Far Eastern University JULY 2020

Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts

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LECTURE - Green Architecture (WEEK 15)

Concepts and Principles of Green Architecture as applied in Site Planning and Landscape Design

GREEN ARCHITECTURE
Green architecture is a broad term that refers to the creation or restructuring of buildings so they have a minimal
impact on the environment.
"A sustainable site plan has the least environmental impact while still meeting the client's project goals."
There are a number of different approaches to Green construction, with many of the ideas involving the responsible
recycling of existing resources along with the efficient use of environmentally friendly systems to provide water and
power services to buildings that are created using a sustainable design.
As more people have become concerned about the wise use of the planet's resources, the concept of green
architecture has gained in both acceptability and interest.
Change tends to come slowly to the land development process, but it does come eventually. In 2008 California
became the first state to pass a statewide building code requiring water and energy conservation. A number of large
cities have passed ordinances requiring green roofs, and more than 280 local governments in the United States have
committed to energy conservation and greenhouse gas reductions.
States are committing to green development policies for public construction, and some are offering incentives to the
private sector to do the same. Many communities are requiring greener development, better street design, and more
sensible use of resources and capital.
These development trends embrace a sustainable environment and a robust economy, which are not mutually
exclusive concepts as they are often portrayed today. Sustainability is not and cannot be antidevelopment; instead, it
is the basis for thoughtful, intelligent, and rational development

PRINCIPLES OF GREEN ARCHITECTURE

Source: “Guidelines and Principles of Sustainable Sites” 2008 draft report. The Sustainable Sites Initiative, U.S.
Botanic Garden, Washington, D.C
 Do no harm. Make no changes to the site that will degrade the surrounding environment. Promote projects on
sites where previous disturbance or development presents an opportunity to regenerate ecosystem services
through sustainable design.
 Precautionary principle. Be cautious in making decisions that could create risk to human and environmental
health. Some actions can cause irreversible damage. Examine the full range alternatives—including no
action—and be open to contributions from all affected parties.
 Design with nature and culture. Create and implant designs that are responsive to economic,
environmental, and cultural conditions with respect to the local, regional, and global context.
 Use a decision-making hierarchy of preservation, conservation, and regeneration. Maximize and mimic
the benefits of ecosystem services by preserving existing environmental features, conserving resources in a
sustainable manner, and regenerating lost or damaged ecosystem services.
 Provide regenerative systems as intergenerational equity. Provide future generations with a sustainable
environment supported by regenerative systems and endowed with regenerative resources.
 Support a living process. Continuously reevaluate assumptions and values and adapt to demographic and
environmental change.
 Far Eastern University JULY 2020
Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts
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 Use a systems thinking approach. Understand and value the relationships in an ecosystem and use an
approach that reflects and sustains ecosystems services; reestablish the integral and essential relationship
between natural processes and human activity.
 Use a collaborative and ethical approach. Encourage direct and open communication among colleagues,
clients, manufacturers, and users to link long-term sustainability with ethical responsibility.
 Maintain integrity in leadership and research. Implement transparent and participatory leadership, develop
research with technical rigor, and communicate new findings in a clear, consistent, and timely manner.
 Foster environmental stewardship. In all aspects of land development and management, foster an ethic of
environmental stewardship—an understanding that responsible management of healthy ecosystems improves
the quality of life for present and future generations.

ELEMENTS OF GREEN ARCHITECTURE

Green development encompasses a range of design, construction, and operational approaches that reduce the
environmental impacts of development and promote human health, well-being, and productivity. Variously called
sustainable design, green architecture, restorative design, or ecodesign, these approaches share the following
elements:
• Use of regionally available, sustainably harvested, low impact, and reused/recycled materials
• Design sensitivity to energy use, the incorporation of energy conservation, and renewable energy generation
• Water conservation
• Waste minimization
• Incorporation of natural light, appropriate ventilation, and human scales
• Design and construction techniques that evaluate and minimize environmental impacts
• Site development practices that minimize and mitigate impacts

LEED Green Building Rating System

Sustainable site concerns include the following:
• Landscaping for energy efficiency
• Rethinking grounds maintenance to eliminate toxins
• Reducing water consumption through design, plant selection, and maintenance practices
• Being aware of site specific concerns (e.g., soil limitations)
• Accommodating access, possibly including public transportation
• Using site features to contribute to building performance
• Locating buildings with regard to solar and seasonal influence
• Maximizing local energy alternatives

