A range of factors drives modern architecture. The cost of building materials, the size of the available plots, and building codes invisibly guide architectural designers' plans and sway the way that the nation’s homes are built.

As the world warms, a new factor is taking center stage: climate change. Today’s modern homes must be resilient enough to cope when the temperatures soar by making effective use of sustainable materials, flood-resistant foundations, and drought-responsive design principles.

Many modern consumers are also looking for more sustainable homes. This is driving demand for green architecture made with exciting innovations and shifting architects’ priorities when designing a new house or neighborhood.

What is Green Architecture?

Green architecture, also known as sustainable architecture, is a design philosophy focusing on creating buildings and structures that minimize environmental impact while maximizing energy efficiency and resource conservation. This architectural approach emphasizes using renewable materials, energy-efficient technologies, and integrating natural elements into the built environment.

Some common elements of green architecture include:

• Passive Solar Design: Utilizes the sun's energy for heating and cooling by strategically placing windows and building orientation.

• Green Roofs: Roofs with added vegetation for extra insulation, reducing stormwater runoff, and improving air quality.

• Rainwater Harvesting Systems: Collect and store rainwater for irrigation, flushing toilets, or other non-potable uses.

• Energy-Efficient Materials: Use of sustainable, recycled, or rapidly renewable materials like bamboo, reclaimed wood, and recycled metal.

The benefits of green architecture extend beyond environmental stewardship and provide economic and social advantages. Buildings designed with sustainability in mind often utilize energy-efficient systems that significantly reduce utility costs over time, offering long-term savings for homeowners and businesses alike. Furthermore, green architecture fosters a sense of community by creating livable spaces that enhance the well-being of inhabitants.

Consumer Demand

A recent survey in the U.S. found that 8 in 10 Americans are concerned about climate change, with 70% recognizing its current impacts. Many consumers are inclined to support businesses that adopt eco-friendly practices, as 65% believe more focus should be placed on environmentally sustainable companies.

For construction firms, embracing sustainability offers key advantages:

• New Customers: Eco-conscious buyers seek green builders.

• Retention: The public and private sectors prefer firms that exceed environmental standards.

• Resilience: Staying ahead of changing regulations ensures long-term success.

• Waste Reduction: Green practices save resources and enhance efficiency.

This approach also aligns with U.S. government pledges for climate action, which are driving demand for sustainable construction practices and more stringent green building standards. Shifting towards a more sustainable business model can strengthen a business’s brand identity and help eco-friendly designers establish a competitive advantage that will serve the company well in the coming years.

Building Codes and Construction

In the United States, building codes are advancing to prioritize energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. The 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) sets higher standards for insulation, lighting, and window performance in new builds. States like California are leading the charge with mandates for solar panels on new homes and the electrification of houses to decrease their environmental footprint. Incentives for heat pumps and eco-friendly materials are also becoming more widespread. Integrating sustainable design choices early on is critical, as it significantly reduces waste and long-term energy consumption in homes. This collaborative effort between architects, builders, and policymakers helps drive meaningful change in the construction industry by creating more environmentally responsible homes.

Design decisions contribute up to 70% of a building's environmental impact, making it crucial to consider eco-friendly alternatives from the start. Poor design can lead to inefficiency and waste throughout a building's lifetime, while sustainable choices can drastically lower energy consumption. Innovations in existing technologies and designs can further elevate sustainability efforts — for instance, this may be why solar shingles are starting to grow in popularity, due to their exciting new design and dual-functionality. All that to say, with the growing focus on green standards, builders and architects play a vital role in shaping a more sustainable future for American housing.

Mitigating Carbon

Consumers care about mitigating carbon emissions and combating climate change. However, many clued-in home buyers may be wary of firms that overly rely on carbon credits. That’s because carbon offset credits are conceptually problematic. Companies that use carbon offset to negate their emissions may use their “credit” to expand harmful operations. Many carbon offsets are overestimated and poorly tracked, too.

Rather than rely solely on carbon credits when designing new homes, work towards achieving a more sustainable supply chain. Responsibly sourced energy, materials, and water supply cuts carbon emissions at the source and minimizes the lifetime emissions of a new home. Architects can also implement environmentally-friendly features like automated climate control. Developers can offer upgrades like reinforced insulation, solar panels, and more — which the government can (and does) incentivize using financial benefits. This makes it easier than ever for people to invest in eco-friendly home upgrades.

Builders and architects can work collaboratively to achieve sustainable and healthy design, too. Recycled materials tend to have a lower carbon cost than new materials, and reclaimed lumber can reduce the need to harvest from old-growth forests that soak up CO2.  Builders who specialize in HVAC and plumbing can cooperate with architects to install sustainable plumbing that is safe for inhabitants and has a minimal carbon cost.

In addition, a more efficient and even smart power grid is always possible. Better energy storage, new sensor devices, and fast data exchange are but a few of the many technologies bolstering the grid. These innovations are essential for powering the green homes and cities of the future, pushing down energy costs and lessening reliance on nonrenewable resources.

Conclusion

Consumers are increasingly interested in buying sustainable, eco-friendly homes. This is great news for architectural firms that want to build more green homes and join in the fight against climate change. Recently announced targets in the Annual Climate Statement will free up funding for more eco-friendly building initiatives and push more construction companies to adopt sustainable modern architectural principles. Those who do decide to adopt sustainable practices will benefit from a serious first-mover advantage and may win more contracts as more councils move to build more sustainable neighborhoods across the nation.

About the Author:

Katie Brenneman is a passionate writer specializing in lifestyle, mental health, and eco-friendly-related content. When she isn't writing, you can find her with her nose buried in a book or hiking with her dog, Charlie. To connect with Katie, you can follow her on Twitter.

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