Everything we build, produce, or use has some kind of impact on our environment. Environmental impact of transportation and industry takes only 24% while buildings and homes take 76% and this number is growing.
That is why we have green or sustainable home design. We use it to reduce or completely eliminate the negative impact buildings have on the environment by making a good choice of a building site, reducing energy costs, using eco-friendly materials and building comfort not with latest technology, but focusing more on connection with nature and inner satisfaction.
Our environment has great impact on our current state of mind, whether that is at work or at home. It can be the cause of stress, anxiety, sadness, but also happiness and positivity, depending on how we decide to build it. It has been proven that the nature has positive impact on our bodies, psychically and physically, regardless of our age or culture.
Green Walls
At places where aesthetic stimulation is missing, green walls can provide it, and create a sort of privacy together with a sense of enclosure. In that way it limits the negative psychological effects property demarcation may cause. It also provides natural cooling process by creating turbulence to break the airflow, in order to slow and cool down the air. Reducing the air pollution and providing thermal insulation are other benefits, together with reduction of the power usage.
As it goes for public benefits mentioned above, it also goes for private ones. Green walls built on your house will save a lot of energy, keeping you warm during winters and cool during summer. All of this is possible because a layer of air is trapped within the plant mass, temperature is reduced via evapotranspiration and shading, and plants create a buffer against wind. Temperature, sun and other outdoor influences have a great impact on building’s lifetime. If we build a green wall we can prolong this lifetime. Noise reduction is another great benefit. It allows you to work or rest in peace and quiet.
The most important benefits are inner satisfaction and well-being. Buildings with more vegetation have greater positive health impact and studies have shown that being surrounded by nature, or just simply seeing pictures of it can lead to greater productivity and satisfaction.
Green Roofs
The concept of these is pretty similar to green walls, with some different benefits. Rooftops are usually neglected spaces, and filling them with vegetation is great way to promote environmentalism and make them useful.
Since people that live in buildings don’t have access to gardens and backyards of their own, green rooftop is something that can get them closer to it. Not only vegetables can be grown, but it can be great place for relaxation and setting your outdoor furniture in order to rest after hard-working day. You can enjoy the nature and even wildlife which will build itself overtime.
It does not only improve air quality and reduce noise, but also binds dust and toxic particles. Plants are great filters for dust, smog particles and many other harmful materials. Green roof also provides great rainwater management, reducing construction costs and drainage flow rates.
All of this, of course, depends on climate that surrounds you – the way you are going to construct it, which plants you are going to use, how you are going to maintain it. It can provide workspaces for locals, too, if it is a large green roof or wall, someplace public. After all, the most important thing is to create positive and healthier environment for everyone.