INCORPORATING TREES
As time progressed, green architecture became a way to save the world, as opposed to just a way to tackle enemies. Awareness to climate change began in 1837 with Louis Agassiz and his theory on continental glaciation. In the 1960s, American youths then began to rebel against unrestricted urban growth and congestion rise, so architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright promoted green architectural ideas. Architects who designed and implemented the greenest methods were certified by the U.S. Green Building Council Builders (USGBC) under their green building rating system Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED). Although LEED was formed in 1994, it’s still in place today and ensures independent verification of environmentally friendly buildings. So, what does green architecture look like now? These days, green methods are becoming popular, for example: solar panels, roof gardens, moss walls and rain gardens. The Chêne Chapelle of AllouvilleBellefosse was built in the 1600s after lightning hollowed out a tree. Two chapels were carved inside and it’s now the oldest known tree in France at nearly 1000 years old.
INTO ARCHITECTURE Mika Tse (OHS) It is only natural that humans should be inspired by the environment. We can even see the influence of trees and nature on modern, urban cities; from the Sagrada Familia’s tree-like columns, to children playing in treehouses. Green architecture is becoming more common and it plays a huge part in world conservation. The concept of green architecture revolves around creating structures that use clean, renewable resources and generate their own energy to use water, lighting, heating, cooling and ventilation efficiently whilst being aware of its surroundings and natural climate. According to a 2016 report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), 84 gigatonnes of oxygen could be saved by 2050 just by using renewable energy in buildings [1]. The European Commission also stated that €280 to €410 billion could be saved by taking worldwide energy efficiency measures [1]. Living architecture has been around for many years; one of the earliest examples are the vine bridges of West Iya Valley in Japan. It was built by growing Actinidia arguta and wisteria vines from one side of the river to the other and then woven in-between planks. Legend says that defeated Heike soldiers built them whilst fleeing from the Genji Clan in search of a safe home. The early bridges had no railings, so the instability of the bridge made it difficult for strangers to cross and it could be easily cut down to stop enemies crossing the river. People believe there could have been at least 13 bridges, but of the 3 remaining the biggest is the Iya Kazurabashi Bridge which can be visited and crossed today.
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