Green Technology in Architecture
The marriage between ecology and architecture has led to the design and construction of sustainable homes. Common applications of green technology are rammed earth, passive solar, photovoltaics, rainwater catchment, gray water and green roofing. Does this Spark an idea?
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Rammed Earth
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Rammed earth construction dates back thousands of years. Many European castles were built using this technology. As the name implies, rammed earth construction involves the use of compressed earth. A mixture of earth with the right amount of sand, gravel and clay is poured into a framework. Cement stabilizes the mixture. Traditional stabilizers include blood and limeor. This earth mixture becomes rock solid. When properly constructed, rammed earth walls are water, fire and termite resistant. The only drawback is the amount of time required to achieve optimal results. It takes two years for the wall to cure.
Passive Solar
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Passive solar refers to design that uses the sun’s energy to cool or heat a home. Do not confuse this design with solar panels. Passive solar design involves little maintenance or mechanical parts. A passive solar design home takes advantage of natural energy characteristics of certain materials and air. Design elements include operable windows, thermal mass and thermal chimneys. Thermal mass refers to materials that store heat for a long time, heating the home in a passive, non-mechanical way.
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Photovaltaics
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Photovaltaics (also known as PV or solar electric) refers to technology that converts sunlight into electricity. For homes, solar panels are placed on the roof to catch sunlight. Not everyone, however, reaps the benefits of solar panels. The technology is most efficient in places where the air-conditioning is used many months of the year or where there are many electrical appliances in use.
Rainwater Catchment
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One of the most wasteful practices today is perhaps watering the lawn and garden. A rainwater catchment system allows rainwater to be stored and then used later in the sprinkler system.
Gray Water
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Gray water is another water preservation method. Water that has not been contaminated by food or waste is called gray water. Gray water comes from our bathroom sinks, tubs, dishwasher and washing machine. Gray water is collected with a second set of pipes and diverted to a gravel area in the yard. The gravel filters the water as it flows down into a buried cistern. Irrigation pipes pump the gray water into the sprinkler system. The main downside of gray water is a possible foul smell from the cistern.
Green Roof
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Nothing says eco-friendly better than a green roof. The green roof is a growing trend that is springing up on top of once barren city buildings. To achieve a green roof, structural support is key, followed by an adequate roofing membrane, insulation, drainage, water storage and a root barrier. The final layer includes a growing medium and vegetation. Green roofs absorb heat and carbon dioxide. In urban areas, they offer relief from the monotony of concrete.
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References
- Photo Credit the great wall of china image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
