ECOLOGY
Materials and Energy
ECOLOGY 1
rating from 1 (less sustainable) to 9 (more sustainable)
Materials and Energy
ECOLOGY 1
USING LOCAL MATERIALS
Scandinavia is full of forests and lakes.
Wood in this region is everywhere.
Materials and Energy
ECOLOGY 1
USING LOCAL MATERIALS
Scandinavia is full of forests and lakes.
Wood in this region is everywhere.
Architects like Alvar Aalto (Finland) work with wood in many of their buildings.
Materials and Energy
ECOLOGY 1
USING LOCAL MATERIALS
Traditional buildings in Scandinavia use wood as a cheap, wise and environmental-friendly material to create spaces.
Materials and Energy
ECOLOGY 1
USING LOCAL MATERIALS
Traditional buildings in Scandinavia use Falu Rödfärg, a natural red painting against xylophages
Materials and Energy
ECOLOGY 1
USING LOCAL MATERIALS
Pintura frente a xilófagos en Suecia.
BUILDING WITH LOCAL MATERIALS
Materials and Energy
ECOLOGY 1
Materials from the surroundings are more sustainable for the soil and the fertility in the area.
Alhambra in Granada (Spain) uses the same rock that you can see underneath.
Materials and Energy
ECOLOGY 1
MATERIALS SOMETIMES ARE BETTER THAN EXPECTED
Concrete is not recyclable. However, working with it is efficient and fast, and concrete buildings have a long life span.
In Brazil, it is the most produced material for housing (cultural identity) (Oskar Niemeyer)
Materials and Energy
ECOLOGY 1
EXPERIMENTAL MATERIALS: PAPER
Paper and cardboard are recyclable, not heavy and resistant.
A Japanese architect, Shigeru Ban, has shown us technical advances with paper as a building material.
EXPERIMENTAL MATERIALS: PAPER
Materials and Energy
ECOLOGY 1
BAMBOO IN TROPICAL HUMID AREAS
Materials and Energy
ECOLOGY 1
Bamboo grows really fast, and it is very resistant for construction.
Sports pavilion in Panyaden (Thailand)
BAMBOO IN TROPICAL HUMID AREAS
Materials and Energy
ECOLOGY 1
Bamboo grows really fast, and it is very resistant for construction.
Buildings with just ONE material are conceptually more sustainable, since they just have adapt their shape to the nature and the conditions of one material.
WHITE PAINTING TO REFLECT SOLAR RADIATION
Water and Air
ECOLOGY 1
Photo: one of many “pueblos blancos” (white towns) in Andalucía (south of Spain)
They use white colour in façades to reflect the sun radiation (that means, to avoid absorption of heat) and to decrease temperature at the street.
Water and Air
ECOLOGY 2
rating from 1 (less sustainable) to 9 (more sustainable)
PASSIV HAUS
Water and Air
ECOLOGY 2
The German term Passiv Haus has become famous recently in a global scale.
They reduce energy by taking advantage of the climate characteristics.
FIRST STEP FOR A CLIMATIC SOLUTION: WHERE AM I? WHAT DO I NEED FROM THE ENVIRONMENT?
Water and Air
ECOLOGY 2
Water and Air
ECOLOGY 2
HEAT ISLAND EFFECT IN CAIRO
The Heat Island Effect is real in bigger cities.
Temperature in Cairo (Egypt) changes up to 20ºC between a central area and the sorroundings.
Water and Air
ECOLOGY 2
HEAT ISLAND EFFECT IN CAIRO
The Heat Island Effect is real in bigger cities.
Temperature in Cairo (Egypt) changes up to 20ºC between a central area and the sorroundings.
CROSSED VENTILATION
Water and Air
ECOLOGY 2
Essential for hot and wet regions, you have to know how it works to get a ventilated interior space.
CROSSED VENTILATION
Water and Air
ECOLOGY 2
Examples that enhance this ventilation are very useful in humid and hot areas.
We don’t need air conditioning and extra energy, we just design a good crossed ventilation.
CROSSED VENTILATION
Water and Air
ECOLOGY 2
Roofs with windows can take the heat out of the interior spaces.
We don’t need air conditioning and extra energy, we just design a good crossed ventilation.
ECOLOGY 2
Water and Air
SUN CONTROL DEPENDING ON THE SEASON
This shading in the south can improve thermic resilience in both winter and summer.
ECOLOGY 2
Water and Air
SUN CONTROL DEPENDING ON THE SEASON
If we need the sun, we should put more windows and terraces in the south of our building (in the north hemisphere).
If we want to avoid the sun, North and East are the best orientations (in the north hemisphere).
ECOLOGY 2
Water and Air
SUN CONTROL DEPENDING ON THE SEASON
This shading in the south can improve thermic resilience in both winter and summer.