Choice of Materials
• Durability - Durable materials usually require less maintenance over a longer service life.
• Less maintenance - Materials that require less maintenance or maintenance that has a lower environmental
impact.
• Local production - Locally produced products require less transportation energy and produce less pollution.
• Recycled - Using recycled materials reduces solid waste, eliminates the energy of manufacturing, and
reduces the impact on natural resources.
Designers should seek durable, locally produced, low-maintenance products with low embodied energy ratings.
 Far Eastern University JULY 2020
Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts
___________________________________________________________________________

Provisions for Onsite Power Generation

Onsite generation of renewable energy through solar power, wind power, hydro power, or biomass can significantly
reduce the environmental impact of the building. There should be provisions of spaces where these can be set up in
the site. ‘

• Solar Panels - Active solar devices such as

photovoltaic solar panels help to provide
sustainable electricity for any use. Electrical
output of a solar panel is dependent on
orientation, efficiency, latitude, and climate—
solar gain varies even at the same latitude.
Typical efficiencies for commercially available
PV panels range from 4% to 28%. The low
efficiency of certain photovoltaic panels can
significantly affect the payback period of their
installation.

•
• Wind Turbines - The use of wind turbines in energy production requires the consideration of many factors. In
considering costs, small wind systems are generally more expensive than larger wind turbines relative to the
amount of energy they produce. Wind turbines begin operating when winds reach 8 mph, achieve energy
production capacity at speeds of 32-37 mph, and they should be shut off to avoid damage at speeds
exceeding 55 mph. The efficiency of the wind turbine depends much upon the wind conditions at the building
site. For these reasons, for wind turbines to be at all efficient, they must be installed at locations that are
known to receive a constant amount of wind (with average wind speeds of more than 15 mph), rather than
locations that receive wind sporadically.
 Far Eastern University JULY 2020
Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts
___________________________________________________________________________

Recycled Materials
Sustainable architecture often incorporates the use of recycled or second hand materials.
The reduction in use of new materials creates a corresponding reduction in embodied energy (energy used in the
production of materials).
Often sustainable architects attempt to reuse materials to serve new needs in order to avoid unnecessary expenses.
Architectural salvage and reclaimed materials are used when appropriate.
Impervious Surfaces
Increasing the imperviousness of a site can have a tremendous effect on the water cycle. Impervious surfaces limit
groundwater recharge, increase pollutant loads and runoff, and create a heat island effect.
It is important to limit the impervious areas on site to a minimum. Doing so often improves the aesthetic appeal of a
site, reduces the environmental impact, and saves money.

Stormwater Management
Stormwater runoff is one of the most significant environmental impacts of a developed site, but it also provides one of
the greatest opportunities for sustainable design. Steps can and should be taken to maintain the pre-development
hydrology or even to improve it.
 Far Eastern University JULY 2020
Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts
___________________________________________________________________________

The following can help:

• Raingarden - A rain garden is basically a plant pond, that is, a garden bed planted with special deep-rooted
species. The garden captures the water and, when properly designed, drains it into the soil within a day.
• Wetlands - Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the
soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season.
•
 Far Eastern University JULY 2020
Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts
___________________________________________________________________________

• Bioswales - Bioswales are categorized by the type of vegetation used:

- Grassed swales are planted with turfgrass that is mowed. These provide a more manicured look, but
have been demonstrated as less effective in slowing stormwater runoff than swales with taller plants.
- Vegetated bioswales can be planted with ornamental grasses, shrubs, perennials, or a combination of
these. Mulch or stone are used to protect soils in areas not covered by turfgrass. Larger stone can
also be used to break up concentrated flows of water and reduce velocity.
- Xeriscape, or low water use, swales are useful in areas with hot summers or dry conditions. Most
bioswales are designed to be dry except just after rain events.
- Wet swales function similarly to stormwater wetlands.

Landscape Design
 Limit potable water use to native species, place landscape areas to receive runoff, and use captured
rainwater.
 Shade large hardscapes.
 Shade buildings in summer and allow sunlight in during winter.
 Place and design landscape areas to filter and clean stormwater.
 Site raingardens in parking areas.
 Dig bioretention, rather than retention, ponds.

Beyond Materials
Sustainability concerns go beyond the selection of materials. The layout of a site, the types and character of
groundcover, and the management of the various landscape functions are also critical issues.
Begin to consider issues for site and community design that go beyond mitigating the impacts of site disturbance and
the disruption of environmental services.