Bio-architecture: general definitions

1 Try to explain what bio-architecture is, starting from the meaning of its prefix (bio-). Then read the text
and check your answers.

Bio-architecture is a new building approach that respects

life and earth. Its aim is to create 'healthy' buildings with
little ecological impact, creating harmony between
buildings and nature. For this reason two basic principles
have to be followed :
• using the natural presence of the sun, good thermal
insulation and natural ventilation to reduce energy
consumption;
• using renewable energy resources (solar, wind, water
and geothermal) to achieve energy autonomy.

Bio-architects and designers follow the principles of

natural design that rule all nature, so by studying and
understanding the regu larity and ba lance that we can
find in natu re , they try to establ ish ru les that can be
applied to architecture. They use special geometric
shapes, symmetries, proportions, natural patterns and
universal symbols to create pleasant and harmonious
spaces. Bio-architects follow simple rules that include:
• designing spaces using natural geometries, shapes and I'r'-='""
growth patterns in order to create sustainable systems;
• avoiding 'negative' forms such as sharp angles, and
creating harmonious spaces;
• using all kinds of biological materials and avoiding
steel, aluminium and plastics when possible.

t -

2 Read the text again and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (FI.
1 Sustaina ble architecture aims at creating harmony between man and na:_'::
2 Bio-a rchitecture tries to mirror the balance we find in nature.
3 The ru les of bi o-architecture are very complex.
4 Sh arp angles are a good example of harmonious spaces .
;) Steel and plastics are widely used in bio-architecture.
Eco-materials
3 Read the text about eco-materials. Name two examples of them. What characteristics should
eco-materials have?

The materials used in bio-architecture should be chosen paying

attention to the damage (production of toxic gases, water and soil
pollution) that they may cause to the environmental ecosystem.
Eco-materials should:
• be biodegradable and recyclable;
• not be da ngerous for ou r hea Ith;
• contribute to a more sustainable
environmental future.
Examples of materials that can be used in bio-architecture are
timber, brick, stone, cork and natural paints and varnishes . It
is easy to choose eco-friendly materials thanks to certi fication s.

Eco-design
4 Read the text and choose the best title for each paragraph.
A New choices in materials and energy
B Recent trends in building
C Eco-design: a new attitude

1
The objective of new building is increasingly becoming
that of searching for environmentally-friendly solutions by
finding different sources of energy production and paying
more attention to the materials used .
2
Thanks to eco-design , the attitude towards the design of
a product takes into consideration the environmental
impact of it during its life cycle (which includes its
manufacturing, use and disposal). According to eco-

"
design , not only should the material used to create a
product be taken into account, but also the waste, the
energy and the final emissions created and their
environmental impact.
3
The principles of eco-design used in building design and
construction range from the choice of materials to the type
of energy system the building will use and the disposal of
the materials at the end of their useful life. For example, local materials are less expensive, their transport cost
is lower and consequently C02 emissions are also limited . Recyclable and recycled materials can be used
provided they do not create any further waste during their production or at the end of their lifetime . Renewable
and unlimited sources of energy or passive energy systems are always considered (such as green roofs to
insulate a building or positioning a building in orde r to use the sun's rays as a heating method ).

5 Read the text again and answer the questions.

1 What are the objectives of new building?
2 What are the stages of a product life-cycle?
3 What are the advantages of local materials?
4 Which are the types of energy considered?

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Sustainable design
6 Match these words with their pictures.
so lar water heating low-flow tap aerator in su lation double glazing

Et L--I_ _ -----' I l L--I_ _------' B L--I_ _------' 1:1 1

,-----_ _----'

7 Read the text and answer the questions below.

The main goals in designing an environmentally-friendly building are:

