Sustainable Building Solutions from Around the World
Experts tell us how the future of residential construction can be a green one
The previous article in this instalment highlighted the need for new solutions to halting climate change and reducing the emission of harmful greenhouse gases. Now, the Covid-19 crisis has made us even more aware of the need to reassess how culture, society, the economy and the environment interact.
Architects and building professionals have a role to play. We spoke to local experts for their ideas and solutions, and to find out what is already possible. Their answers shed light on the variety of approaches and focuses around the world: from countrywide legislation and zero-carbon targets, to regional solutions and innovative projects, to rediscovered traditions.
We look at the ways in which countries around the world approach sustainable architecture, and highlight some examples of homes where environmental best practices have been put into action.
Architects and building professionals have a role to play. We spoke to local experts for their ideas and solutions, and to find out what is already possible. Their answers shed light on the variety of approaches and focuses around the world: from countrywide legislation and zero-carbon targets, to regional solutions and innovative projects, to rediscovered traditions.
We look at the ways in which countries around the world approach sustainable architecture, and highlight some examples of homes where environmental best practices have been put into action.
The garden has an aquaponics system for fish waste harvesting, compost bins, a worm farm and chicken coop working in harmony with a productive vegetable garden. “Combined, these elements have meant that the house surpasses the clients’ desire for a sustainable home and is virtually off-grid for most of the year,” the architect says.
The most common way to meet these requirements is by getting a home energy rating done using the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS), which rates homes from 0-10 stars.
The key to getting a good rating is to design for local climate with the rating depending on:
The most common way to meet these requirements is by getting a home energy rating done using the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS), which rates homes from 0-10 stars.
The key to getting a good rating is to design for local climate with the rating depending on:
- Layout and orientation.
- Roof, walls, windows and floor construction, methods and materials.
- Shading the sun’s path and how well the home takes advantage of local breezes.
Case study: The social and health centre built after the earthquake in San Felice Sul Panaro in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. It was built with innovative techniques and material and was a quick response to the lack of structures after the disaster. It was made in adherence to high sustainability standards. For example, there’s a system that collects rainwater, which can be used for cleaning the building and irrigating the outside areas.
A regional approach with economic incentives in Italy
Tricky geography, complicated bureaucracy and historical buildings make the work of developing sustainable architecture particularly difficult in Italy as well.
As the country is diverse both geographically and politically, the response to climate change is decentralised. “In addition to local regulations and laws, an architect must always remember, especially in a country like Italy with so much tradition wherever you look, to preserve and highlight the genius loci, the soul of a place. So far, we’ve always worked with clients who shared our approach,” explains Matteo Thun, founder of Matteo Thun & Partners.
“Italy offers some convenient economical incentives for those who want to renovate their home in a sustainable way. But not all professionals are well prepared for this,” says Alessandro Giuliani, president of the CasaClima Network in Lombardy, a north-west region that includes the city of Milan.
“Italy, and Europe as well, need to think globally and not consider only one region or state. All the pieces have to work together and can help each other. For instance, a windy northern Europe can work more with wind energy while the sunny south can collect more solar power and then exchange this energy, but this is still a utopia. We are still lacking a wider view and a path,” says Andrea Rossi, project director of Mario Cucinella Architects.
The studio was awarded the European Sustainability Award in 2019 for its work in rebuilding earthquake-damaged villages in the Emilia-Romagna region using wooden structures. This regional approach is one of the reasons Italy’s successes have been centred on individual projects like this.
A regional approach with economic incentives in Italy
Tricky geography, complicated bureaucracy and historical buildings make the work of developing sustainable architecture particularly difficult in Italy as well.
As the country is diverse both geographically and politically, the response to climate change is decentralised. “In addition to local regulations and laws, an architect must always remember, especially in a country like Italy with so much tradition wherever you look, to preserve and highlight the genius loci, the soul of a place. So far, we’ve always worked with clients who shared our approach,” explains Matteo Thun, founder of Matteo Thun & Partners.
“Italy offers some convenient economical incentives for those who want to renovate their home in a sustainable way. But not all professionals are well prepared for this,” says Alessandro Giuliani, president of the CasaClima Network in Lombardy, a north-west region that includes the city of Milan.
