Week 2 : Interconnection between greenery and high rise

Green building is the practice of increasing the efficiency of energy used, water, and materials. It can reduce the impacts on human health and the environment for the entire life cycle of a building. National Library in Singapore redefined green architecture of the current society, it integrated the interconnection between architecture, sustainability and society seamlessly. In May 2005, the National Library Building was awarded the Green Mark Platinum award by the Building & Construction Authority. It creates an environment friendly building which has demonstrated a balanced integration of passive and active approach. Garden terraces able to reduce air pollution and green house gas emissions by lowering the air conditioning demand. Most of the spaces are naturally ventilated or cooled by the 14 garden terraces, equals to nearly 70,000 square feet of planted areas.

National Library, Singapore

Image Source : https://www.bca.gov.sg/Awards/BestBuildableDesign/bda0612.html

The National Library building was designed as an innovation architecture, which incorporated bio climatic design techniques, advanced mechanical and electrical engineering. National Library building is operating in an energy efficient way by having several innovative green features. Thus, it is more sustainable environment compare to other non-green feature building. The building uses the bio climatic vegetation and landscaping to enhance the interior thermal environment. 

Ventilation from the vegetation is one of the most fundamental components in the building. They provide a climatic relationship between the exterior and interior in the form of sun shading and provide a nice view of the exterior. 

The vegetation act as a sun shading to the building.

In addition, when there is sufficient natural light to illuminate the interior spaces, a lighting control system which detected by the light sensors will turn off the lighting. Singapore is a tropical climate country which is hot and humid throughout the years. Therefore, the architect of the National Library building, Ken Yeang, was trying to lower the local ambient temperature by utilizing the extensive landscaping, sky terraces and roof gardens. There are 14 landscaped gardens in the building and it contained 120 species of tropical plants. As a result, these green spaces help to increase the energy efficiency and it created more comfortable and cooling environment to the users.

Louvre sky court reduced direct sunlight into the building.

In conclusion, I think architects should virtually conceive the idea of green from inception to conception, while developers can take the opportunity to promote green building and marketing purposes. The intentions between the architects and developers must be clear in order to contribute to wider urbanity as well as the environment. The passive design features and materials used from construction to complete are important to improve the ecological balance between built and natural environment. 

References:

http://www.architectureweek.com/2011/1026/environment_2-2.html

http://www.archute.com/2016/01/02/national-library-in-singapore-by-ken-yeang-an-effort-towards-sustainability-in-the-tropics/