Five modern trends in sustainable architecture

With so many ecological concerns coming up every year, the need for the hour is to grasp the concept of Eco-friendly and sustainable architecture. The dawn of this green architecture came from the Eco-build in London, Cannes and the Earth Day and it seems to be develop rapidly in the developed countries. Green architecture can change the world. With rapid advancements in the field of Eco-friendly products, there is a huge demand for making buildings and construction techniques more greener and sustainable and less harmful for Earth. The world has grasped this idea very well. The need for new techniques and materials which can be easily recycled are taken into consideration. Here’s showcasing 5 trends in green and sustainable architecture which is a focus of attention amongst Eco-designers.

1. Vertical Farming

With an expected increase in population to 9.1 billion people within the year 2050, feeding all the people around the globe is a cause for major concern. Food production needs to increase by 70%. This would mean having higher crop yields and expansion of the area cultivated. However land available for cultivation is not evenly distributed, while others are suitable for cultivating only a few crops. Thus architects have been designing buildings where one can grow crops on all the edges surrounding the building. This gives more area for cultivation and helps solve the expansion crisis. The vertical farms can be integrated with residential buildings too, with farms being set up on the external periphery of the buildings. This provides a clean environment for the residents to live in.

2. Straw

Straw is a sustainable material which can be used as a building material. Many designers and builders today are making use of this natural material to make phenomenal designs which are Eco-friendly. These buildings can be made from prefabricated panels using straw. These panels can be assembled from locally sourced star which can be fit into the panel frame made from timber. This production style helps save money and energy and decrease build times and carbon emissions. Electricity can be generated by photovoltaic and solar thermal panels and the extra electricity can be sold to the electricity grid. The homes made by straw would be considerably cheaper, as straw is a product which is available in vast quantity. This low cost makes it more popular to the general masses.

3. Phase change materials (PCMs)

Phase change materials are used to store both cooling and heating energy. These new age materials can be embedded in the ceiling and the wall tiles from where they absorb heat to keep the space cool and reduces the need for air conditioning. These Phase change material tiles have micro capsules made of a special wax which is developed to contain heat during the day. Some companies selling phase change materials claim that using the material reduces temperature of your indoor surrounding by almost 7ºC, hence reducing air conditioning costs.

4. Bees and biodiversity

Bees are an integral part of our biodiversity. A small garden or a rooftop is all that is required to keep bees. They help in making delicious honey from plants and flowers in your gardens, parks and the tree lined roads. It is important to make an environment in cities that safeguards wildlife and also helps in further diversity. By incorporating biodiversity into architecture, we can make a cleaner and greener world. Hence keeping bees and making bee hives are an important step that needs to be taken to ensure a cleaner, greener environment. In London, vast number of bee hives have been created on the roof tops of buildings, attracting many bees.

5. Sustainable materials

Apart from the many products used in construction made from recycled materials, many researchers are looking at the construction industry for other sustainable materials from other sectors which are rarely used in design and construction.

Thousands of samples have been taken from countries all over the world. These selected materials provide an Eco-friendly alternative to other resource hungry materials which generally have many by products which are harmful to the environment. These samples are being studied and their properties are made good use of. So it is essential that we find sustainable materials which can be easily recycled and are durable and appropriate for construction.

Six Steps to Prevent Indoor Air Pollution in Your Home

Studies show that many times indoor pollution takes more of a toll on your health than outdoor pollution. As we walk through our homes, the air turbulence created by our moving bodies stirs up a  combination of dust and debris that can be very irritating to the lungs. Indoor Air Pollution and Irritants Human skin particles, pollen, and smoke are all part of this bothersome brew of irritants. The most  irritating are dust mites. Dust mites are microscopic creatures that feed on dustespecially flakes of skin. Household cleaners and pesticides are full of chemicals. People are even bothered by low levels of these compounds. Ironically, indoor air is now recognized as being full of many of the same chemicals we've spent so much time reducing outdoors. Another common source of indoor air pollution is drycleaned clothes, which emit a number of chemicals that may be harmful. Fortunately, homeowners these days have a wide range of options that can help them breathe more easily and comfortably in the home.

