SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE: ORIGIN, PRINCIPLES, APPLICATIONS, MATERIALS - ENVIRONMENT - 2024

The sustainable architecture is the application of the principles of sustainable development to the design, construction and operation of buildings. It has as its main objectives the search for energy efficiency and general low environmental impact.

In order to achieve sustainability, five factors are considered (the ecosystem, energy, the type of materials, waste and mobility). On the other hand, it seeks to achieve the economy of resources and conceive the design according to the user.

Solar house in Montreal (Canada). Source: Benoit Rochon

When these factors and principles are taken into account, greater energy efficiency is achieved throughout the life cycle of the building. This efficiency is achieved at the level of design, construction, occupancy and operation.

Sustainable architecture seeks to reduce the consumption of non-renewable energy and maximize the use of renewable energy. In this sense, the use of clean energy systems such as solar, wind, geothermal and hydroelectric is promoted.

Likewise, it seeks to achieve an efficient use of water, using rainwater and recycling gray water. On the other hand, the relationship with the natural environment is essential and therefore it is common to use green roofs.

Another important aspect is waste management based on the rule of the three Rs of ecology (reduction, reuse and recycling). In addition, sustainable architecture emphasizes the use of materials from renewable or recycled natural resources.

Currently, constructions that are designed, built and managed with sustainability criteria are increasingly common. In this sense, there are organizations that grant certifications of sustainable buildings such as LEED certification.

Some examples of sustainable buildings include the Torre Reforma (Mexico), the Transoceánica building (Chile), and the Arroyo Bonodal Cooperative (Spain).

Origin

The concept of sustainable architecture is based on the concept of sustainable development promoted by the Brundtland report (Prime Minister of Norway) in 1982.

Later, during the 42nd session of the United Nations (1987) the document Our Common Future incorporated the concept of sustainable development.

In this way, sustainable development is conceived as the ability to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the needs of future generations.

During 1993 the International Union of Architects officially recognized the principle of sustainability or sustainability in architecture. Then in 1998 the School of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Michigan proposed the principles of Sustainable Architecture.

Later, in 2005, the First Seminar on Sustainable, Sustainable and Bioclimatic Architecture was held in the city of Montería (Colombia).

Principles of sustainable architecture

Homes with solar panels in Freiburg (Germany). Source: Arnold Plesse

-Part of sustainable development

Sustainability in architecture is based on the general principles of sustainable development. This sustainability stems from the need to reduce the negative impact of the construction process and the building on the environment.

In this sense, it has been estimated that buildings consume about 60% of the materials extracted from the earth. In addition, they are directly or indirectly responsible for almost 50% of CO2 emissions.

-Factors to consider

During the 1993 Chicago Congress, the International Union of Architects considered that sustainability in architecture should consider five factors. These are the ecosystem, the energies, the typology of materials, waste and mobility.

-Principles of sustainable architecture

The factors of sustainable architecture are associated with three principles established in 1998 at the School of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Michigan. They are:

Resource economy

It refers to the application of the three Rs of ecology (waste reduction, reuse and recycling). In this way, efficient use is made of the natural resources used in the building such as energy, water and materials.

Design life cycle

This principle generates a methodology to analyze the building processes and their environmental impact. It must be applied from the pre-construction phase (project design), through the process of construction and operation of the building.

Therefore, sustainability must manifest itself in all stages of the building's life cycle (design, construction, operation, maintenance, and demolition).

Design in relation to the user

Sustainable architecture projects must promote the interaction of human beings and Nature. For this, the preservation of natural conditions in line with urban design is taken into account.

In addition, the quality of life of the user must be favored, so the building must be thought in terms of creating sustainable communities. Therefore, it must meet the following requirements:

1. Be efficient in energy consumption.
2. Be efficient in the use of other resources, especially water.
3. Thought to form solid and self-sufficient mixed-use communities.
4. Be designed to have a long useful life.
5. Plan to ensure flexibility in lifestyle and ownership.
6. Be designed to maximize recycling.
7. Be healthy.
8. Be designed to adapt to ecological principles.

