Make the most of natural resources in architectural planning
When you last visited your local mall during the day and looked up, did you notice the pleasant rays of sunlight gently caressing the ceiling of the place?
No, this is not just a design decision.
Today, as the field of green construction becomes more popular around the world, shopping centers are discovering once again that clever use of sunlight for daytime lighting saves thousands of shekels on the electricity bill.
In sunny California, new homeowners are required to begin installing systems that absorb sunlight and convert it into electrical energy that is used not only to heat the water in the boiler (as in Israel) but for all of the home's electricity consumption.
Proper architectural design allows us to utilize natural resources for the quality of our lives. How do we do this?
The Wonders of the Sun
The basis of green architectural design, which incorporates solar energy as an essential part of an attempt to save energy (and on the way to reduce the electricity bill…) is the assumption that in a house with large windows, the sun's rays penetrate and illuminate the house.
Designing entire walls based on glass (such as the wall facing the garden, for example) combined with smart shutters that open part of the day makes natural lighting particularly economical.
During hours when the sun is scorching and may destroy important furniture or cause overheating, the Venetian blinds can be programmed to slightly change the angle at which they are open and create partial shading.
Home ventilation
We can also easily control our climate using large windows that help a pleasant breeze pass through the house during the day and evening (on warm days we may discover that we do not have to use the air conditioner – we can turn it on even on particularly hot days).
How do we design windows that will make the most of it? We will maintain several air directions so that we can open two windows on walls parallel to each other.
When we open one window, the air flow will be sparse, but when two windows are open, fresh, clear air enters and fills the house.
When we plan the air directions according to the directions in which the wind usually blows, we will have quality ventilation without the need to use electrical energy.
Our water cycle
Another aspect that we can harness to our advantage is the utilization of excess water. After the shower, the bath water can be the basis for watering the garden in Israel, which has suffered from a severe water shortage over the years, and also the water in which we wash the dishes.
In various parts of the US, such as the state of Ohio, for example, some of the water is automatically diverted to the garden (not the water intended to go to the sewer), and the water companies allow the installation of two water meters – the first checks how much water has passed through the taps for a fee, the second measures how much water makes its way to the sewer (for an additional fee).
Thus, when private homes recycle their water, by using so-called "gray" water, they pay less to the municipal authority.
In conclusion, proper architectural design that incorporates green building principles can help save energy in favor of maintaining sustainability principles and reduce electricity consumption.
We should briefly note that in addition to using gray water, afternoon and evening breezes, and sunlight, there are also additional green building principles such as the use of consumables and building materials that give the house additional advantages in maintaining thermal insulation and the possibility of expanding the house in the future without harming the environment.
No, this is not just a design decision.
Today, as the field of green construction becomes more popular around the world, shopping centers are discovering once again that clever use of sunlight for daytime lighting saves thousands of shekels on the electricity bill.
In sunny California, new homeowners are required to begin installing systems that absorb sunlight and convert it into electrical energy that is used not only to heat the water in the boiler (as in Israel) but for all of the home's electricity consumption.
Proper architectural design allows us to utilize natural resources for the quality of our lives. How do we do this?
The Wonders of the Sun
The basis of green architectural design, which incorporates solar energy as an essential part of an attempt to save energy (and on the way to reduce the electricity bill…) is the assumption that in a house with large windows, the sun's rays penetrate and illuminate the house.
Designing entire walls based on glass (such as the wall facing the garden, for example) combined with smart shutters that open part of the day makes natural lighting particularly economical.
During hours when the sun is scorching and may destroy important furniture or cause overheating, the Venetian blinds can be programmed to slightly change the angle at which they are open and create partial shading.
Home ventilation
We can also easily control our climate using large windows that help a pleasant breeze pass through the house during the day and evening (on warm days we may discover that we do not have to use the air conditioner – we can turn it on even on particularly hot days).
How do we design windows that will make the most of it? We will maintain several air directions so that we can open two windows on walls parallel to each other.
When we open one window, the air flow will be sparse, but when two windows are open, fresh, clear air enters and fills the house.
When we plan the air directions according to the directions in which the wind usually blows, we will have quality ventilation without the need to use electrical energy.
Our water cycle
Another aspect that we can harness to our advantage is the utilization of excess water. After the shower, the bath water can be the basis for watering the garden in Israel, which has suffered from a severe water shortage over the years, and also the water in which we wash the dishes.
In various parts of the US, such as the state of Ohio, for example, some of the water is automatically diverted to the garden (not the water intended to go to the sewer), and the water companies allow the installation of two water meters – the first checks how much water has passed through the taps for a fee, the second measures how much water makes its way to the sewer (for an additional fee).
Thus, when private homes recycle their water, by using so-called "gray" water, they pay less to the municipal authority.
In conclusion, proper architectural design that incorporates green building principles can help save energy in favor of maintaining sustainability principles and reduce electricity consumption.
We should briefly note that in addition to using gray water, afternoon and evening breezes, and sunlight, there are also additional green building principles such as the use of consumables and building materials that give the house additional advantages in maintaining thermal insulation and the possibility of expanding the house in the future without harming the environment.
