Better Buildings

There has been notions that the term 'green' can be taken as a aesthetic element where buildings simply look healthy and one with nature but are still energy consuming giants and the flip side where builds can be smart and not necessarily be covered in glass but maintain a strategic amount of passive concepts.

I investigated the idea of green roofs and facades as it has been common place in my recent designs to use the concept of roof top gardens to utilize space and views. For the future context green roofs seem a fitting concept. To visually inspire others and create the idea that green living is health and not abnormal while gaining the benefits of smart design.

By utilizing the living foliage buildings are able to moderate building temperatures; at 10cm of vegetation growth buildings start receiving a 25% reduction in summer cooling needs. By strategically placing these green walls/roofs heat gains and heat losses can be reduced while absorbing and cooling the solar rays instead of reflecting them.

Green walls and green facades also mitigate air pollution levels by trapping particulates and capturing harmful gases. In terms of water collection Green Roofing filter captured rain decontaminating any pollutants that may have fallen during the shower. Traditional Solar Panel systems are also found among some green roofs, as the efficiency of these solar collectors drop as the temperature increases the natural connection between the two sustainable techniques work seamlessly.

Green roofs also help disrupt the Urban Heat Island, which is a result of concentrated collection of steel and stone of the city absorbing and radiating heat throughout the day and night. In our future scenario these elements while inspiring will help to counteract the increased heat of 2060. From a bird's eye view each building will seemingly meld with parklands below it, creating a pleasant city from any view. 

• The Daily Green . 2012. Green Roof Benefits - Green Roofs. Accessed 30 August 2012: http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/green-roofs.