“Italy, and Europe as well, need to think globally and not consider only one region or state. All the pieces have to work together and can help each other. For instance, a windy northern Europe can work more with wind energy while the sunny south can collect more solar power and then exchange this energy, but this is still a utopia. We are still lacking a wider view and a path,” says Andrea Rossi, project director of Mario Cucinella Architects.
The studio was awarded the European Sustainability Award in 2019 for its work in rebuilding earthquake-damaged villages in the Emilia-Romagna region using wooden structures. This regional approach is one of the reasons Italy’s successes have been centred on individual projects like this.
Case study: This Victorian house renovation by James Wright of Macdonald Wright Architects in London is an example of an eco-friendly restoration of a period property. Originally built in 1893, the property has been upgraded and retrofitted with numerous environmental details, such as insulation, passive solar heating and a sophisticated grey water recycling system to power the toilets and washing machine, as well as garden irrigation.
A series of measures to meet emission reduction targets in the UK
The UK shares some of Italy’s challenges, especially the age and condition of the housing stock. The cool, damp climate and a long reliance on fossil fuels are additional difficulties.
Nonetheless, progress is being made. “In June 2019, the UK government made a commitment to 100% emissions reduction by 2050, bringing all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero. Following the announcement, RIBA declared a climate emergency and in October, launched the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge,” says Adrian Dobson, executive director of professional services at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
A series of measures to meet emission reduction targets in the UK
The UK shares some of Italy’s challenges, especially the age and condition of the housing stock. The cool, damp climate and a long reliance on fossil fuels are additional difficulties.
Nonetheless, progress is being made. “In June 2019, the UK government made a commitment to 100% emissions reduction by 2050, bringing all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero. Following the announcement, RIBA declared a climate emergency and in October, launched the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge,” says Adrian Dobson, executive director of professional services at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
Wright chose a palette of natural materials, all of which, along with the fittings, were either sourced locally or from within the EU. “Many of the tradespeople were local, too. It was always comforting during construction to see how few vans – and how many bicycles – arrived each morning,” Wright says.
“The aim is to help architects meet net zero (or better) whole life carbon emissions for new and retrofitted buildings by 2030. The commitment sets a series of targets for practices to adopt, to reduce operational energy, embodied carbon and potable water,” Dobson says.
“We’ve seen some recent examples, including 2019 Stirling Prize winner Goldsmith Street, of how it’s possible to build to a very high environmental standard today, demonstrating that the targets set out in the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge are entirely achievable,” he says.
“The aim is to help architects meet net zero (or better) whole life carbon emissions for new and retrofitted buildings by 2030. The commitment sets a series of targets for practices to adopt, to reduce operational energy, embodied carbon and potable water,” Dobson says.
“We’ve seen some recent examples, including 2019 Stirling Prize winner Goldsmith Street, of how it’s possible to build to a very high environmental standard today, demonstrating that the targets set out in the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge are entirely achievable,” he says.
Case study: This new home in Lincoln, Massachusetts in the US, nods to the agrarian vernacular of the Colonial-era town, which dates to 1654. But the farmhouse by Boston architecture firm ZeroEnergy Design utilises the latest energy-efficient technologies and produces more energy than it consumes.
Architects working towards a carbon-neutral future in the US
In the US, 40% of energy is consumed by buildings, according to the American Institute of Architects. Because of that, the group sees architects as playing a key role in significantly reducing carbon emissions. The AIA supports the 2030 Challenge, which has a goal of making all new buildings, developments and major renovations carbon neutral by 2030.
The AIA is providing US architects with a way to report and track their progress towards carbon neutrality. Firms participating in the AIA’s 2030 Commitment programme report the energy performance of their portfolios each year.
The standardised reporting methods of the AIA’s Design Data Exchange enable firms to pinpoint best practices and anonymously compare projects of similar type, size, climate and other attributes across the programme. In 2018, the AIA says, firms participating in the 2030 Commitment saved 17.7 million metric tons of carbon.
Architects working towards a carbon-neutral future in the US
In the US, 40% of energy is consumed by buildings, according to the American Institute of Architects. Because of that, the group sees architects as playing a key role in significantly reducing carbon emissions. The AIA supports the 2030 Challenge, which has a goal of making all new buildings, developments and major renovations carbon neutral by 2030.