Applications

Waste recycling. Source: Jorge Czajkowski Sustainable architecture focuses on achieving an urban habitat promoting social well-being, security, economic prosperity and social cohesion in harmony with the environment. In this sense, its main scope of application is habitable buildings, whether for housing or work.

Therefore, sustainable architecture mainly addresses the design and construction of residential buildings, buildings for clean companies, and educational or health centers.

In this context, the principles of sustainability applied to architecture are expressed in:

-Harmony with the surrounding ecosystem and the biosphere in general

It is intended that both the construction process and the operation of the building should cause the least possible negative impact on the environment. For this, the building and its support system (provision of services, communication routes) must be integrated as best as possible to the natural environment.

In this sense, it is important to promote the link with nature, so green areas (gardens, green roofs) are relevant in the design.

-Energy saving and efficiency

Sustainable architecture seeks to reduce energy consumption as much as possible and even make the building produce its own energy.

Reduction of energy consumption

The focus is on air conditioning systems that consume large amounts of energy and thus mitigate the environmental impact of the building.

For this, the design, use of suitable materials and orientation of the building are taken into account. In the latter case, the orientation with respect to the course of the sun in the sky and the pattern of wind circulation are very important.

In the case of lowering the temperature of the building, ventilation is essential while adequate insulation is important for efficient heating. For example, large windows can be used to take advantage of natural light and heat the building.

However, glass is a poor thermal insulator so it is necessary to reduce heat losses through the glass. For this, an alternative is the use of hermetic double glazing.

Alternative energy production

Another aspect that sustainable architecture takes into account is the incorporation, production or use of alternative energies (solar, wind or geothermal). Among other alternatives, solar energy can be used to heat the building, water or produce electricity through solar panels.

Geothermal energy (heat from inside the earth) can also be used to heat buildings. Similarly, wind systems (energy generated by the force of the wind) can be incorporated to provide electrical energy.

-Use of renewable materials with low environmental impact

The sustainable nature of architecture even starts from the origin and forms of production of the materials used in construction. Therefore, the use of materials from fossil fuels such as plastic (except recycling) should be discarded or reduced.

On the other hand, the wood must be plantation and not affect natural forests.

-Efficient use of water

Sustainable architecture promotes efficient use of water both in construction and in the operation of the building. For this there are various alternatives such as the capture and storage of rainwater.

In addition, it is possible to purify wastewater using solar energy or install gray water reuse systems.

-Green architecture

Another fundamental principle is the incorporation of nature into the design, which is why interior and exterior gardens as well as green roofs are included.

Among the advantages of including these elements is the use of rainwater, mitigating its impact on the structure and runoff.

In the same way, plants purify the air, capture ambient CO2 (mitigating the greenhouse effect) and contribute to the soundproofing of the building. On the other hand, the structure-plant interrelation has an aesthetic effect and a favorable psychological impact.

-Production and waste management

Waste management is taken into account from the construction process when waste with a high environmental impact is produced. Therefore, it seeks to make efficient use of materials, generate less waste and reuse or recycle those produced.

Subsequently, there must be an adequate management system for the waste generated by its inhabitants. Other aspects may include sorting waste for recycling and reuse purposes, composting organic waste for gardens.

Ecological materials for construction

Materials used in design and construction with a sustainable architecture approach should have little environmental impact. Therefore, materials must be discarded whose obtaining could cause damage to the environment.

For example, a building with interiors veneered in wood from deforestation in the Amazon cannot be considered sustainable or ecological.

-Traditional materials

Wood

The wood used must be obtained from plantations and not from natural forests and must have the appropriate certification. This material allows to generate warm and pleasant environments and is a renewable resource that helps to reduce the greenhouse effect.

Adobe or raw earth

This material is low-impact and energy-efficient, and there are improved options through technological innovations. In this way, suitable mixtures for different uses can be obtained.

-Recycling and biodegradable materials

There are different options such as plastic or glass bottles, crystals, crop waste, among others. Thus, imitation wood panels have been developed from sorghum, sugar cane and wheat harvest remains.

Likewise, very strong bricks are built with mining waste and tiles from coconut shells. Likewise, it is possible to build panels of functional design with PET plastic bottles to soundproof environments.

