GENERATING A GREEN TEMPLATE FOR ACHIEVING A ZERO CARBON BUILDING AND SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

Kalagbor Cyprian Chile¹& Ferdinand F.O. Daminabo²

¹ Rivers State University; Nkpolu Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt. Rivers State,

² Rivers State University ; Nkpolu, Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt. Rivers State,

E-mail; cyklassconsult730@yahoo.com, ferdydaminabo@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The United Kingdom first announced its Zero carbon home policy in 2006 by the then chancellor Gordon Brown who said Britain was the first country to make such an announcement. New buildings must meet strict minimum energy efficiency parameters as part of the definition of ‘zero carbon’, both in terms of the building design and appliances. However, the fact that the UK had backtracked on its earlier commitments, does not diminish the significance of such a laudable scheme in ensuring that emissions from buildings are minimized and our planet safe. It is a commonly reported fact that around half of all global CO2 emissions can be attributed to construction, and more importantly the operation of buildings encapsulated as embodied energy, transport and operational energy with fossils as primary source of energy. The architectural profession must navigate towards a framework for sustainable design and construction that is in consonance with the global norms and concepts of sustainable development and construction technology; reforming design processes and design education in a new and sustainable way.

A significant emphasis must be geared towards the need for a paradigm shit of design transforming nature to one that transforms society towards sustainability by improving the life quality, symbiotic relationships and relationships between all living things, communities, natural and the built environment. There will also be the need of exploiting the potentials of ecological design and other green and renewable options in the built environment. Again, the role of architects as engine and agents of change cannot be overemphasized as their design and decision can constrain, alter, guide or enhance future decision or completely mar their outcome. This research will specifically advocate the promotion of new technologies, systems of production and construction methods that do not rely on natural capital, harmful chemical and fossil fuel thus promoting incorporation of renewable technologies and modern techniques and formatting a new partway and templates to a zero carbon Architecture.

Keyword: Sustainability, Zero Carbon Building, Green Architecture.