The growing concern over climate change and other environmental issues has paved the way for

business and companies to embrace and value the concept of sustainability. Today, developments that
are built with the environment in mind are placed at a premium, not just because it offers a high quality of
space with cost-efficient features, but also to emphasize corporate social responsibility towards the
environment.

The building trades have collectively recognized its role in contributing to the
greenhouse gases put into the atmosphere. For example, the manufacturing of
cement, the basic ingredient in concrete, is reportedly one of the largest global
contributors to carbon dioxide emissions. From poor designs to construction
materials, the industry is challenged to change its ways.

 n recent years, sustainability concept has become the common interest of numerous
disciplines. The reason for this popularity is to perform the sustainable development. The
Concept of Green Architecture, also known as “sustainable architecture” or “green
building,” is the theory, science and style of buildings designed and constructed in
accordance with environmentally friendly principles. Green architecture strives to
minimize the number of resources consumed in the building's construction, use and
operation, as well as curtailing the harm done to the environment through the emission,
Using sustainable building materials
pollution and waste of its components.
like recycled glass and steel, as well as renewable materials like
bamboo and rubber;
 Installing energy-efficient windows and doors;
 Using lower-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints and
stains;
 Constructing green roof systems (aka “plants on your roof”) that
offer many benefits, including onsite gardens, rainwater
management and protection from the effects of harmful UV light;
 Adding water harvesting and purification systems that don’t just
manage, but also make the most use of rainfall;
 Maximizing natural light, which cannot only save on lighting
requirements (and subsequently energy costs), but can also help
keep buildings warm in colder months; and
 Using renewable energy to power the building—for example,
installing a commercial solar panel system.
  WHAT IS GREEN BUILDING?
 Using efficient resources and sustainable materials is a living trademark of a green
building. It focuses primarily on the reduction of energy and water consumption,
and waste production. With its passive characteristics, a green-designed building
lessens the negative impact on the environment and on human health, harmonizing
the coexistence of man and nature. This practice also emphasizes the implementation
of natural ventilation systems and healthy indoor environments within buildings.
Furthermore, a green building has the capacity to maximize renewable resources
which, over time, tend to cut down the costs associated with energy and water.
 In the Philippines, IDC is taking a design-driven approach to green building, with
developments located primarily in emerging cities. Our projects have been
recognized and certified with Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE), a
global innovation of the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) to
promote green building.

Green buildings offer widespread benefits to a number of building industry stakeholders, including
building occupants and society as a whole.

Principles of Green Architecture

Energy efficiency

The principles of green architecture incorporate various measures that encourage energy efficiency. It is
done through designs that cut down energy consumption including the energy requirements for energy
use and the exploitation of alternative and sustainable energy sources such as wind and solar. For
instance, green architecture takes care of natural air flow patterns and natural lighting to reduce the
needs for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning; and artificial daytime lighting respectively. The
designs simply insist on reducing the lifetime costs of heating, lighting, air condition and other electric
power usage requirements.

Water efficiency

Green architecture works with the inspiration of ecological surrounding to protect water quality and
reduce water consumption or wastage. It is part of the sustainable principles in green construction
which encourage the efficient use of water. This green architecture principle makes certain that water is
harvested, used, purified and re-used during the entire construction period. At the same time, the
architectural design ensures that in the entire life cycle of the building not only supports efficient water
use but also preserves the quality of surrounding water systems and makes use of water recycling
mechanisms.
Land use efficiency

Land use efficiency pertains to architectural designs that encourage suitable site development in terms
of preservation of the surrounding environment and reuse of existing local materials. It advocates for
the incorporation of roof gardens, earth shelters and extensive landscaping around and throughout the
building.

Low environmental impact and conservation of natural characteristics

Construction projects are proven to be responsible for more than 50% of environmental impacts and the
destruction of natural systems. Construction projects also contribute to about 10% of the total global
emissions every year. One of the principles of green architecture is to therefore use green designs to
lessen these environmental impacts. Particularly, this green principle is all about preventing degradation
of the site during construction, sprawl management, and the controlled use of resources as well as
ensuring energy-efficient buildings lessen the overall impacts on the environment. The design aids in the
conservation of natural resources, improved water and air quality, and the protection of ecosystems and
biodiversity.

Material efficiency

The proper management and use of materials in construction is also another huge concern. Proper
construction techniques have to be employed and this is where green architecture comes in. As such,
material efficiency is one of the green architecture principles as it creates designs that inspire
sustainable construction by optimizing the construction operations. Material efficiency as a green
architectural principle sees to it that the lifetime of the building enhances efficiency in terms of
maintenance and operations. Energy efficiency and resource conservation are the aspects incorporated
in the designs to guarantee overall material efficiency.

Low maintenance costs

As stated earlier, the operational and construction costs associated with the conventional construction
mechanisms prove quite high and are equally material demanding. Green architectural design facilitates
the use of materials and construction techniques that help in cutting back the operational and
construction costs by more than half, all attributed to their cost-effectiveness. This green architecture
principle necessitates the need of using renewable plant products, recycled metal and recycled stone
among other non-toxic products. Renewable and reusable products ensure high performance while at
the same time reducing the long-term maintenance costs.

Waste reduction

Green architecture advances the demand for reducing the wastage of water, energy, and materials
during and even after construction. On this basis, the green architectural design offer easier ways of
reducing the amount of consumer product wastage generated by the building occupants through the
integration of on-site solutions like compost bins and eco-friendly waste management system. The
design also takes care of water recycling and energy saving approaches in construction to reduce water
and energy wastage respectively.

Use of renewable energy

Among the green architecture principles is the use of renewable energy. This principle ideally works to
make renewable energy part of the architectural design or a highly recommended feature. The use of
wind power, solar energy and biogas are examples of renewable energy technologies which are often
included in the green architecture designs. The architects are keen at tailoring the designs based on the
geographical locations to take full advantage of the available renewable energy. For instance, green
oriented architects design buildings to fully utilize the seasonal changes in the sun’s position and other
regional renewable energy sources such as wind and biomass.

Indoor environmental quality

Indoor environmental quality is also part of the green architecture principles. The designing of a house
or commercial building based on the green principles involves the features of comfortable interior space
with an emphasis on natural temperature control, proper ventilation and the use of products that do
not give off toxic compounds or gases. The purpose of the principle is to assure the quality of indoor
environments.