Another option are panels made of recycled plastic material that are incorporated into bricks to make them more resistant. In the same way, materials from construction waste or from demolitions such as doors, pipes, windows can be recycled.

Crushed masonry can be used for underlayment or well casing. On the other hand, recycled metals or biodegradable paints based on milk protein, lime, clay and mineral pigments can be used.

Tiles

Tiles are decorative structural pieces that are used for both exterior and interior. Different tile alternatives made entirely of recycled glass such as Crush can be used. Others incorporate various wastes such as toilet scraps, tiles, or granite dust.

Tile or floor covering

There are various products such as pavers, tiles or parquet, made with recycled materials. For example, you can get pavers and parquet made of recycled tires and plastic combined with other elements.

Blocks

There are several proposals for blocks that incorporate recycled materials such as Blox. This material contains 65% cellulose from recycled paper or sludge from the paper industry.

Panels and planks

Panels can be built from agglomerating crop remains or straw like Panel Caf. Likewise, it is possible to manufacture them with resin bonded wood fiber (DM boards) or with recycled polyethylene.

Examples of buildings with sustainable architecture

Torre Reforma and Torre Mayor (Mexico City, Mexico). Source: Carlos Valenzuela Today there are already many examples of sustainable buildings worldwide, among which we have the following relevant examples.

Torre Reforma (Mexico)

This building is located on Paseo Reforma in Mexico City and its construction ended in 2016. It is one of the tallest buildings in Mexico at 246 m and has an international LEED certificate that certifies it as a sustainable building.

Among other aspects, during the construction phase, care was taken to cause the least negative impact on the community in the area. For this, there were only 50 workers in each shift and it had an irrigation system to mitigate the generation of dust.

On the other hand, it generates part of the energy it consumes through solar cells and a wind power system located on top of the building. Likewise, hydroelectric energy is generated through small waterfalls that allow electricity to be supplied to machinery on the lower floors.

In addition, the building consumes 55% less water than other similar buildings due to the gray water recycling system (discharge from toilets and showers). Likewise, every four floors there are landscaped spaces that create a pleasant environment and generate savings in air conditioning.

The Torre Reforma gardens are watered with rainwater collected and stored for this purpose. Another sustainable feature is that it has a highly efficient air conditioning system.

Regarding light management, double-glazed windows are included that allow adequate lighting and guarantee greater isolation. In addition, it has an automatic system with sensors that turns off the lights in unoccupied spaces or where natural light is sufficient.

Transoceanic Building (Chile)

This building is located in Vitacura (Santiago de Chile) and was completed in 2010. It has an international LEED certification as a sustainable building because it includes different energy saving systems.

Thus, it has a geothermal energy generation system for the air conditioning of the building. On the other hand, it has an energy efficiency system incorporated that allows a 70% energy saving compared to a traditional building.

In addition, it was oriented to take advantage of solar energy and guarantee exterior views from all its enclosures. In the same way all its facades were specially insulated to avoid unwanted heat losses or gains.

Pixel Building (Australia)

It is located in Melbourne (Australia), it was completed in 2010 and is considered a very efficient construction from an energy point of view. In this building energy is generated by various renewable energy systems such as solar and wind.

On the other hand, it includes systems for collecting rainwater, green roofs and waste management. Furthermore, its net CO2 emission has been estimated to be zero.

Likewise, the green roof system is irrigated with previously collected rainwater and produces food. Regarding the lighting and ventilation system, natural systems are used that are complemented with thermal insulation of double glazing in the windows.

Cooperativa Arroyo Bonodal, Tres Cantos (Spain)

This is a residential complex of 80 homes located in the town of Tres Cantos in Madrid, which obtained its LEED certificate in 2016. It includes a ventilated facade with double insulation and the use of geothermal energy.

Geothermal energy is obtained from a system of 47 wells at a depth of 138 m. With this system, the complex is fully air conditioned, without requiring any source of energy from fossil fuels.

In this way, the management of the heat energy produced makes it possible to cool the building in summer, heat it in winter and provide hot water to the system.

References

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