Our carbon footprints don’t end with our cars or plastic straws, but can stretch all the way to the buildings we use. It’s not our fault buildings are inefficient in their energy or water usage, but knowing about the right changes can help us achieve a greener future.
Sustainable architecture offers a highly versatile way to reduce our energy usage (especially wastage). This article discovers the ways greener designs can benefit buildings, people, and the planet all at once.
Environmentally Friendly
Let’s start with the obvious one. It turns out that buildings make up a huge percentage of our carbon emissions. This mostly stems from construction methods and materials, but new methods allow for greener alternatives like wood, stone and metal, all of which can be recycled.
More greenery in the city can’t be a bad thing, and it helps merge our urban environments with the natural world, rather than trampling over it.
Aesthetics
The concept art you saw of towering skyscrapers covered in greenery is slowly becoming a reality. Walls made of plants or hanging vines can add so much more visual appeal to the otherwise dull brutalism of modern cities.
Improved Wellbeing
It’s not just a superficial improvement either, as greener aesthetics can actually improve the productivity and well-being of workers, and potentially even their recovery from illnesses . A walk in nature can often help clear your head, and green spaces being closer to our homes and offices can help make this relief more accessible.
Cost-Efficient
Sustainable architecture can actually reduce maintenance costs, helping prevent heat and water losses from poor insulation or design. Operating costs and maintenance can go down by 10% and 20% respectively, providing huge annual savings.
Plenty of sustainable architects are providing these services in hopes of convincing companies to go green. You can find plenty of these services online for quotes and advice, such as at www.quattrodesign.co.uk/architectural-services/sustainable-design/.
Increased Value
The higher demands for sustainable living mean that green buildings have a greater resale value than their conventional counterparts. Occupancy rates are also higher, meaning initial upgrade costs are offset by the increased income from renting.
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