World Changing Response #5

Kristen Zelenka
World Changing
Response #5

I decided to read an article entitled “Big Green Buildings and Skyscrapers” on page 245 because I believe that it is important as we develop new and bigger cities and more encompassing infrastructure that we consider how to design better buildings. Cities are and their skylines symbolize its peoples’ cultural thoughts and progress. The Reichstag in Germany is a perfect example of this because of its transparent glass structure that is green while reflecting the political culture of its people (246). Cities need to transform from cold mechanized sites into upstanding cultural centers.

Some of the design practices being implemented into Green buildings that I found most interesting are in the Editt Tower in Singapore, the Reichstag in Germany, and the Bank of America Tower in New York. The Editt tower will have an onsite water filtering system so that when somebody flushes the toilet it can be cleaned and then used in the irrigation lines for all of the plants to create a closed system (245). The Reichstag uses biofuels, such as refined vegetable oils, for energy that resulted in a 94% in the building’s carbon dioxide emission (247). I think that number is incredible and that if it was applied as a building standard everywhere what a drastic improvement that could mean for our global environment. The Bank of America Tower will have glazed windows to maintain temperatures that are controlled by running hot or cold water beneath the floors (248). This reminds me of what the Greeks and Romans did in the baths to heat or cool the room. It is interesting that we are reverting to ancient technology in our contemporary architecture.

We need to increase the natural greenery in our world, especially in the cement industrial areas in the inner cities because it will benefit the environment and our own health; “We can revolutionize offices by bringing in more daylight, growing indoor plants, improving airflow, and providing access to outdoor spaces” (245). I believe that everything that our design practices from now on should be monitored and meet the standards of the United States Green Building Council in order preserve the environment and improve our social standards of living.