Sustainability in Architecture

Sustainability in architecture has its key elements and points. These are; Basic concepts, Healthy Buildings, Climate-human being, Sustainable design, Materials, Let’s not be fooled.

Basic concepts – Four operational principles, 3R, Three pillars, Life cycle.

The three pillars consist of: Economic, Environmental and social.

Circular economy focuses on the resource cycle, it is based on reusing, repairing, manufacturing and recycling products rather than using raw and new materials. (virgin materials)

The green economy is focused on improving human well being, social equity and to reduce the environmental risks involved with it.

The 3R´s are Reduce, reuse and recycle. These 3 elements are a key to keep in mind. although they are not necessary, it is the morally right thing to do and follow.

Healthy buildings: These buildings should have a correct evapotranspiration, an exchange with thermal radiation with the natural light.

There is such a thing as “sick building syndrome” which a building can acquire if you don’t follow the healthy building criteria. This syndrome is something that causes symptoms such as headaches, nausea, skin reactions and many more. 

Climate-human being is the concept that a building should maintain, keep the comfort and correct environmental needs a human has. These are: The temperature of the air, The radiation and thermal emission, The movement of the air and the relative humidity.

Sustainable design is about keeping the efficiency of a building in line and relative to its environment, social cultural and socio economic elements.

Materials: The materials used in a building is a decision that takes a lot of thought process, you have to consider such things as; Is this material sustainable? Is it renewable or recyclable? Is it suitable for the area’s weather conditions and the land it’s placed on?