New Building Design Concepts – Go Green Designs For The Future

The go green concept has seeped into the field of architecture too and today’s modern buildings aredesigned with a number of features that support this. A ‘green’ building is one that has been constructedor renovated to incorporate the design techniques, technologies and materials that minimize negativeenvironmental impact. These kind of new building designs essentially decrease electricity and energyusage which ultimately helps reduce the dependence on fossil fuels. Creating environmentallyresponsible structures and resource efficient lifestyles along with providing residents with all therequired amenities is becoming a trend for future buildings.

Here are a few principles for a ‘green’ building design:

Design

One of the most important principles of green design for buildings is creating simpler forms. Simplerforms lose less energy due to the ratio of exterior surface to volume is smaller. Another important aspectof a green design is – solar orientation. Orienting the walls in the right direction could help share theheating and cooling loads in the summers and winters. Arranging the windows appropriately too canhelp you use the potential of solar energy to it’s maximum. Moreover, make sure that the design consistsof some plants or trees around the building.

Durability

When it comes to buildings, water is probably the enemy number one. Uncontrolled water causes a lotof damage such as rots the homes, peels the paint and causes mould too. Moisture control is therefore ahuge factor when you wish to build something that lasts long. Vapour barriers and other forms ofsecondary weather barriers need to be carefully installed.

Energy efficiency

Passive solar design is very popular these days and helps dramatically reduce the heating and coolingcosts of a building. Natural day light design reduces the building’s electricity consumption. Well,buildings designed with a green concept also use low energy appliances and have renewable energytechnologies such as solar panels installed too.

Indoor air quality

Making efficient use of non-toxic materials and products help improve the indoor air quality and reducecertain health issues such as asthma and other allergies. Materials must be emission free and have lowor no VOC content and must also be moisture resistant in order to deter moulds, spores and othermicrobes. Well, proper ventilation systems and use of materials that control humidity are the key here.

Water conservation

Grey water and rainwater catchment systems that recycle water that can be used in other areas of thebuilding are a good addition to the green building designs. Well, simple appliances such as low flowshower heads, self closing taps and such other appliances help in water conservation.

Apart from all these, using materials that are assessed using the green specifications, such as theirdurability, waste minimization and ability to be recycled or reused is a great way to go. Slowly, yetsteadily, these trends are getting popular and building green homes is becoming a part of all newbuilding designs. It will definitely become a model for sustainable living. Well, it’s cost effective too!