EXTERIOR SPACES
ECOLOGY 2
Water and Air
Terraces are always a great strategy for cooling the environment.
It encourages social relationships with mild and comfortable exterior spaces.
Water and Air
ECOLOGY 2
COLLECTION OF RAINWATER
It can be used in toilets or in our gardens, specially if we live in a dry region.
COLLECTION OF RAINWATER
ECOLOGY 2
Water and Air
It can be used in toilets or in our gardens, specially if we live in a dry region.
Photo: India, Aabhaneri, for collective laundries.
COLLECTION OF RAINWATER
ECOLOGY 2
Water and Air
Infiltration is necessary to avoid floods.
WATER FOR PEOPLE (W.F.P.)
ECOLOGY 2
Water and Air
Amount of water in m3 per person per year consumed in each country. In first place, Southern Europe and the USA.
Flora and Fauna
ECOLOGY 3
rating from 1 (less sustainable) to 9 (more sustainable)
COOLING THE ENVIRONMENT WITH GREENERY
Flora and Fauna
ECOLOGY 3
Trees situated close to our buildings can refresh the air against an intense solar radiation
Flora and Fauna
ECOLOGY 3
Also vertical gardens of green façades can refresh the air against an intense solar radiation
COOLING THE ENVIRONMENT WITH GREENERY
Flora and Fauna
ECOLOGY 3
Also vertical gardens of green façades can refresh the air against an intense solar radiation
Flora and Fauna
ECOLOGY 3
Just protect your environment to keep healthy your lungs.
TREES ARE USEFUL TO REGULATE SUN RADIATION DEPENDING ON THE SEASON
Flora and Fauna
ECOLOGY 3
Flora and Fauna
ECOLOGY 3
Deciduous trees can control the direct solar radiation in summer, but they let the light come through in winter.
EVERYTHING WORKS TOGETHER BETTER IF WE THINK OF THE ECOSYSTEM
Flora and Fauna
ECOLOGY 3
Flora and Fauna
ECOLOGY 3
In an ecosystem each element has a role, and if we create a space and just take a few elements and discard others, the projected ecosystem would end up unsustainable.
LACK OF RESOURCES: LOCAL MATERIALS, RESPECT FOR THE ECOSYSTEMS
Flora and Fauna
ECOLOGY 3
Flora and Fauna
ECOLOGY 3
Local materials are well-known to be more ecological, as we don’t have to transport it, and they are commonly used in traditional arquitecture, respecting the local ecosystem.
ECOLOGY 3
Flora and Fauna
ECOLOGY 3
LACK OF RESOURCES: LOCAL MATERIALS, RESPECT FOR THE ECOSYSTEMS
Local materials are well-known to be more ecological, as we don’t have to transport it, and they are commonly used in traditional arquitecture, respecting the local ecosystem.
EXAMPLE: BRICK IN BURKINA FASO
Habitat and Settlements
ECOLOGY 4
rating from 1 (less sustainable) to 9 (more sustainable)
RETROFITTING OLD BUILDINGS
Habitat and Settlements
ECOLOGY 4
If we want to preserve an old building, we can add retrofit to the façades for the improvement of thermal insulation.
BRAZILIAN ARCHITECTURE IS TRADITIONALLY CONNECTED TO NATIVE VEGETATION
Habitat and Settlements
ECOLOGY 4
Habits create traditions.
A GREEN ROOF IS AN ALTERNATIVE GREEN SPACE IN COMPACT CITIES
Habitat and Settlements
ECOLOGY 4
Through green roofs, our buildings and our cities can breathe and at the same time get some insulation from heat or cold outside.
Photo: Nanyang University
BUILDINGS BREATHE WITH GREEN ROOFS
Habitat and Settlements
ECOLOGY 4
We need a big structure to support these green roofs
ADAPTATION TO TOPOGRAPHY
Habitat and Settlements
ECOLOGY 4
Terraces for cultivation are adapted to the topography of this landscape. This respect for the original characteristics of the landscape is wise, easy and cheap.
Photo: Peru
ADAPTATION TO TOPOGRAPHY
Habitat and Settlements
ECOLOGY 4
A disused clay hole was reused to build a greenhouse in the UK.
Picture: Eden Project
URBAN SPRAWL: WHEN LAND-USE IS EXCESSIVE
Habitat and Settlements
ECOLOGY 4
Rich people sometimes live in detached houses in the outskirts of cities.
This is a non-sustainable way of living, since you need the car for everything.
Photo: La Fresneda in Asturias is an example of an urban sprawl.
Built-Form and Transport
ECOLOGY 5
rating from 1 (less sustainable) to 9 (more sustainable)
BUILT FORMS IN VENEZUELA
Built-Form and Transport
ECOLOGY 5
Social housing becomes monumental in this building in Caracas.
