Greentecture: the green architecture for tomorrow
Architecture not only has the goal of building constructions, but it also shapes our future and influences our quality of life. The conscious execution of the architecture known as "Greentecture or green architecture" can reduce emissions and improve waste management, which is a problem that our society must face immediately.
In addition, it brings nature closer to the places we inhabit, improving our sense of well-being and harmony.
This urban trend understood as "a return to nature" is one of the macro-trends included in our Trends Book Inspiring Living for Tomorrow. Lifestyle Trends 2024 by Neolith, where you can also find other architectural trends that include the presence of nature in the creation of spaces.
What is green architecture?
Green arquitecture or Greentecture has the purpose of being part of the solution and stopping climate change, increasing the number of green areas, and building constructions that reduce the consumption of fossil energy such as oil, gas, or coal.
It is a trend with principles and objectives, which can disruptively transform our environment and way of life, prioritizing the following aspects:
01. Focus on saving water
Rainwater collection and reuse systems are implemented, as well as efficient plumbing and irrigation devices, to reduce the consumption of potable water.
02. Promote energy efficiency
To reduce energy consumption, green architecture prioritizes the orientation of buildings, the use of thermal insulation and the incorporation of renewable energy technology, such as solar panels or geothermal energy systems.
03. Choose sustainable materials
Green construction materials are selected, such as those that contain recycled content or come from renewable sources, and the reduction of toxic emissions and waste during the construction and operation of the buildings is prioritized. Sintered stone applied to facades offers a myriad of advantages in terms of durability and energy efficiency and is a highly suitable option for green architecture.
04. Integrates various professionals to achieve environmental objectives
Collaboration between architects, urban planners, designers, engineers, and other professionals is encouraged to develop integrated solutions that optimize the environmental performance and efficiency of buildings and cities.
Outstanding green architecture Projects
In Inspiring Living for Tomorrow. Lifestyle Trends 2024, you can find various green architecture projects, as well as inspirational references.
The Self-Sufficient City
The Self-Sufficient City is the winning proposal from the Barcelona-based studio Guallart Architects to design the new Chinese city of Xiong'an. This all-new post-COVID settlement concept aims to define a new self-sufficient urban standard of living that can be applied as a model in different cities throughout the world. Formally, it’s a mix of traditional European blocks, contemporary Chinese towers, and a productive farming landscape. Its inhabitants can live, work, relax and produce energy and food for the community while still being globally connected.
Besides apartments and residences, offices, a pool, stores, a market, a daycare, an administrative center and fire station, each building will be covered by gerenhouses to harvest fruits and vegetables daily on structures standing under sloped ceilings that store solar energy. Small workshops on each structure will feature a laboratory with 3D printers and quick prototyping machines to design and manufacture small objects and utensils for daily use. In addition to energy and food production, the project will include water recycling and material re-use.
The Tree Path
The Three Path is an elevated cyclist route that runs between trees supported on two parallel rows of bushes that act as pillars. Situated in the Italian countryside, this road project ends in Sabbioneta, a Unesco World Heritage Site, and explores sustainable mobility by mixing natural and artificial elements. The Tree Path was designed by Carlo Ratti Associati along with Office for Living Architecture, one of the leading experts in Baubotanik (“botanical construction” in German) – a discipline that converts trees into constantly evolving architectural features. The project aims to plant about a thousand tress, the growth of which will be a central part of the design process.
They will grow around a stainless-steel railing, creating and transforming the road structure over a period of several years, and reaching up to six meters off the ground winding around the traffic and watercourses. The path includes digital sensors to measure everything from air pollution to the health and growth of each one of the plants, adding the results to a computerised database which will turn the “Internet of trees” vision into reality.
At Neolith we are committed to green architecture
We work every day to offer increasingly sustainable design and innovative solutions and provide materials that build a better world.
Sustainability is an objective in our production system
At Neolith we use cutting-edge technologies and eco-efficient manufacturing processes. We try to minimize water consumption and energy, as well as waste generation. In addition, our collections are made up of natural and recyclable materials, thus collaborating with the circular economy.
Environmental certifications support our commitment to sustainability
Our recently obtained Zero Waste certificate confirms that up to 96% of our waste is recycled or reused, so it positions us in an excellent level of performance in terms of waste management, thus strengthening the circular economy. In addition, we have also achieved the prestigious EcoVadis Gold recognition for our corporate policies, initiatives and business achievements in environmental issues, labour practices and human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement.
You can check more information about our certifications in the following link
Our surfaces promote energy efficiency in buildings
Neolith sintered stone offers great benefits when applied to facades. Our surfaces are resistant to UV rays and help reduce the thermal load in interior spaces, creating comfort inside the building by preventing excessive heating.
In addition, as they are resistant to extreme temperatures, they can be used in ventilated façade systems that improve the insulation and energy performance of buildings.
They also allow the circulation of air, allowing the diffusion of water vapor from the inside out, which facilitates the "breathing" of the façade, avoiding condensation behind the panels.
Neolith collections are designed to last
Offering resistant and durable materials undoubtedly favours sustainability in construction. Our architectural surfaces are resistant to UV rays, heat, chemicals, and wear, making them ideal for both interior and exterior applications.
They can be used in various applications such as claddings, kitchen countertops, bathrooms, or terraces, also favouring cohesion between different spaces in the same building.
In Neolith Fusion collection we can find very versatile designs that can dress up spaces providing organic and sophisticated references.