1. Reduce and alter indoor chemical use Pay close attention to the labels on household products. If  possible switch to natural products that contain fewer toxic chemicals. When you do need to use a  stronger chemical, use it sparingly and follow all the precautions explained on the label.

2. Air out drycleaned items Don't immediately store drycleaned items in a closet. Take the plastic off and  allow your clothing to air out for a day or two in a space with good air circulation. Then, recover the items with plastic and store them in a closet.

3. Use more sophisticated furnace filters  The traditional furnace air filter isn't designed to clean air. Its  only function is to keep large particles, like hair and debris, from damaging the furnace blower. These larger particles are rarely the source of human breathing difficulty. Now there are new, more elaborate filters on the market that trap enough particulate matter to help humans breathe better. In general, the more costly the filter, the more dust it snags out of the airflow. Costing anywhere from $7 to $100, sophisticated filters can pull out up to five times as much dust as traditional filters.

4. Install an electronic air cleaner Electronic air cleaners can extract 30 times as much dust as ordinary  filters, but they cost a lot more. In fact, a professionally installed air cleaner costs $500 to $700. While this is a substantial amount of money, it's worth every penny if it offers significant breathing relief to one or more people in your household. If the price is too steep for you, portable units can be purchased for far less. Of course, the smaller units clean just the air in one room much like a window air conditioner cools only one room. Electronic air cleaners only need to be cleaned once a year or so because they incinerate the trapped dust.

5. Open the windows Don't keep your home tightly sealed all of the time. Years ago homes weren't nearly as insulated as they are today. However, one drawback to this is that indoor toxins also get sealed inside. It's important to air out your home regularly by opening windows and using fans to draw outside fresh air inside. Installing an attic or whole house fan is a great way to bring a big breath of fresh air indoors.

6. Add plants to your home Plants can do a great job of helping to remove the indoor toxins from home. And, some plants work harder at it than others. A few that have been shown to work well: Boston fern, spider plant, English ivy, areca palm, and peace lillies. A good rule of thumb is two plants per hundred square feet. 

40 tips for an eco-friendly home

The decision to be eco-friendly can seem like a big commitment but we have collected the top tips from some home and garden experts on how to make changes that help protect the environment — without having to learn a whole new way of life at the same time.

GREEN CLEANING:

Keep your home spick and span without harming the Earth with these tips from Enjo founder Barb De Corti:

1. Use fibre technology cloths and naturally derived cleaning products.

2. Don't use electricity to clean - steam mops, vacuum cleaners and dustbusters can easily be replaced with microfibre sweepers and mops.

3. Make your own natural cleaning products. White vinegar is a great degreaser, bicarb soda can be used as an abrasive and salt is a natural scourer.

4. WINDOW COVERINGS

With proper window treatments able to preserve up to 20 per cent of total heat, Karen Thomas, of fabric specialist Innovation, recommends using an insulating, lined curtain and ensuring a close fit on both sides and the top of the window.

5. WATER WORKS

Cameron Burbridge, from bathroomware retailer Gro Agencies, recommends replacing leaking taps, single-flush toilets and inefficient showerheads with WELS-rated products (the more stars the better).

7. CHOOSE GREEN

Eco-friendly paints contain fewer harmful chemical compounds, according to Marilyn Tuna, of paint manufacturer Bauwerk. For a list of green-approved suppliers, visit the Good Environmental Choice Australia website: www.geca.org.au.

CLEVER KITCHENS

Spiros Scafidas, of Kitchen Headquarters in Osborne Park, shares some eco-friendly appliance secrets:

8. Fan-forced ovens are the most energy efficient while induction is the best option for cooktops because it cooks the fastest.

9. Microwaves can cut energy consumption by up to two-thirds - check out the new range of "combi" ovens that work as both oven and microwave.

10. Eco-efficient dishwashers are becoming popular as technology improves, with some using less water than handwashing dishes in the sink.

11. GREY MATTERS

To minimise pressure on mains water, Nathan Yardley, from Total Eden, suggests speaking to an expert about installing a greywater system or plumbing a rainwater tank to your toilets.

