What is Green Architecture and Why is it Growing?

The world is not on track to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. As governments on a global and national scale grapple with what policies to implement, green architecture has become one way individual organizations can lessen their carbon footprint. Emphasizing energy efficiency, reduced carbon emissions, and responsible water management, green architecture aims to minimize the negative environmental impact of construction and promote sustainable design processes.

As the urgency around climate change is increasing, so is the adoption of green architecture. This increase is primarily being driven by new environmental regulations, more data on cost-savings, evolving market demands, and significant advancements in design technology. Innovative software is playing a critical role in supporting sustainable architectural practices, bridging the gap between “green” buildings and their surrounding landscapes.

Aside from the Paris Climate Agreements, increasing regulations and certifications such as LEED, BREEAM, Phius, and WELL are pushing green design to the forefront of the industry. These frameworks give practitioners critical guidelines to effectively integrate sustainability into their building designs, from material selection to energy efficiency.

Additionally, government incentives, such as tax credits, grants, and subsidies, make green architecture more appealing to developers. These financial benefits help offset the initial costs of sustainable building, encouraging further adoption of green design practices in both public and private sectors.

Green architecture is often viewed as a long-term investment. While initial costs may be higher, sustainable buildings save money over time through reduced energy use, lower maintenance costs, and increased durability. According to the U.S. Green Building Council,

This shift in perception has made green architecture more accessible to clients seeking both financial and environmental benefits.

Practitioners, builders, and organizations alike are prioritizing sustainable buildings for their long-term benefits: energy savings, lower operational costs, and increased property value. Daniel Newman, a Forbes contributor, pointedly states, “When the market is saturated with products, the companies that choose to make a difference will stand out for their stakeholders”.

Green buildings also enhance occupant health through improved air quality, natural lighting, and the use of non-toxic materials, driving further interest. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory reports:

As market demand for sustainability grows, firms must decide whether to develop in-house sustainability expertise or rely on external consultants. Larger firms often integrate sustainability into their core services, while smaller firms may partner with external experts to meet regulatory and client demands for green design.

Technology is transforming the way architects design sustainable buildings. Advanced software tools allow architects to more effectively integrate energy performance, material selection, and carbon impact analysis into the design process, allowing them to make more informed decisions. For example, in Vectorworks, users get access to full-lifecycle carbon assessments with a built-in embodied carbon calculator and the Energos toolset for calculating operational carbon. These tools help provide quick carbon footprint estimates and assessments.

One technology in particular is playing a critical role in the rise and growth of green architecture: Building Information Modeling (BIM). By offering tools with features that assess building performance, resource optimization, and overall ecological footprint, BIM software allows architects to integrate sustainability into every phase of the design process, from the earliest stages of development to project completion. It excels at streamlining green architecture workflows by relying on data, code compliance, and coordination between various disciplines.

BIM software also enables data-driven decision making that can be used both internally and externally. Having the right data helps architects design with both environmental and financial efficiency in mind, and it makes it easier to offer sustainability services.

Energy modeling is a critical component of sustainable green architecture, and advanced design tools make it easier than ever to simulate a building’s performance before construction begins. Architects can significantly reduce a building’s long-term environmental impact by optimizing energy performance during the design phase.

Energy Modeling in the Early Design Phase

BIM platforms enable architects to calculate both embodied and operational carbon, ensuring that every aspect of a building’s life cycle is considered. This data-driven approach allows for decision-making that reduces a project’s carbon footprint from construction to operation, even through demolition.

Achieving certifications can be a complex process, but advanced design software simplifies it with built-in assessment tools. These features allow architects to automate much of the certification process, helping ensure that projects meet the required standards with less effort.

For more information on BIM Software, check out our list of BIM Frequently Asked Questions.

As environmental regulations become stricter, client demand for sustainability rises, and technology improves, we’re witnessing the rise of green architecture in-real time. This marks a significant shift in how buildings are designed and constructed. Those who’ve avoided using modern design tools in the past are quickly being left behind. The best solution for future-proofing your design processes is investing in a comprehensive 3D modeling software like Vectorworks. With Vectorworks, you’ll get everything you need to easily incorporate sustainability into all your projects. 

Ready to see Vectorworks in action? Request your free trial of the software today.

Featured image courtesy of Studio Upwall.