As in many areas of life, sustainability is here to stay. It has changed the way we live. It has taught us to be more respectful of the planet. And it has reminded us that it is not too late to build the future we dream of: a future where people and nature are more united than ever. At Vertisol we don’t just dream. We also strive every day to build it. One of our most important steps has been to innovate to achieve our Cradle to Cradle fabrics. These are 100% recycled fabrics made from recycled PET bottles. Behind each fabric there is a story to tell. In the case of SeaPlanet FR a percentage of these bottles are collected from the bottom of the sea, because if the sea belongs to everyone, we can all do something for it. In Pledge FR, another of our products, we find a percentage of the fabric is composed of PLA, extracted from reusable sources such as beets. Innovation knows no bounds when it is combined with sustainability.
But we know we can do even more. This is the path we are taking for 2020, a year in which we will witness the revolution in architecture to become more efficient and more aware. Because in the future, architecture will either be sustainable or it won’t be.
There are many countries...
Who are aiming for the most efficient town planning. According to the latest World Green Building Trends 2019 report, Norway, Ireland, Canada, Brazil and Australia lead the world in sustainable architecture. For years, they have changed their approach to building, concerned about the use of natural resources, energy and, above all, the environmental impact of humans. For example, Elm Park Green Urban Quarter in Dublin, is a residential complex that includes a hotel, private clinic, offices, residences, conference centre, dance studio, leisure studio cafes, restaurants and outdoor performance spaces. All are geared towards decreasing energy use and increasing people density. For its part, Canada is developing an action plan called Greenest City 2020. The goal is to be the world’s greenest city by 2020.
Thanks to sustainable architecture, ecological awareness reaches citizens so that they can enjoy the advantages of modern, comfortable and environmentally friendly building.
Do you recognize sustainable architecture?
At vertisol, respect for the environment is one of the values that guides our work and we want it to be a theme to reflect upon with you and even to inspire us. But, first of all, it is important that we are clear about the requirements that a building must meet in order to be sustainable.
- Legality: Projects must comply with current legislation. To do this, it’s relevant to meet the requirements that the municipality demands before the execution of any architectural project.
- Energy efficiency: The aim is to reduce energy consumption through the self-generation of natural energy (such as solar panel systems, drainage and vertical gardens).
- Lightweight construction: Ecological (such as wood and recycled concrete) and sustainable materials (energy capture panels and drainage systems) are key to sustainable architecture.
- Durability: The management of energy resources guarantees less deterioration of infrastructures. Unlike conventional architecture, no large investments are required for their conservation. In addition, the levels of toxicity generated by the wear and tear of the buildings are reduced.
- Recycling: Many of the materials used in these works are recycled, and come from the use of mining and industrial waste. Likewise, chemical-free insulation and paints are used.
From now on, we would like to find you in this blog to share together how the sector of the sustainability in materials advances.
Sustainable innovation and design
At Vertisol we manufacture our own fabrics, which are not only ecological due to their components, but also because the properties of the fabrics improve the energy efficiency of the buildings. In this way we help companies to reduce their energy consumption and minimize the impact on the environment. For example, Vertisol sun protection fabrics:
- maintain the internal temperature of rooms and
- provide greater visual comfort;
- as a result, energy consumption is directly reduced.
To finish the article, we propose a trip. Do you know the tallest green building in Europe? It is the Astro Tower in Brussels. Built in 1974, it was recently refurbished by Lamela studio and is already a landmark in energy efficiency, despite its 113 metres and 41 floors. Specifically, Torre Astro reduces energy consumption by up to 90% and cuts heating costs by 60%. If you have vertigo, it may not be the best destination but it’s worth seeing sustainability from above.
