In Robert Venturi's Learning from Las Vegas (1972) , he typifies two types of buildings found in the The Las Vegas Strip, the 'decorated shed' and the 'duck’. [pictured above]. According to Venturi the duck is that special building, symbolic because of the ideas in theory and practice. It is authentic; it has the intention of being a ‘duck’ and it is a duck. The decorated shed on the other hand is a rather plain structure which simply applies a deceptive decoration in its attempt to appear symbolic. In light of Venturi's assumptions, how then does one assess the authenticity of Sustainable Green Architecture currently being churning out ? What is the difference between the decorated sheds which merely apply the green aesthetic and those green ducks who implement the theories of sustainable design into the project for long term sustainable building solutions?

Though, it may appear that the green circus is in town, but The Green Architecture Movement has been long standing dictum for a more ethical relationship between man and his built environment.

Surfacing as a response to mounting concern about ecological and environmental matters in the the 1960s, the green movement in Architecture were at the forefront of opposing the environmentally irresponsible and energy guzzling glass tower blocks of international Modernist Architecture (pictured above). The green response back then involved experiments with buildings constructed with natural materials (e.g. timber or earth), which were supposedly more energy efficient (i.e. are well insulated, and draw on solar and wind-powered sources of energy), and which respect the site.

Though noble in intentions, unfortunately this may have left a lasting romanticised impression of green architecture, to such an extent that whenever we hear the term green building we instinctively assume that it has got to be covered in grass or made of sticks and stones or tree and earth encrusted structures ,sounds more like Badgers house from the Wind In The Willows rather than a container for human activity.

WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE GREEN ARCHITECTURE?

What is it that makes a building green? Is it green just because it is an earth covered structure? Think on this...besides the site excavation required for constructing of an earth sheltered home, the waterproofing and insulation alone is likely to be more extensive than in a typical above ground structure.

Sustainable Green Architecture is framed by the larger discussion of sustainability and the pressing economic and political context in which the building exists. In the broad context, sustainable architecture seeks to minimize the negative environmental impact of buildings by enhancing efficiency and moderation in the use of materials, energy, and development space.

Sustainable Green Architecture are buildings which are site specific.They are in harmony with their natural environment because they are conceived within the social, economic, political and environmental conditions of their given site.The building is not a stamp of the architects ego acting in isolation, but rather are buildings in harmony with it's surroundings.

SITE ORIENTATION

One crucial component of sustainable green architecture is Passive Solar Design, which refers to the use of the sun's energy for the heating and cooling of the building by exposure to the sun. When sunlight strikes a building, the building materials can reflect, transmit, or absorb the solar radiation. In addition, the heat produced by the sun causes air movement that can be predictable in designed spaces. These basic responses to solar heat lead to design elements, material choices and placements that can provide heating and cooling effects.

Unlike active solar heating systems, passive systems are simple and do not involve substantial use of mechanical and electrical devices, such as pumps, fans, or electrical controls to move the solar energy. Heres a simple example of how this works;

• By optimising the correct orientation of the building in relation to the position of the sun, [see sun path diagram on right] the architect will be able to help the client achieve optimum day light levels within specific spaces in the building.In doing so he/she will eliminate the need for artificial lighting, during daylight hours,thereby saving energy and money.

• The size and position of window openings can also be optimised relative to the orientation of the building relative to the sun.
• Overhangs can be used to shade ares which are likely to receive more sunlight.

For these and other Sustainable design practices and a more comprehensive study of Sustainable Green Architecture, can be found in the 10 Best Sustainable Design Books

Heres a sneak peak into one of the worlds first low carbon large scale mixed used projects.

THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE GREEN ARCHITECTURE

The Masdar Headquarters Building, UAE [a project by Ardrian Smith & Gordon Gill of Chicgao],is benchmark for Sustainable Green Architecture of the future. Testimony that we can achieve sustainability through technology.Call it eco tech,this building will go beyond zero net energy, becoming the world’s first mixed-use, large scale positive energy building.

MATERIALS

• The complex will utilize sustainable materials and feature integrated wind turbines, outdoor air quality monitors and one of the world’s largest building-integrated solar energy arrays. Compared with typical mixed-use buildings of the same size, the Headquarters will consume seventy percent less water.

ENERGY EFICIENCY

• The design, which includes numerous systems that will generate a surplus of the building’s energy, eliminate carbon emissions and reduce liquid and solid waste.
• The building is designed to be sustainable and efficient from the beginning of construction. The building cones and roof can be built first, creating a shaded micro climate for the remainder of the construction. The roof, covered with photovoltaic panels, will provide enough power to build the rest of the building.The building includes office and residential spaces, retail and public gardens, as well as a prayer hall and direct access to the city’s transportation systems.
• Modern wind towers, one of the building’s references to traditional Islamic architecture, are the basis for a number of features in the complex design. They act as wind towers, exhausting warm air and naturally ventilating the building, as well as bringing cool air up through the subterranean levels of the city below.
• The cones maximize natural daylight throughout the building; the operable windows on the cones allow occupants the option of naturally ventilating interior spaces. Structurally, cones support the building’s roof and allow for the creation of a shaded ground plane on the top of the building. Spatially, they create garden courtyards at the public realm which have pools of light and water.
• Each courtyard is programmed differently, providing amenities and public space for occupants.
  

SOURCE:http://www.smithgill.com/
				

Masdar City will be constructed over seven phases and is due to be completed by 2016. Masdar’s headquarters is part of phase one and will be completed by the end of 2010.

©Sustainable Green Architecture By AnArchigirl 2009

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