12. SUSTAINABLE STYLE

Your choice of furnishing materials can have a big impact on the overall sustainability of your home. According to Ms Thomas, natural products like cotton - which many believe to be eco-friendly - take an enormous amount of water to produce, while materials like hemp and bamboo can grow in almost arid conditions.

13. LOW-IMPACT LIGHTING

Elisabeth Budjak, of Lightingales in Claremont, recommends compact fluorescent lightbulbs - which use significantly less power and have a longer lifespan than regular bulbs - and LED lighting. The average LED light will last 30 or more years, meaning less waste.

14. NATURAL LIGHT

During the warmer months, always close curtains during the day, says Natalie Curtis, from Synergy, as sunlight coming through the windows will heat the house. Conversely, keep curtains open in winter when it is sunny because this will allow natural warmth into the house.

15. ECO CHECK-UP

Wondering how green your household is? Arrange a home star-rating consultation with Alinta Assist, which Alinta's Ray Myles says involves an environmental expert assessing the way you use water, waste, energy and transport, then providing you with a personalised rating and action plan to help reduce your eco-footprint. Phone 1800 288 226 or see www.alinta.net.au.

16. FAN OUT

Use ceiling fans at low speed or on the winter setting, suggests Ms Curtis - this lessens the workload of your heating or cooling system by helping to circulate the warm or cool air.

WINDOWS AND WALLS:

Walls and windows contribute significantly to the amount of energy we use heating and cooling our interiors, according to John Cleary, from EnergySmartWindows. Try these tips to maximise your home's thermal efficiency:

17. Mr Cleary recommends double-glazed windows and aluminium frames with a thermal break.

18. Stuart Carson, of Australasian Insulation Supplies, advises draught-sealing your home and ensuring there is adequate ceiling insulation.

19. DESIGN AND DECORATING

When sourcing furnishings and fittings, Ms Cameron advocates recycled materials, which represent less manufacturing and production costs to the environment compared with new or custom-made products. She says there is a recycled option for virtually everything, from reclaimed kitchens and flooring to furniture from antique stores and auctions.

20. ON OR OFF?

According to Ms Curtis, you should switch LEDs on and off as you exit and enter a room but leave fluoro lights on, as it takes 30 seconds for them to power up.

CLIMATE CONTROL:

Ms Curtis says it is important to ensure your air-conditioner is in shape for next summer:

21. Clean the filters to ensure the air-conditioner is running at its most efficient and clean the outdoor unit regularly as leaves and other debris will tend to reduce its efficiency.

22. Install the outdoor unit on the shady side of your home, and ensure there's adequate ventilation as ventilation is the key to efficiency.

23. Set it to 20C in winter and 24C in summer as these are livable temperatures and don't start your unit very high or low - turn it on early in the day to allow it to reach your preferred temperature slowly.

RENEWABLE RESOURCES:

Colin Wright, from Energypak solar systems, says investing in renewable energy sources is a sensible way to reduce your home's eco-footprint.

24. If sourcing power from a renewable energy system, register for the Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme with Synergy and sell back excess energy that may be generated.

25. It is important to choose the correct sized solar-power system because your home is eligible for the Federal Government solar-power subsidy only once and upgrading can be expensive. Allow for future increases in the electricity tariff or major changes to your home (for example, the addition of a swimming pool or air-conditioning).

26. The Federal subsidy is being phased out over the coming years, so if you are thinking about investing in a solar system, act soon. In July the subsidy will be reduced by 20 per cent, which will add about $1000 to a 1.5kW system.

OUTDOOR LIVING:

Ms Curtis offers the following tips for eco-friendly outdoor areas:

28. Plant deciduous instead of evergreen trees on the north side of your home because they shade the home in summer but drop leaves in winter.

29. Avoid paving directly in front of north windows, as bricks will reflect heat into the house in summer.

KEEP IT GREEN:

The Water Corporation's Ben Jarvis has these tips for an eco-friendly garden:

30. Don't over-fertilise - nutrients not taken up by plants may enter the stormwater and groundwater systems and eventually our waterways.

