Sustainable architecture is one of our specialties at AplosGroup. Protecting our environment and safeguarding human health are at the top of many of our clients’ wish lists, and we put a lot of thought into creating designs that work in harmony with the natural world, not just from an aesthetic standpoint but as an essential part of a building’s day-to-day operations.
We start our designs with a careful consideration of four key elements of sustainable architecture: design, materials, process and operation.
Sustainable Architecture Design
Creating a building from the ground up or doing a major renovation of an existing structure gives us a chance to make a building that works with rather than against its environment. It starts with the design process.
Size
Perhaps the greatest factor in a building’s environmental footprint is its size. Smaller buildings use fewer resources, both in materials and operation. Research by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has suggested that “reducing home size achieved the largest greenhouse gas reductions along with significant reductions in human health and ecosystem quality impacts.”
Working with your architect to maximize a project’s efficient use of space can help ensure a smaller building can meet current needs and anticipate future ones while reducing your carbon footprint.
Orientation
Passive solar orientation – positioning a structure to maximize or minimize solar heat gain, as desired – can make a big difference in how much energy is expended for heating and cooling. The exact recommendations for orientation are complex, based on a number of factors including location, climate and building usage patterns, but general guidelines include keeping the longest walls oriented within 15 degrees of east-west and avoiding large, west-facing windows to minimize exposure to afternoon sun.
Careful placement of overhangs or natural or structural barriers, such as trees, garages or sheds, can also help minimize unwanted sun and wind exposure.
Energy-Efficiency
In sustainable architecture, the architect, contractors and interior designers have to work together to create a structure that uses energy as efficiently as possible. The roofing material you select can have an enormous impact on how cool your home stays in summer and how warm in winter. A light-color “cool” roof that reflects light can mean big summer energy savings in sunny climates, and some clients go as far as to install a “green” roof, which uses a layer of vegetation on top of an existing roof, reducing heat and adding a beautiful, natural look to a home or office building.
It also makes sense to think about insulation when designing a new construction or planning a major renovation. Areas for insulation include exterior walls, ceilings, floors and windows. Avoid running ducts in unconditioned areas (areas that are not climate-controlled) to avoid thermal gain or loss, and all duct joints should be sealed with mastic (not tape).
Large open space between walls and kitchen soffits, bathtubs or shower enclosures can reduce energy efficiency by promoting heat exchange between a home’s interior and exterior. Consider placing a plywood or drywall barrier between them and the wall.
Learn more about our architectural services.
Windows
Large windows are an important element in modern architecture, particularly in the Bay Area. But windows are responsible for much of the heat gain and loss a building experience. Whenever possible, select ENERGY STAR-certified windows, which adhere to exacting energy-efficiency standards. And consider installing a solar shading system to keep even your largest windows from heating up your building on warm days.
Materials
Sustainable architecture depends on using as many eco-friendly materials as possible. While there are too many options to cover here, some of the main ones include sustainable wood floors and cabinets (there are both natural and engineered options) and countertop materials, or, perhaps even better, recycled. Bamboo and cork are currently popular, sustainable and flexible options. Newer concrete technologies can also reduce your ecological footprint in places where cement and concrete are necessary.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are present in many materials used in building, from paint and sealants to carpeting and some appliances. Some VOCs contribute to air pollution and may affect human health, so sustainable architecture focuses on using low-VOC materials whenever possible.
And remember that a material’s sustainability is affected not only by what it is made of, but also how it is made and transported. Don’t be timid about questioning suppliers about the materials you’re interested in.
Process
Similarly, sustainable architecture isn’t only about what but also about how. Even using the greenest possible materials and designs, building and renovation can have a negative impact on the world around us due to the waste that’s inherent in the process. While some of this is unavoidable, with a good waste management plan, conscientious architects and contractors can help ensure your project creates as little waste as possible.
When planning a renovation, talk to your architect and contractors about what can be salvaged from the existing structure. What can’t be used in your current project can sometimes be donated. (See our resources page for organizations that accept salvaged materials.)
Demolishing a structure often destroys potentially salvageable or recyclable materials and can create dust and particulate matter that contribute to air pollution. Some contractors are certified in deconstruction, which uses a careful process to take a structure apart with an emphasis on keeping materials intact for reuse, generating less waste and reducing pollution.
Ask your contractor and architect to ensure debris that isn’t to be donated is assessed for recycling rather than simply dumped in a debris box bound for the local landfill.
Operation & Improvement
After the design and construction phases are over, there are still decisions to be made that can contribute to your building’s sustainability. Commonsense approaches to reducing your energy and water use are key, as is using eco-friendly cleaning materials and practices. Keeping up with building maintenance can help ensure it stays as energy-efficient as possible.
Planning for the future is also an important part of sustainable architecture. Technology and innovation supply a continuing stream of new materials and strategies to reduce the negative impact our structures and the way we use them have on our environment.
Budget for continuing improvement. For example, if you can’t afford to install a solar energy system with this year’s roof, consult your architect or contractor to ensure today’s choices aren’t likely to prevent you from installing one in the future. Think you might need an in-law unit sometime in the future? Think about how your current landscaping might affect the placement of an accessory dwelling unit, which can have an impact on heating and cooling, both for the unit and for the main dwelling.
Sustainable architecture isn’t about using the latest and greatest “green” technology. Every project, big or small, entails choices that affect how we affect the environment – and the people – around us. With a little planning and some help from a knowledgeable architect, contractor or designer, anyone, regardless of budget, can improve their home’s or office’s sustainability.