Green Building: Active and Passive Features
Your first step in any green building design and sustainable architecture is having a comfortable living space, using energy intensive materials, and overall reduction in energy usage and carbon footprint. After that initial design phase, there are green building techniques that use both active and passive features. Active features are those that will actively tap into certain energy sources. Most people are aware of photovoltaic panels, wind generators, wave energy, wood and pellet stoves, and even methane gas as energy sources.
The passive features are those that maximize energy efficiency simply by the actual design of the construction project itself, whether residential or commercial buildings. Some examples of passive green design features are thick walls, skylights, high ceilings, ventilators and positioning of windows (including double, or even triple, pane thickness for very cold climates). Landscape features can passively utilize energy sources. Shrubs and bushes, tall trees, berms, all help conserve energy. For larger properties, a pond or rain water collection cistern may be feasible. Other additions could include trellises, pergolas, balconies, and verandas, especially beneficial in very hot climates. Recycling grey wastewater, use of local and recycled materials, all contribute to the revolution in green, sustainable architecture design. Go green!
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