The AIA is providing US architects with a way to report and track their progress towards carbon neutrality. Firms participating in the AIA’s 2030 Commitment programme report the energy performance of their portfolios each year.
The standardised reporting methods of the AIA’s Design Data Exchange enable firms to pinpoint best practices and anonymously compare projects of similar type, size, climate and other attributes across the programme. In 2018, the AIA says, firms participating in the 2030 Commitment saved 17.7 million metric tons of carbon.
Case study: This property in Ryesgade on Østerbro in Copenhagen, Denmark, is a successful example of sustainable renovation, energy optimisation and the addition of roof housing. (Photo from Drost Fonden.)
Recycling building materials a possible way forwards in Denmark
In Denmark, the Green Building Council offers, among other things, training and sustainability assessment for construction projects based on the DGNB international certification scheme, which takes environmental, economic and sociocultural issues into account.
“There’s a great deal of attention to the need for more knowledge and education in this area. The construction industry is prepared, and large builders such as municipalities and pension funds are investing in sustainable construction and renovations,” says Mette Qvist, director of DGNB.
In her opinion, the UN’s global goals have been a wake-up call to many, but legislation is still limping. 30% of Denmark’s waste by volume comes from construction. Therefore, it makes good sense to recycle building materials instead of depreciating them when demolishing and using new resources.
Recycling building materials a possible way forwards in Denmark
In Denmark, the Green Building Council offers, among other things, training and sustainability assessment for construction projects based on the DGNB international certification scheme, which takes environmental, economic and sociocultural issues into account.
“There’s a great deal of attention to the need for more knowledge and education in this area. The construction industry is prepared, and large builders such as municipalities and pension funds are investing in sustainable construction and renovations,” says Mette Qvist, director of DGNB.
In her opinion, the UN’s global goals have been a wake-up call to many, but legislation is still limping. 30% of Denmark’s waste by volume comes from construction. Therefore, it makes good sense to recycle building materials instead of depreciating them when demolishing and using new resources.
Case study: These homeowners commissioned a low-energy home with a wooden structure and optimal wood fibre insulation laid to a thickness of 30cm in France.
A focus on energy efficiency in France
There is currently a thermal regulation, RT 2012, in effect in France. Its objective is to reduce the environmental impact of new builds, focusing particularly on energy consumption. A new, more in-depth regulation, RE 2020, will soon be put in place. It is expected to bring passive and energy-positive buildings into the mainstream, and to reduce their carbon footprint.
These regulations address exclusively new housing units. “Before asking again, one should look at the buildings that already exist, to reuse them and make them energy-efficient,” says architect Joëlle Personnaz (DPLG).
In April 2019, the French government launched an additional plan for the improvement of energy efficiency in existing buildings. It anticipates the thermal renovations of nearly 500,000 housing units every year. There is also financial support to help homeowners and a guaranteed fund was also put in place for homeowners of modest means.
A focus on energy efficiency in France
There is currently a thermal regulation, RT 2012, in effect in France. Its objective is to reduce the environmental impact of new builds, focusing particularly on energy consumption. A new, more in-depth regulation, RE 2020, will soon be put in place. It is expected to bring passive and energy-positive buildings into the mainstream, and to reduce their carbon footprint.
These regulations address exclusively new housing units. “Before asking again, one should look at the buildings that already exist, to reuse them and make them energy-efficient,” says architect Joëlle Personnaz (DPLG).
In April 2019, the French government launched an additional plan for the improvement of energy efficiency in existing buildings. It anticipates the thermal renovations of nearly 500,000 housing units every year. There is also financial support to help homeowners and a guaranteed fund was also put in place for homeowners of modest means.
The home also includes simple sustainable measures, such as double-glazed windows and low ceilings to prevent heat loss. The energy consumption of the house with 245 sq m living space is 30 kilowatt-hours per square metre per year including all heating, hot water and appliances. (Photo: Aurélien Vivier © 2016 Houzz.)
