A relatively new but popular idea is the green building. Global warming is always a hot subject and I do not think everybody realizes that is not just how we live but where we live that can make a difference. The ideas within the ‘green building’ are things such as having huge windows so that the building is flushed with natural daylight. This will dramatically reduce the chances of people needing to use electricity to light the rooms. Another concept is the building being designed to re-use rainwater. Solar panels are also installed so that power from the sun is maximized. One of the most famous green buildings in the world is the Bank of America Tower in New York. We may not acknowledge it but the use of buildings everyday expels Co2 into the atmosphere and buildings pollute just the same as cars, appliances and other modes of transport. So why shouldn’t we think of alternative ways to live in our homes? If we could gradually build ‘greener’ homes we could make a massive impact on our carbon foot prints. What do we understand about building green buildings? Is it realistic to think we could build new green homes or is it too expensive? It has started happening already but only time will tell if it is a viable option for all of us.

Architecture has a new challenge, one I’m sure that has thrown up many questions but these are answers worth finding. One piece of architecture that is symbolic of how innovative architecture can be is the Residence Antilla in Mumbai. This is a building but it is also designed to be something of a carbon sink in the heart of Mumbai. It has been designed for a family to live in even though it will be seventy stories high. The idea is that it will be the tallest living wall in the world. The building will compromise of gardens in the sky – not all levels will be occupied. This really is a work of art and does bring together the idea of architecture being an art form and a means of providing shelter. [Read more...]