“There is no conjuring something from nothing.”
Resources are scarce even the natural one, it’s depleting overtime. For years, humans have discovered created things that have helped us easily without daily lives, but behind the success are the crucial effects it will soon impose. The creation and use of machine during the industrial evolution contributed a lot in the disaster of the environment. It created hazards that continuously destroys the atmosphere even up until to this day and age. Using materials that takes years to recover, to revive, is being used in easily installing or constructing buildings, but little did we know that everything we conjure doesn’t come from nothing. There is a trade happening whether it’s direct or indirect.
Designers, policymakers, scientists, and more have adopted the measures of efficiency and sustainability in practicing their field. Climate change is evident, and the unprivileged or poverty-stricken living creatures are the ones suffering from the effects. Practicing green architecture is one way to help minimize the effects of buildings on health and environment.
There are many points-driven green standards for building, but these standards have codes to abide on. On the Philippines, we have the Philippine Green Building Code. According to the foreword, the code aims to reduce greenhouse emissions, practice cost-saving ways in saving electricity and water, sustain the use of materials whilst keeping the indoor environment of the structure of utmost quality.
A green building shall practice energy and water efficiency, material and site sustainability, waste management, and indoor environment quality. Taking advantage of the natural ventilation within the structure would help in reducing energy consumption by the building. Even the color of the building has an impact to the environment. Included in this code is the table of Solar Reflectance Index by basic colored coatings.
In a tropical country, it sometimes unavoidable to use air-conditioning units especially when there are lots of appliances that instantly emits heat when used. There are also list of requirements for air-conditioning units in this code.
Some places in the country have also adapted the use of energy-efficient escalators or walkalators. These are automated that if no one is on the escalator, it has slower speed or stops unless a person step on it. This is great because most mechanical contraptions contribute to 50% or more of the electrical consumption.
Taking advantage of the rain in this country is also a good way of reducing water consumption especially to non-potable waters. The use of rainwater harvesting devices is also included in this provision. Recycled waters can also be used in toilets, watering the vegetation, etc.
These are just some of the many provisions in this code. Hopefully, us designers would practice this as a standard from now. Let us help in our little way to save and revive the depleting resources and atmosphere.
Remember that when you’re using anything, you’re sacrificing something on the other hand. Take control but don’t forget the balance that exists.
Photo courtesy of the author.
