June 9, 2021

Before I begin to write about the numerous advantages of green buildings, let's go over the basics. What are green buildings? What is their purpose? Why don’t they already exist? Well, green buildings can be loosely defined as specifically designed buildings created to work towards zero-emission, efficient, and resilient construction to achieve better environments by 2030. However, working on this new innovation is the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction under the United Nations Environmental Programme; an organization made up of 33 countries and 184 members. As stated by the GlobalABC, they are a voluntary partnership of both national and local governments, businesses, organizations, and associations focused on achieving the common vision of a more sustainable Earth. As of March 2020, GlobalABC has begun launching their innovative sustainable construction in third world countries who may not have the same funds as others.

However, what are these ‘green buildings’ made up of? Well, the most well known green building is The Edge in the Netherlands capital, Amsterdam. This new tech building has been called “the smartest building in the world” holding the highest sustainability score given by the BREEAM: 98.4%. Additionally, the building includes features such as a fifteen story atrium, an increased amount of electric car and bike parking, blue water tubes, solar panels attached on the full perimeter of the building, an ecological corridor, and much more!

To begin explaining these crazy features of The Edge, I will begin with one of the most fascinating characteristics of the building, the fifteen story atrium. The atrium is a gravitational center made of mesh panels on every floor of the building, allowing fresh air to ventilate through the floors and allowing for natural light to shine freely into the building. Not only does this feature allow for the use of less electricity, but as stated by Ron Bakker, an architect of The Edge, the atrium creates “a place that they want to come to, where ideas are nurtured and the future is determined." Additionally, another less known feature of the building is their ecological corridor, consisting of a continuous path of vegetation that support beneficial insects of the city, thus allowing more support for insects to thrive in big cities. Yes, it might sound crazy, but The Edge has changed the way buildings are created and explored a new wave of implementing innovative construction, but the biggest issue to arise is the price.

Even though implementing buildings similar to The Edge would benefit us all, especially our health, they are particularly expensive to build since they require specific materials, tools, and architects. But, as stated by multiple supporters of green buildings, even though they are expensive now, green buildings will only save money after they are built, by saving water, energy, and more. Thus, green buildings are a necessity in the future, but also need to be implemented in countries who do not have the funds, as the last thing we need in the world is more pollution.