31. Plant natives or plants suited to the climate because they require less fertiliser and water.

32. Apply soil-wetting agents because they break down water resistance and allow water to get to the roots where it is needed. Also use soil improver to increase your garden's drought resistance and mulch to reduce evaporation.

DRY GARDENS:

Minimise water use with this advice from Mr Yardley:

33. Use automatic irrigation connected to a rain sensor - the sensor will stop the watering if there has been sufficient rain.

34. Irrigation systems need to be maintained to work correctly so check the controller, pop-up sprinklers and garden irrigation regularly.

35. ARTIFICIAL ASSISTANCE

Synthetic grass can save more than 73,000 litres of water a year over 50sqm of lawn, says Justin Everley, from Green Planet Grass.

"Other environmental benefits include the elimination of all pesticides, fertilisers and chemicals on natural grass and the reduction in use of fuel-powered maintenance equipment like lawn mowers."

POOLS:

New products make it easy to save water and energy around your pool.

36. Diane Doust, of PoolWerx, recommends upgrading to a water-efficient filter, such as a cartridge filter, or replacing a sand filter with glass media, a smart water-approved product that can be purchased from most pool retailers. These last longer and require less backwashing than sand filters, saving about 25 per cent of water.

37. Mark Portbury, of Zodiac Pools, says a multi-speed pump with a DC motor will pay itself off in less than two years via reduced energy bills. It is also quieter, meaning you can use it in off-peak times without disturbing the neighbourhood. By October they will be mandatory on all new pools.

38. Cleaning: Ms Doust recommends HydroSpin, a pre-filter cleaning device that reduces by half the amount of water consumed when cleaning the filtration system.

OTHER TIPS:

39. Check the plumbing around valves and pipe joiners for leaks, and install a pool cover to reduce up to 95 per cent of evaporation and reduce chemical usage.

40. CHANGE YOUR THINKING
Don't dismiss greener living as too hard or expensive, says Ms De Corti - even making small changes in your household habits can make a positive impact.

The Green M-velope

American architect and designer Michael Jantzen has created an intriguing art structure that transforms into a number of configurations dependent upon the needs, moods and inspiration of the visitors.

The Green M-velope is based on the aesthetics of the world famous M-house, which was exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and which was sold to an art collector for use on his estate.

“The M-velope is a small functional art structure designed to be a special place in which to escape from the normal reality of a predictable conventional space,” explains Jantzen. The architect hopes that the space will provide inspiration for people to think more creatively about their own passions in life.

Created from sustainably grown western red cedar wood, it is easy to transport as an 8ft (2.44m) cube, and has been painted a sage green color to help it blend and flow into the surrounding environmental landscape.

“The M-velope can be shipped to nearly any site or in multiple pre-fabricated pieces,” he explains. “It is then leveled, secured to the ground, and folded open into different potential configurations.

The slotted panels are hinged to the main frame and can be moved into many different positions, which in turn changes the shape of the M-velope. Several of the panels support benches that can accommodate up to fourteen people. If the M-velope is located in a remote area, a small solar panel can be added to the structure to power lights and small appliances.

When not in use, the structure can again be folded back into a fixed cube configuration in for safekeeping.

Sloan’s Innovative AQUS Grey Water Toilet System Recycles Your Sink Water

One of the oddest quirks in our homes is that we flush toilets with water good enough for drinking — and toilets consume on average 40% of a household’s water use. To address this issue Sloan Valve Company has been hard at work perfecting the AQUS water reclamation system, which takes your bathroom’s sink water and recycles it for flushing in your toilet. As a do-it-yourself project the kit takes about 1 hour to install and promises to save up to 6,000 gallons each year. Other than perhaps saving water in a bucket, the Aqus provides the simplest and most effective solution to reducing our water footprint — and it has garnered a lot of attention for its innovative design.

Grey water has been a colorful topic in sustainable building because of the significant impact our water use has on the environment. Now that clean water supplies are at more risk than once assumed, we need to make every drop count. It also takes a significant amount of energy to distribute and process drinking water and waste water through an aging system.

