Five elements of green design

Successful sustainable architecture begins with a design that addresses the following five core elements of green building design.

• Sustainable site design
• Water resources protection and quality
• Energy and environment
• Indoor environmental quality
• Protection of materials and resources

In order to ensure the integrity of the design and the sustainable exit in the future, it is important to integrate green technology into each of the core design elements. For example, the interrelationship between site location, water conservation plans, the use of natural energy, and the quality of natural sunlight within buildings can affect a building's demand for materials and energy. In fact, the ideal design blends all the elements over and over again.

Integrating design elements requires recognizing several principles of sustainability and their application to site analysis:

• Reduce urban expansion and land destruction
• Promote higher density urban development
• Pursue brown zone development to save existing green space
• Minimize site disturbances and restore natural habitats

The following are considerations for each element.

Sustainable site design

• Select a new site only when necessary
• If you need a new site, don't choose a site that is critical to your local ecosystem
• Position the building on site to take advantage of natural resources such as solar energy
• Choose sites that allow access to public transportation
• Minimize floor space by using existing surfaces, reducing roof color and using natural shadows

Water resources protection and quality

• Aware that the direction of the proposed building allows natural drainage to be the cheapest way to improve position
• Ensure that on-site assessments capture natural hydrological attributes
• Allow low-impact rainwater retention
• Set water budgets and implement features that help you achieve your budget
• Improve water conservation and water quality with local trees, plants and turf that do not require irrigation, fertilizer or pesticides

Energy and environment

• Maximize passive sun direction
• Reduce the need for artificial lighting by planning to use natural sunlight whenever possible
• Maximize the performance of the enclosure with external insulation
• Use natural ventilation
• Use Energy Star Energy Saving Appliance
• Use new era lighting products and settings
• Research all new energy technologies

Indoor environmental quality

• Protect the interior of the building during construction
• Make buildings smoke free
• Maximize the use of sunlight
• Ensure that all interiors are environmentally friendly and safe
• Design a healthy heating, cooling and ventilation system

Materials and resources

• Use high-stress materials designed by engineers to reduce the amount of material used
• Use recycled materials whenever possible
• Use materials that can be recycled after the end of functional life
• Support local economy and reduce material transportation by using local product suppliers

The five elements from sustainable sites to materials and resources are also considered in the LEED Building Certification of the US Green Building Council. Whether considering certification or only interested in green buildings, these points have a huge impact on returns, costs and the environment.

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