Green building and sustainability have recently gained so much attention that it has become a trend. Every architect or contractor focuses on making their project more sustainable. In a world where buildings are innovative and drawn on a canvas and the skyline is the canvas, sustainable architecture stands out and masterfully combines aesthetics with ecological awareness. Imagine a skyline with enormous buildings and breathing, living structures that blend perfectly with the surrounding environment. In a new narrative where design and sustainability entwine elegantly, sustainable architecture stands and cascades down towers. The attention is on the innovative stage, where sustainable trends take center stage and compose a song of environmental harmony in the architectural domain while the symphony of urbanization continues.

First, understand what sustainable architecture is. It is the practice of building designers or buildings to reduce the environmental impact through construction. Durability, efficiency, improved liveability, safety, enhancing quality of life, and offering comfort are some of the core aims of the architects to achieve through their designs. With the changes happening at the global level, sustainable options are becoming more of a priority.

Sustainable Innovation and Trends

Sustainable technologies and materials

• Bio-based insulation material

Bio-based materials for the construction and ensuring eco-friendly projects are gaining attention. Standing out in the market by committing to sustainable architecture is becoming challenging, but at a competitive level, it is becoming the choice for progressive growth. Some insulation materials are polystyrene foam, polyurethane foam, and mineral wool. These are perfect for thermal and acoustic insulation. Moreover, Mycelium, a fungus-based insulation, possesses excellent biodegradable and insulation properties.

• Carbon-storing building materials

The construction industry has a long history of understanding how carbon mission hurts the environment. But now, innovation is turning the tables upside-down. How cool is it that there are carbon-storing materials that absorb the CO2 through the lifecycle and make building carbon sink?

Materials like straw, bamboo, and algae, as well as using recycled products to reduce the emissions of the manufacturing material, are also practices that the architects highly approach. Carbon-infused concrete is an exciting example of carbon-storing building material, as this not only strengthens the building but also stores carbon. So, it’s a direct WIN-WIN situation.

• Recycling

Recycling material to reduce waste is the best practice used by the architecture. Recently, some MIT students conducted an experiment where they recycled plastic waste by exposing it to Gamma radiation and mixing it with cement paste. This makes cement more sustainable and more robust.

Moreover, architects and builders recycle any waste from the construction site. This is costing them less and helping to make the environment eco-friendlier.

• Self-healing concrete

Now, this may not be clear to you. You heard it right: self-healing concrete is one of the innovative and latest innovations in sustainable building. Just remember everything: The project has a scope to innovate, challenge the norms, and positively shape the future. By reducing the need for frequent repairs and replacements, self-healing concrete can help to minimize waste and reduce the environmental impact of construction projects. Additionally, this material can improve the safety and durability of buildings, making them more resilient in the face of natural disasters and other unexpected events. As a result, self-healing concrete is becoming an increasingly popular choice in sustainable architecture.

Solar facades

Obviously, we couldn’t agree more! The integration of solar-active facades in the field of architecture is a game-changer. Not only do they contribute to the reduction of carbon footprint, but they also generate electricity from sunlight, making them a sustainable and practical solution for modern buildings. And the best part? They offer architects endless opportunities to create stunning and unique designs, proving that sustainability and aesthetics can go hand in hand. It’s exciting to see how the face of architecture is evolving towards a more eco-friendly and innovative future. Google’s Bay View Campus, a dragon-scale solar skin, includes 50,000 solar panels to generate megawatts of electricity, which is 40% of the overall electricity of the building. Isn’t it amazing how this simple solution is helping generate tons of electricity naturally and protecting nature?

Biophilic designs

Biophilic means “Love of Nature”. It is an architectural approach that integrates nature and its elements for sustainable architecture and promotes environmental stability and well-being. In this approach, green walls, large windows for natural ventilation, and maximization of lights and living roofs are constructed to create a natural environment. One of the examples of this is The Edge of Amsterdam, Netherlands. This innovative office incorporates an atrium with a bamboo forest, large windows for natural light, and a rooftop garden for a healthy and fresh environment. This creativity and innovation help manage employees’ stress levels and give them an aura of relaxation. So it’s like targeting two targets with one arrow.

Adaptive reprocessing and urban regeneration

It is essential to reduce construction waste and preserve the cultural heritage. That is why architects recognize the importance and value of urban regeneration and bringing sustainability into construction. With the help of this, biophilic designs and the adoption of natural and innovative materials are some of the forefront methods for a greener revolution.

Architecture must consider ways to reduce waste and involve more sustainable materials. Nabir Nasr, director of the Galisano Institute for Sustainability, pictures sustainable architecture smoothly. He stated, “It is all about the system and intellectual thinking to resolve the problem at all angles.” And he is right; solving one side of the problem is not the solution. So, using sustainable materials to make buildings sustainable in the long run is the only solution.

Top-notch green buildings

Some of the best green building projects can blow your mind.

Suzlon Oe Earth, Pune

This is the largest green building project in India which includes LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. It includes 100% powered onsite and offsite renewable resources which makes the campus hybrid. Furthermore, they have built stormwater runoff which enables water percolation.

 

Torre Reforma by Benjamin Romano, Mexico City

The building is LEED platinum certified which is accolades with concrete walls that act as a foundation to reduce the direct connection of heat with the inside parameter. This saves 20% of the energy consumption, but 94% of the area is exposed to natural lighting due to the use of glasses. They have implemented a system that is helping them to store the used wastewater so that it can be recycled and used for tertiary standards.

Transoceánica Building by +arquitectos, Santiago de Chile, Chile

From this building, the architects paid attention to the orientation of the building to maximize natural light and provide beautiful views for its people. They worked collaboratively and carefully designed the building to prevent unwanted thermal gains or losses. Additionally, using a cutting-edge domotic system to control lighting levels based on sunlight is an intelligent move contributing to the building’s energy efficiency. Amazingly, the building saves up to 70% in energy costs. Architects do need to learn from the building and work to save the environment more effectively.

Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Center, India

Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Center is the first building in India to receive a LEED platinum certificate. This is a perfect example of passive architectural design. This building shows that there is no need to go outside for the recycling process; they also do their work by managing the recycling process. Moreover, solar panels help them save electricity, directly saving the environment. Wait, not only this, argo boards, bagasse-based composite woods, fly ash bricks, and cement are used to construct the building.

Final Caveat

Sustainability is becoming the choice of everyone. When it comes to architectural growth, architects need to have innovative intellectual ideas to transform the face of construction. They even did—new and innovative materials to reduce carbon footprint and waste. Serval is a global building representing exquisite beauty with the excellence of art in sustainable architecture. Explore the ideas and consider how one small step can change the environmental effect.