Personnaz points out that the coming legislation, RE 2020, is likewise based around thermal efficiency, and doesn’t address bioclimatic factors, or the durability or provenance of materials. “Having an energy-efficient building is good, but having an efficient building with glass wool that was manufactured on the other side of the world doesn’t make sense in environmental terms,” she says.
The other challenges of the regulation notably concern the comfort of these residences in summer and the quality of indoor air. In the past, homes were therefore equipped with ventilation and air conditioning systems that exploded their energy consumption. “We must go back to homes that are ventilated naturally and fresh in summer,” Personnaz says.
Personnaz points out that the coming legislation, RE 2020, is likewise based around thermal efficiency, and doesn’t address bioclimatic factors, or the durability or provenance of materials. “Having an energy-efficient building is good, but having an efficient building with glass wool that was manufactured on the other side of the world doesn’t make sense in environmental terms,” she says.
The other challenges of the regulation notably concern the comfort of these residences in summer and the quality of indoor air. In the past, homes were therefore equipped with ventilation and air conditioning systems that exploded their energy consumption. “We must go back to homes that are ventilated naturally and fresh in summer,” Personnaz says.
Case study: Monochrome white down to the roof tiles and shutters, this award-winning home in Wiesbaden, Germany, by architect Roger Christ shows how to save energy with colour. The white facade and roof covering counteract overheating and make mechanical air conditioning unnecessary. The building also has wood-fibre insulation. The highlight: the four maisonette apartments are L-shaped units fitted into each other like Tetris blocks. This saves enormous amounts of space and resources.
A goal to be climate neutral by 2050 in Germany
Germany is often seen as one of the pioneers of environmental protection and sustainable living. In fact, the world’s first Passive House was built in Germany in 1991. Nonetheless, the reality is that, according to the Federal Environment Agency, buildings account for about 35% of final energy consumption and about 30% of CO2 emissions in Germany.
This is why Germany has committed itself to becoming climate neutral by 2050. To this end, a climate protection plan was initiated by the government in 2019. One new measure is that oil heating in private residences will be banned from 2026. Renewable energy production from solar, wind and water power will also be expanded to make Germany independent of fossil fuels. Finally, homeowners who modernise their heating systems and renovate their homes to improve energy-efficiency receive state support through grants and subsidies.
According to architect Jens-Uwe Seyfarth, multi-functional living is another solution. “We are noticing that people are getting together again in building cooperatives. Two-family and multi-generation houses are also attractive. This is more efficient and saves resources,” Seyfarth says. The keyword is co-living. Shared cooking, eating and living is already being practiced in some German housing projects.
A goal to be climate neutral by 2050 in Germany
Germany is often seen as one of the pioneers of environmental protection and sustainable living. In fact, the world’s first Passive House was built in Germany in 1991. Nonetheless, the reality is that, according to the Federal Environment Agency, buildings account for about 35% of final energy consumption and about 30% of CO2 emissions in Germany.
This is why Germany has committed itself to becoming climate neutral by 2050. To this end, a climate protection plan was initiated by the government in 2019. One new measure is that oil heating in private residences will be banned from 2026. Renewable energy production from solar, wind and water power will also be expanded to make Germany independent of fossil fuels. Finally, homeowners who modernise their heating systems and renovate their homes to improve energy-efficiency receive state support through grants and subsidies.
According to architect Jens-Uwe Seyfarth, multi-functional living is another solution. “We are noticing that people are getting together again in building cooperatives. Two-family and multi-generation houses are also attractive. This is more efficient and saves resources,” Seyfarth says. The keyword is co-living. Shared cooking, eating and living is already being practiced in some German housing projects.
Case study: The team at Bonsai Arquitectos restored this typical property in Motril, southern Spain. The challenge was maintaining the typology of the complex and preserving the image of the rural building while maintaining a certain environmental character.
Looking forward to environmental transition in Spain
As in many countries around the world, in Spain, energy-efficiency and the reduction of the environmental footprint are the main challenges, but there are others as well. One pressing issue is that rural areas face demographic changes, with declining numbers and an ageing population.
“There are currently signs that in the coming years we will live a true ecological transition in Spain,” says Eva Chacón, co-director of Bonsai Arquitectos, an architecture studio based in Granada, Spain, founded in 1965.
