If you’re a 90’s kid, you’ll be picking up what I’m putting down. CAPTAIN PLANET y’all! Earth, Fire, Wind, Water, Heart – Comment if you watched this show as a kid.
There is terrific symmetry between our values and this kick-ass TV show; laying a foundation for love and care for the environment from a young age. We believe it takes a combination of natural elements to keep our air Clean, Cool and Healthy.
“With mechanical heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems accounting for 30-40% of overall energy consumption in buildings, the provision of natural or hybrid ventilation systems could be the most important single step we could take in making buidings more sustainable.” – The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).
It makes sense that if we reduce our energy consumption, we reduce our impact on the environment. Natural Cool Air comes to the table with eco-friendly airflow solutions – so essentially, we’re looking at wearing the Wind Ring. But that isn’t the whole picture. To create living, breathing buildings and urban spaces, we must take a look at other elements of natural cooling and combine forces to achieve optimum sustainability and efficiency. The following can be also be harnessed to improve air quality and maintain thermal comfort;
-
Active Airflow
-
Landscaping
-
Water Features
-
Building Facades
-
Passive Ventilation
-
Orientation
Photo by Joe Green on Unsplash
It is essential in our sub-tropical climate to reduce our reliance on air-conditioning, to either make more sustainable choices when it comes to cooling or at the very least to increase the efficiency of these systems with the right supporting features.
Not only are these elements paramount when considering individual building design, but they are vital to unlocking issues in urbanised areas also. According to the New World Design Guide released by the Brisbane City Council,
“Urban green space can reduce the heat island effect, improve the micro-climate, undertake localised air-cleansing, absorb pollutants, reduce noise levels and contribute to biodiversity.”
Photo by chuttersnap on Unsplash
But it all comes together with Heart; without the care and concern for our environment, we won’t get far. Now, more than ever, this conversation is being opened and has the opportunity to spread. I mean, you wouldn’t be reading this if it weren’t for your interest in living more sustainably. It’s all about changing public perception. Keep making better choices and seeking knowledge, and together, we can truly make a difference. To quote Captain Planet,
“THE POWER IS YOURS!”