Minds On
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Carbon footprints
One way that people can help protect and care for the environment is by reducing our carbon footprint.
Press ‘What is a carbon footprint?’ to access a definition of carbon footprint.
Greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth’s atmosphere. This affects the overall temperature across the planet, altering weather systems and disrupting the habitats of plants and animals.
Carbon footprint is a term for the total amount of greenhouse gases produced by a person or group of people. A carbon footprint can be calculated for governments, businesses, and individuals.
Explore the following TVOk News video to learn more about reducing carbon footprints.
- How are people around the world reducing their carbon footprint?
- What are some of the ways that we can use architecture to reduce our carbon footprint?
Record your responses using a method of your choice. If possible, share your thoughts with a partner.
Architecture
Architecture is the art of designing and building structures for a specific purpose. A person who designs architecture is called an architect.
Action
Get ready, get set…
Sustainable architecture
Architects are building design artists. They are responsible for determining what a building or space requires to be functional and safe. They develop their own unique style of architecture and work together with their clients to create a structure.
Architects are becoming more interested in how to create designs that decrease the carbon footprints of buildings. This is called sustainable architecture.
Explore the following carousel of sustainable architecture from around the world.
Suzlon One Earth (Pune, India), designed by Christopher Benninger. This corporate campus was made with recycled and nontoxic materials, and all the electricity it uses is generated by wind turbines and solar panels.
ACROS Fukuoka Prefectural International Hall (Fukuoka, Japan), designed by Emilio Ambasz and Associates. This government office has 15 garden terraces that conserve electricity by insulating the building and provide a habitat for birds and insects.
Torre Reforma (Mexico City, Mexico), designed by LBR&A Architectos. This office building has controls that automatically open windows to let cool air in and take warm air out, which conserves the energy used by electric-powered ventilation systems.
PARKROYAL Collection Pickering (Singapore), designed by WOHA. This hotel has waterfalls, crevasses, and gullies that collect rainwater for balcony gardens that naturally cool the building by providing shade from the sun.
Sustainable materials
Sustainable architecture involves building with renewable and recycled materials.
Explore the following carousel of sustainable materials.
Bamboo is a sustainable material because it grows very fast and releases 35% more oxygen than trees.
Hemp is a sustainable material because it needs very little water to grow and produces more pulp than trees.
Cork is a sustainable material because it can be harvested from tree bark without having to cut down trees.
Sustainable systems
Sustainable architecture involves designing heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical systems that use less energy and water.
Explore the following carousel of sustainable systems.
Solar panels are a sustainable electrical system because they convert sunlight into useable electricity.
Using greywater is a sustainable plumbing system because it collects water from sinks, showers, baths, and washing machines to reuse in toilets.
Windcatchers are a sustainable ventilation system because they use the pressure of blowing wind to cool buildings.
Green spaces
Sustainable architecture involves incorporating green spaces with growing plant life.
Explore the following carousel of green spaces.
Vertical gardens are green spaces that use the sides of buildings to grow plant life.
Green roofs are green spaces that use the top of buildings to grow plant life.
- What parts of sustainable architecture do you find interesting? Why?
- What questions do you have about sustainable architecture?
Record your answers using a method of your choice. If possible, share your thoughts with a partner.
Go!
Examining sustainable architecture
One trend in sustainable architecture is the design of tiny homes that are generally no larger than 400 square feet.
Press the following tabs to access examples of ways that tiny homes can be designed sustainably.
Royal Pioneer is a tiny home that has a compact interior. This means that it is designed to use any available space as efficiently as possible.
Royal Pioneer, designed and built by the company Handcrafted Movement
Unyoked Cabin is a tiny home that uses solar panels to generate electricity. This means that it does not need to be connected to a power grid, which is also called off-grid.
Unyoked Cabin, designed and built by the company Fresh Prince
Koto X Abodu is a tiny home that is constructed in a warehouse then transported by truck to its final destination. This means that it is made off-site before being moved, which is also called prefabricated.
Koto X Abodu, designed by the company Koto and built by the company Abodu
- How might designing compact interiors make a home more sustainable?
- How might being off-grid make a home more sustainable?
- How might being prefabricated make a home more sustainable?
Record your answers using a method of your choice. If possible, share your ideas with a partner.
Press ‘Answers’ to access possible answers.
- Compact interiors might make a home more sustainable by using less space and natural resources.
- Being off-grid might make a home more sustainable by using energy that isn’t generated by fossil fuels.
- Being prefabricated might make a home more sustainable by using only the materials required for construction without any waste.
Brainstorm
Planning sustainable designs
When architects plan a sustainable design, they consider:
- the environment where it will be built
- the materials that will be used
- the heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical systems that will be used
- the exterior (or outside) design of the building
- the interior (or inside) design of the building
Imagine that you are an architect that is planning a sustainable building design.
Complete the Sustainable Building Design Plan Brainstorming Web activity in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.
Press the Activity button to access the Sustainable Building Design Plan Brainstorming Web.
Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)If possible, share your thoughts with a partner.
Consolidation
Putting it all together
You are now going to create a sustainable building design. You can draw the interior and/or the exterior of the building.
When you try to create your sustainable building design, remember to give yourself time to practice. Artists practice techniques again and again to build their skills. You can do it, too!
Materials Needed
Materials you might need
Possible materials you might need for this learning activity:
- drawing tools (like a pen, marker, or pencil)
- paper
- ruler
Student Success
Exploring digital creation options
When you are considering digital creation options, explore the variety of digital applications available!
Safety
Before you begin, consider these safety precautions:
Creating sustainable designs
Creation options
Explore the following carousel of the three possible methods that you can use to create your sustainable building design.
Option 1: Description — Record a detailed description of a sustainable building design using a method of your choice.
Option 2: Materials — Create a sustainable building design using the following materials: drawing tools, paper, and a ruler.
Option 3: Digital — Create a sustainable building design using a digital application of your choice.
Steps
Choose one of the previous options, then press the following tabs to access the steps for creating your sustainable building design.
Consider the location of your building and how it will be affected by the climate.
For example, if the building is in a northern climate like Canada, you will need to account for snow on the roof and storage for winter clothing. A flat roof can sometimes be a problem in northern climates because of how heavy the snow can get. However, if your house is in a warm climate, a flat roof can double as a patio or outdoor living space.
Consider the materials you want to use and the systems you want to include in your building.
Create a representation of the front side of your building and label the sustainable materials and systems that you include.
Pause and Reflect
Time to reflect
When you are finished creating your sustainable building design, reflect on the following questions:
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Which environment is your design made for? Why?
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Which sustainable materials did you include? Why?
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Which sustainable systems did you include? Why?
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Was there a style of sustainable architecture that inspired you? If so, what do you like about that style?
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How do you feel about your sustainable building design?
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What would you like to continue to practice?
Record your answers using a method of your choice.
Portfolio
Track your progress
If you have an art portfolio, put your sustainable building design in there so that you can track your progress over time.
Share your artwork or description with a partner, if possible.
Reflection
As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel...
Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.