Environment preservation has to be taken up on a large scale and applied in our everyday lives. Water and energy conservation along with reusing materials and encouraging recycling is the need of the hour. Surely, all this can be done a lot more easily if we build sustainable structures. Going green becomes really easy if we have an infrastructure supporting it. After the success of a few green buildings, more eco friendly structures are in construction around the world. Let’s look at a few green structures built that have given a head start to this movement.
1. Bank of America Tower, New York, US
An LEED platinum certified construction built in Manhattan. The hallmark of this skyscraper is the in house power plant that generates about 70% of the energy used. The 4.6-megawatt plant provides both heat and electric voltage for hot water supply and running the heating as well as cooling system. In addition to generating its own power, the plant also garners energy by burning natural gas and sourcing waste heat. A floor to ceiling cover of translucent insulating glass brings in natural light.
2. Dalby Forest visitor centre, North Yorkshire, UK
The reception desk at this site is made out of old used materials while the roof is done up with tire tubes. The entire building can be recycled at the end of its lifespan. Renewable energy from solar photovoltaic panels and wind turbine is used. Water conservation has been kept in mind as toilets are flushed with rainwater instead of the regular water supply. The boiler is fueled with wooden chips and bits gathered from the forest nearby.
3. CII – Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre, Hyderabad, India
This building is amongst the very few outside US to acquire the LEED platinum rating. In fact, this was the first building in India and also outside the U.S. to be endowed with this certification. It is actually the office of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and a public-private venture between Government of Andhra Pradesh and Godrej & Boyce Mfg Ltd. The building applies green construction techniques like using renewable energy, recycling, water conservation and energy efficiency. There is a green roof and waste water is recycled using root zone treatment. Solar photovoltaic cells generate indigenous power supply.
4. 30 The Bond, Sydney, Australia
The headquarters of Lend Lease, this was the very first CBD building in Australia to acquire the 5 stars rating meted out by the Australian Building Greenhouse Rating. This sustainable structure employs the passive chilled beam technology for energy conservation. In addition, the natural ventilation and fully operable shading facades help to reduce carbon emissions. Local and eco friendly materials such as linen, cotton, wool, sisal, goat hair, leather, and bamboo are used here. There are wintergarden rooms, water saving fittings, and a terrace garden with native drought resistant plants.
5. Centrum Galerie, Dresden, Germany
This massive shopping complex is known for being the first building to receive the BREEAM Excellent rating not only in Germany but also in continental Europe. The building uses daylight as much as possible and incorporates a green roof. There is an energy saving mode built. Other distinguished advancements are a high-quality design and a comprehensive transport plan.
6. RIT’s University Services Center, New York, US
Built in Rochester in New York, this is a LEED platinum certified construction. The University Services Center at Rochester Institute of Technology uses renewable sources of power including solar pholovoltaic cells. Almost 90% of the waste during construction was recycled and recycled materials are used even for running the building. The power usage for heating and cooling is reduced by 50%. Water conservation, biodiversity by cultivating native vegetation, control plan for erosion and sedimentation are a few other eco-feats achieved here.
7. Shangri La Botanical Gardens, Orange, Texas
Eco friendly energy systems are installed here; wind power plants supply energy and there are thirty six solar panels that can generate about 300 watts of electric voltage. The wood used is from trees fallen down during the 2005 hurricane Rita. Also, the geothermal well for heating and cooling is a marvel. The construction allows in ample daylight and is built on a concrete foundation made up of fly ash usually thrown out as waste. There are also heat reflecting metal roofs that use up less energy, corn based eco flooring, parking lot from recycled asphalt, etc. This center has also received US Green Building Councils Platinum certification.