The most important, Chacón says, was the recent creation of the new Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenges. Likewise, new laws were being implemented – such as the Spanish Circular Economy Strategy or the 2021-2030 Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan – to adapt Spain to the European directives on sustainability.
Looking forward to environmental transition in Spain
As in many countries around the world, in Spain, energy-efficiency and the reduction of the environmental footprint are the main challenges, but there are others as well. One pressing issue is that rural areas face demographic changes, with declining numbers and an ageing population.
“There are currently signs that in the coming years we will live a true ecological transition in Spain,” says Eva Chacón, co-director of Bonsai Arquitectos, an architecture studio based in Granada, Spain, founded in 1965.
The most important, Chacón says, was the recent creation of the new Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenges. Likewise, new laws were being implemented – such as the Spanish Circular Economy Strategy or the 2021-2030 Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan – to adapt Spain to the European directives on sustainability.
Wood was a leitmotif in the project. The walls are covered in lime mortar, which regulates climate and humidity. Other interesting features include: reddish zinc roofs, which need minimal maintenance and fit well with the neighbouring buildings; a high level of thermal insulation throughout the enclosure, and the recycling of grey water for irrigation.
“As citizens, we are bombarded daily with hopeless news about the serious ecological crisis that we are experiencing in our country and the planet as a whole after decades of unsustainable development,” Chacón says. “Our perception is that this is influencing all layers of society, and it’s being translated into more sustainable behaviours and modes of consumption.”
“As citizens, we are bombarded daily with hopeless news about the serious ecological crisis that we are experiencing in our country and the planet as a whole after decades of unsustainable development,” Chacón says. “Our perception is that this is influencing all layers of society, and it’s being translated into more sustainable behaviours and modes of consumption.”
Case study: Climatic response for Singapore architects is typically the use of passive design strategies. In this climate-responsive house, for example, architect Teo Yee Chin of Red Bean Architects employed the house-on-stilts concept to allow air to circulate around the open ground floor, thereby passively cooling the rest of the structure. Cross-ventilation and built-in sun shading through strategically placed windows is also a feature here.
Building sustainably and cherishing the past in Singapore
The Singapore government has been at the forefront of sustainability since 2005 through the Building and Construction Authority (BCA). It oversees all new construction and alterations through building permits and the BCA Green Mark, a green building rating system that evaluates a building’s environmental impact and performance.
As for the majority of the population, who live in apartments, Architect William Ng of Studio Wills + Architects views sustainability as achievable by taking a cue from the conservation of the old – use whatever material can be conserved. The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) oversees the conservation and adaptive reuse of old, historically significant structures. Transforming the historic post office into the luxury Fullerton Hotel is one of the many examples of how Singapore maximises what the built environment already has.
Building sustainably and cherishing the past in Singapore
The Singapore government has been at the forefront of sustainability since 2005 through the Building and Construction Authority (BCA). It oversees all new construction and alterations through building permits and the BCA Green Mark, a green building rating system that evaluates a building’s environmental impact and performance.
As for the majority of the population, who live in apartments, Architect William Ng of Studio Wills + Architects views sustainability as achievable by taking a cue from the conservation of the old – use whatever material can be conserved. The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) oversees the conservation and adaptive reuse of old, historically significant structures. Transforming the historic post office into the luxury Fullerton Hotel is one of the many examples of how Singapore maximises what the built environment already has.
Case study: This house, located in Saitama, north of Tokyo, is designed using the ‘Soradoma no ie’ method, which was created by learning from ‘minka’, the traditional Japanese home.
Re-evaluating traditional building techniques in Japan
As a result of legislation brought in after World War II, the construction industry has focused on new builds for decades and there has not been a culture of the reuse of homes in Japan. Even when building new, it is more sustainable to build using environmentally friendly materials with energy-efficiency in mind. However, since natural materials are more expensive, environmentally friendly home building has not become a nationwide trend in Japan yet.
Nonetheless, experts continue to make efforts to increase the number of sustainable houses that match the Japanese climate. Hiroo Maruya, board director of the Eco House Research Society and an architect at A&A Central, has created a passive house construction method called ‘Soradoma no ie’ (meaning ‘sky and earthen floor house’), which uses natural materials and building techniques that suit the humid Japanese climate.
