1.

0SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE
Sustainable architecture is architecture that seeks to minimize the negative environmental impact of
buildings through improved efficiency and moderation in the use of materials, energy, development
space and the ecosystem at large. Sustainable architecture defines a building designed and built to
significantly reduce the damages inflicted on the health of its inhabitants and the environment. A
sustainably designed building is important because it uses substantially less energy and water long-term
and it's built using fewer chemically toxic materials.

1.1CHARACTERISTICS OF SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

Sustainable architecture focuses on reducing human impact on the environment. It seamlessly blends
and integrates the building into the surrounding landscape.
Eco-friendly energy and water usage are a primary component of sustainable architecture. The goal is
to minimize wasteful, harmful energy consumption by using renewable energy sources, such as solar
panels, natural heating and cooling, and ventilation systems. In designing a sustainable building, the
architect seeks to have one that produces at least as much energy as it consumes for a net zero effect.
Water conservation systems, such as rainwater collection and gray water recycling are also
implemented.

Sustainable architecture incorporates the use of renewable and eco-friendly materials, such as
bamboo, hemp, cork, flax, soy, recycled and upcycled materials, and eco-friendly insulation.
Replacement of conventional materials can be achieved with sustainable alternatives. For example,
concrete can be replaced with hempcrete (made from hemp, lime, and water). Conventional plastics
can be replaced with innovative bioplastics made from algae.

Another aspect of sustainable architecture is the use of adaptable, modular spaces, many of which are
made from natural materials that can be easily broken down and repurposed or recycled. Tiny houses,
micro-apartments and other small structures that help address the appetite for more sustainable
housing and use less land mass and energy are examples of this. Alternative housing solutions, such
as homes and apartment buildings constructed from recycled shipping containers are also sustainable.
Floating architecture on waterways around the world can help address housing shortages in dense
coastal areas.

Incorporation of plants and nature via living walls, tree-covered residential towers, and green roofing
materials to help cool existing buildings and create healthy biophilic environments for humans is
another primary characteristic of sustainable architecture. Native plants play a vital role in the
landscaping of sustainable architecture. They promote local biodiversity, reduce soil erosion, and
require less maintenance because they already grow in their native environment.

1.2History of Sustainable Architecture

Many of the practices and principles used in sustainable architecture are rooted in ancient building
techniques that were transformed with the rise of modern materials and mass production in the
industrial age. The modern consciousness about the need for sustainable architecture has increased
with the rise in the number of people who want to live sustainably. It can be traced back over 50 years
to the first Earth Day, the international environmental movement, and the ensuing legislation that it
sparked across the globe.

But the world is now in the midst of a climate change emergency, and environmental laws are always
in flux. This makes it even more imperative for designers, architects, builders, and consumers to
demand better building practices to help combat the damage caused by one of the most polluting
industries on the planet. In the United States, for example, buildings account for 39 percent of carbon
dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Sustainability has become an important element of contemporary architecture. Environmental

standards such as BREEAM and LEED offer guidelines for sustainable building. Responsible
architects with true sustainable practices strive to meet these standards and gain the associated
certifications for their projects.

1.3The Future of Sustainable Architecture

Despite innovations, advancements, and increasing public awareness about the need for greener
building practices, sustainable architecture still represents a small portion of overall global
construction. Furthermore, many experts believe that the concept of sustainability is outdated given
the current state of the planet. Instead, they insist that the way forward lies in regenerative architecture
and design, a much more progressive holistic approach that focuses on tapping into the world's natural
resources to create buildings and systems capable of regenerating themselves and breaking down
completely when they've served their purpose.

It's known that climate change affects compromised individuals and communities most severely, and
regenerative design integrates social equity into its practices. For example, the International Living
Future Institute Living Building Challenge includes a mandatory social-equity component. This
represents an important step beyond the basic principles of sustainable building to help alleviate social
problems while addressing environmental challenges.

1.4Components of sustainable architecture

Solar Energy

Passive Heating

Traditional Building Material

Rain water harvesting

Native landscaping

Natural Lighting

Social interaction

1.4.1 Solar Energy

The sun is an incredible and renewable resource that has the power to fuel life on earth and provide
clean, sustainable energy to all of its inhabitants. In fact, more energy from the sun reaches our planet
in one hour than is used by the entire population of the world in one year. The sun’s energy can be
converted into electricity through solar photovoltaic (PV) modules (photo = light, voltaic =
electricity).
Homeowners may produce their electricity by installing solar
panels, which reduces their dependency on the grid and lowers
their monthly utility costs.
Solar panels are most efficient when they are facing south at a tilt angle of 30degree to 45 degree
which allows for optimal electricity production. However, even if the solar panel tilt angle is lowered
to as little as 5°, the decrease in production is only around 10 percent.

