Innumerable is the information circulating on the Internet and other media about sustainable architecture. In fact the word "sustainable" is intensely present in several sectors today and with good reason. All people (or almost all), are concerned about the future of our planet, global warming and other related issues. This theme is very complex and has many points of view, but here we do not want to delve into the debate, but highlight architectural projects that have a concept designed to preserve natural resources, use environmentally friendly materials, save energy and also fulfill the fundamental mission of The architecture of offering users of new or renovated spaces, pleasant places to live.
Note: We recommend this article where its author Lance Hosey questions whether architects have understood sustainable design well enough:
Let's start with the local:
- Project: Urban Development Company of Medellín Headquarters
- Architects: EDU (Urban Development Company of Medellín
- Place and Date: Medellin, Colombia /2016
- Foto: Alejandro Arango
This so-called "Breathable Building" is built with a prefabricated façade that works like the skin and allows the flow of cold air from the outside in. In the center there is a chimney that expels the hot air and thus the building manages to maintain a pleasant temperature constantly without needing to use air conditioning. Complex thermodynamic studies carried out by important national and foreign experts make this building an interesting project that pretends to be an experiment where will be found the pros and cons of the system used, to improve it and to implement it in other future buildings.
In Colombia important progress is being made in this regard. Camacol (Colombian Chamber of Construction), has the objective of 1 in 5 buildings with EDGE certification in the next 7 years. See: http://www.biocasa.com.co/nuevos-mercados-construccion-verde/
On the other side of the world:
- Project: Linked Hybrid
- Architects: Steven Holl Architects
- Place and Date: Beijing, China / 2003 - 2009
This mixed project of 220,000 m2 contains apartments, public space, commerce, hotel, kindergarten, school and underground parking. It has 655 geothermal wells at 100 meters depth, which control the temperature, according to the season. This makes it one of the largest green residential projects in the world. It is LEED Gold certified.
On smaller scales, sustainable architecture is also important:
- Project: Caterpillar House
- Architects: Feldman Architecture
- Place and Date: Carmel, California, USA /2013
This LEED Platinum certified home is totally self-sufficient. It has photovoltaic panels that generate energy for the whole house and three tanks that collect rainwater for irrigation. In addition the walls were constructed with the same earth that was taken from the initial excavation of the land.
And finally in Melbourne, Australia:
- Project: Pixel
- Architects: Studio505
- Place and Date: Melbourne, Australia / 2010
This building has the highest LEED score in the world, under United States standards. It is the first carbon neutral production building in Australia, generating its own energy and water on site.
Related Articles and More Recommended Information:
- What is the LEED certificate? http://www.usgbc.org/leed
- Where can you find LEED certification programs in Colombia? https://www.cccs.org.co/wp/capacitacion/talleres-de-preparacion-leed/