Energy Efficient Buildings
The Architect’s Council of Europe (ACE) is the representative organisation for the architectural profession at European level. Its membership consists of regulatory and professional representative bodies throughout Europe. In 2014, ACE published a manifesto for the European Parliament elections based on the priorities called for by its members. The manifesto is targeted at the Directorates-General for Energy, Environment and Climate Action, and calls on MEPs to commit to promoting responsible architecture. Here we take a look at some of the broad conclusions made within the ACE manifesto
responsible architecture A manifesto for
Country: SLOVENIA Building: ALPINE HOTEL, CELJSKA KOČA Architect: ARHITEKTURA KRUŠEC Photographer: ©Miran Kambič
With half a million practising architects
in Europe, the architectural
sector can play a key role in stimulating growth and creating jobs in the EU. Good architecture is essential to the well- being of European citizens and is vital in guaranteeing their safety as well as a sustainable future. The architecture of a building has a major
impact on building performance outcomes. The spatial and material configuration of a building is one of the most important determinants of occupants’ experience of comfort, security and productivity. Architects
create integrating structural, bespoke technical,
designs spatial
and material solutions for each project that balance the passive and active measures required to control indoor environments that meet the long term needs of occupants. The way in which buildings can support
and adapt to occupants’ needs requires a holistic and long-term approach to building performance. Socio-technical methods of analysis and design, employed by architects, ensure that buildings enhance occupants’ lives and can adapt to variations
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in occupancy patterns, use, demographics and climate. Empowered by progressive legislation and investment, architecture’s reach can go well beyond individual building boundaries. Indeed, it can play an
integral role in achieving the cultural transformation required to create a sustainable built environment in Europe.
Recognising the importance of the architect’s skillset The energy performance potential of a building is governed by solutions developed by the architect during the design stage. Its connection to its site and users as well as its form, materials and long term flexibility have as much impact on the energy consumed by a building as the performance levels of its materials. The design of ‘smart buildings’ cannot be
seen as a universal solution to decrease the carbon footprint of buildings. Generally more fragile, smart buildings require high technical skill for their operation and routine maintenance. A greater emphasis is needed on the evaluation of buildings over their lifecycle so that architectural solutions such
as building form and mass, usability, spatial adaptability and other parameters are recognised as preferential over solutions that may appear more effective and lower cost in the short term such as mechanised/ automated heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting solutions. The
reduction of energy consumption
should not be the only objective. Designing sustainable buildings and cities should also take into consideration economic, social, environmental, political and cultural aspects affecting the built environment. Architects have the ability to address all these aspects in a holistic manner. They can enable
populations to settle in secure,
healthy and humane conditions and contribute to the mitigation of climate change and the adaptation of our societies to its effects. ACE emphasises the importance of
design studies, which offer long-term cost-effective energy-saving solutions. Priority should be given to simple, passive, low-tech, locally oriented solutions that do not consume energy and are less prone to human error. EU
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