A sustainable building, or green building is an outcome of a design which focuses on increasing the efficiency of resource use
This includes energy, water, and materials, while reducing the building impact on human health and the environment during the building's lifecycle. It is done through better siting, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal.
We take a practical approach to green design, by looking at the environmental fixes for the building which cover:
- Location
- Orientation
- Siting
- Configuration
- Maintenance
- Location and size of the glass
- Natural shading
- Natural heating
- Natural ventilation
- Landscape planting
We aim to provide an indoor environment that has the thermal comfort, but minimises your energy use. To achieve the build we want, we choose materials that minimise CO2 emissions, have energy saving properties and that reduce the impact on human health and the environment. We also look at the actual building management, transport, water efficiency and the ecology of the land.
ABELA Architects is a member of the New Zealand Green Building Council and is committed to developing green buildings. We are currently in the process of having our staff accredited to obtain green star ratings.