The word “green buildings” has never failed to create a conversation among architects and designers. Creating and taking a sustainable approach to the construction industry has become a mandate in the ever-growing world. Climate change is real and hence we approach the time wherein taking the necessary steps and precautions to create a more sustainable building has become the need of the hour. Hence what is a more ideal time than now to talk about the versatile topic of sustainability?
Green buildings are designed, planned, and constructed in the most energy-efficient way possible to minimize the damage done to the environment otherwise. It includes careful consideration to bring out the best in buildings and make them more environment friendly, to put it more simply, green buildings are the key to a better future.
- Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore
Located in Singapore, this airport will surely amaze you! Finished in the year 2019, this airport aims to create a tranquil environment for the users while incorporating nature. It has also achieved the green mark platinum certification from Singapore’s buildings and construction authority. A lot of the sustainable features stand out about this airport which makes it one of the best airports in the world.
For instance, the airport has a double skin façade that helps capture maximum daylight reducing the dependency on artificial fixtures. Rainwater harvesting, solar panels, waste management, and recycling are some of the other features. The paints and adhesives are made of Low volatile compounds to attain good indoor air quality that helps the users breathe freshely.
2. One Central Park, Australia
Located in Sydney, this building Integrates built structure with the natural environment that helps the users attain harmony and peace. It not only improves productivity levels but also creates a better environment overall. The façade has vegetation pockets that are covered in 250 species of native Australian flowers and plants. A central courtyard is present that helps maintain comfortable temperatures while being at an elevated level for a more aesthetic experience. The building is mixed-use and houses over 3000 residents along with an expansive 65000 square meters of commercial and retail space. The commercial sector of the building is powered by a thermal tri-generation plant. The elevation of the building is an amalgamation of glass and vegetation with differing levels.
3. Bamboo Town, China
Tucked in rural China, this beautiful town has a strong atmosphere of greens and rural space that makes it an excellent example of the contemporary vernacular style in China. The design of the town is such that nature I embodied in every element to make the space seem much lighter and brighter. The designer of the village wanted to make such a space that was quite sensitive to the culture, heritage, and ecology of the village. Bamboo is a locally available tree in China that is present in abundance which makes it an excellent material to be used for the construction process. A lot of roof structures have interwoven bamboo elements that not only add to the climate sensitivity and lower construction costs but also beautify the space adding to the aesthetic appeal. The design also caters to the future with provisions for an artistic recreational space while diversifying the business. The village is being made fully functional and versatile to create a more sustainable space that can be catered to people from all walks of life.
4. ITC Grand Chola, India
A grand and welcoming hotel located in Chennai; India is the largest LEED platinum-rated hotel in the construction category. efforts like 100% of electrical energy demand being met through renewable energy and usage of efficient fixtures among several other factors have helped the hotel achieve this grand mention. A special innovative action plan of this hotel is the zero discharge sewers that consider zero wastewater disposal. The water is sent to water treatment plants that treat and convert it into almost portable water. This water is then used for landscaping, cooling towers, and other purposes. A few other sustainability features include the usage of MDF Plywood and recycled fabric, the use of AAC blocks, high composite wood panels, etc. All of these elements have helped ITC, choral to become a sustainable and green building.
5. UN city, Denmark
UN city was completed in the year 2013 and is located in Copenhagen, Denmark, and is considered one of the most sustainable buildings in the world. This LEED platinum-certified building has a façade system that helps control the indoor environment temperature that is centrally controlled. With over 1400 solar panels the design uses less energy while saving over 30% of the electricity. It has its very own rainwater collection system and a seawater cooling system as well.
