Sustainability is a complex concept that has many factors. Architects can play an important role in helping foster green building practices.
Materials
Architects must help clients understand sustainable design’s long-term cost savings and energy efficiency. They can do so by educating their clients on green building techniques and advocating for sustainability features throughout the design process. Using natural, 100% recyclable, and reusable materials is the cornerstone of sustainable architecture. It reduces a building’s negative impact on the environment and improves the quality of life for its occupants. Using renewable energy sources and smart building technology allows architects to minimize a building’s energy consumption and carbon footprint. The goal is to create a building that can produce more energy than it consumes, thus creating a positive energy balance.
Energy
Modern technology and building methods have sadly degraded natural resources, such as agricultural land, forests, and air. The Earth’s ecosystem must be restored to sustain future generations, and the relationship between buildings and their surroundings must be strengthened. Architects can play an important role in implementing sustainability in their designs. Architects can create environmentally responsible and cost-effective buildings by collaborating with manufacturers and clients, staying up-to-date on trends and technologies, and advocating for sustainable design features. Achieving sustainability goals in architecture requires a comprehensive strategy that considers multiple aspects of the project, including the selection of materials, energy efficiency, and indoor environmental quality. By prioritizing these strategies, architects can help their clients reach their green construction goals and set a positive example for future generations. However, there are still some obstacles to overcome.
Water
The building industry is responsible for a third of heat-trapping carbon dioxide and two-fifths of acid rain-causing sulfur oxides in the air, so architects have an essential role in helping to find alternative energy sources. This could be through the design of buildings that generate their power from solar, wind, or hydroelectric sources. In addition, reducing water consumption and providing sustainable means of waste disposal are key elements of sustainability. This may be achieved by designing buildings with rainwater collection and use systems, for example, or by creating green roofs. Architects are also key players in educating their clients and contractors about sustainable materials and practices. Manufacturers must be equipped with resources to help educate architects about the broader scope of product specifications, including material sourcing, supply chain and shipping implications, and lifecycle options for end-of-life products and materials.
Waste
Buildings consume significant energy — powering appliances, heating and cooling them, lighting them up. This reliance on fossil fuels causes great environmental damage, including the emission of heat-trapping carbon dioxide and acid rain-causing sulfur and nitrogen oxides. Reducing energy consumption through sustainable design strategies, such as solar panels and natural light, can help to alleviate this issue. Another strategy is to design buildings with water systems that conserve and reuse water, such as rainwater harvesting and a greywater treatment system.
As architects, we advocate for sustainable construction and work closely with clients to educate them on the benefits of green products and materials. Educating our clientele can help reduce negative environmental impacts and energy consumption and increase cost-efficiency in the long run.
