Moving Back to Nature: How architecture is becoming greener
Nicole Sun (ISB G10)
In today’s world, city living and environmentalism are two subjects that seem to be so difficult to pair together; in this article, Nicole explores the innovative methods engineers, architects, and other experts are putting into place to insure eco-friendlier cities.
OUR WORLD IS BURNING - well, according to activists and social media, it is; but for us everyday regular folk, the views outside of our windows don’t appear to look like hell actualized just yet. Yet jokes aside, the environmental impact humanity brings has gradually become an increasingly pressing issue as both our population and urbanization increase. Though the sudden pandemic that descended on the world about a year ago has hindered the latter’s development, the concept of achieving a harmonious balance between man and nature is still significant. Thus comes the topic of urban sustainability: keeping our cities environmentally friendly through their design and build. In recent years, three major methods of improving urban sustainability have emerged; preventative measures to our Earth truly setting aflame.
The flashiest method to integrating nature into urbanscapes has got to be the green wall. First proposed by Stanley Hart White, green walls are essentially buildings dressed up in vibrant frocks of living plants and flowers -gardens-. Buildings can take advantage of free vertical space by installing vertical garden bases such as soil walls and hydroculture felt, from which they can grow a variety of plants and flowers. These gardens hold more than simple aesthetic appeal; they also contribute to the sustainability of a building by preventing heat buildup, recycling water, and aid in the purification of bad air. Though they are complex- requiring the installation of hydration and fertigation systems- green walls are more useful than green facades (decorative “bouquets” that hang on walls) as they are living, thriving communities of plants which, when cared for like any other garden, can last for decades.
(Courtesy of PuroVivo)
Another interesting- and at times strange- method to encourage urban sustainability is through building materials; eco-friendly construction materials such as bamboo, cork, and wool are preexisting options, but bioengineers have also developed new materials such as mushroom bricks. Mycelium is a mushroom fiber that becomes water, fire, and mold resistant when dried. Mycelium bricks are bricks that have been made from a blend of mycelium and organic waste, which take advantage of the mycelium’s resilience to form durable building material. This material is highly sustainable as fungi can be grown with no waste and carbon emissions, thus making it a great way to construct buildings in an eco-friendly manner.
(Courtesy of bullittcenter)
The final method is energy generation- building exteriors can be engineered to act as producers of clean energy, which can be directed to fuel the building’s utilities. Specifically, energy generation can be achieved through converting either wind, sunlight, or waste, which can aid in the building’s electricity production or, more directly, its lighting or thermoregulation. Your everyday solar panel, when used en-mass like a building’s suit of armor, can provide a building with nearly or even all of its required energy. This can be seen in buildings like the Bullitt Center in Seattle, Washington, whose 575 solar panels create more power than it can use yearly in operations such as electricity, heating, and lighting. Heat Exchangers are also a common tool for exterior-building sustainability; they can be installed under or on top of buildings to convert outer air into different temperatures for internal building temperatures. Notable buildings with these features include the One Angel Square in Manchester and The Edge in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
(Courtesy of calacdemy)
So, out of these, is there a “best” method? Well, to look at it from an accessibility standpoint, the final method would be the easiest to achieve for the masses. Solar panels and heat exchangers are already mature products on the market, unlike mycelium bricks which are relatively new. Some houses have already implemented these products, though not in a fashion like the Bullitt Center, where all their energy can be taken care of. Nevertheless, implementing all three methods would be the best, as then, buildings would be environmentally friendly all around- in construction, aesthetic, and utilities. For now, though, this remains a design criterion that not all people consider when building new structures, even when it is an aspect of architecture that is vital to our future survival. After all, we only have this one planet to call home. Thus, we must take care of it as we do close family and friends. If some of these sustainability encouraging methods could be integrated into every building in a city, the urbanscape would be much healthier for the planet, and subsequently, the livelihoods of us and future generations. So, if the change ever comes, for you to have a say in your living environments, make sure that you are taking account of how you could make your home better for both yourself and the world.