We have all heard about solar energy as the alternate source of energy for a very long time. The first thing that comes to mind when talking of solar energy in building use is seeing solar panels mounted on roof tops of large buildings and even some residences. There is no thought of conserving energy, just an alternate source. But, today, we are going to talk of passive solar energy which takes advantage of the site, climate and materials to consider for solar energy to minimize energy use. There is no point in changing the source of our energy from electric or gas or oil to solar and being lavish in using the energy by giving no thought to the site, materials or other elements. It defeats the purpose of conserving energy and being green.

Energy.gov government website gives details on how to design a home with passive solar energy, complete with details on how and where to place the building, the direction in which you will get the most unobstructed solar heat, thus keeping your home or building comfortable all through the year and reducing heating and cooling costs to almost half the typical cost of cooling and heating.
Detailed instructions and information on passive solar energy can be obtained here

All of us have different tastes and preferences in styles, be it in construction, dressing or eating. Where the latter two and most of our other likes deal with things we experience first hand, construction preference is a lot more complex.
When we say we like a building, we usually mean the facade or the external beauty. It can go further when we love the interior too. But, are we really looking at the structure in depth before we say we like it? Do we see if the function is optimized fully before we comment? Very often, the answer is no
A great series on BBC by an architect questions the need for architects to go back and look at their building after the occupants start using it. They can then see what kind of problems exist, they can assess them and then try and improve them.Even the structures of some of the very famous architects have problems that have never been addressed.
The 2nd video talks about old and forgotten structures that are converted containers or makeshift structures that have eventually become permanent.
The  video is a six-part BBC documentary on architecture by Stewart Brand that actually turns current architectural practice on its head and can be watched here.

Wood is, by far one of the most sustainable building materials that has been used since the onset of building construction. Today, there are so many commercially made products which are ruining the environment and directly or indirectly, creating more problems than solutions for the inhabitants and surroundings.
Use of wood for building industry is also strongly supported by the US Forest Service.
The Forest Service would like to stress that to enhance the environment, life cycle analysis have to be promoted in building codes and standards. Read more here


When we talk of sustainable building project, what constitutes sustainability?
There are some fundamental thumb rules to sustainable building: siting and structural design, energy efficiency, material efficiency, indoor environmental quality; operations and maintenance; and waste reduction. Sustainable practices and technologies are constantly evolving and may differ from region to region and so it is difficult to standardise that.
 A great article in the Architectural Record on material efficiency and what the relevance of wood is to sustainable design in the context of environmental, social and economic factors. Read more here

The toughest thing for any parent to endure is seeing their child being ill. And if it is a prolonged illness with very long stays in the hospital, this can add excess stress over the already exhausted family. The drab walls, uncomfortable chairs and cold corridors provide little comfort to the sick child or their families. But a lot is changing now with many hospitals transforming their facilities to accommodate the needs of the families with more private rooms, comfortable sofa-beds and noise reduction  through a voluntary but very influential non profit organisation called Families Guidelines Institute that helps federal agencies regulate the design and construction of health care buildings. Read more here

In 2007, a National Green Schools Campaign was launched with LEED for Schools rating system. Out of this was established the USGBC's Center for Green Schools which has a Fellowship program wherein sustainability experts are sent to cash-strapped public school systems for three year terms. They conduct energy audits, create edible gardens, boost green initiatives and promote sustainability in the educational sector at all levels.

Boston school district is making large strides in becoming the leader in sustainability with the help of the above program. Many school districts around the country who are adopting this program are seeing vast savings in energy bills. Demand for green buildings are on the rise despite the slump in economy and the education-construction market coming to a standstill. An article in the Architectural Record talks on this in detail and can be read more here

I am always gravitating towards articles on the web about sustainable construction or products. Didn't think much about environmentally conscious demolition till this article in the Daily Mail about a huge skyscraper in Japan being taken down inch by inch from the inside, temporarily holding up the roof. This reduces the noise and dust considerably and they can work every day without the natural elements having an effect or disturbing the residents nearby. Due to frequent earthquakes and natural calamities Japan faces, the buildings have to be demolished every 30 or 40 years for more efficient structures. Read more here

Another article in the Daily Mail about eco-friendly structures is about a resort in beautiful Canada built by Farrow Partnership Architects. E'terra Samara's new resort with 12 tree houses in the Bruce Peninsula forest of Canada consists of one bedroom villas shaped as a samara seed suspended from tree trunk and not nailed onto the tree, complete with composting toilet and eco-friendly shower. They are strategically positioned so each has its own privacy while taking advantage of the site features and lighting and the shell of the structure is self cleaning and helps neutralize airborne pollutants and odour. Isn't that pretty amazing? Read more here

Glass Products
There is a constant innovation in glass design for the building industry. It's as if there is no limit to what glass can do! A few such products are featured in the March 2012 edition of the Architectural Record and can be read here