As sustainability becomes more of a priority for society as a whole, the construction industry is also working to prioritise environmental issues.
As chartered surveyors in Cornwall, we are always interested to see how structural engineering and design can evolve to accommodate the future. Here, we take a look at some of our favourite building projects that have been designed and built with a focus on going green and being sustainable.
The Edge (Amsterdam)
If the term ‘sustainable’ conjures up images of building-tree hybrids, The Edge may come as a bit of a surprise. The sleek, ultra-modern office building is often dubbed the greenest building in the world with a 98.4 per cent score from Building Research Environmental Assessment Methodology (BREEAM). This is the highest sustainability score to date!
Solar panels that generate an electricity surplus, efficient LED panels and a design that facilitates natural ventilation combine to create a super-sustainable building.
Landscaping was also taken into consideration as the building was optimally positioned to make full use of the sun.
Also considered one of the smartest buildings in the world, The Edge is fitted with a system of sensors that collect information on light, temperature and humidity levels.
One Central Park (Sydney)
This building is sure to pique the interest of people who see the value in combining plants and construction in the name of sustainability.
This Australian structure is a multi-purpose building, providing residential, shopping and community park spaces. It is a recognisable building in the city as 250 different species of Australian flowers and plants span across the exterior, covering the building in an impressive green veil.
Although the plants do add to the pleasing aesthetics of One Central Park, they are also functional. They are used to keep the building cool, reducing the need for air conditioning. This means the structure has the potential to consume up 25 per cent less energy than similarly sized but more conventionally designed buildings.
The Crystal (London)
Another highly decorated sustainable building, The Crystal was the first building to achieve both an Outstanding status from BREEAM and a Platinum rating from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
The building’s heating and cooling systems are powered by a thermal source deep underground. Water pumped down to this level is heated and then pumped back around the building.
The Crystal is also powered by over 1,500 square metres of solar panels that are housed on its roof. Additionally, rainwater is collected from the roof to be recycled and used in the heating system.
As the facade is made up of self-shading windows, most of the building has access to natural light, reducing the need for energy directed towards artificial lighting.
Other Sustainable Innovations
If you’ve been inspired to look into more sustainable buildings, the following structures may be a place to start:
• One Angel Square (Manchester): has an Outstanding BREEAM rating.
• One Bryant Park (New York): was the first to receive a Platinum certification from LEED.
• Sun-Moon Mansion (Dezhou, China): is the biggest solar structure in the world.
• CopenHill (Copenhagen): makes use of a waste-burning power plant to provide clean electricity and heating to nearby homes.
If your next building project needs professional guidance, why not get in touch with our experienced team here at Martin Perry Associates?