Comments on: Taiwan Breaks Ground on a Trio of Green-Roofed Skyscrapers http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/03/02/chinatrust-headquarters-by-nbbj-architects/ Future-forward design for the world you inhabit Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:57:17 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: cmaosrstaonndrahttp://www.inhabitat.com/2009/03/02/chinatrust-headquarters-by-nbbj-architects/comment-page-1/#comment-118863 cmaosrstaonndra Tue, 03 Mar 2009 04:04:15 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/03/02/chinatrust-headquarters-by-nbbj-architects/#comment-118863 Why is the plaza all paved? Why not leave some grass? Why is the plaza all paved? Why not leave some grass?

]]> By: tomboycemiamihttp://www.inhabitat.com/2009/03/02/chinatrust-headquarters-by-nbbj-architects/comment-page-1/#comment-118858 tomboycemiami Tue, 03 Mar 2009 02:53:52 +0000 http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/03/02/chinatrust-headquarters-by-nbbj-architects/#comment-118858 According to the American Institute of Architects (AIA), buildings are the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. According to estimates in the AIA's Architects and Climate Change report, buildings represent 48 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, with transportation and industry representing 27 percent and 25 percent respectively.Some people argue global change is normal state, that there is no proof of human impact on climate change, it is just a normal process humans have no impact on.Climate change may have normal cycles but there is nothing historically normal about the human population explosion and the impact that their energy consumption and pollution has on the earth’s bio systems. Many independent thinking people believe that the individual CAN make a difference. However, working in conjunction with Architects we could do a lot more.Not only do high concentrations of people in mega buildings ,as seen in this article, concentrate green house gas, but building these high-density buildings also increases the surface area on, if not of, the earth that can absorb heat. It is not just office towers; residential condo towers are creating increasingly dense urban and coastal areas that contribute to the formation of “heat islands” and global warming by adding heat-retaining surface area. Any city resident knows that it is often 10 degrees warmer in the city than the suburbs or rural areas around them.The Green Roof movement is great, but the ratio of wall to roof area is much greater on high rise buildings. If Architects designed balconies with drainage and water spigots built into their clients high rise buildings, it would allow residents and offices to help offset their impact to a far greater degree both in terms of cooling and exchanging oxygen for carbon and absorbing other pollutants.Successful landscaping and gardening on balconies and rooftops, especially of condo towers, has many challenges that residents with terrestrial gardens in homes don’t share, especially if the building Architect is not on the same page. Balcony and rooftop gardening, however, can help offset the green house gas emissions and despite the difficulties in cooling these heat islands, it is a worthy endeavor within the grasp of individuals.I have created a blog to help make it easier for the individual to do this at http://planterblog.com/blog/ and I welcome constructive input and listing from Architects that feel the same way. According to the American Institute of Architects (AIA), buildings are the leading source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. According to estimates in the AIA’s Architects and Climate Change report, buildings represent 48 percent of carbon dioxide emissions, with transportation and industry representing 27 percent and 25 percent respectively.

Some people argue global change is normal state, that there is no proof of human impact on climate change, it is just a normal process humans have no impact on.

Climate change may have normal cycles but there is nothing historically normal about the human population explosion and the impact that their energy consumption and pollution has on the earth’s bio systems. Many independent thinking people believe that the individual CAN make a difference. However, working in conjunction with Architects we could do a lot more.

Not only do high concentrations of people in mega buildings ,as seen in this article, concentrate green house gas, but building these high-density buildings also increases the surface area on, if not of, the earth that can absorb heat. It is not just office towers; residential condo towers are creating increasingly dense urban and coastal areas that contribute to the formation of “heat islands” and global warming by adding heat-retaining surface area. Any city resident knows that it is often 10 degrees warmer in the city than the suburbs or rural areas around them.

The Green Roof movement is great, but the ratio of wall to roof area is much greater on high rise buildings. If Architects designed balconies with drainage and water spigots built into their clients high rise buildings, it would allow residents and offices to help offset their impact to a far greater degree both in terms of cooling and exchanging oxygen for carbon and absorbing other pollutants.

Successful landscaping and gardening on balconies and rooftops, especially of condo towers, has many challenges that residents with terrestrial gardens in homes don’t share, especially if the building Architect is not on the same page. Balcony and rooftop gardening, however, can help offset the green house gas emissions and despite the difficulties in cooling these heat islands, it is a worthy endeavor within the grasp of individuals.

I have created a blog to help make it easier for the individual to do this at http://planterblog.com/blog/ and I welcome constructive input and listing from Architects that feel the same way.

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