Going Green with Architectural Design

The Centre Pompidou in Metz, France, features a roof with 16 kilometres of glued laminated timber.

As interest in sustainable building and construction continues to grow, Americans are looking for more ways to reduce their carbon footprint.

In an article on Forbes.com Lara O’Keefe gives insight into materials architects and designers can use to make projects more sustainable. Among the materials recommended are:

  • Timber because of its light weight and ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
  • Bamboo for its rapidly renewable quality and durability.
  • Recycled materials such as cardboard, plastic and scrap metal as a way to divert waste from the landfill.
  • Self-healing concrete which reduces carbon emissions by preventing the need for infrastructure improvements.
  • Products still in development such as Smart bricks that will be able to extract resources from sunlight, water and air.

According to the EPA, U.S. building account for 39 percent of total energy use, 12 percent of the total water consumption, 68 percent of total electricity consumption and 38 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions. Anything we can do to reduce these numbers is in the best interest of the global community.

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