1.4.2 Passive Heating

Passive heating, or passive solar heating, means trapping heat from the sun inside your home
and using thermal mass, heat flow and insulation effectively to store, distribute, and retain the
heat. Passive heating can significantly reduce your energy bills. It is useful in nearly all
climates, and especially useful in cool or cold climates.

1.4.3Building materials
[Link] Terracotta tile roof
A terracotta tile roof is one of the best roofs for residence. With the proper care and maintenance, a
clay tile roof can last upward of 100 years, never have to replace it within lifetime. Terracotta
maintains a consistent temperature in your home keeping your home cooler in summer and warmer in

winter, lowering your energy bills.

[Link] Bamboo
As construction materials, bamboo has a very strong fiber. The compressive strength of bamboo is
two times higher than concrete, while the tensile strength is close to steel. Bamboo fiber has a shear
stress that is higher than wood. Bamboo has wider span than wood. Bamboo as a building
material is used for the construction of scaffolding, bridges and structures,
houses.

Preservation of Bamboo
A thorough treatment of Bamboo is required to protect it against insects and rot before it is put into
use. Commonly a mixture of Borax and Boric acid are utilized for this purpose.
Bamboo fencing is an easy way to ensure privacy. The fencing is attractive and easy to install, and
costs a fraction of the cost of hardwood privacy fencing.

[Link] Timber
Timber is wood that is used for building houses and
making furniture. It is used to build a variety of
structures, including houses, barns and bridges. It is
also used to make building materials, such as
plywood and oriented strand board (OSB). The
current discussion shall encompass all the different
types of timbers. timber construction benefits the
environment by helping to cut down carbon
emissions by substituting for carbon-intensive
materials, it can also create demand for wood from
sustainable well-managed forests, thereby paying
for management that reduces the likelihood of
forest fires and providing habitat.

There are several methods of preservation of timber.

 Brushing of Timber Preservatives. ...
 Spraying of Timber Preservatives. ...
 Preservative Injecting Under Pressure. ...
 Dipping and Stepping Method of Timber Preservation. ...
 Charring Method of Timber Preservation. ...
 Hot and Cold Open Tank Treatment of Timber.
1.4.4 Rain water harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is the simple process or technology used to conserve rainwater by collecting,
storing, conveying and purifying of rainwater that runs off from rooftops, parks, roads, open grounds,
etc. for later use. Here, let us have a look at the diagram of rainwater harvesting system.
Advantages of Rainwater Harvesting

 Helps in reducing the water bill.

 Decreases the demand for water.
 Reduces the need for imported water.
 Promotes both water and energy conservation.
 Improves the quality and quantity of groundwater.
 Does not require a filtration system for landscape irrigation.
 This technology is relatively simple, easy to install and operate.
 It reduces soil erosion, stormwater runoff, flooding, and pollution of surface water with
fertilizers, pesticides, metals and other sediments.
 It is an excellent source of water for landscape irrigation with no chemicals, dissolved salts
and free from all minerals.
Disadvantages of Rainwater Harvesting.

 Regular maintenance is required.

 Requires some technical skills for installation.
 Limited and no rainfall can limit the supply of rainwater.
 If not installed correctly, it may attract mosquitoes and other waterborne diseases.
 One of the significant drawbacks of the rainwater harvesting system is storage limits.
Installation of Rain harvesting
1. Excavate the area for the tank installation. Follow any
guidelines related to slopes and groundwater levels.
2. Lower the tank into the trench ensuring it is aligned
horizontally.
3. Carefully attach the tank turret to the top of the tank.
4Install the filter package before connecting the roof
downpipes along with the overflow u-bend. Aim
for a minimum decline of at least 1% in the same
direction as the flow.
5. Using gravel or similar, backfill the excavated
space in layers of 30cm while raising the water
level at the same time.
6. Before the backfilling is complete, install the dome
shaft, which can be adjusted to fit flush with ground
level once the hole has been filled.
7. Connect the underground tank to the house with a
pipe. This will be managed by the control panel
inside the property where the entire system operates
from.
8. Install the control panel in a nearby area such as the garage or utility room and connect it to
the external piping linked to the tank.
9. Lastly, ensure all rainwater pipes have the appropriate markings to identify those which are
not used for drinking water.