Sustainable, green, ecological...Understanding the definitions essential or unnecessary?
- Ahmed Abouaiana
- Dec 18, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Dec 18, 2024
This article highlights different types of environmental architecture. I will guide you in recognizing them to:
1- To inform you of different types of environmental architecture and their characteristics to inform your design decision.
2- To enhance your analytical skills (a key skill for the architects)
3- To know your point of view: Could understanding these definitions help you?
Let's get started
Vernacular Architecture
Vernacular (Spontaneous) Architecture, created by the people, by successive generations, and accumulated experiences resulting in trial and error to reach the optimal solution that meets the needs of the inhabitants (architecturally, environmentally, socially, etc.),
The following figure visualizes the main characteristics of the vernacular architecture
The next figures show some examples of vernacular buildings in different contexts. Can you find the embedded features in the design, like cultural and environmental aspects? What do you think about the concept design of these examples? Can you learn from people to design for people? When you design, can you reflect the environmental and socio-cultural factors into your design modernly?
Small recessed openings and large wall thicknesses improve thermal performance in the Nubian house. These treatments were implemented through trial and error until the desired comfort was achieved. The engravings also reflect their culture; for example, the chicken symbolizes friendship with them, the hand symbolizes protection from envy, and so on. See the next photo.
Similar to the vernacular architecture is traditional architecture, but it is made by a specialist like an architect or an engineer
Organic Architecture
The Industrial Revolution, which began in the late 1800s, was characterized by mass production. People relied on machines to increase production, so they needed buildings to accommodate the rapid industrial process. Can you imagine what the architectural patterns were like? (Actually, it was buildings, not architecture).
In response to these rigid architectural styles, the organic Architecture movement emerged in the early 20th century through the pioneer architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Who stated, "The building should make the landscape more beautiful than before." Thus, he advocated integrating nature with buildings. The following figure visualizes the pillars of organic architecture.
Bioclimatic Architecture
Bioclimatic= (Biology + Climate): Is defined by Wiktionary as "A climate, as it influences, and is influenced by biological organisms."
The bioclimatic design can be defined as the interaction between humans and the surrounding environmental aspects to reduce minimum environmental pollution and achieve healthy conditioning for the users. The architect Victor Olgyay promoted this concept in the 1960s, where a balanced climate can be achieved inside the home to comfort and reduce costs. It can be summarized in 4 stages, which can be visualized in the figure below.
Please remember the bioclimatic chart of Olgyay (see this article to remember )
Climatic Architecture
Architecture is compatible with the place's climatic conditions and surrounding environment (desert architecture - tropical architecture - coastal architecture, etc.). The design of the building respects climatic parameters (shape, orientation, form, opening position for lighting and ventilation, solar shading, etc.). See the following building of the pioneer Egyptian Architect Hassan Fathy. The design responds to the climate.
Solar architecture is sort of climatic architecture, that achieves the characteristic of natural treatment of the internal climate because it depends entirely, on the sun and in an absolute manner with the presence of natural design mechanisms and elements that achieve integration in its work (storage and thermal radiation) for a limited period and differs from climate architecture that depends on the aspects of the building structure and orientation
Ecological Architecture
What is Ecology? Look at your hand now. Do you know that your skin (an ecology) hosts microorganisms?
Great, so ecology is the study of the relationships between any living organisms and their physical environment.
Ecological architecture aims to complete the building life cycle, as each has inputs, outputs, and a life cycle so that the building becomes integrated and fully compatible with its environment, which is called environmental simulation.
Green Architecture
Please answer the question: Why is it called Green Architecture? Because:
a) It is green in color?
b) It has green areas?
c) It simulates the concept of green plant life.
Great! The correct answer is c) The green approach in the design process is equivalent to the role of (chlorophyll) in the plant that filters sunlight from this. It meets the needs and requirements of individuals by relying on natural sources such as the sun, air, water, and natural materials, saving water consumption and achieving natural lighting and ventilation.
Final Remarks
We presented some kinds of environmental architecture types.
Please do not feel confused, you are an architect, your mind set is analytical, you can understand the keywords. This will enable you to make a good design decision.
Let's exercise:
What are Sustainable Architecture / Biomimicry Architecture / Biophilic Architecture / Energy-efficient Architecture
Do you think you can find a certain trend when designing your building? can you design climate-responsive buildings? or thinking to improve users' well-being, provide economic benefits to the users, or use recyclable materials to improve the environmental impact.
Please start now and consider environmental design. Then, with practice, you will be able to make a much better design decision. Dr. Ahmed Abouaiana, December 17, 2024
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