The clamor to safeguard the environment and adopt greener methods of living has prompted many of us to implement eco friendly ways of living in our daily life. These days the architects are also busy designing sustainable buildings, which harness the natural sources of energy including the sun and wind and are made using eco friendly materials. These sustainable buildings uses solar and wind energy to meet their energy needs. Here is a list of five most sustainable office buildings in the world:
1. Most sustainable building in North America
North Americaâs most sustainable building worth $37 million is opened by University of British Columbia. This building is dubbed a âliving laboratoryâ and it has been designed to regenerate the environment and help people move ahead with their research on sustainability challenges that the world is facing these days. Named the Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability (CIRS), this green building reduces the emissions of harmful greenhouse and uses renewable sources of energy to power itself and a nearby building.
This sustainable building uses rain to create drinking water and it treats wastewater as well. CIRS will develop as an international centre for research and action related to sustainability issues. The building will allow the researchers to study the interactions of the users with this green building to improve its performance and know more about the green building practices. Certified wood is used to build this four-storey structure, which is expected to LEED Platinum standards.
2. Trendsetter Desso in the most sustainable office building in the Netherlands
Bussumse Watertoren is the Netherlandsâs most sustainable office building, which uses ecological carpet supplied by renowned European carpet manufacturer Desso. This three-storey building covers an office space of 4400 sq meters. In 2011, this sustainable building was declared a structure which is a clear example for the commercial market. This CO2 neutral building has got 900 points out of 1000 points in an Environmental Building Index (MIG). Featuring geothermal heat storage, this building generates electricity using wind and solar energy. The roof of the building has solar panels and wind turbine. The interior of this building is luxurious but eco friendly. Around 2000 sq meters is covered by tiles supplied by Desso. These carpet tiles are eco friendly and recyclable.
3. TNT green office: most sustainable office in Europe
Designed by Paul de Ruiter for TNT Real Estate, this sustainable commercial building is located in Hoofddorp, Netherlands. It was completed in 2010 and has got GreenCalc + Label A certification besides the LEED Platinum Certification. Located in Green Business Park, this building is accessible by public transport. This building uses renewable sources of energy to generate electricity and it uses biofuels to generate heat. Paul has used different climate principles including heat, sunlight, water and wind to come up with this beautiful green structure. He has used sun screens for daylight control. This building is made using recyclable materials. Its interior is luxurious, offering fresh workplace. This CO2-neutral building features 100% sustainable energy and is highly energy efficient.
4. Worldâs largest solar-powered office building unveiled in China
In 2009, China unveiled the largest solar-powered office building in the world. The 75,000-square-meter office building is located in Dezhou, Shangdong Province in northwestern parts of China. Based on the sun dial structure, this sustainable building highlights the importance of using renewable energy as fossil fuelsâ replacement. Named the Sun and the Moon Altar micro-row building, this green structure has space for a hotel, exhibition centers, research and development facilities and large rooms for meeting and training purposes. The exterior of this building has got white color, symbolizing clean energy. Featuring a massive solar array, the building has been constructed using green ideas. Minimum steel has been used to build the exterior of this building, which hosted the 4th World Solar City Congress.
5. Sky move into Europeâs most sustainable office space
Sky Studios, regarded as the most sustainable office space in Europe, is designed by Arup Associates. This modern and innovative office space is located in West London. This eco friendly building uses renewable sources of energy to generate electricity. Featuring a wind turbine and cooling and heating power plant powered by bio-mass, this office space is well ventilated. The building is worth £233 million and it considerably reduces energy use and emissions of green house gases. Around 90 percent of the electricity used in this building is generated by the wind turbine.
