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The term "green architecture" describes buildings which are designed and constructed to be environmentally conscious. Many of those who intend to buy or build a new house or office are considering green architecture... and the market seems to be increasing all the time. The driving force behind this growth? The desire to take care of the environment while keeping ourselves and our families safer. Pretty sensible, isnt it?

That is true enough! Because according to the USGBC (United States Green Building Council) homes, offices, and other buildings account for much of the countrys pollution. Houses, office buildings, etc., account for 70% of U.S. electricity expenditure, 39% of the countrys CO2 (carbon) emissions, and 57 trillion liters of water usage.

It is a big reason to invest in green architecture. Green buildings make for a significant reduction in the amount of energy, etc., expended by our homes, offices, etc. Buildings conceived with green architecture use up 36% less energy... plus, they require fewer materials for building and use methods that send far less trash into landfills. And the truth is, though green architecture is an investment, it is not a large one. A building constructed using green design principles costs just one or two percent more to construct... and this expense is rapidly recovered when you account for savings in energy costs.

Green architecture is not only being used in private homes and offices. In the U.S., many local governments are using green building principals in the design of government edifices. And all over the country, architects are learning about and creating green architecture for private and public buildings. The AIA, or the American Institute of Architects, has even proposed a green building measure called Sustainability 2030. With this measure, architects all over the country will be using green architecture principals to bring buildings carbon emissions down to zero by 2030.

How Else is Green Architecture Important?

Every day, we learn more and more about the concept of global warming. And while it is still a controversial subject, nobody can deny that it is important to take care of the environment. Expanding the use of green architecture is one very important way of doing just that. The truth is, though, that environmentally conscious building methods do more than just protect the environment. Green architecture has a whole host of other benefits.

The most obvious additional benefit to green architecture is its savings. Even though a green building can cost a bit more to build, the overall savings are significant. These savings are particularly significant for companies, who spend huge amounts of energy, and need to save money in todays tough economy. Companies housed in green offices see immense savings in the long run.

Green architecture is also, interestingly enough, good for our health... and not just because it is good for the Earth. Studies have shown that the improved air quality, etc., of a green building reduces allergies, sickness, and breathing problems. And while this increases the quality of life in private homes, it also has an effect on employee productivity within a "green" company... another way for businesses to save money with green architecture.

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