Building Green Starts With Design


Architects are challenged to view a site in terms of its natural setting. This is not for aesthetic reasons, though often the results are in line with an aesthetic result. It has to do with the direction of the winds, seasonal temperature swings and the path of the sun.


Large automated levellers in new green built factories, like massive venetian blinds, allow venting in the summer months and then keep the heat inside during the winter months. These old and new technologies, used together in this way, can dramatically reduce the load drawn by HVAC systems.


These concepts were in play in the past as well, but without the aid of the computer software, one could easily consume energy in an effort to save energy. If analog and old copper wire systems of actuators, electric motors and switches were used; humans had to operate them. With automation now done with software, energy use can be controlled more efficiently in many ways, not least of which by curtailing electricity consumption by switching off equipment during non-operational hours.


But if venting levellers, using the example from above, are positioned for optimum effect by way of sensors relaying information through the computer software to the positioning motors, then slight corrections will be made all day with no one tied to the controls. In some settings this design element will work perfectly, in others, it'll run into other environmental issues. Perhaps the wind carries rain in an unfavorable direction during a Summer storm.


This is the Architect's challenge. This is a challenge worth a look when designing new green homes as well. Architects are learning that consideration of the environment has implications beyond designing form and function toward an appealing visual end result, but also toward a high functioning energy efficient end result. And this plays out as a shift in Architectural thinking that is every bit as important to building truly "green" as are the materials used in construction.


BusinessWeek: Obama's Green Building Agenda


Architecture Week: Green Architecture



American Institute of Architects: Beautiful, Green, and Affordable


University of Missouri: Green Architecture & Sustainable Living


Wikipedia: Green Building

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