The most stunning green buildings in the world
Introducing the most stunning green buildings in the world. But what is a “green building”? Which are its main features? Let’s find out.
Sustainability in the construction industry is becoming increasingly relevant worldwide, precisely because nowadays companies are more attentive to environmental issues. With global warming on the rise, it’s necessary that we reduce our impact on the environment.
But what is meant by sustainable building? Eco-sustainable buildings preserve the use of resources and materials, primarily energy, while ensuring a high standard of comfortable living.
The criteria for determining whether a building is sustainable are:
- energy and water use efficiency,
- the building materials used,
- the indoor air quality, and
- waste and toxins reduction in the occupied territory.
The aim is to protect the environment and reduce pollution caused by building consumption.
From China to Brazil, through the United States, Germany and Italy, we can see a revolution in architecture in various city offices, residential areas and cultural centers. These buildings symbolize an incredible change in design, structure and the application of the keyword of the century: sustainability.
Top 5 most beautiful sustainable buildings
Let’s take a look at 5 of the most sustainable buildings in the world, designed to reduce carbon emissions and promote the natural environment.
Built in 2009, the Marco Polo Tower has won special architectural awards such as the MIPIM Award for ‘Best Residential Project’. The tower has 17 floors, each of them turned several degrees from the axis, thus exposing all 58 apartments to breathtaking views of the harbor and the city.
This arts and science museum is an extraordinary example of sustainable architecture. Inside there are exhibitions that address important issues such as climate change, environmental degradation and social collapse.
Winner of the prestigious MIPIM award for ‘Best Innovative Green Building’ in 2018, the museum features moving solar panels designed to capture as much sunlight at all times of the day and a natural air conditioning system that uses the nearby bay to regulate the temperature.
Completed in 2015, this 128-story skyscraper – the world’s second-tallest – boasts 43 different sustainable technologies, including renewable energy sources, wind turbines that generate approximately 350,000 kWh of electricity annually, a large green space with landscaping that cools the building, and a spiralling parapet that collects rainwater to be used for the tower’s internal air conditioning system.
But the real peculiarity is its transparent double-skin façade that both filters natural light and acts as an insulator to save energy.
Vertical Forest is a wonderful residential complex consisting of two towers that brings a terraced forest in the heart of this Italian city.
Its 2,280 square meters of trees and shrubs that cover the buildings are intended to produce oxygen and reduce pollution, insulate the buildings to save energy and create a paradise for biodiversity.
A great example of modern green building, cutting-edge design and high energy efficiency, the Phipps Center for Sustainable Landscapes (CSL) is one of the greenest buildings in the world and the only one to meet all 6 of the highest green certifications.
Designed as a facility for education, research and administration at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, the CSL generates all its energy through wind turbines and solar panels and treats all storm and sanitary water captured on-site using filters such as sand and UV systems.
Its design blurs the boundary between built and natural environments; the sun, the earth and the wind are used to light, heat and cool the interior; the plants act as the first water filters and each floor offers breathtaking views of nature.
These green architectures are the symbols of urban regeneration driven, in all intents and purposes, at limiting land consumption to reduce the environmental impact.
Did you know that?
Sotefin fully embrace these sustainable choices by paying great attention to the choice of sustainable materials and converting old abandoned buildings into automated parking lots.
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