Green buildings are constructed with the goal of maintaining and enhancing the natural environment in mind. Integrated design is used to construct, operate, re-use, and dismantle a structure in a sustainable manner with regard to energy, water, and the environment.
Green Buildings employ materials that place the least burden on nonrenewable resources, utilize alternative energy sources such as daylight and solar energy to heat and cool the building, maintain the health of the residents, and recycle a significant amount of waste and water.
What are the Advantages of Sustainable Buildings?
Smart Buildings produce increased productivity, a higher level of efficient energy and water usage, savings on power and utility costs, a better indoor environment, an increase in the green cover surrounding the building, and a general improvement in the functioning of the community surrounding the building, all at minimal environmental cost. Green building certification programs, such as LEED, stimulate market interest in the development of this industry.
Among the most notable examples of green buildings are:
Arizona’s Phoenix Regional Center by DPR Construction
This building was awarded a Platinum LEED rating and a zero-energy certification. It has 87 windows to reach the required humidity and insulation levels, a solar chimney to expel hot air and pull in cold air, solatubes, and smart switches to turn off the lights when the building is vacant.
Bullitt Center, USA
This skyscraper in Seattle obtains 60 percent of its energy from solar panels, gathers 56 000 gallons of rainwater for its requirements, and recycles its sewage. It was constructed with sustainable wood. All of these factors have contributed to its Living Building Certification.
USA, Bank of America Tower
This is one of the greenest office buildings in the United States, employing gathered rainwater and recycled materials, as well as full-wall windows for insulation. It is the first American skyscraper to be awarded the LEED Platinum certification.
One Bryant Park, USA
This sustainable and clean skyscraper uses LED lighting, CO2 monitors, waterless urinals, and self-sufficient electricity.
USA Phipps CSL
This structure, known as the Phipps’ Center for Sustainable Landscapes, employs solar, wind, and geothermal energy, recycles its effluent, collects rainfall, and has a green roof in order to be self-sufficient.
Vancouver Convention Center, Canada
This gorgeous design utilizes saltwater for heating and cooling, green roofs, a water treatment facility, and the recycling of 180 000 kg of garbage annually, making it both green and cool.
Manitoba Hydro Place, Canada
This long-lasting example of a green building not only self-adjusts its internal climate for temperature and humidity, but also runs on water power.
Crystal, U.K.
This magnificent edifice by Siemens gathers 90 percent of its water, harnesses solar energy, and utilizes natural light throughout the day. It incorporates intelligent lighting, which consists of fluorescent and LED lights that turn on and off based on the ambient sunshine. It achieves high LEED Platinum and BREEAM Outstanding Sustainability ratings by using thermal roof panels and insulating glazing to self-cool. It recycles wastewater and collects rainfall from the roof.
One Angle Square, UK
In addition to achieving the highest BREEAM rating, this structure efficiently harvested and recycled water and utilized solar energy throughout.
UK CIS Tower
This is a magnificent example of energy efficiency makeover, with a solar facade generating more than 180 000 kWh of power and the installation of 24 wind turbines that save even more energy and provide 10 percent of the building’s necessary electricity.
Melbourne’s Council House 2
This home, the first to obtain Six Green Stars certification, achieved so by decreasing carbon emissions utilizing gas plants in an effort to co-generate electricity, as well as solar panels that reduced energy use by 85 percent, and new energy-efficient lighting equipment.
The Pixel Structure, Melbourne
This skyscraper generates its own water and power and is Australia’s first carbon-neutral structure, despite its eccentric appearance. It received a Green Star score of 105. The building’s green roofs, energy-efficient design, waste reduction, solar panels, and wind turbines, as well as its double-glazed windows and insulation, allow its tenants to endure hot, dry summers and frigid winters without difficulty.
Dubai’s Change Initiative
This commercial edifice in Dubai, which got 107/110 LEED points, has become the new benchmark for sustainable green building.
Beijing Tower, China
This Shell Platinum skyscraper is the second highest in the world and was constructed with recycled and local resources. It is curved to prevent excessive wind loading, and the insulation is enhanced by a double-skinned facade. Additionally, it recycles its blackwater and employs wind turbines and rainwater collection.
China, Sun-Moon Mansion
This is the biggest solar-powered structure in the world, saving 6.6 million kWh of energy, 2.5 tons of coal, and drastically lowering hazardous emissions. The solar roof structure like a fan covers 5000 square meters.
The Netherlands’s Edge
This ancient structure achieved a record-breaking BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) score of 94 percent at the time of its completion. With 65,000 square feet of solar panels, rainwater collection and smart LEDs, HVAC software, aquifer monitoring, as well as occupancy monitoring, the building gained a reputation as the finest of its day.
As you can see green buildings are an essential aspect in the overall part of our daily lives as well as creating a sustainable future on this planet. It is essential that we take the steps to ensure we do everything possible to create a planet that is worth living on for future generations. These buildings have taken the first steps in becoming eco-friendly, not it is up to other businesses to join in.