Maruya says using earthen walls, like in a traditional Japanese house, ensures that moisture is sufficiently absorbed and evaporated. ‘Soradoma no ie’ also uses natural wood fibre as insulation. He teaches his method to architects and builders throughout the country.
Maruya says it is important to “learn, position, and improve with a respectful heart”, to create houses that people would want to keep living in, even after the homeowner changes.
Re-evaluating traditional building techniques in Japan
As a result of legislation brought in after World War II, the construction industry has focused on new builds for decades and there has not been a culture of the reuse of homes in Japan. Even when building new, it is more sustainable to build using environmentally friendly materials with energy-efficiency in mind. However, since natural materials are more expensive, environmentally friendly home building has not become a nationwide trend in Japan yet.
Nonetheless, experts continue to make efforts to increase the number of sustainable houses that match the Japanese climate. Hiroo Maruya, board director of the Eco House Research Society and an architect at A&A Central, has created a passive house construction method called ‘Soradoma no ie’ (meaning ‘sky and earthen floor house’), which uses natural materials and building techniques that suit the humid Japanese climate.
Maruya says using earthen walls, like in a traditional Japanese house, ensures that moisture is sufficiently absorbed and evaporated. ‘Soradoma no ie’ also uses natural wood fibre as insulation. He teaches his method to architects and builders throughout the country.
Maruya says it is important to “learn, position, and improve with a respectful heart”, to create houses that people would want to keep living in, even after the homeowner changes.
Case study: For Boris Bouttsev, a ball is the best shape for an energy-saving house, like the Russian ball house pictured above. “It has a minimum ratio of the surface area of the shell to the volume,” he says.
Building on a tradition of durability in Russia
“Some experts keep repeating that the creation of passive housing in Russia following the German model is impossible or extremely difficult for various reasons, including financial ones,” says Boris Bouttsev, expert on ventilation, microclimate of buildings. In general, little attention is paid to day-to-day environmental issues on a government level.
Building on a tradition of durability in Russia
“Some experts keep repeating that the creation of passive housing in Russia following the German model is impossible or extremely difficult for various reasons, including financial ones,” says Boris Bouttsev, expert on ventilation, microclimate of buildings. In general, little attention is paid to day-to-day environmental issues on a government level.
The dome structure can also be erected quickly and built on piles without foundations. Interior concept by VerbaHome.
Bouttsev calls for change. “We still have the possibility of using various energy-saving technologies to reduce operating costs for heating private houses. Cold winters and the reduction of heat loss in private houses are the main challenges for Russia.”
On the other hand, Houzz Russia editor Elena Ambrosimova points out that Russian consumers have always demanded lasting and durable construction. “Any Russian interior is supposed to serve at least 20-30 years after remodelling without additional changes or repairs,” she says. “To make this a reality, we make a habit of buying the most resistant materials and high-quality furniture.”
Bouttsev calls for change. “We still have the possibility of using various energy-saving technologies to reduce operating costs for heating private houses. Cold winters and the reduction of heat loss in private houses are the main challenges for Russia.”
On the other hand, Houzz Russia editor Elena Ambrosimova points out that Russian consumers have always demanded lasting and durable construction. “Any Russian interior is supposed to serve at least 20-30 years after remodelling without additional changes or repairs,” she says. “To make this a reality, we make a habit of buying the most resistant materials and high-quality furniture.”
Case study: Pitched tiled roofs, double-height spaces with lofty internal volumes, and a maze of interconnecting courtyards and wide verandas maximise cross-ventilation and minimise the use of air conditioners in this home by Kumar Moorthy & Associates. Water is recycled through a non-chemical recycling system.
Celebrating the fact that sustainable practices are a way of life in India
Currently, there is no clear and comprehensive green building code in India. The form that does exist is a blend of non-binding recommendations and guidelines from other codes, such as the National Building Code (NBC), state bylaws, Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) and LEED-India, among others.
“There is some effort by the central government, such as the implementation of BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency) programmes for making electrical appliances more efficient, promotions for using low energy fixtures for public and private lighting, use of alternative sources of energy, and implementing ECBC compliances nationwide through the help of municipalities and development authorities,” says Vijay Garg, president of the Council of Architecture India.
