In class, we talk a lot about how we can change businesses to become more sustainable (mainly in terms of environmental but can also include social sustainability) and how the consumer can be a better and more sustainable consumer. But my favourite topic that we finally came across was discussing the sustainability of our living space through design. I’m really keen on real estate and how the relationships within the real estate business, architectural firms, and the city itself, can have a huge role in developing and designing areas that make our world a more sustainable one. When I say real estate, I’m talking more about the land and buildings on it, along with its natural resources. We have to remember that where we live and how we are living is significant and impactful in this sustainability talk. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American spends 93% of their life indoors, and being indoors mean being within an enclosed space that we most probably built. So how do we make that space we’re indoors for most our lives more sustainable? Is it even sustainable? I’m going to split this discussion up in three categories: 1) Environmentally Sustainable Buildings, 2) Socially Sustainable Buildings, 3) Building Sustainable Cities.
So, environmentally sustainable buildings. How can we make our buildings better for the planet?
45% of GHG emissions in Canada come from burning fuel to generate energy, by far the largest responsible source of global warming. Buildings may only be a small part of this slice in the CO2 pie, but it’s still accountable. In the U.S, buildings alone account for 39% of carbon dioxide emissions. This is largely because of the combustion of fossil fuels to provide heating, cooling and lighting, and to power all our electrical equipment in our homes. That light you leave on in your room while you’re downstairs cooking in the kitchen is making a much greater impact on our planet that you think. Speaking from a privileged perspective, I know I turn up the heat when it’s cold in winter, and turn up the AC when it’s a microwave outside. Some of these behaviours are just difficult to change, so how do we mitigate the consequences of our (somewhat selfish) choices? One solution: design and develop sustainable buildings.
When I lived in Milan, there were two buildings that were extremely famous because of the way they looked compared to the other “skyscrapers” in the area. Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest), designed by Boeri Studio, are two residential buildings located in the northern part of Milan.They’re 1111 metres and 76 metres tall and contain more than 800 trees, 4,500 shrubs, and 15,000 floral plants.
The greenery helps mitigate smog and produce oxygen, hence improving air quality for highly dense areas as trees and plants are the most cost-effective and natural way to absorb carbon dioxide and dust particles.
The building also uses a diverse variety of greenery, hence promoting its biodiversity and attracting new animal and insect species. The greenery also helps with moderating temperature within the building during the winters and summers by either blocking the tough winds or shading the sun. Furthermore, the building sustains itself through renewable energy from its solar panels and filtered waste water to sustain the building’s plant life.
Bosco Verticale is a great example of a sustainable building that solves a variety of environmental issues all in one place. This is a type of sustainable and regenerative design that we’ve spoken about in class; a type of architecture that gives back more than it takes and a thoughtful design that is intended to reduce negative environmental impacts. It solves a multitude of problems concerning the environment while also keeping its aesthetic and necessary functions.
Hopefully, this case will inspire others to build buildings where humans and trees co-exist, or even buildings that aren’t just constructed to be its basic function, but to be better and go beyond, innovating to contribute to the regeneration of the environment and urban biodiversity.
For More Sustainable Buildings: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/urban-expeditions/green-buildings/top-10-green-buildings-2017/
For Ways to Live more Sustainably: https://www.zricks.com/Updates/6-Ways-to-Practice-Sustainable-Living/4965
Sources:
https://www.archdaily.com/777498/bosco-verticale-stefano-boeri-architetti