Written by A. R. Horn
B.A.S. (UCT), B. Arch. (UCT), Pr. Arch (SACAP), MIA, CIA
Taking into consideration our global and local environment has become of paramount importance. ECO DESIGN is a practice that endeavours to create a greener architecture.
But what is green architecture? Green architecture is not a style, trend or a vernacular. Neither is it new. It is a climatically, geographically and culturally appropriate method of designing architecture and constructing buildings. It combines the best of both old and new technology. Green Architecture treads lightly on this planet and respects and cares for the Earth in a sustainable manner. The key benefits are:
- Reduced operating-costs for buildings and their landscapes.
- Improved occupancy rates.
- Improved health and productivity for building inhabitants.
- Higher property values.
- Low environmental impact.
- Sustainable development.
In our MANIFESTO FOR GREEN ARCHITECTURE the following 6 broad principles for a greener approach to architecture are proposed:
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SOCIO-ECONOMIC
Promoting social, economic & cultural upliftment.
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LAND
Use that is respectful and in symbiosis with the local environment and its resources. |
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WATER
The protection, conservation, efficiency and re-use of water. |
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ENERGY
The conservation, efficiency, and renewable use of energy.
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HEALTH
Non-polluting environments and healthy materials.
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HOLISM
Holistic and intrinsically recyclable.
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| *Note: The Manifesto for Green Architecture, written by A.R. Horn, was presented at South Africa’s first conference of “Sustainability in the Built Environment” and forms part of Earthlife Africa’s web site known as the Green Living and Development or GLAD files @ www.earthlife.org.za. It is also hosted on the University of Florida’s Centre for Construction and Environment’s web site @ www.bcn.ufl.edu/sustainable. You can also download it by following this link. Get the MANIFESTO FOR GREEN ARCHITECTURE HERE in Adobe acrobat. |
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