Green aspects in architecture are paving the way to the future. With the energy crisis and depletion of energy resources worldwide, more and more people are paying attention and seeking to protect the environment by reducing energy and material consumption - from homeowners who have installed green roofs and solar panels in their homes, to architects who have designed buildings which are friendly to the environment.
Green Architecture is a term used to describe economical, energy-saving, environmentally-friendly, sustainable development. These resources explore the relationship between architecture and ecology, and show how you can use concepts of green design in your own home or in public buildings.
Why go green? Green homes preserve valuable resources, reduce pollution, improve indoor air quality and provide consumers with homes that save them money on utilities. According to Lowe's Home Improvement Stores, nine out of 10 builders surveyed say that they are incorporating energy-saving products into new homes, at all price levels.
"A growing portion of the building industry is going green, so Realtors are the natural choice to help match buyers and sellers interested in energy-efficient homes," said Mark Burns, president of the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors® (SILVAR).
According to a June 2006 survey by the National Association of Home Builders, the number of green home builders in the U.S. has increased by 20 percent in 2005 alone. The study also says that the number of builders specializing in environmentally sensitive construction techniques is expected to grow by another 30 percent this year.
American Institute of Architects Project Manager Andy Sohn said the trend towards sustainable design practices has already begun because builders realize "sustainable design practices meet the needs of the future."
An example of a building that highlights sustainable design practices is the new San Mateo Library. In this building, natural air flows from air vents, with air coming through floors which are installed at a raised level. Windows open automatically at a certain temperature to keep the temperature constant so the building is not dependent on air-conditioning. Redwoods were preserved to provide natural shade, and 98 percent of the trees that had to be excavated during the construction have been recycled.
Sustainable design practices meet the needs of the future, said Sohn. More single family homes are being designed toward these needs. Homes with skylight windows, green roofs and solar reflector panels are more in vogue today.
You can build an economical, environmentally-friendly home using natural materials like earth, earth bermed, straw bale, cob and underground construction, and other varieties of ecological building materials. Cob homes are one of the most durable types of earth architecture. Since the mud mixture is porous, cob can withstand long periods of rain without weakening. Cob houses are suitable for the desert or for very cold climates. Earth sheltered, or underground houses lie mostly beneath the ground surface. The best location for an earth sheltered house is on a well-drained hillside. The surrounding soil provides natural insulation, making these houses inexpensive to heat and cool. Windows that face the south or an overhead skylight will fill the interior with sunshine.
Other green aspects of architecture utilized to reduce energy consumption include solar collectors, green roofs or roofs that reflect heat, water efficient landscaping, using efficient lighting and maximizing daylight with the use of windows and skylights, high efficiency fans and underfloor air supply, insulated windows and roofs, landscape designed with native species to reduce the need for irrigation, and chilled water systems used for air conditioning, which cool water at night during off peak hours.
Energy use can also be reduced by careful material selection, according to the AIA project manager. Building products high in recyclable content include steel, ceiling tiles, carpet tile backing and composite woods. He noted steel has a reclamation rate of 88 to 100 percent and is very high in recycle content, whereas concrete is a high energy consumer.
"There is not much you can recycle into concrete," he said.
CO2 emissions can be reduced by using flyash and slag in a concrete mix instead of cement. Wood products from certified sustainably-managed forests and composite wood are urea-formaldehyde free and are now more widely used in new buildings because they improve indoor air quality.
If builders can reduce their use of cement, the better off the environment will be, said Sohn. He indicated one pound of cement is equal to one pound of CO2, and these days, reducing CO2 emissions is the biggest trend.
"We need to drop (our CO2 emissions) to less than 20 percent of the current level," Sohn stressed.
"Realtors believe it is good business to be involved in promoting green homes which help build healthier communities," said Burns. "We are trained to communicate the true cost of a home including the cost of maintenance and utilities – not just a mortgage."
Realtors and other housing industry experts predict that more interest in green homes will occur when a national LEED rating system becomes permanent in 2007. Homebuyers will then more easily identify a green home that has been inspected by a third party, performance tested and certified to perform higher in specific areas than traditional homes.
Interested in learning more about green buildings? Go to www.realtor.org/greenbuilding for specific projects and resources.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.