
These simple systems are cost-effective and last for a long time.
In conclusion, the actions to make sustainable
world through have been started. Concerning about environment have moved people
to think ways to preserve Nature. Also, architecture have a fundamental
function of preserve the environment through using recycled and renewable
material, producing less pollution during the process of construction and
design eco-buildings.
Getting green seal constructors can attractive
consumers to buy their buildings because sustainable technologies have impact
in consumer’s choice. Constructing more eco-building natures resources could be
better utilized and make the process of maintenance the building sustainable
which lead for a lower energy consumption and lower solid waste. In other
point, If more eco-building were built, the Planet would be a better place,
ensuring more quality of life and health for people. Consequently, people would
have more life expectancy.
