2.2 Ideology of sustainable building.

Environmental threats such as climate changing, loss of non-renewable fuel, toxic pollution and lack of bio-diversity are a main concern around the world.  Different rules, activities and other initiatives are taken to find a solution for the coming generations and to maintain a sense of responsibility towards the environment. As per Slessor (1996) half of the non-renewable resources are wasted by the buildings and homes making buildings one of the major contributors to these issues. Hence sustainable architecture is an effort by the building industry to bring a small dent in these numbers.

‘It is design that improves the quality of life today without diminishing it for the next generation.’-Robert Bekebile, AIA, (1996)

Sustainable architecture or green architecture can be defined in many ways. It is a system that considers the environment and as well the users of the buildings. It focuses on the physical, economical, social, cultural and behavioural aspects of the building and the people.  All the components of the building design such as the site, materials, quality, and resources are interrelated to one another to result in an energy efficient sustainable building that provides the needs of the users.

The orientation of the building, the glazing, photovoltaic installations, appliances and the thermal materials used in the building helps to reduce the energy consumption which results in a reduce on the economical expenditure and the maintenance of the building. It also contributes to the decline of waste which impacts on the environmental issues faced today. The attention on the air and thermal quality in the indoor space results in a healthy, comfortable and happy space to the users.

Green building is a building that helps the environment and improves the living conditions of the users. It provides a practical and ethical solution to save and improve the standards of life today to the future generations. It is a step to create a better future.