With the advent of technology, the world is becoming more and more ecofriendly, or at least trying to become. The advancements in green energy technology is bringing us more fuel efficient cars and engines that runs on alternative fuels which produces zero or almost no pollution.
So there are no reasons for the architectural marvels we created to become less environment friendly than anything else. After all, architecture is a technology and one of the best things practiced by human that incorporates arts and science in an fantastically compatible manner. Letâs take a look at the 7 most ecofriendly buildings in USA.
1. Armstrong world industries corporate headquarters
Armstrong world industries have their corporate headquarters in Pennsylvania that earned the LEED platinum rating by its sheer brilliance. More than 75% of the energy consumed by the building is generated by wind turbines which produce no carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere and that translates to no pollution. A specially manufactured rainwater management system controls the excess water to nearby wetlands.
2. Heifer international headquarters
In Little Rock, Arkansas, headquarters of Heifer International is a major architectural marvel and designed to be one of the greenest buildings in USA. The way architects and engineers turned rather unusable earth, rubble, and metal scraps into a magnificent example of modern buildings is simply amazing. Heavily reduced energy usage throughout the building is exemplary and does not hamper the productivity of the workers inside.
3. Helios house gas station
So you thought all the gas stations in the world looked alike? Then think again, the Helios House Gas Station in Los Angles will definitely make you think again. This particular gas station can certainly win an award for being the coolest gas station one has ever seen in this planet. An engineering marvel made of scrap metals, steel and recycled glass, the building also has built-in facilities for rainwater harvesting. With fantastic looks and amazing energy saving features, Helios House Gas Station is just a piece from Utopian future, delivered in present.
4. The Terry Thomas
Who said office spaces are boring and made in the same way all over the world? The Terry Thomas building in Seattle certainly cannot agree with that. The 40500 square feet of thriving office space is built for enhancing productivity and boosting the morals of workers inside, and boy, none of the office goers have complained against it yet. The reduced energy usage is also one of the prime goals of this building and they are reaching new levels of energy savings each and every year.
5. Living Homes Z6 House
When a living house is named Z6, there must be something high tech going on and that is absolutely correct. The Living House Z6 is one of a kind home which is first ever to get a coveted LEED platinum rating. The design of this house is not just only stunning but features a roof garden, solar heating system for warming waters and roof tiles made of photoelectric cells for generating solar power. Overload of green technology and we do not complain.
6. The Genzyme Center, Massachusetts
A dream for every architect, the Genzyme Center in Massachusetts stands with a gigantic central atrium extending to the full heights of the building. Powered by steams from a local power plant, the building also features photoelectric cell arrays on the roof which compensates a lot of the daily energy quota for the building, effectively cutting the total energy costs and making it minimum. Inside the building, an innovative daylight controlling system is installed that takes care of electric lights inside on daytime. Automatic dimming helps the workers inside the office to concentrate their work without thinking about the energy usage and wastage while the machines look after it. Genzyme Center has effectively cut its energy consumption by one half just within a few months after opening using alternative sources of energies.
7. USGBC Headquarters
What do you expect from the leaders in green buildings? To make their own building a glowing beacon of environment friendly design that can be used by others to achieve the similar goals. US Green Building Council or USGBC Headquarters are not an exception. 500 year old salvages timbers were used to make wood paneled walls, coupled with very energy efficient lightings that cuts down the power usage by a considerable margin, make the building a really effective example of energy savings. The prime and futuristic design of the building also proves that energy saving buildings need not to be boring but praiseworthy in design.
