GREEN ARCHITECTURE AS AN OFF-SHOOT OF ECOLOGICAL ARCHITECTURE
Tachia Nambeh Department of Vocational & Technical Education Benue State University, Makurdi-Nigeria Email: mfachia@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Green architecture, also known variously as sustainable architecture, eco-design, eco-friendly architecture, earth-friendly architecture, environmental architecture or natural architecture became a buzz-word in the annals of the construction industry. This was spurned by the Brundtland commission report in 1987 titled our common future. The report cautioned against the wanton destruction of the natural environment in the exploration of natural resources for material development, in total disregard to the environments ability to replenish and maintain itself for future generations. Green architecture was born as the response of architects to the Brundtland report. A critical review of the goals and principles of green architecture though, align with the philosophy and practice of ecological architecture. The word “ecology” entered public consciousness and architectural discourse in the 1960’s and was popularized by Ian McHarg through his publication in 1969, “design with Nature”. Standardization and modular design and construction only seemed to have relegated ecological architecture to the background on the altar of construction economics till the Brundtland report reminded humanity of the importance of sustainability. It is clear therefore that green architecture is actually an offshoot of ecological architecture.
