Sustainability means meeting our own needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In addition to natural resources, we also need social and economic resources. Sustainability is not just environmentalism. Embedded in most definitions of sustainability we also find concerns for social equity and economic development.While the concept of sustainability is a relatively new idea, the movement as a whole has roots in social justice, conservationism, internationalism and other past movements with rich histories. By the end of the twentieth centuries, many of these ideas had come together in the call for ‘sustainable development.’ The Bruntdland Commission In 1983, the United Nations tapped former Norwegian prime minister Gro Harlem Brundtland to run the new World Commission on Environment and Development1 . After decades of effort to raise living standards through industrialization, many countries were still dealing with extreme poverty. It seemed that economic development at the cost of ecological health and social equity did not lead to long-lasting prosperity. It was clear that the world needed to find a way to harmonize ecology with prosperity. After four years, the “Brundtland Commission” released its final report, Our Common Future. It famously defines sustainable development as: development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.1 The Commission successfully unified environmentalism with social and economic concerns on the world’s development agenda. Sustainability is a holistic approach that considers ecological, social and economic dimensions, recognizing that all must be considered together to find lasting prosperity.Ecological integrity is maintained, all of earth’s environmental systems are kept in balance while natural resources within them are consumed by humans at a rate where they are able to replenish themselves. Economic Sustainability Human communities across the globe are able to maintain their independence and have access to the resources that they require, financial and other, to meet their needs. Economic systems are intact and activities are available to everyone, such as secure sources of livelihood. Social Sustainability Universal human rights and basic necessities are attainable by all people, who have access to enough resources in order to keep their families and communities healthy and secure. Healthy communities have just leaders who ensure personal, labour and cultural rights are respected and all people are protected from discrimination. –3– In 2012, the university crossed a major milestone by approving its first Sustainability Plan. It collates the many strategic goals, initiatives and practices that will guide the university toward sustainability leadership. A variety of different processes plans and people contributed to the development of the Sustainability Plan, including student, staff and faculty en

1. Architectural
Technology
aspects in
“Green Buildings”
Imaduwa Priyadarshana

2. Air Composition in our atmosphere
• How long can we survive
without the basics?
• Every person and situation
is different, though the
“Rule of THREES" gets at
the desperate nature of
what our bodies need: three
minutes without
oxygen, three days without
water, three weeks without
food.
• What are the basics for life?
• Oxygen in the air to breath
Clean Water to drink
Edible food to eat

3. What is “carbon foot print”?

4. Why these gases called “greenhouse” gases?

5. Why these gases called “greenhouse” gases?

6. What and who responsible for “greenhouse gas”
emissions?

7. What is “SUSTAINABILITY”
Sustainability focuses on
meeting the needs of the
present without
compromising the ability of
future generations to meet
their needs. The concept
of sustainability is
composed of three pillars:
economic, environmental,
and social—also known
informally as profits, planet,
and people.

8. What is “SUSTAINABILITY”
sustainability can be defined as the processes
and actions through which humankind avoids the
depletion of natural resources (which is
influenced by the way societies are organized) to
keep an ecological balance so that society’s
quality of life doesn’t decrease.
In this way, we can say that resources
exploitation, manufacturing operations, the
direction of investments, technological
developments, wealth distribution, institutional
changes, among others, are being sustainable if
they don’t hurt the ecosystem services and if they
allow for society’s quality of life not to decrease.

9. What is “CIRCULAR ECONOMY”
In the linear economy, raw natural resources
are taken, transformed into products and get
disposed of. On the opposite, a circular
economy model aims to close the gap
between the production and the natural
ecosystems’ cycles – on which humans
ultimately depend upon.
This means, on one hand, eliminating waste
– composting biodegradable waste or, if it’s a
transformed and non-biodegradable waste,
reusing, remanufacturing and finally
recycling it. On the other hand, it also means
cutting off the use of chemical substances (a
way to help regenerate natural systems) and
betting on renewable energy.

