In the fundamental sense climate responsive architecture is the architectural

approach that focuses on designing energy-efficient buildings uniquely suited to the

climate in which they are constructed. These buildings’ designs are informed by, and
reflective of, local weather conditions.
By taking into account things like seasonality, solar pathing, natural shading,
ambient humidity, and annual rainfall patterns, climate responsive buildings and
infrastructure work with, rather than against, the local climate to provide occupant
comfort using the least amount of energy possible. This approach is also crucial in
preparing towns and cities for the increasing frequency of severe weather events
linked to climate change. It was only within the last century or so that many
traditional architectural practices were abandoned in favor of universal architectural
designs that typically fail to take into account local climate factors—something many
architects are beginning to see the pitfalls of.
“Increasingly architects and designers are realizing that building designs need to
reflect the conditions of the area in which they are located,” Prasoon Shrivastava,
CEO and founder of Prasoon Design Studio , previously wrote for gb&d. “For
example, buildings in warm climates should utilize tinted windows to cool off the
space, rather than air conditioning units.” In designing with local climatic factors in
mind, architects are able to both reduce their projects’ carbon emissions and create
healthier spaces for their clients, Shrivastava says.

As our world continues to suffer the consequences of advanced climate change , we

must radically rethink the way in which the built environment is designed. New
construction projects should be designed to withstand extreme weather events while
also contributing as little as possible to the very factors responsible for changing
climate patterns—namely the burning of fossil fuels and destruction of carbon-
sequestering natural resources.
Emphasizing climate responsive architecture is important because it addresses both
of these concerns. As one of its core principles, climate responsive design prioritizes
passive heating, cooling, and ventilation strategies—all of which reduce a building’s
energy consumption and carbon emissions. Climate responsive architecture also
seeks to construct buildings that are capable of surviving the natural disasters
endemic to a region, as this reduces the amount of energy, money, and resources
spent on repairs or rebuilding entirely.
All in all, climate responsive design is important because it ultimately helps reduce
carbon emissions, limits waste production, and creates safe, long-lasting structures.

Filipino architecture has a rich history, with influences from indigenous

cultures and foreign invaders. Today, modern Filipino homes are adapting to
the challenges of climate change and the need for sustainable living.

By incorporating traditional architectural design and materials, these homes

are becoming models of net-zero living. In this article, we'll explore how
traditional Filipino architecture can be adapted for net-zero living, making it
fun and functional for today's generation

Integrating vernacular design principles in modern Filipino homes is essential

for creating a sustainable and culturally relevant living space. Elements like
the elevated "silong" (area under the house), the "tukod" (roof support), and
the "ventanilla" (small windows) promote natural ventilation and flood
protection, making them perfect for the Philippine tropical climate.

The Spanish-inspired architecture also added a layer of sophistication to the

designs, making it an ideal case of style and function.

Climate-responsive architecture is all about adapting to the Philippine

environment. By incorporating passive cooling techniques, like
maximizing shade and using natural ventilation, modern architecture can
reduce the need for air conditioning and lower energy consumption.
Green roofs and walls and rainwater harvesting systems can also help
mitigate the effects of storms and heavy rainfall.

Sustainable building practices are good for the environment and help preserve cultural heritage.
Using locally sourced materials and traditional building techniques, modern Filipino homes can
maintain a solid connection to their roots while promoting a greener lifestyle.

Adapting traditional Filipino architecture for net-zero living is a fun and

creative process and a crucial step towards a more sustainable future.
Modern Filipino homes can become models of eco-friendly living by
incorporating indigenous materials, vernacular design principles, and
climate-responsive architecture. It's time for us to embrace our cultural
heritage and use it as a foundation for building a greener future.
Green architecture

A Brief History of Green Architecture

The concepts of green architecture aren’t new. In fact, basic green

architecture has been around since the time of ancient civilizations.
Without the convenience of modern technology, these civilizations had
to work with the earth to build livable structures. Without air
conditioning, structures had to be built with natural ventilation to
control the interior climate, and buildings were placed intentionally to
maximize natural light.
But as the years passed, technology advanced and communities
rushed to urban centers, leading to less focus on living with the land
and more on modern convenience. Unfortunately, that modern
convenience came at a price – rapidly increasing energy consumption
has had a tremendous impact on our carbon footprint. As sustainable
living becomes increasingly popular, this philosophy of green design
has become more common in the effort to battle climate change.
Buildings that meet a certain level of energy efficiency are certified by
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, which is a
green building standard used worldwide.
Characteristics Of Green Architecture

