What is sustainable architecture or environmental awareness in rehabilitation and refurbishments
We’ve been hearing for quite some time now about sustainable architecture and its importance for the cities of the future, a concept that’s very well explained in our Trend Book Inspiring Living for Tomorrow. Lifestyle Trends 2024 by Neolith. But, what does sustainable architecture really mean?
What is sustainable architecture?
Human beings are becoming ever more aware of our impact on the environment and that’s why we’re taking measures to benefit our surroundings, including the way we construct buildings and how we live in them.
Although buildings were built in the past with functionality and aesthetics in mind, nowadays architecture takes a more sustainable approach by using techniques and materials that are eco-friendly throughout the construction stage, taking into account the process, creation, housing and deterioration of each project. In other words, sustainable architecture is all about having a broader perspective of projects, aware at all times of their impact on the environment. Therefore, Neolith’s fully natural materials are always the best choice if you’re looking for stylish surfaces that don’t leave sustainability behind.
In addition to the benefits for the environment and cost savings, one of the main advantages of sustainable architecture is that you can continue having the most voguish home despite using natural materials and ensuring energy efficiency. What’s more, it is precisely the designs that have made many sustainable buildings well-known for their extraordinary look.
Characteristics of sustainable architecture
#1. Passivhaus criteria in architecture
To understand passive house criteria, you must first learn what it’s all about, so keep reading!
Passive houses or Passivhaus are types of buildings that are created following the Passivhaus standard. It’s a standard that aims to reduce the energy needs of heating and cooling, irrespective of the season. Besides, these types of structures help us raise our environmental awareness when it comes to renovating or rehabilitating our homes.
If you also want a passive house, these are the five basic principles any passive house must fulfil:
- Good thermal insulation: to achieve this, the roof and walls must be very well insulated.
- Avoid thermal bridges: to do so, never interrupt the insulation layer! This way you’ll lower the consumption of your home and be much more comfortable inside.
- Invest in quality carpentry: it’s essential for doors and windows to provide decent acoustic and thermal insulation. It’s really worth it in the long run!
- Good airtightness: reduce any infiltrations as much as possible and do so by paying special attention to joints during construction—it’s essential.
- Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery: our homes constantly generate heat meaning a good ventilation system is one that re-uses and also helps reduce energy losses.
#2. Shared spaces: a new way of living
Creating sustainable buildings is a great contribution to the environment and one example of this can be found in biohomes that advocate the use of sustainable materials and generate less contamination in the production phases. But there are also other ways to do your bit so your home can be even more sustainable (if possible). Recycling, efficient household appliances, saving water... but how about sharing common areas?
You can do so with co-living, which is all about sharing common areas of the building with your neighbours, whether that may be a laundry area, an open-air terrace or a space for work meetings. In this way, you can enjoy all the common areas of your home but with a lower impact on the environment and your wallet.
#3. Sounds as just another architectural element
The nature of our cities and today’s lifestyles are a constant source of noise. However, architecture can design spaces that reduce exposure to noise pollution to create spaces where sound becomes just another comfort. After all, nobody likes waking up to the sound of car horns... there’s nothing worse!
Materials like fabrics, microperforated panels, porous suspended ceilings and resonance boxes are efficient ways to acoustically prepare the inside of a home. The impact of noise and acoustic problems can become very bothersome and difficult to resolve issues if not taken into account during the design process.
So, what about you? How do you contribute your bit to living more sustainably?
