III. Read and translate the text

What Is Meant by "Bioclimatic Architecture"

Bioclimatic architecture is a way of designing buildings and manipulating the environment within buildings by working with nat­ural forces around the building rather than against them. Thus it concerns itself with climate as a major contextual generator, and with benign environments using minimal energy as its target. Biocli­matic architecture aims to protect and enhance the environment and life. It is developing on many different levels from rethinking basic concepts about our need for shelter and the function of the "city" in our lives to developing recycled or sustainable building materials.

The impact of traditional building on the environment and nat­ural resources is enormous. However, the ideal of designing and building structures that are environmentally friendly has become fairly widespread throughout the community of architects and build­ers in developed nations. In many areas there is the necessity of complying with new regulations and standards aimed at protecting the environment. In addition, there are an increasing number of in­centives for putting up buildings with more efficient energy consump­tion and that reduces the negative impacts on natural resources by using recycled or sustainable materials. While these vary around the world, there is awareness that our need for shelter must not jeopar­dize the environment.

There is growing interest in "green" building practices, which offer an opportunity to create environmentally sound and resource-efficient buildings by using an integrated approach to design.

"Green" buildings promote resource conservation through energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation features. They take into consideration the environmental impact of the building and minimize waste. Other goals are to create a healthy and com­fortable environment, reduce operation and maintenance costs, and address issues such as historical preservation, access to public trans­portation and other community infrastructure systems, The entire life cycle of the building and its components is considered, as well as the economic and environmental impact and performance.

* As public awareness of environmental issues increases, the con­struction developers are also beginning to see that "green building" can be profitable and a selling point. Market surveys are showing that a surprising number of potential buyers are interested and will pay the higher prices for a home that is environmentally friendly. In the last few years there has been much talk concerning environmentally re­sponsible architecture, that is, architecture respectful of the earth's resources and its natural beauty. Unfortunately, many of the archi­tects and designers *who profess interest in the concept of sustainable architecture do not practice it in their own work for whatever reason, be it their client's lack of interest or their own lack of conviction. In fact, most architects ignore the issue altogether, preferring to regard architecture as fashion. This is a terribly irresponsible view, because in terms of energy use and visual pollution, *buildings have had an increasingly severe and damaging impact on the environment; this makes the issue of sustainable architecture not only an important con­sideration but also a necessary one. As for a building philosophy for national parks, which were created to conserve nature for future gen­erations, it seems that sustainable architecture, or "integrated bioclimatic architecture", is the only logical and responsible approach.

What is integrated bioclimatic architecture? It is the architecture that arises out of the landscape, with the site determining the ori­entation and construction of a building, not just aesthetically, but also mechanically, determining its heating, cooling, and lighting too. Thus, it is an architecture that respects nature and its resources and provides its occupants with the most comfortable and pleasing environment possible. However, this architectural approach need not be a restrictive one for imaginative practitioners. As integrated bioclimatic architecture encompasses examples of vernacular architecture, like the typical "white stucco Mediterranean fishing vil­lage", as well as mimetic architecture, which draws on the materials, textures, even the plants of the surrounding landscape for its inspi­ration. Indeed, good integrated bioclimatic architecture should ex­ist in harmony with the site.

IV. Speak on the usage of the words mentioned above. Dis­cuss with уour partner such bio notions as:

bio- architecture, sustainable architecture

V. Find in the text all synonyms to the phrase "green building".

VI. Find Russian equivalents:

environmentally friendly, bioclimatic architecture, more efficient energy consumption, to promote resource conservation, an irresponsible view, to exist in harmony with the site or nature, public awareness of environmental issues, resource efficient buildings, the environmental impact of the building,

Поиск по сайту: