Green Architecture and Sustainability: A Visual Research Analysis

This essay focuses on the theme of green architecture and sustainability through a visual research analysis of 10 images. It highlights the importance of sustainability and the role of green architecture in resolving sustainability issues. The essay discusses the theory of green economics, the benefits of green architecture, and the ways in which it can help businesses become more environmentally responsible. The visual research analysis includes images that showcase the importance of sustainability, the negative effects of urbanization, and the benefits of green buildings. The essay concludes that green architecture is needed in modern times to combat sustainability issues and become more environmentally friendly.

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Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................1
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................12
References......................................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Environment is the most important part of our surrounding, which can be affected by the
various harmful activities which is done by humans which has resulted in massive degradation.
The natural environment is based on that world, where the all living and non- living things are
occurring naturally and live in perfect harmony with one another and this has been disrupted in a
major fashion due to modern urbanization which has made sustainability a major issue which
needs urgent addressing. In terms of sustainability they have to assure that resources are very
limited in the environment, so it should be used in effectively and efficiently, so that it can be
saved for the future generations as well (Chehri, and Mouftah,2019). The sustainability is having
an ability to support the continuous process to protect the environment. Therefore, it is important
for every individual person to save and protect our environment, because it plays a main role in a
healthy living and the existence of life on earth. The main theme which will be focused upon this
essay and will be the subject of visual research is green architecture which refers to the
philosophy and new branch of architecture which focuses on sustainability. I have chosen this
theme because I personally find modern architecture quite taxing towards the environment and
green buildings are very beneficial towards the environment in my opinion. The main component
of the visual research will revolve around the 10 pictures which relate to the theme of
sustainability and green architecture with the main aim of discovering the nature and reasons of
sustainability issues and the role of green architecture in resolving them.
MAIN BODY
Sustainability refers to the ability to develop and use resources of the natural environment
without depleting the natural resources for the future. It tries to avoid the reduction of natural
resources to maintain the ecological balance in order and it also supports the process of
consistently and use the resources in proper manner. Now many big companies and government
try to ensure and motivate themselves towards achieve the sustainable goals. Because it helps to
reduce the carbon footprints and preventing the natural resources (Hou, 2019). According to the
business point of view, an organisation needs to set the sustainability goals that helps to use the
resources in efficient manner such as zero-waste resources for the certain period of time. If the
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business adapts the sustainability model, then it can successfully maintain financial stability and
become more environmentally friendly in the long run.
In this essay a visual research has been conducted on the Green architecture which is
related to the sustainability and includes some question that has been asked in the context of
environmental safety and sustainability. Green architecture helps to reduce the pollution and
waste reduction measures and maintain the air quality by using the non- toxic and sustainable
materials. The major theory of sustainability is also known as the green economics. This green
economy helps to reduce the environmental risks and scarcities of resources that encourage to
develop the sustainability (Lu, and Li, 2021). Green economics wants to promote the healthier
sustainability development through the Green architecture theme, which support the high
environment concern. In this essay research will include some major questions which will be
answered through this research, such as “what are major issues business are facing in regards to
sustainability?”, “what are the ways in which environment is getting degraded?”, “what is green
architecture?”. The main hypothesis in the research essay will be based on is “Green
architecture can help businesses become more environmentally responsible and can help to
protect the nature surroundings which is beneficial for the environmental safety”.
According to Jackie Craven, the green architecture is an approach towards the building of
a healthy environment, as various effects such as waste, construction activities and emission of
harmful gases has laid down a large impact on the environment. The green architect or various
designer attempts are taken to promote the environment to safeguard the air, water and earth to
prevent the resources by making the environment healthy and green. The highest goal of green
Architecture is to stay fully sustainable. The green architecture must include the various
components such as, good ventilation system for efficient heating and cooling, Energy saving
appliances as well as the water saving plumbing fixtures which can reduce the wastage of
resources up to a great extent. The Green Architecture is a great approach towards the healthy
and sustainable environment which is the basic requirement of each and every individual as well
as the business organisations too.
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In this essay, the research which I investigate that green architecture helps the protect the
environment and develop the sustainability and collect the 10 images which is related to the
primary research and responses. Primary research is belonging to the methodology which is used
by the researchers to store or collect the data directly without using or depending on previous
year researches. It is based on the first hand collection of data which means that the researcher
conducts the research by their own means. The main research methodology used in this essay
will involve a visual element analysis comprising of 10 images which will be explained with
responses as part of a primary research (Tercan, and Dereli, 2020). The research will also be
supplemented by the use of auto-ethnographic method which involves the use of personal
reflection and opinion to complement the visual research being conducted on the 10 selected
images.
The first part of this research involves the theory of green economics which has been
displayed in the image presented above. The image shows the technologies which should be used
by firms and institutions around the globe to become more sustainable in the long run such as
solar panels and windmills along with smart and green construction. This image also shows the
importance of greenery which promotes the sustainable development and highlights the basic
concepts of green economics which prioritizes environmental protection and sustainability.