However, India has a long sustainable tradition to fall back on. “The diversity of India’s culture is most apparent in its villages, where sustainable practices, for building and as a way of life, are an integral part.”
Celebrating the fact that sustainable practices are a way of life in India
Currently, there is no clear and comprehensive green building code in India. The form that does exist is a blend of non-binding recommendations and guidelines from other codes, such as the National Building Code (NBC), state bylaws, Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) and LEED-India, among others.
“There is some effort by the central government, such as the implementation of BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency) programmes for making electrical appliances more efficient, promotions for using low energy fixtures for public and private lighting, use of alternative sources of energy, and implementing ECBC compliances nationwide through the help of municipalities and development authorities,” says Vijay Garg, president of the Council of Architecture India.
However, India has a long sustainable tradition to fall back on. “The diversity of India’s culture is most apparent in its villages, where sustainable practices, for building and as a way of life, are an integral part.”
Exploring a modern take on wood construction in Sweden
Sweden likewise has a long tradition of considering the environment, both in architecture and in the rest of society. An abundance of forests has also provided a natural resource –wood – that has historically served as the foundation of construction – a resource that’s increasingly being rediscovered by contemporary architects.
“We’re fairly advanced when it comes to the environmental impact in the running of new-builds, so now it’s time to focus on sustainability issues during the building process, in design, transportation and materials,” says Elisabet Elfström, acting head of Architects Sweden.
Though Sweden has a vast amount of wood for use in construction, concrete has been one of the architects’ favoured materials for decades. Thanks to technical advances in fire retardants, wood is now increasingly being used as a sustainable material that’s also pleasant to live in.
Author, commentator and architectural critic Mark Isitt feels Swedish architects don’t use the material to its full potential. “They often build wooden structures in the same boxy way as concrete, which is a mistake. Wood has a lightness to it, it can be bent and curved, but this plasticity isn’t utilised. One exception is the Kilströmskaj project in southern Sweden, which will be completed in 2020 [pictured]. Designed by Wingårdhs architects and constructed by Svensk Bostadsutveckling, the three wooden buildings have a very specific form, and are built on lit-up podiums,“ he says.
Tell us…
What’s your take on the solutions that are addressing sustainability in your country? In the Comments, tell us what you look forward to seeing and join the conversation.
Sweden likewise has a long tradition of considering the environment, both in architecture and in the rest of society. An abundance of forests has also provided a natural resource –wood – that has historically served as the foundation of construction – a resource that’s increasingly being rediscovered by contemporary architects.
“We’re fairly advanced when it comes to the environmental impact in the running of new-builds, so now it’s time to focus on sustainability issues during the building process, in design, transportation and materials,” says Elisabet Elfström, acting head of Architects Sweden.
Though Sweden has a vast amount of wood for use in construction, concrete has been one of the architects’ favoured materials for decades. Thanks to technical advances in fire retardants, wood is now increasingly being used as a sustainable material that’s also pleasant to live in.
Author, commentator and architectural critic Mark Isitt feels Swedish architects don’t use the material to its full potential. “They often build wooden structures in the same boxy way as concrete, which is a mistake. Wood has a lightness to it, it can be bent and curved, but this plasticity isn’t utilised. One exception is the Kilströmskaj project in southern Sweden, which will be completed in 2020 [pictured]. Designed by Wingårdhs architects and constructed by Svensk Bostadsutveckling, the three wooden buildings have a very specific form, and are built on lit-up podiums,“ he says.
Tell us…
What’s your take on the solutions that are addressing sustainability in your country? In the Comments, tell us what you look forward to seeing and join the conversation.
A star rating for better sustainability outcomes in Australia
Australia’s huge variations in climate and landscape makes it more difficult to coordinate a national one-size-fits-all policy, although coordinated efforts are underway.
“There are national codes, state-based legislation and council policies, plus industry standards, such as the Green Building Council of Australia’s Green Star rating system, that have also been effective in incentivising better sustainability outcomes,” says Australian Institute of Architects national president, Helen Lochhead.
But at present, Australians building a new home or undertaking major renovations only need to meet minimum state and territory energy-efficiency requirements based on the National Construction Code.