Archinect - Features

525 Golden Gate Seismically and Systematically Sustainable

2012-04-16T13:45:00-04:00

by Nam Henderson

One beneficial result derived from the public's growing familiarity with the phrase “green design” is a renewed examination of what defines green or sustainable design. Within the field of architectural design and construction, this prominence has inevitably prompted a conversation on the nature of sustainable architecture. The proliferation of superficially and systemically “green” buildings during the past decade has also spurred this dialogue. Specifically, I am referring to a range of normative practices including the use of green roofs, green walls, wind turbines, various integrated energy and graywater systems or solar panels, as well as industry standards like LEED, SITES, or BREEAM.

CONTOURS: Designing the Green Roof

2012-02-20T15:52:00-05:00

In Germany, approximately 12% of all buildings have green rooftops. Here in the U.S., the percentage is far less and in fact, that number is not even officially documented. But it is on the rise. Some more well-known examples include the California Academy of Sciences and the American Society of Landscape Architects' HQ. These are indeed admirable, but they are costly and difficult to replicate. Trying to persuade a client about the benefits of relatively inexpensive, passive, more sustainable building strategies is difficult enough and honestly a green roof is anything but.

CONTOURS: New, Energy-Efficient Technologies, Part II

2012-01-23T18:01:00-05:00

Continued from CONTOURS: New, Energy-Efficient Technologies, Part 1:

This week, we examine some very advanced technological developments on the active technology front that may potentially lead to more efficient and cheaper photovoltaic panels.

CONTOURS: New, Energy-Efficient Technologies, Part 1

2012-01-09T14:11:00-05:00

Smart and energy efficient is the new-ish approach for many architecture and design firms these days. The problem for the last decade has been that trying to persuade clients to incorporate some of these strategies into their needs has been difficult. Why? The prohibitive costs of implementing advanced technology-based elements into building design. PV panels are the first to come to mind. And when the cost is perceived as prohibitive by the client, firms balk at pushing them.