Green Architecture (HL) (DP IB Environmental Systems & Societies (ESS)) : Revision Note

Green Architecture

What is green architecture?

• Green architecture focuses on designing and constructing buildings that:

  • Reduce environmental harm

  • Conserve materials and energy

  • Support sustainability

• It aims to:

  • Minimise negative effects on air, water, and soil

  • Protect the environment through sustainable construction methods

    • E.g. using renewable, bio-based, or recycled materials to lower environmental impact

Key features of green architecture

Use of sustainable materials

• Bio-based materials:

  • E.g. bamboo, hempcrete, straw bales

  • These materials are renewable, biodegradable, and require less energy to produce

• Recycled materials:

  • Reuses materials like glass, steel, and concrete from demolished buildings

  • Reduces waste and energy used for production of new materials

Energy efficiency

• Passive design features:

  • Natural ventilation, daylighting, and thermal insulation reduce energy demand

• Renewable energy integration:

  • Solar panels, wind turbines, or geothermal systems provide clean energy for buildings

Water conservation

• Rainwater harvesting:

  • Collects and stores rainwater for use in irrigation or plumbing

• Greywater recycling:

  • Reuses wastewater from sinks and showers for non-drinking purposes

    • E.g. can provide water for flushing toilets

Circular construction

• Reuses and recycles materials during demolition and renovation projects

• Designs buildings that can be disassembled

  • This means the components can be easily reused elsewhere if needed

Techniques in green architecture

Bale construction

• Uses compressed straw bales as building blocks

• Advantages:

  • Effective insulation properties

  • Affordable material

  • Renewable material

Bottle and plastic construction

• Uses recycled plastic bottles or other waste plastic materials to create building blocks

• Advantages:

  • Reduces plastic waste and environmental pollution

  • Very durable

  • Provides affordable housing solutions

3D printed houses

• Uses 3D printing to construct homes from sustainable materials like bioplastics and recycled concrete

• Advantages:

  • Reduces construction waste and labour costs

  • Highly customisable

  • Quick construction process

Arabic wind tower houses

• Traditional Middle Eastern design using wind towers (known as barajeel) for cooling

  • They capture cool breezes and direct them into buildings

  • They are widely found in historic homes in the UAE, Oman, and Iran

• Advantages:

  • Reduces need for air conditioning in hot climates

  • Harnesses local climatic conditions for energy efficiency (lowers household energy consumption)

What is vernacular architecture?

• Green architecture and civil engineering often combines new and indigenous knowledge systems, and uses vernacular architecture

  • Vernacular architecture refers to buildings designed using local materials, resources, and traditional knowledge specific to a region or community

  • It reflects the cultural, environmental, and historical context of an area

  • Typically developed over generations, it adapts to the local climate and needs of the people

• Vernacular architecture is a sustainable approach to construction that prioritises harmony with the local environment

Characteristics of vernacular architecture

• Use of local materials:

  • Examples include adobe (clay and straw) in arid regions or timber in forested areas

• Climate-responsive design:

  • Structures are built to suit local weather conditions

  • E.g. thick walls for insulation in hot climates or sloped roofs for shedding snow in cold regions

• Energy efficiency:

  • Designs minimise reliance on external energy sources by utilising passive heating, cooling, and ventilation

Examples of vernacular architecture

1. Igloos (Arctic regions):

   • Made of ice blocks to insulate against extreme cold

2. Thatched roof huts (tropical regions):

   • Provide natural cooling and water resistance using local grasses

3. Barajeel (wind towers in the Middle East):

   • Capture and direct wind for natural ventilation in hot climates