Sustainable Architecture in Montreal

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Introduction

The concept behind Sustainable architecture is to construct buildings that do not detriment the environment. Anyone considering a career in architecture will be involved in decisions that demand environmentally-conscious practices to sustain the eco-system. Montreal city is already a step ahead in implementing key steps towards Environmental Sustainability. Consumer patterns have changed; residents are aware of their obligations towards sustainable living. Architects and designers play a crucial role in achieving a sustainable environment. This article explores some of the key architecture concepts that will help transform Montreal, the use of green energy alternatives, the use of sustainable construction materials such as recycled materials or organic compounds, and practicing environmentally friendly methods of waste handling.

Body

The word design refers to the practices that architects and interior designers apply to make structures and innovative services. Sustainability, on the other hand, refers to the ability to continue. Therefore, sustainable architecture refers to the design of buildings that are sustainable or inform Sustainability (Keitsch, 2018). Sustainable design tends to minimize the environmental effects during the construction process, during the selection of construction materials, and during the lifecycle of the structure.

Design and Sustainability are intimately related. When people make design decisions, they think about solutions that will cater to generations to come. The environmental challenges that people face today arose from unthoughtful designs. If architects and designers came up with environment-friendly solutions back then, people could not be thinking about greenhouse emissions, pollution, natural disasters, water scarcity, contamination, and other issues. But people have learned, all and sundry are scared of what might happen in the future if the situation worsens. Montreal citizens have taken the initiative to go green and live a sustainable life. Hitherto, from a business view, locals, especially students, more likely to prefer to buy products with an established record of social obligation to minimizing environmental effects (Lines, 2020).

Architects and designers have a crucial role as Montreal strives to achieve sustainable living and zero waste (Scott, 2020). However, one major hindrance to sustainable development in the city is waste disposal. Any form of waste has a detrimental effect on the environment. Landfills can contaminate water, incinerators can pollute the air, and waste treatment plants can alter the ecology system. For Montreal to achieve its sustainable development agenda of zero waste, architects and designers need to appraise positive climate projects. The designer is obliged to avoid options that bring about eco-system damage, generate waste, or put pressure on natural resources. On the contrary, a good design promotes resource conservation, reuse, and proper waste disposal.

Good sustainable design focuses on energy efficiency, especially when using heating or cooling appliances. The design advocates for green energy alternatives like solar for hot water and recommends reusable construction materials. Big projects should incorporate solar energy or wind power, on-site power generation, rainwater collection, and on-site waste handling. For instance, nowadays, architects are using green roofs to filter and regulate water runoffs in case of storms. Proper site selection before construction is also important to achieve an environmentally sustainable design. A building might have a perfect interior design and outstanding energy efficiency but be located far from its users; this compels them to commute, leading to increased emissions and pollution (McLane, 2020).

A sustainable design covers the structure beyond its present use; hence, the building’s recycling and disposal aspects are part of Sustainability. As a result, designers prefer modular structures because it’s easier to assemble and dismantle them. Anything reusable from the building must be designed for easy extraction, and any other waste must be disposed of appropriately. Upgrading or retrofitting existing buildings is another principle of sustainable design. For instance, designers chose to upgrade the University building in Montreal with earthquake dampers to reduce seismic impacts rather than demolishing it (McLane, 2020).

Good designs promote sustainable living. Sustainable architects should promote healthy practices powered by green energy sources. In other words, architectural solutions should work without pollution. Montreal designers are taking advantage of technological advancements to design zero-emission structures with in-house power generation capabilities. An example is Montreal ZERO, an off-grid firm that designs houses with solar energy. Sustainable design also looks at in-house air quality, thermal conditions, illumination, and acoustics (McLane, 2020).

A sustainable interior requires designs that promote a healthy and catchy environment for users. Interior designers nowadays meet the aspects of aesthetics, practicality, and accessibility using eco-system friendly materials; they also achieve Sustainability by using renewable energy resources. The interior design looks at energy efficiency, water efficiency, reusable materials, and sustainable design guidelines. When done correctly, interior design can boost the real strength of sustainable art. For instance, room interiors have neutral colors to reflect light and increase comfort while saving on power.

Interior planners must consider the environmental effects of the materials they use. A good design strategy requires that every material brought into a building is biodegradable; it can be reused or recycled. In other words, Montreal designers should rely on natural materials that blend with the eco-system. Some paints and adhesives can be harmful to the environment. Selecting a carpeted floor over a wood floor or a tiled floor impacts energy usage depending on the insulation level that the options offer. For healthcare facilities, it is advisable to use materials that can provide preservative materials like cotton wall claddings, linoleum, and non-toxic adhesives (Demirbas, 2017).

The Center for Sustainable Development in Montreal is one inspiring example of sustainable design. The facility was built as an artifact of reference for students and designers who want to know more about sustainable architecture. It is a must-see masterpiece for those interested in sustainable architecture, and many consider it to be the greenest facility in North America. The facility offers free indoor tours to see features including and not limited to; a large wall that filters air naturally, recycled glass countertops, raised level heating, and geothermal cooling/heating systems. The facility also has artworks that are purely constructed from organic materials (Demirbas, 2017).

Conclusion

Montreal city is already a step ahead in implementing key steps towards environmental Sustainability. Consumer patterns have changed; residents are aware of their obligations towards sustainable living. Montreal designers have to maximize on the principles that make the environment sustainable and friendly. For energy efficiency, architects will use products that consume less power. For low environmental impact, they should use sustainable materials that are less toxic. The design should be emotionally durable to build a long-lasting relationship between natural resources and people. Architects also need to incorporate designs that use green energy, affect the environment minimally, and link users with natural resources. Sustainable interior designs can be integrated through; water conservation, energy conservation, and using non-toxic materials.

References

Demirbas, O. (2017). The Fundamentals of Interior Design. The Design Journal, 537-542.

Keitsch, M. (2018). Sustainable Architecture, Design, and Housing. Sustainable Development, 544-552.

Lines, M. (2020, Wednesday 5). Filling the Void. Retrieved from Maison: https://maisonneuve.org/article/2020/06/30/filling-void/

McLane, Y. (2020). Architectural Design Characteristics, Uses, and Perceptions of Community Spaces in Permanent Supportive Housing. Journal of Interior Design, 1.

Scott, M. (2020, January 8). Montreal’s Zero-Waste Plan is Attainable, Environmental Group Says. Retrieved from Montreal Gazette: https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/