6 Ways to Reduce Carbon Footprint Through Architecture

Buildings produce 40% of the world's total carbon emissions. As designers, it sort of becomes our responsibility to bring this number down before climate change becomes irreversible.

Carbon footprint is a measure of the impact human activities have on the environment in terms of the amount of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide. It includes emissions from transportation, energy use, manufacturing and other activities that release carbon into the atmosphere. 

How to reduce carbon footprint in buildings using architecture?

There are several ways that architecture can be used to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings:

1. Energy-Efficient Design
2. Passive Design
3. Renewable Energy Sources
4. Sustainable Materials
5. Smart Building Systems
6. Green Cover

1. Energy-efficient Design

Incorporating energy-efficient technologies and practices into building design, such as high-performance windows, insulation, and efficient heating and cooling systems, can reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

The Edge, Amsterdam

The Edge, located in Amsterdam, is often considered a pioneering net-zero energy building. It incorporates several features to achieve energy efficiency:

• Solar Panels: The building is equipped with a large number of solar panels on the roof, which harness sunlight to generate electricity.
• Smart Building Design: The architecture is designed to optimize natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting. Automated systems control lighting, heating, and cooling based on occupancy and environmental conditions.
• Energy Storage: Excess energy generated during peak sunlight hours is stored for later use, allowing the building to maintain a balance between energy production and consumption.
• Efficient HVAC Systems: The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are highly efficient, minimizing energy consumption for climate control.
• Green Construction Materials: The building incorporates sustainable and energy-efficient materials to further reduce its environmental impact.

2. Passive Design 

Using passive design principles, such as orientation, shading, and ventilation, can reduce the need for mechanical heating and cooling and reduce energy consumption.

The Research Support Facility (RSF) at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

The RSF in Golden, Colorado, is designed to be a net-zero energy building primarily through passive strategies. Key features include:

• Daylighting: The building maximizes the use of natural daylight by incorporating large windows and skylights. This reduces the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours.
• Natural Ventilation: The RSF utilizes natural ventilation to regulate indoor temperatures. Operable windows and a carefully designed ventilation system allow for effective air circulation, reducing the reliance on mechanical cooling systems.
• High Thermal Mass: The building incorporates materials with high thermal mass, such as concrete, which can absorb and store heat. This helps regulate indoor temperatures by stabilizing temperature fluctuations.
• Optimized Building Orientation: The RSF is strategically oriented to maximize solar gain in the winter and minimize it in the summer, taking advantage of passive solar heating and cooling.
• Superior Insulation: High-quality insulation is used to minimize heat transfer, ensuring that the building retains warmth in the winter and stays cool in the summer.

3. Renewable Energy Sources

Incorporating renewable energy sources into building design, such as solar panels, can reduce a building's reliance on fossil fuels and lower its carbon footprint.

The Zero Energy Building (ZEB) in Singapore

The Zero Energy Building in Singapore is an example of a building that extensively utilizes solar energy. Here's how it achieves this:

• Solar Photovoltaic Panels: The building is equipped with solar panels on its roof and facades. These photovoltaic panels convert sunlight into electricity, providing a renewable energy source.
• Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV): Some of the building surfaces, such as windows or cladding, are designed to serve as solar panels. This integration optimizes the use of available space for solar energy generation.
• Energy Storage: Excess energy generated during sunny periods is often stored in batteries. This stored energy can then be used during periods of low sunlight or at night, allowing the building to maintain a continuous power supply.
• Energy-Efficient Design: The building incorporates energy-efficient design principles, such as efficient insulation, smart lighting systems, and optimized ventilation, to minimize overall energy demand.
• Grid Interaction: In some cases, buildings like ZEB can be connected to the electrical grid. During times when the building produces more energy than it needs, the surplus can be fed back into the grid, contributing to the overall energy supply.

4. Sustainable Materials 

Using sustainable building materials, such as those made from recycled materials or produced with low carbon emissions, can reduce the carbon footprint of a building.

Kuggen Building

The Kuggen building is an example of a structure that incorporates a significant amount of recycled content. 

• Recycled Steel Structure: Kuggen features a steel structure with a high percentage of recycled content. The use of recycled steel helps reduce the environmental impact associated with traditional steel production.
• Recycled Glass Facade: The building's facade incorporates recycled glass, contributing to resource conservation and minimizing the demand for new raw materials.
• Sustainable Design: Kuggen emphasizes sustainable design principles, including energy efficiency, natural lighting, and efficient ventilation systems, to reduce overall environmental impact.

5. Smart building systems

Implementing smart building systems, such as automated lighting and temperature control systems, can reduce energy waste and improve the energy efficiency of a building.

Crystal, London

• Smart Building Management System: The Crystal utilizes an advanced Building Management System (BMS) that integrates various sensors and controls. This system monitors and optimizes energy usage, lighting, and HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) based on real-time data.
• Renewable Energy Sources: The building incorporates renewable energy sources, such as solar panels and a ground-source heat pump. These technologies generate clean energy and contribute to reducing reliance on traditional, carbon-intensive energy sources.
• Rainwater Harvesting: The Crystal collects and utilizes rainwater for various purposes within the building, reducing the demand on municipal water supplies and promoting water conservation.
• Energy-Efficient Design: The building is designed to maximize natural light, reducing the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours. High-performance insulation and energy-efficient windows contribute to maintaining a comfortable interior climate with lower energy consumption.
• Real-Time Monitoring: The smart systems in place allow for continuous monitoring of the building's performance. This data is used to identify areas for improvement and optimize energy efficiency further.

6. Green Cover

Incorporating green roofs and walls into building design can provide insulation, reduce heat island effect, and improve air quality.

Bosco Verticale, Milan

• Vertical Forest Design: The Bosco Verticale consists of two residential towers covered in a variety of trees, shrubs, and plants on balconies at different levels. This vertical forest design aims to promote biodiversity, improve air quality, and reduce the urban heat island effect.
• Air Purification: The extensive greenery on the towers acts as a natural air purification system. Plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, contributing to improved air quality in the surrounding area.
• Thermal Insulation: The vegetation on the building provides a layer of thermal insulation, reducing the need for excessive heating or cooling. This contributes to energy efficiency and helps lower the building's overall carbon footprint.
• Biodiversity Promotion: The diverse plant life on the Bosco Verticale attracts birds and insects, promoting biodiversity in the heart of the city. This ecological balance is beneficial for the local environment.
• Aesthetic and Psychological Benefits: Beyond environmental advantages, the green cover enhances the aesthetic appeal of the building and provides psychological benefits to residents. Green spaces have been linked to improved well-being and a sense of connection with nature.

Impacts of High Carbon Emissions 

Climate Change

The greenhouse gases produced by human activities, such as carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels, trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere and cause temperatures to rise. This leads to a range of negative impacts, such as rising sea levels, more frequent and intense natural disasters, changes in precipitation patterns, and disruptions to ecosystems and agriculture.

Human Health

A higher carbon footprint also has negative impacts on human health, by increasing air and water pollution, and exacerbating health problems such as respiratory diseases.

Therefore, reducing one's carbon footprint is important for mitigating climate change and its impacts, and for promoting a more sustainable and healthy future.

By implementing these strategies, architects and building designers can help reduce the carbon footprint of buildings and contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly built environment.