The Principles Of Sustainable Architecture

The concept of sustainable architecture was born at the beginning of the Seventies: following the energy crisis of 1973, in Germany some experts began to study the methods to live in an eco-friendly way and trying to save energy. Energy-saving buildings, as well as many other solutions that are becoming more and more popular, are the result of those first studies, which have been deepened through the decades.

One of the first fields of study of sustainable architecture, which can been defined as the discipline that is aimed at building trying to maintain the balance between the wellbeing of people and the health of surrounding nature, was that of renewable energy sources, alternative to oil, like solar energy. The first examples of green buildings, which appeared in Europe and in the States in the Eighties, highlighted the attempt of searching for new methods to produce and not to disperse energy. With the passing of time this trend and the studies in this field have been deepened, while environmental problems, which are well-known by us all but seem to be impossible to be solved, have become more serious. Terms like external wall insulation, dehumidification, natural light have become part of the vocabulary of architecture and construction, and have begun to be used to describe new types of houses and buildings.

Sustainable architecture includes many sectors, from building materials to designing, from energy sources research to the insulation of buildings. As far as building materials is concerned, sustainable architecture is meant to use high performances, low environmental impact materials, which are not too expensive. This means avoiding to use materials that can be dangerous for our health, like chemical glues and paints, and replacing them with natural materials. Choosing materials for green buildings also means limiting the use of resources, perhaps using recycled or light materials, which can be more easily transported. As far as the designing stage is concerned, sustainable architecture is very focused on environmental impact, and tries not to change the habitat where the building will be built. First of all, architects need to consider the location of the building, which should be able to benefit from solar light and other atmospheric factors. Secondly, green buildings are meant to maintain the natural peculiarities of the place where they will rise, which also implies a focus on landscape projecting. As for energy sources, it is self-evident that green buildings are focused on energy saving. This results in a higher attention on alternative and renewable energy sources (in this sense solar and photovoltaic panels play an important role), but it also means using household appliances that consume less and studying some methods to avoid dispersing energy. In this sense, it is very useful to insulate buildings, using special walls, windows and doors that limit heat loss and the use of air conditioners and heating systems, which enormously contribute to air pollution.

If we all followed all of these and other principles of sustainable architecture, the advantages for the environment, as well as for our health and for our wallet, would be numberless.

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Aesthetic and Sustainable Architecture

I recently attended a global eco design conference. Whilst the basic principles of a sustainable house such as insulation, ventilation and orientation to suit the climate were good - the resulting houses seemed to lack something. They didn't seem to have much intrinsic beauty or elegance.

The only principle that was mentioned that excited me was "bio-mimicry" - copying nature. Although the concept has been around for some time, it has been brought to prominence recently by by Janine Benyus in her book ""Biomimicry, Innovation Inspired by Nature". It was mentioned at the conference by Ray Anderson - an American manufacturer of commercial carpet tiles who is trying to make his company more sustainable and it was also touched on by Dr David Suzuki - the famous environmentalist - who also spoke at the conference. It seems to be the latest buzz word.

Perhaps it is the fact that Vedic houses - those based on ancient Sthapatya Vedic principles - are also based on natural design that makes them have a better feeling and which makes them look more appealing.

I have had a house built according to these principles.

It faces true East and is aligned to the cardinal points. This design in accordance with natural laws is called "Vastu". You enter from the East and North sides only. One of the main guiding principles is that everything good comes from the East. But this doesn't mean that you can't also design your house to suit the climate (in my case the tropics) and filter the light if necessary and have large eves.

So the design corresponds to the effect of light on the earth - to the effect of the sun. In fact you can work out what true North is simply by observing what the sun does to the shadows it creates at different times of day.

You can also use a GPS to confirm it.

In Vedic architecture the placement and dimensions of the rooms, as well as the length, width and elevation of the building are individually calculated. The measurements are based on ancient mathematical formulas. These formulas take into consideration, among other factors, the relationship of the house owner with the planets according to Jyotish (Indian Astrology). So the design relates to the people - it isn't based on some man-made notions of what would be good.

According to Vedic principles, the nourishing aspects of the house are placed on the East side of the house just as the rising sun coming from the East provides nourishment. So the meditation room is placed in the North East corner to nourish the spiritual aspects of the individuals in the house. The kitchen which nourishes the physiology is placed in the South-East. The North is considered the best side of the house in which to pursue creative activities and so that is where the study is located. The Western side of the house embodies the qualities of the setting sun - that being relaxation, calmness and restful sleep. So it is the best side on which to locate bedrooms and relaxation rooms. So in this sense, they are also mimicking nature.

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