Ecological and Sustainable Architecture

The origin of the green architecture movement stems back to the green political movements
during the 1970's and 80's. Key events include the energy crisis of the 1970's, the formation of
the Greenpeace organization in 1971, as well as conception of the Green Party in European
and United States governments during the 70's and 80's. These events were causing people to
become more educated on the effects our industrial society was having on the environment.
Forty years later, we are trying to reduce harmful emissions and reduce energy use while still
building new architecture. This will require substantial changes to the ways we make
buildings and cities.

Today, the main player of green architecture is the USGBC or the United States Green
Building Council, which was founded in 1993. It is a group of people in the design/building
industry who set voluntary standards on architecture and construction techniques to ensure
efficient and clean building practices and also the LEED Standards.

The LEED Standards, which were begun in 2000, consist of six different components:

1. Sustainable Sites
2. Water Efficiency
3. Energy & Atmosphere
4. Materials & Resources
5. Indoor Environmental Quality
6. Innovation and Design

One of the great example of sustainable architecture is The Bagley classroom;

Bagley Classroom opened in June 2010 and it has received LEED Platinum certification.
And now it is still waiting Passive House recognition, it will take a full year of operation
before net-zero energy can be determined.
And to track the building’s performance, an advanced monitoring system was installed in
November.

The Salmela Architect designed the Bagley Classroom which is on an unused volleyball court
of University of Minnesota Duluth. And the team of Salmela architect decided to try for
Passive House certification and net-zero energy. And they said “Energy-oriented buildings
tend to be driven by the technology rather than the architecture. What we wanted to do was
combine all of those things together.”

And also Project architect Carly Coulson said “We were concerned that the renewable energy
system needed to be integrated into the architecture because the aesthetics were so important
to us. In order to get to zero energy with a small system, we looked to Passive House”
The building’s flexible design allows for a variety of uses including classes, field work,
meetings, lectures, special events, and exhibits.
And The interior design is warm and inviting, with reclaimed and regional timber beams and
local wood paneling. All exposed materials will be maintenance free and low-VOC.
The south wall is comprised of glass, maximizing views of Rock Pond
and the surrounding forest and it is providing passive heating in the winter.
Large operating windows on the east and west walls provide views and natural ventilation.

This building will demonstrate leadership in energy efficiency, renewable energy, wastewater
treatment, stormwater management, passive heating, natural ventilation, water efficiency,
local and renewable materials, and a healthy indoor environment

In the United States, The building sector contributes between 40% and 50% of all carbon
emissions.
But the bagley classroom is designed to slash energy consumption as a super-insulated and
airtight building.
Passive solar heating will satisfy the buildings heating needs.
And a high efficiency heat recovery ventilation unit, will provide fresh air.
And also to achieve net-zero energy, there is a small photovoltaic system.
And we can see garden roof and summer heat blocker too

There is a machine room is on the second floor, which supports the exterior photovolcatic
array.
And the right side we see the large south-facing Windows which provide the passive solar
heating and the daylight

And I want to talk about Arcosanti-Arizona a bit

The term of “sustainable architecture” caused recently a lot of debates. The term is in its
widened meaning like environmental design, green architecture, ecological architecture and
energy-based architecture very controversial. However singular housings are more visible
under the title of “sustainable architecture”. Because a settling area can be found very rarely
in the meaning of supporting a whole environmental contribution.

Arcosanti is out of a village concept, and it can be considered as a city liked trial of the
sustainable architecture all over the world.

in 1970 the Foundation Cosanti had started to build the settelment of Arcosanti with the
famous italian architect Paolo Soleri. The project of Arcosanti was built in the middle of the
Arizona Desert and planned of a capacity for 5000 people as a settlement.

And The project depicts that a city can be thrown upon it’s own resources without need for its
outside. 
Soleri aimed with this city to build a place where the people are starring rather than
automobiles; where the people in more communication; where the facilities are serving to
people; where the basic needs such as heating are supported through the natural ways;

And where you do not need to wait two hours in traffic and where you have the freedom of
transportation.

He also noted the project also as a prototype.

Arcosanti settlement also has qualities for working, sheltering and social activities without
need anywhere. And also there are places for the artistic activities, exhibitions and concerts. 

An important part of Arcosanti prototype tries to combine the compact buildings with the
greenhouses looking to the south. These greenhouses are used not only for food production,
but also for the heating of the city with the huge flat platforms as an energy station.

In winter transportation and cooling costs will be disappeared, so the damage on the
environment will be decreased.

The sales of ceramic souvenirs produced in ateliers provide a very important income for the
settlement. These ateliers have special designs with arches in the entry which is a keeper from
the warm air and the lights of sun. When this is applied in huge areas as a city plan, the
standard of lives will be increased.