Affects of Buildings on The Environment

The world’s environment is affected by multiple things including the locations of buildings, building materials, and surprisingly the building’s purpose. If a building is surrounded by nature, it could have destroyed an animal’s habitat. Building materials probably have the greatest effect on the environment; some materials can alter an environment. What the building is used for is another factor of an environmental change. Constructing a building can also interfere with the environment.

Buildings accounted for 39.4% of total energy consumption and 67.9% of total electricity consumption during the year 2002. Buildings also have negative effects on the atmosphere; they contribute 38.1% of the United States total carbon dioxide emission. Every day, 12.2% of the total water consumed is used by building occupants. On average, Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors. This may not seem bad; however, indoor pollutants may be two to five times higher than outdoor pollutants. Sources of indoor pollutants can include building materials and furnishing, central heating and cooling systems, and humidification devices.[1] 

Origin of green architecture

The use of renewable resources can be dated back to the Anasazi when they built villages designed to receive solar heat during the winter.[ii] Green architecture finally became noticeable during the political movement of the 1970’s and 1980’s when oil prices increased.[iii] Willis Faber and Dumas Headquarters, designed by Norman Foster, is considered the first modern green building. This building features a grass roof, a naturally sunlit atrium, and mirrored windows used to reduce solar gain.[iv]

1973 Energy Crisis

In 1973, the world faced an unexpected decline of the supply of petroleum which limited citizens’ everyday routine; this became known as the Arab Oil Embargo of 1973. During the October 1973 Arab-Israeli War, the Arab members of OPEC announced an embargo against the United States and other countries that supported Israel. The embargo both banned petroleum exports to the targeted nations and introduced cuts in oil production. People were not able to drive their cars, gas stations became surrounded with needy people demanding gas, and taxes increased. The United States government began Project Independence to promote their energy independence. Thus beginning the green architectural era of which we still use today. [v]