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The second image explains how companies can use the advanced technologies for using
the limited resources in proper manner. Both sustainability and relatability are beneficial for the
company to maintain the sustainability level of their business operations. The above image
highlights various icons which explain the ways in which they can become more sustainable such
as developing ways to recycle and focusing on using clean technologies which are both
important part of green economics.
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This image accurately portrays an important component of the visual research being
conducted by describing the devastating sustainability issues brought about by the rise of
urbanization (Saiyeda, 2020). By closely analysing the image and the difference in grass and
atmosphere in the two sides, one can understand that unstainable architecture and depletion of
natural resources are major sustainability issues which have brought about complicated problems
such as climate change. I also think this image helps understand the need for greener forms of
architecture as such large scale expansion projects harm natural resources in a major way if not
executed in a sustainable manner.
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The fourth image used in this research is tied to the topic of sustainability and makes an
important argument in the favour of pursuing greener means of architecture. It can be seen from
the image that urbanization together with crude forms of architecture have depleted natural
resources in a major way. I think that this constant cycle of urbanization and resultant
deforestation has to stop due to the amount of air pollution that can also be seen in the image
which is not sustainable at all and green architecture is a great way to make some progress in this
regard.
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The above image is one of the classical examples of a green building which is a major
part of the philosophy of green and sustainable architecture. Upon analysing the characteristics
of this image, one can see that the design and execution of such buildings is much more
sustainable than traditional forms of construction. By incorporating plants and greenery in the
structure if the building, the resultant carbon footprint and negative emissions can be countered
effectively and I personally find such designs to be more aesthetically appealing as well.
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The sixth image of this research describes the way in which smart and green buildings
can have a positive effect on their surroundings. By incorporating natural resources in the
process of construction itself, builders and architects can slowly solve the major problems of
sustainability.
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This image is also an important part of the visual research as it helps connect the theme
of green architecture to the interior design of the buildings which is also a major issue when it
comes to sustainability. Modern architects and space design have been working to make greener
compartments and living spaces which helps control emission levels which directly affects
sustainability.
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The eighth image shows that UK companies are adapting the green architecture
techniques to protect the environment, they plant the trees in their surrounding and create the
building standard that will verify thee net-zero carbon buildings in the UK. Because they know
the importance of environment, they image also shows that how green architecture attract the
new customers. Along with it support to boost the morale of the people and innovate the new
ideas. Green buildings are even being prioritized by the government which says a lot about their
viability.
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The ninth image describes the way in which green buildings and sustainable architecture
has progressed over the last few decades and now, many ambitious projects are coming up to
promote environmentally friendly practices (Sukarman, Suryani and Husnain, 2021). It can be
seen from this image that fully layering the building in grass and plants not only helps control
emissions but provides a unique and sophisticated aesthetic which I personally think is the future
of the industry as people will respond positively to sustainable change which looks cool and
trendy at the same time.
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This final image of the visual research analysis serves as a great reminder about the way
in which green architecture is far superior than traditional forms of building construction. This
image shows a great comparison between traditional building and one built with green
architecture philosophy and the latter is much more environmentally friendly, has a unique
aesthetic and will help the global sustainability issues to waiver in the long run through less
emissions which also proves the hypothesis chosen correct as well.
Conclusion
The above essay went into detail regarding the various sustainability issues that are being
faced by modern businesses along with the visual research conducted on 10 images which was
primary and auto-ethnographic in nature. The main aim of this essay was to highlight the way in
which green architecture can help promote sustainability and alleviate major problems related to
architecture, building construction and rampant urbanization which are major issues of global
sustainability. The research was successful in highlight the ways in which urbanization has
caused major sustainability issues such as damage to natural resources and successfully
established the chosen hypothesis correct as green architecture indeed helps combat these issues
by making buildings greener and more environmentally friendly. It was concluded from the
various parts of the visual research conducted in this essay that green architecture is indeed
needed in modern times as using plants and green measures in building and executing buildings
helps lessen burden on the environment and become more sustainable in the long run.
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References
Books and Journals
Chehri, A. and Mouftah, H.T., 2019. Autonomous vehicles in the sustainable cities, the
beginning of a green adventure. Sustainable Cities and Society, 51, p.101751.
Hou, D. ed., 2019. Sustainable remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater: materials,
processes, and assessment. Butterworth-Heinemann.
Lu, Q. and Li, C., 2021. Comprehensive utilization of Chinese medicine residues for industry
and environment protection: Turning waste into treasure. Journal of Cleaner
Production, 279, p.123856.
Saiyeda, A., 2020. Challenges and opportunities with green and sustainable computing in
healthcare. Green Automation for Sustainable Environment, pp.19-35.
Sukarman, S., Suryani, E. and Husnain, H., 2021. Land Suitability and Direction of Strategic
Agricultural Commodities in East Kalimantan to Support the Development of the New
Nation’s Capital of Republic of Indonesia. Jurnal Sumberdaya Lahan, 15(1), pp.1-12.
Tercan, E. and Dereli, M.A., 2020. Development of a land suitability model for citrus cultivation
using GIS and multi-criteria assessment techniques in Antalya province of
Turkey. Ecological Indicators, 117, p.106549.
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