# sustainable/ eco friendly approach to architecture
As architects, Archscape has a responsibility to work towards sustainable and eco-friendly practices in our design decisions. Our decisions can have a big impact on the environment, so we need to be sure that they are made in the best interests of our clients and the communities in which we build.
Increasingly, consumers are also calling for environmentally-conscious buildings that are designed and operated in an environmentally responsible manner. ArchScape architects are responding to this demand by designing and building green buildings that incorporate energy efficiency, green building materials, and sustainable design features.
An environmentally sustainable approach to architecture minimizes the impact that a building has on the environment by considering environmental factors during the design phase and making a concerted effort to reduce environmental impact throughout the building’s life cycle.
- Energy efficiency reduces energy consumption and generates energy savings for the owner. Energy-efficient designs reduce utility costs and cut greenhouse gas emissions. This can reduce a project’s overall carbon footprint by more than 30%.
- Green materials minimize waste by reducing the use of nonrenewable resources.
- Sustainable design features reduce the negative impacts of a building on the environment by improving indoor air quality and reducing water use. Features such as natural lighting and ventilation, Energy Star appliances, low-flow faucets and toilets, and waterless urinals can help promote a healthy environment
Today’s sustainable/eco-friendly approach to architecture incorporates the following elements:
- Energy efficiency and conservation saves energy and money and reduces environmental impact.
- High performance exteriors and interiors use less energy to heat and cool the interiors. Lighting control and motion-activated lighting reduce wasted electricity. Insulation and sealing around windows and doors further reduce heating and cooling costs.
- Materials used in construction contain recycled content and are low in volatile organic compounds. Furniture and other furnishings are made of eco-friendly materials such as wood, recycled materials, or fabrics made from organic fibers.
Because today’s buildings are major energy consumers, energy efficient design is one of the most important elements of a sustainable building.
An energy-efficient building uses less energy and provides greater control over indoor environmental conditions while maximizing employee comfort and productivity.
By incorporating features that save energy and reduce consumption, an energy-efficient building not only improves the bottom line but also benefits the environment by reducing greenhouse emissions and lessening our dependence on fossil fuels.
ArchScape design and construction of an energy-efficient building begins with the design and selection of the appropriate materials and structural system for the intended use of the building. Proper orientation, insulation, glazing, shading, natural ventilation, daylighting, and heating, cooling, ventilating, and plumbing systems are a few of the many strategies that can be incorporated into a building to provide energy efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts.