10. Resource – Energy – Waste cycle
• Resources for energy
• Solar
• Hydrogen
• Atomic
• Energy needed for
• Food for occupants
• Electricity for machinery & equipment
• Heat for house hold
• Bio fuel machinery & equipment
• Waste
• Bio mass waste
• Water waste
• Heat waste
• Non bio-degradable waste
Building &
its
occupants
Resource
Energy
Waste

12. Causes due to urbanisation
• Over buildup of mega scale cities with concrete structures
acting as heat islands
• Dependence on nonrenewable energy for cooking, heating,
transportation, lighting, construction, etc.
• Nonexistence of waste management and piling up of all sorts
of waste in the environment
• Harmful chemical usage in agro, industrial as well as domestic
equipment such as CFC, arsenic etc.
• Clearance of natural vegetation for buildings in large scale
• Large usage of soft wood timber in construction industry that
prompts the clearance of old growth forest in a massive scale

13. Incorporation of available solutions to climate change via
urban planning Initiatives
• Better planned
cities that rises
vertically, leaving
land for natural
environment and
its flora and
fauna

14. Incorporation of available solutions to climate change via
urban planning Initiatives
• Well planned housing that
uses less energy for light and
ventilation as well as heating
• Less dependency in fossil
fuel for urban usage and
move towards renewable
energy
• Well planned and scheduled
food production
methodologies that would
use less land, less water but
give a better yield, such as
hydroponics and vertical
gardening

15. Incorporation of available
solutions to climate change
via urban planning
Initiatives

16. Incorporation of available solutions to climate change via
urban planning Initiatives

17. • Usage of spaces in
high rise mega
structures such as
roof tops to be
converted into green
habitable spaces
• Incorporation of solar
energy generating
panels on to roof
structures

19. • Implementation of 3Rs
(Reduce, Reuse and
Recycle) of waste in
urbanized environments
• Re use and recycling of
water resources through
better design and technical
know how
• Planning and
implementation of better
public transportation
systems such as Maglev or
electric trains, mono rail
trains.

20. Architectural designs
Definitions
• Concept that focuses on the components or elements of
a structure or system and unifies them into a coherent
and functional whole, according to a particular approach in
achieving the objective(s) under the given constraints or
limitations.
• Architectural Design focuses on a broad range of perspectives
linking several common concerns: site and context, use and
form, building methods and materials, and the role of the
architect. Context is considered in terms of preexisting natural
and constructed forms and sociological patterns of use. The
architect is seen less as the sole creator of a completed
building than as a collaborator in shaping the physical
environment.

21. • Technologically advance Modern or traditional
vernacular structures
• Low, Medium, High or Mega density structures
• Residential, Commercial, Entertainment, Transport,
Schools and Hospitals or structures aimed at social or
religious gatherings
Different types of habitable structural categories

22. Green Architecture
Definitions
• Green architecture, or green design, is an approach to building
that minimizes harmful effects on human health and the
environment. The "green" architect or designer attempts to
safeguard air, water, and earth by choosing eco-
friendly building materials and construction practices.
• Building and structure design philosophy that aims at minimal
use of non-renewable and/or
polluting materials and resources in construction and use of
a facility.
Green architecture uses natural and reclaimed building
materials, optimizes natural light, and integrates structures
with the insulating earth.

23. Different Aspects of Green Architecture
• sustainable development
• eco-design
• eco-friendly architecture
• earth-friendly architecture
• environmental architecture
• natural architecture

24. Sustainable design principles
• Optimize the use of the sun
• Improve indoor air quality
• Responsible land usage
• Creation of high-performance and
moisture-resistant houses
• Wise and innovative usage of the
Earth’s natural resources

25. Aspects of a passive bioclimatic building design

26. Conceptual drawing of a Green Building

27. Major components of a Green Building

28. Features of Green Architecture
Selection of the optimal location on the land, maximizing
sunlight, winds, and natural sheltering
• Orientation of the building to maximize natural thermal
comforts via proper influx or shading of the sunrays

29. • Allow for the maximum possible air movement throughout
the structure
• Protect interior from the rains and moisture
• Maximize the views where necessary

30. Ventilation systems designed for efficient heating and cooling
• Use of louvered windows and doors that allows natural
ventilation
• Allow for a central chimney where rising columns of hot air
could escape

31. Energy-efficient lighting and appliances
• Use of LED or CFL light bulbs and energy saving fixtures where
necessary
• Purchase of appliance with a better rating system for energy
• Ergonomically designed interiors and furniture that increase
efficiency and effectiveness
Water-saving initiatives
• Re use of sewer water as fertilizer in gardening
• Re use of grey water for gardening or vehicle washing purposes
• Install specific water saving plumbing and toilet fixtures such as
better manufactured tap and faucet settings, cistern with dual flush
systems, smart sensor where water activated through movement of
the user

