Green Architecture Vocabulary
Pillars of Sustainability
Green Architecture Terms to Know
Conservation Strategies
Sustainable Materials
100

The process of adding new technology or features to older systems, particularly in existing buildings to improve energy efficiency and sustainability.

What is retrofitting?

100

Pillar of Sustainability that focuses on reducing long-term costs

What is Economic Sustainability?

100

Resources that can be replenished naturally over time, such as solar energy, wind energy, and biomass, which are often utilized in green architecture.

What is Renewable Resources?

100

An example of energy conservation in buildings that uses the sun to create more energy.

 What are solar panels?

100

The ability of a material to withstand wear and tear.

What is Durability?

200

A design approach that utilizes the sun's energy for heating and cooling a living space without the use of mechanical systems, enhancing energy efficiency.

Passive Solar Design

200

Pillar of Sustainability that includes stimulating innovation in sustainable technologies.

What is Economic Sustainability?

200

The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, often measured in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).

What is Carbon Footprint?

200

Technology can help manage energy use effectively in everyday homes. 

What are smart thermostats?

200

Sustainable material is commonly used for insulation.

What is cellulose?

300

The process of designing and regulating land use in urban environments, focusing on creating sustainable cities that incorporate green architecture principles.

What is Urban Planning.

300

The 3 pillars of sustainabillity in Green Architecture.

What is Environmental, Social, and Economic Sustainability.

300

Materials that can be broken down naturally by microorganisms and will not harm the environment, often used in sustainable construction practices.

What is Biodegradable?

300

The label on all energy efficient appliances in the US.

What is energy star?

300

An example of a sustainable resource used in Germany to provide energy in window panels.

What is Algae?

400

The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level; in architecture, it refers to designs that meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

What is Sustainability?

400

 The pillar of Sustainability that includes ensuring equal access to resources.

What is Social Sustainability?

400

A widely used green building rating system that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. ***Must say the full name***

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

400

The organization who created a list of standards for efficiant Kitchen and Bathroom Design in the US.

What is the National Kitchen and Bath Association?

400

Using these types of products reduces transportation emissions.

 What is locally-sourced?

500

A term that describes an approach to building that minimizes harmful effects on human health and the environment.

What is green architecture?

500

The pillar of sustainability that focuses on conserving natural resources and reducing carbon footprints.

What is environmental sustainability?

500

A biologival community of interacting organisms and their physical environment, crucial in understanding how buildings impact natural habitats.

What is ecosystem?

500

A method for water conservation in buildings where water is collected and stored for future use.

What is rainwater harvesting?

500

Popular building material that provides rapid growth and renewability.

What is Bamboo?

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