Sustainable Architecture is more than just a buzzword. It refers to a design process that incorporates green architecture, use of recycled materials, usage of renewable energy, transmission of natural light and natural ventilation, zero-waste system, and advancements to reduce energy consumption while improving the standard of living.
With a focus on minimizing the negative impact of buildings on the environment, Sustainable Architecture Designs aim to reduce resource consumption, reduce carbon footprint, energy use, and waste generation. In order to achieve this objective, there is inclusion of energy-efficient HVAC systems, renewable energy sources (like solar panels), rainwater harvesting, recycled and sustainable materials, and passive design strategies to maximize natural ventilation and lighting.
Here are 5 prominent examples of Sustainable Architecture Designs:
Rajkumari Ratnavat Girls School:
Architects: Diana Kellogg Architects | Location: Rajasthan, India
The Rajkumari Ratnavati Girl’s School, in Jaisalmer, is nothing less than an Architectural marvel. The oval shaped school contributes to sustainability in multiple ways and provides respite to the students and teachers from the scorching sun! The school infrastructure has been made by Local Craftsmen who have used local material to hand-carve Jaisalmer sandstone, thereby, helping the structure to reduce carbon emissions. Since Jaisalmer is desert and in summers temperatures can soar upto 50 degree Celsius, there is a solar panel canopy on the roof that acts as a cooling system. Furthermore, the institute has been made with the help of traditional techniques such as usage of porous and natural cooling material and lining the inner walls with lime plaster to release any trapped moisture resulting from humidity. The school is a prime example of of Venturi Effect wherein a Jali wall – a sandstone grid. As per the Venturi Effect, the Jali wall leads to a decrease in pressure of the wind, thereby cooling it down while accelerating it. Thus, the jail wall ends up cooling the central courtyard area.
Beitou Public Library
Architect: Kuo Ying-Chao | Location: Taipei, Taiwan
Opened in 2006, Beitou Public Library is Taiwan’s first green library and has been awarded the Green Building Label Diamond in 2010. The Library is energy efficient and water efficient and capable of generating 16 Kilowatts through Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic cells. The Library has been made with the use of Timber from Managed forests instead of Primary or Rainforests, thereby, saving electricity in multiple ways. The central atrium is thoughtfully designed with large windows to allow natural lighting reducing the carbon footprint. The structure employs north-south direction openable windows to enable cross ventilation thereby, reducing the need for CFC generating Air conditioners. Partial area of the roof uses Photovoltaic cells to generate 16 KW of energy and provides thermal insulation as it is appointed with 20 centimeters of soil. One can visit the first floor of the library to monitor system for photovoltaic cells, which gives a clear indication of the amount of electricity being generated by the solar-cell bank.
Last, but not the least, the Library conserves and harvests Rain water for use in toilets.
Museum of Tomorrow
Architect: Santiago Calatrava | Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Built over an area of 15 thousand square meters, Museum of Tomorrow is an Applied Sciences museum which explores the opportunities and challenges which humanity will be forced to tackle in the coming decades from the perspective of sustainability and conviviality. It is surrounded by reflecting pools, gardens, a bike lane, and a leisure area. All of these add upto 34.6 thousand square meters.
During the construction of the Museum, Engineers have deployed huge windows to harness natural light. The Museum’s cooling system uses water from nearby Guanabara Bay to regulate temperature inside the building.
The designer of the 2-storey building claim that it uses 40% less energy than conventional buildings.
The Museum uses photovoltaic solar panels that can be adjusted to optimize the angle of the sun's rays throughout the day. Solar energy contributes to 9% of the total museum’s energy.
Apart from Environmental impact of the museum, the museum has had profound Societal impact. It has contributed to the regeneration of a run-down abandoned part of the city and one of the poorest neighbourhoods. It has quickly become an important tourist attraction, providing employment opportunities to the locals and bringing prosperity to the area.
Pixel Building
Architect: Studio 505| Location: Melbourne, Australia
Pixel Building is Australia’s first Carbon-Neutral office. The building generates its own power and water through onsite wind turbines and Green Roof. The Green roof uses the technique of Evapotranspiration of Grey water to generate water and power. The building houses recycled color panels to provide maximize daylight and shade. Another sustainable feature of the building includes usage of low-carbon concrete, and recycled sustainably sourced building material. The Pixel building design exudes excellence and innovation in sustainable design thereby, making it the highest possible and highest-ever rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.
Vancouver Convention Centre West
Architect: LMN Architects | Location: Vancouver, Canada
The West Building, as it is usually called, boasts of natural ventilation and is made with local BC wood products sourced from sustainably-managed forests.
The West building’s six-acre living roof is the largest in Canada! The Living roof boasts of more than 400,000 indigenous plant and grasses making it the largest non-industrial living roof in North America. It acts as an insulator reducing heat gains in the summer and heat losses in the winter. The Center reduces Green House Gas emissions by almost 150 tons of Carbon Dioxide equivalent per year via Heat Recovery system. The West building has 2 onsite Bio composters to reduce Mass of Organic waste by 70% . Another important Sustainability feature is by the use of Onsite Blackwater Treatment Facility which cleans and recycles water for non-potable uses and reduces freshwater use by almost 70%.
The West Building as it is usually called has ingrained Sustainability not only in it’s design but also in it’s sustainability best practices. The staff at Vancouver Convention Centre West runs a facility-wide recycling program and operates ‘Scratch Kitchen’ using locally grown food products thereby, using less energy in transportation.
Trailblazing work in Environmentally conscious design has earned Vancouver Convention Center West Recertification as Double LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum Designation.
It is little wonder when Thomas Mueller, President and CEO of the Canada Green Building Council calls it as “a landmark green building and a beacon of sustainability for conference centres across the world.” About Vanguard Design
Established in 2010, Vanguard Design is a firm that focuses on urban design, architecture, and interior design. Our expertise lies in crafting inspirational, functional, and sustainable designs with a futuristic touch for a wide range of projects, encompassing product design, architecture, and urban planning. Our creations are guided by a blend of aesthetic and functionalist innovation.
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Sources:
Rajkumari Ratnavati Girls School: https://www.archdaily.com/960824/the-rajkumari-ratnavati-girls-school-diana-kellogg-architects
By KaurJmeb - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1781250
By Mariordo (Mario Roberto Durán Ortiz) - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48930670
By Tomaz Silva/Agência Brasil - http://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/cultura/foto/2015-12/viradao-celebra-abertura-do-museu-do-amanha, CC BY 3.0 br, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45778487
By VinnyWiki - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=60524288
Thank you for sharing these incredible examples. I'm looking forward to more of your insights on sustainable design and architecture. Keep up the great work!