Different blocks piled up together can contribute with cross-ventilation and environmental-friendly forms to a more sustainable space.
BUILT FORMS AND SHAPE FACTOR
Built-Form and Transport
ECOLOGY 5
The sphere and the cube are the volumetric shapes that lose less energy.
TEMPERATURE UNDERGROUND IS MORE STABLE
Built-Form and Transport
ECOLOGY 5
If we build our homes underground we can protect us from extreme temperatures.
This is called geothermal energy.
URBAN FORMS IN COLD COUNTRIES
Built-Form and Transport
ECOLOGY 5
Underground spaces spend less energy in cold countries. Toronto has a whole system of streets and squares underground.
HOUSING FORMS IN HOT COUNTRIES
Built-Form and Transport
ECOLOGY 5
Cave houses are traditionally designed by architects in Tunisia (photo) and other African countries, to protect our households from the heat and the solar radiation in summer, and from the cold nights in winter as well.
TYPOLOGY IS ADAPTED TO SUSTAINABILITY
Built-Form and Transport
ECOLOGY 5
The shape of this stadium in Taiwan doesn’t create a typical closed shape, but open and ventilated spaces.
BICYCLE: GOOD FOR YOU AND YOUR ENVIRONMENT
Built-Form and Transport
ECOLOGY 5
Transport can also be environmentally friendly if we reduce the use of car.
PROBLEM: COMMUTING. TRANSPORT.
Built-Form and Transport
ECOLOGY 5
Commuting (from home to work and back again) is the most harmful aspect for the environment in the city.
Built-Form and Transport
ECOLOGY 5
PROBLEM: COMMUTING. TRANSPORT.
On average, in Mexico City motorists spend one hour per day commuting (from home to work and back again)
Built-Form and Transport
ECOLOGY 5
Approachable cities don’t need the car. Just a 15-minute walk or a 15-minute drive with the bike can bring you to the other side of the city.
Embodiment and Sustenance
ECOLOGY 6
rating from 1 (less sustainable) to 9 (more sustainable)
PRODUCE YOUR OWN FOOD WITH YOUR NEIGHBOURS
Embodiment and Sustenance
ECOLOGY 6
Urban orchards are becoming more and more common for self-sufficient communities in cities.
It is a social space, for the coexistence and coworking of citizens.
LOCAL AND SEASONAL PRODUCTS CONSUMPTION
Embodiment and Sustenance
ECOLOGY 6
Not just more sustainable, but more economical as well, a fair consumption of food: local and respecting seasons. Spaces to grow fruits and vegetable close to our projects
PRODUCE YOUR OWN FOOD IN YOUR TERRACE
Embodiment and Sustenance
ECOLOGY 6
If we can grow fruits, spices and vegetables at home, we won’t need to go to the supermarket and buy food from other countries.
VAST AMOUNTS OF FOOD ARE WASTED IN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
Embodiment and Sustenance
ECOLOGY 6
Everyday we are throwing away a lot of food in countries like Spain or Hungary.
Emission and Waste
ECOLOGY 7
rating from 1 (less sustainable) to 9 (more sustainable)
Emission and Waste
ECOLOGY 7
LET’S USE RAIN WATER FOR OUR TOILETS AND FOR OUR PLANTS!
Water can be classified and reused before throwing it away.
MATERIALS AND THEIR CARBON EMISSIONS
Emission and Waste
ECOLOGY 7
Steel is recyclable, but it consumes a lot of energy to be produced.
Wood is perfect: recyclable, biodegradable, and it doesn’t need much energy for construction.
GREEN SPACES ARE NECESSARY TO BALANCE CARBON EMISSIONS
Emission and Waste
ECOLOGY 7
Greenhouses, parks, gardens, orchards, etc. complement the function of every project for their exterior spaces. More green, more oxigene.
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
Emission and Waste
ECOLOGY 7
If you don’t waste, later you won’t have to recycle.
SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
Emission and Waste
ECOLOGY 7
But just in case you waste, then have a good waste management.
WASTE -> WASIT NATURAL RESERVE
Emission and Waste
ECOLOGY 7
This area was a dump a few years ago.
Now this space is rehabilitated, as a natural reserve for birds of the region.
EXAMPLE FROM U.A.E.
WHAT CAN WE DO WITH SOLID WASTE? REUSE IT!
Emission and Waste
ECOLOGY 7
Building with garbage is the new trend in local communities of the United States.
WHAT CAN WE DO WITH SOLID WASTE? REUSE IT!
Emission and Waste
ECOLOGY 7
Trencadis: waste pieces of ceramics were used by Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí in many of his buildings in Barcelona
WHAT CAN WE DO WITH SOLID WASTE? REUSE IT!
Emission and Waste
ECOLOGY 7
Trencadis in Parc Güell (Barcelona)
ECOLOGY