Carbon negative architecture
Carbon negative architecture is architecture whose construction, operation and eventual demolition results in more atmospheric carbon and greenhouse gasses removed from the atmosphere than that which is emitted as consequence of the same.[1] This is achieved by rigorous planning, regenerative architectural design and on-site carbon sequestration. Such buildings go beyond the carbon-neutral or net-zero approach, which simply means that buildings can still emit CO2 as long as the operators offset (or remove) those emissions from the atmosphere by the same amount in other places.[2]
Significance
[edit]The construction industry emits a large amount of carbon dioxide every year. Concrete, the most used building material globally, comprises 5% of global annual CO2 emissions due its carbon-extensive production process.[3] In 2023, global carbon emissions were 36.8 billion tons[4] meaning the concrete construction industry alone emitted 1.84 billion tons of CO2 in 2023, more than most countries besides China, the European Union (as a collective), the United States and India.[5]
Features
[edit]Carbon negative buildings minimize use of fossil fuel energy throughout the construction process, use materials which store atmospheric carbon, as well as aim to generate and export renewable energy. Many carbon negative buildings accomplish this by using novel building materials, control of ventilation and breathability of structure depending on climate to naturally heat and cool the building using increased insulation. Use of novel building materials like hempcrete and other bio based construction materials allow the brick itself to act as a carbon sink. By naturally heating and cooling the building energy consumption, due to AC and heating, is reduced.[6]
Examples
[edit]Carbon negative architecture is still novel in terms of complete architecture projects; however, there are some completed projects that move toward and accomplish carbon neutral/carbon negative construction practices. The Unisphere building, located in Maryland and unrelated to the Unisphere statue in New York, worked towards this goal. The Unisphere is a private building project sponsored by the United Therapeutics Corporation. The building was completed in 2018, and had a carbon neutral building process by using electricity generated from solar panels on site as well as designing the building for low energy consumption. The building features basement operations which help to naturally cool the building using the earth.[7]
Another example of carbon negative architecture is the Telca house, which is a 3-D printed small house, designed for the housing crisis to house recently displaced refugees. Made with a clay and timber based slurry, the Telca house is a prototype currently undergoing more testing before being implemented.
See also
[edit]- Carbon dioxide removal
- Passive house
- Green infrastructure
- Sustainable architecture
- Hempcrete
- Carbon sequestration
- Telca house
References
[edit]- ^ DeWeerdt, Sarah (2020-11-17). "The rise of the carbon-negative building". Anthropocene Magazine. Retrieved 2022-05-23.
- ^ Allen, Jessica. "Net-zero, carbon-neutral, carbon-negative ... confused by all the carbon jargon? Then read this". The Conversation. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
- ^ Crow, James Mitchell (2008-03-08). "The concrete conundrum" (PDF). Royal Society of Chemistry. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ JV. "Fossil CO2 emissions at record high in 2023". Global Carbon Budget. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ "The changing landscape of global emissions – CO2 Emissions in 2023 – Analysis". IEA. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ "It's Time to Make Carbon Negative Buildings the Norm". Energy Central. 2018-07-07. Retrieved 2024-10-24.
- ^ Faloon, Kelly L. (2019-06-04). "The Unisphere: Urban Test Case for Commercial Net Zero Buildings". HPAC Engineering. Retrieved 2024-10-24.