• Reduction of energy consumption: one of the strategies used by designers to decrease the use of energy is
good insulation in wa lls , floors and ceiling and energy efficient windows with double glazing. Another
approach is to orient wa lls and windows so -I I. . , _, ~ I
as to make the most of the use of natural ~ rfI'~~1
r ....
ligh (so decreasing th e use of electric lighting
.. '1e'1 dayligh is avail abl e) and place trees
aflO sun shelters in effective positions to
pro·. ioe shade in th e summer. Another way to
oecrease energy costs is through the use of
solar water heating, so the environmental
impact of the building can be further reduced.
• Reduction of water consumption and
protection of water quality: this can be
attained through facilities that improve the
co llection, purification and reuse of water.
Low-flow taps and ultra-Iow flush toilets can
also be used to reduce waste water.
• Improving air quality and ventilation
systems: indoor air quality can be improved
during the design and construction processes by choosing construction materi als and interior ' inish prod ucts
with zero or low VOC emissions. The control of moisture accumulation, tha nks to a .e - ns,-, 2. eo envelope
and adequate ventilation is also very important for the health of those li ving in a JL. C - ; - 'le cho ice of
flooring is important too. Wood is hypo-allergenic and, by using smooth surfaces. : - ~ ::':::2: ::'" f un heal thy
particles can be avoided.

1 Can you name an efficient way to reduce the use of energy?

2 How can designers make the most of natural light?
3 How can the environmental impact of a building be further reduced ?
ow can t he red uction of water consumption be attained?
;) :. can the indoor air quality be improved?
- ... - -' s he control of moistu re accumu lation important?
Eco-living
8 Read the text and decide if the statements below are true (T) or false (F).
There are a lot of very simple ways to save energy. • Make sure your dishwasher
Employ just a few of the following suggestions and is fu II before usi ng it.
you can cut your annual energy bills considerab ly. • Turn down your water
• When you substitute your old domestic devices, heater thermostat.
choose the most energy-efficient models (AAA You can even generate your
labelled ones are very energy efficient). own energy and heat by using
• Turn off domestic electrical appliances (instead of wind turbines , solar electricity panels, solar
using the stand -by mode). water heatin g and wood fuel or biomass boilers. If
• Use fluorescent light bulbs: they may be more there is a river nea rby, you ca n even create
expensive , but they use only % the energy of an hydroe lect ricity. These are all renewable sources of
ordinary incandescent bulb and last 8-12 times energy, so they have a much lower impact on the
longer. environment and can help yo u save money.

1 High energy sav ing home appliances ha ve AAA labels .

2 Your bills w ill be lower if you turn off home elect ron ics and use fluo rescent light bu lbs .
3 In the future we wi ll be able to generate our own energy.
4 Recent technology does not yet allow us to create hydroelectricity if there is a river nearby.

9 Work in small groups. Make a list of the energy-saving methods that you and your family use at home.
Then compare your habits with those of the others.

10 n9 Listen to this text about the reduction of energy, water and

materials waste used during construction and fill in the gaps.
The (1) of environmental ly-friendly buildings is to decrease th e
(2) _ _ _ of waste material. If a building is designed well, the amount of
waste produced by the people living in it will be (3) thanks to on-
site solutions such as compost bins.
(4) _ _ _ , a building IS usually demolished at the (5) of its life
and most of the waste is taken to landfills , but now, thanks to (6) _ _ __
some material is kept and used again, with (7) advantages:
recycling materials that are sti ll usable (for example (8) ) and
reducing waste. Also waste water from dishwashing or washing machines can be used again, for (9) - - -
for irrigation, and rainwater can be collected for a number of useful purposes .
Converting waste and waste water into fertiliser is a good (10) for cutting down costs: liquid
fertiliser can be created by collect ing human and other (11) waste .

11 Imagine you have decided to build your own energy-saving house. What would it be like? Which
methods would you use to save energy? Write a short paragraph (lOO words).

MY GLOSSARY
approach j g'prgutI/ _ _ _ _-,--_ _ _ _ _ __ environmentally-friendly j II)vaIgI'dn'metgh frendll/
biodegradable j,baIgudr'greldrbl/ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
bill j bIl/ ---,------,------,-_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ expertise j eksp3:'ti:z/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
boiler j b:)JJg(r)/ - c : - : - - - - - - - - - - - - - heating j'hi:nl)/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
certification js3:nfrkeJIn/ _ _ _ _ __ __ _ __ landfill /1::endfIl/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
compost /kompost/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ low-flow tap jJgU flgu t::ep/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
consumption jbn'sAmpJn/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ shade jIeld/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
cork j b:k/ _-,--_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ shelter /'Ieltg(r)/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
emission j I'mlIn/ _---,-_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ to attain j tu: g'tem/ _ __
envelope j'envglgup/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ varnish j'vo:mI / _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
w aste j weIst/ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __

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