So, what traits indicate a green building? The answer may be more
complicated than you think.
“Sometimes people think of a green building as one that has solar
panels on it, but it’s much more than that,” says Jim Schneider, a
writer and LEED Accredited Professional who has worked in the
building design and construction industry for almost 20 years. “The
best sustainable designs seek to reduce waste, conserve energy and
resources and offer a high degree of performance and function to
occupants and the community. There are lots of ways to get to those
goals, and the challenge and opportunity for architects is coming up
with the right mix of materials, building products and systems that
work together with a smart design to deliver an efficient, high-
performing building.”
Although there are many ways to accomplish green design, the
following make up the most crucial and consistent characteristics.
Renewable Energy Sources
Reducing energy consumption is one of the biggest goals of green
architecture, so it follows that these types of constructions will often
include a power source that runs on renewable energy.
“I am a big believer in solar panels, where it makes sense. Not every
building is a good choice for solar because it does depend on how
much sun exposure and surface area you have,” comments Schneider.
“But me, for example, I live in Colorado where we get lots of sun and
my house happens to be perfectly suited for solar. We’re not net-zero,
but we are able to generate most of the electricity that we use.”
Efficient Systems For Ventilation And Air Quality Control
Efficient ventilation systems are also key in designing a truly green
space. Natural ventilation systems, which rely on the natural forces of
wind and buoyancy to bring fresh air into the building, may even be
used in areas where climate permits. The type of ventilation used in
construction also plays a significant role in the building’s overall air
quality.
Use Of Sustainable And Recycled Materials
Green design’s focus on the environment starts before the home is
even built. Green architects focus on using non-toxic, recycled and
sustainable building materials.
“‘Cradle-to-grave’ metrics are factored into green building principles,”
says DeSimone. “This means that the carbon emissions during the
manufacturing process – as well as the transportation to distribution
centers – are factored into the carbon footprint analysis.”
Green Architecture Terms To Know

When we analyze green architecture, there are a few key terms to

keep in mind.
Sustainability
Sustainability itself is a relatively broad concept, encompassing
everything from how the building is built to how it’s used. A building is
considered sustainable when it creates a comfortable and functional
space without negatively impacting the environment.
But it’s important to recognize the differences between sustainable
and green buildings. Sustainability puts a focus on three pillars: planet,
people and profit. Green, on the other hand, focuses solely on the
environment. This means that all green buildings are sustainable, but
not all sustainable buildings are green.
Energy Efficiency
The efficient use of energy is the most important element of green
architecture, as using less energy reduces a building’s carbon
emissions. Energy efficiency is achieved by using technology that
requires less energy to perform the same task.
The solutions here can be simple or complex. For example, LED light
bulbs use 70% – 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs, so by
changing something this simple, a home can become more energy
efficient. But to obtain LEED certification, these efforts must go much
further, such as capitalizing on renewable sources like solar energy.
Net-Zero Homes
“A home is considered ‘net-zero’ when the energy that is produced
from an installed renewable energy system, such as solar photovoltaic
power, is equal to the amount of energy consumed by the home,” says
Anna DeSimone, author of Live in a Home that Pays You Back: A
Complete Guide to Net Zero and Energy-Efficient Homes. “If the
renewable energy system produces an excess amount of energy, then
the effect is called ‘positive energy.’”
DeSimone explains that while homeowners can make improvements to
their current home to work towards achieving net-zero energy, there
are also more and more homes built with this concept in mind.
“A very popular trend in home construction is called the ‘net-zero
ready’ home, which means the builder has constructed a high-
performance home with energy-efficient technologies, and has
‘prewired’ the house, enabling the homeowner to install solar energy or
other types of renewable energy systems in the future – seamlessly
and at a much lower cost,” says DeSimone.
Where To Find Green Design Homes

There are homes built with green architecture across the U.S., but how
and where do you go about finding one? Of course, you can always
follow the traditional process and rely on your real estate agent to
find what you’re looking for, but this process may take time. A more
proactive option may be to research green homes yourself on websites
such as Green Homes For Sale.
If you’re looking to build a new home instead of buying one, finding
LEED-accredited architects and designers is a good place to start. We
recommend relying on the U.S. Green Building Council
(USGBC)’s website.
And if you’re still not convinced green homes are the way of the future,
there may be an added incentive that sways you. “Home buyers can
benefit from expanded mortgage incentives when buying a home that
is certified in accordance with a green building standard,” says
DeSimone.
The Bottom Line

Green architecture has been around since the beginning, but ongoing
efforts to battle climate change have brought this architectural
philosophy back to the surface – and for good reason. With the right
balance of sustainable materials, renewable energy and a strong focus
on surroundings, green design can benefit both people and the
environment.
“We often ‘see’ from building to building, overlooking the unbuilt and
unbranded spaces in between,” summarizes Cassy Aoyagi. “These
spaces hold the key to our health and happiness, as well as
environmental well-being. It strongly benefits green architects to look
beyond the building to ensure they create the greatest positive impact
they envision.”