Sloan’s AQUS system is built around a box that rests inside the vanity and holds up to 5.5 gallons of reclaimed sink water. A small pump, activated by a water level sensor in the toilet tank, transfers the grey water to the toilet and fills the reservoir alongside the toilet’s water supply, off-setting 65% of the potable water needed per flush. If the Aqus is out of water, the toilet’s regular water supply fills the tank, and if the Aqus is full, excessive water goes through the normal drain. The system also requires maintenance only once a year, reducing the complexity and improving the safety of using grey water.

Origami-Like Glass Building, Spain

The striking glass exterior of this Health Department building in Bilbao, Spain isn’t just a pretty facade. Coll-Barreau Arquitectos conceptualized the folded facade in response to the city’s restrictive building code that requires stepped setbacks for all multistory buildings along its main streets. The result was this eye-catching hybrid that boosts the structure’s energy efficiency in addition to making it stand out on the boulevard. Its increased energy efficiency is afforded by the building’s double skin. There are two major benefits to the design: noise from the busy boulevard is noticeably reduced and solar heat gain is decreased via radiation reduction and a breathable wall system.

To further preserve energy, the building holds meetings in a daylit, two story atrium that opens to a roof deck.

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12 creative eco-friendly architectural designs (Part 2)

The sustainable development has already become one of the main themes all around the world. More and more people have started to change their lifestyles for us and even for our sons. To meet the requirements of sustainable development, we should construct more eco-friendly buildings and encourage eco-industry.

Following 12 giant environment-friendly architectural designs may inspire you.

       De-Centralized Sustainable Society

This architectural design is not only for creating a building or a city, but also a total redefinition of the whole society. The designers from CTRLZ architectures state that “We believe that architecture is not anymore about form and…function, but that it is about relations. The development of network systems shows us that the power resides in links and connections.”

Commerce, food production, ornamental gardens, housing, social public spaces and energy collection are all combined with a way of emphasizing the cooperation of residents.

      Subterranean Greenbelt Hotel

The subterranean design of Hersham Golf Club in Surrey by ReardonSmith Architects contains five-star lodging as well as a spa and golf facilities. To avoiding unnecessary exploitation of the Earth, the UK has established a green belt. This subterranean design meets the requirements of urban development.

Besides, this kind of design also can reduce the influence on traffic flow.

The hotel positions above-ground buildings in existing woodland so that nearby local residents maintain an unobstructed view of untouched landscape.

            Beijing’s "Creative Zone" Greenbelt

As a fast-developing metropolis, Beijing is suffering from the threat of air pollution, which calls for the creative green belt to alleviate this dilemma, in order to provide natural space for residents and prevent excessive exploitation.

UNStudio Architects won a competition to create this “creative zone”, which would become a showcase of experimental architecture.

This green belt provides locals opportunities to connect with nature while maintaining proximity to local conveniences like shops, restaurants and public transportation.

       Masdar Sustainable City

Could Masdar City is a concept of future modern metropolis. Every street, every shop, even every street lamp are sustainable. Designed by LAVA and located in Abu Dhabi, Masdar City is a planned community built to be zero-waste and zero-carbon. This design could be a vision of the future.

With housing, commerce and recreation all situated around a vast plaza, this concept aims to be a model of sustainability for the rest of the world.

      Giant Energy-Generating Waterfall for Rio Olympics

Solar City Tower, designed by RAFAA Architecture & Design for the 2016 Rio Olympics, can utilize solar power to generate electricity in the day time and a pumped water storage system to create power after the sun goes down.

Its most remarkable point is the huge waterfall, which seems to come from the sky, just as “a symbol for the forces of nature”.

The tower could provide plenty of electricity for the Olympic Games and for the city. The magnificent waterfall only appears on special occasions.

             Mixed-Use EcoDistrict in Dijon

Imagine living in a diverse neighborhood packed with green features galore, from vertical gardens and green roofs to bicycle paths and eco-friendly playgrounds – all adjacent to the city center.

Such “ecodistricts” are in planning around the world, including this concept for Dijon, France by EXP Architects in cooperation with Studiomustard Architecture, Sempervirens Landscape Designers and Even Conseil. The design will serve as a model for similar future developments in the same city.