32. Landscapes planned to maximum use of passive solar energy
and a buffer for excessive light penetration in
• Roof top gardens where the slab gets shaded from the harsh
sun and could generate more food items
• Wall gardens and hanging gardens
• Ground cover with shade planting and wind screening

33. Minimal harm to the natural habitat
• Less cut and fill of sloping sites and use existing natural features
as part of the structure, wherever it’s possible
• Use of absolute minimum building foot print
• Re grow the possible vegetation where locally be found
• Provide and facilitate the cohabitation of useful insects and wild
life

34. • Use of sewer and bio waste in generating bio gas

35. Different Energy Sources Available
• Solar energy converted into electricity or heat
• Wind energy
• Hydro energy
• Wave energy
• Tidal energy

36. Different Energy Sources Available
• By burning fossilized remains of organisms such as
fossil fuel
• Geo thermal energy
• Bio mass energy
• Hydrogen energy
• Nuclear energy

37. Use of alternate power sources
• Use of solar panels on roof structures

38. Installation of small scale wind turbine power
generators where sufficient wind power exists such as
high elevations or coastal areas

39. Wave or tidal energy

40. Small scale whirlpool generators

41. Non-synthetic, non-toxic materials
• Organic herbicides and pesticides such as Marigold, Garlic,
Neem (Kohomba) concoctions to spray
• Use of Ingini seed, natural charcoal, sand for water
purification
• Mud and cow dung mixture as a floor and oven top finish
• Various tree sap as adhesives and tree sap as colour, various
soils as colour or textures

42. Locally-obtained building material such as woods and stone,
eliminating long-haul transportation
• Use of locally harvested timber, various stones of granite as
finishes
• Mud & clay from the site as a building material
• Locally harvested reed or bamboo roofing material

43. Responsibly-harvested woods
• Timber from timber plantations
Efficient use of space
• Sticking to the standards and safety guide lines
• Design using ergonomic fundamentals

44. • Identify and use of underutilised areas such as under the
stairways, Over the cupboards, roof attic spaces for various
uses such as storage or even as studio spaces, pantry
spaces.

45. Adaptive reuse of older buildings
• Older houses convert into accommodation or office
buildings
• Older barns, ware houses convert into service industry
business or house holds

46. Use of recycled architectural salvage
• Salvaged Building materials such bricks, stones, timber and
roof tiles could be reused
• Use of salvaged Door and windows with frames as well as
timber posts

47. Use of traditional construction know how & methodologies
• Timber joinery knowledge in both the supporting and roof
structures and home furniture
• Traditional organic methodologies in timber preservation
• Traditional knowledge and methodologies such as wattle
and daub construction

49. Some of our local GREEN buildings
“Community library and social recuperation in Ambepussa, Sri Lanka”. Made from rammed-
earth walls and recycled materials, the building was constructed with the support of the army,
teaching young soldiers building techniques and skills through its construction process.

50. Some of our local GREEN buildings
HNB Bank - Nittambuwa
First Bank In Sri Lanka To Obtain LEED certification From USGBC. LEED GOLD certified in 2011.
Project Highlights:
33% reduction in energy use.
70% reduction in water consumption.
Reuse of treated waste water.
Use of FSC certified wood and local material.

51. Some of our local GREEN buildings
MAS Intimates Thurulie, the eco-manufacturing facility of MAS Holdings was feted with the coveted
Globe Award for Sustainability Innovation for 2010.
Thurulie was awarded the LEED Platinum Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, making
it the World’s first LEED Platinum new built factory.

52. What more can we do…???
A bird’s eye view of the Colombo CBD area

53. Barriers to Green initiatives
• Lack of political as well as economic will
• Lack of funds
• Lack of infrastructure
• Lack of knowledgeable personals
• Geographical features and climatic conditions
• Inhabitants either not being informed properly
or not being able to understand

54. Green design tools
• LEEDs guide lines and standards
• Local government standards
• Various publications and websites that promotes green
architecture as well as ecologically responsible building
materials
• Various energy consumption and waste generation evaluation
tools
• Product broachers

55. Benefits of Green Architecture
• Reduced building costs
• Reduced living costs
• Sustainable living standards
• Improved health benefits and reduced health related
expenses
• Less waste and least or no environmental pollution through
excessive waste buildups
• Protection of traditional knowledge and culture
• Reduced environmental damage
• Reduction in carbon footprint

56. THANK YOU