20 eco-friendly buildings that changed the future of architecture

Eco-friendly buildings are becoming an architectural trend because they offer alternatives that are less harmful to nature . Many experts consider the construction industry to be one of the sectors with the highest energy consumption and also highly polluting. Experts predict that the future of architecture points towards more sustainable constructions , with conscious designs to tackle one of humanity's most serious problems: climate change .

What are green buildings?

Ecological or green buildings are constructions in which vegetation is predominant, which take advantage of elements from the surroundings and are distinguished by the fact that they are generally surrounded by nature. The construction methods are also different – ​​they generally use steel frame or wood frame, dry construction methods. Furthermore, for a building to be considered sustainable, it must follow this characteristic after it is in use , not just during construction. Below, we have selected 20 architectural projects that exemplify this type of building:

The Edge - Netherlands

The sophisticated green building is located in Amsterdam 's Zuidas business district. Its construction was completed in 2015 and its corporate design was carried out under a scheme that saves energy, workspace and costs . This intelligent construction is considered the most ecological construction in the world and received an outstanding score in the evaluation criteria of the international environmental certification BREEAM.

New Logic III - Netherlands

The impressive green building is located in the Dutch city of Tilburg . To create a sustainable design , the use of wood, recyclable materials and stones prevailed. The futuristic architecture surprises those who visit the region, and this is one of the few buildings in the world that has obtained an exceptional qualification in the evaluation criteria of the international environmental certification BREEAM .

Council House 2 - Australia

Council House 2 is one of the most famous green buildings in all of Australia. It was completed in 2006, becoming a pioneer in environmentally efficient architecture in Australia.

One Angel Square - England

This majestic building is located in Manchester. Its construction was completed in 2013. The building is considered the most environmentally friendly in Europe , as it produces no carbon emissions . Designed by 3DReid Limited , this is considered one of the most important sustainable buildings in the world. The work has received an outstanding rating in the international BREEAM certification system.

Bullit Center - USA

The Bullitt Center is considered the greenest commercial building in the world. Located in Seattle, the beautiful building was designed by the Miller Hull Partnership and opened in 2013 . Its bioclimatic design combines wood and steel , favoring the restoration of the ecosystem and becoming a model of environmentally conscious architecture.

Venco Campus - Netherlands

The multifunctional building is located in the town of Eersel. Belonging to the Vencomatic group of companies, the admirable building covers 30,000 m² and was opened in 2012. The project was built by Van Beers Hoogeloon BV and Strijbos Groen . It is one of the greenest buildings in Europe, which in 2013 obtained the BREEAM certificate with a rating of excellence.

Taipei 101 - Taiwan

This incredible skyscraper is located in Taipei. It has a dimensional length of 508 m² and was opened in 2004 under a postmodern eco-architecture project.

25 King - Australia

The building, which opened in 2018, is considered the largest sustainable building on the Australian continent. In addition to the environmental benefits that its timber design provides, it also facilitates a wellbeing environment that increases the health and productivity of its occupants .

T3 - United States

Translated into Portuguese, T3 stands for wood, technology and traffic . It is a sumptuous ecological flooring construction erected in Minneapolis in 2006. It is the largest wooden building in North America . The architectural work was carried out by Michael Green Architecture (MGA) and the architects of the Record DLR Group.

Bloomberg Building - England

The eco-friendly and versatile building is located in London and opened in 2018. Its construction was delayed eight years and was carried out by the prestigious architectural firm Foster Partners . The building, made of wood cladding and stone slabs, belongs to American politician and businessman Michael Bloomberg .

Mjøstårnet Tower - Norway

At over 85 meters tall , this is considered the tallest wooden skyscraper in the world. This incredible green building is located in the small town of Brumunddal , near the shore of Lake Mjøsa, the largest lake in the Scandinavian country.

Treet - Norway

This is an innovative residential complex that focuses on bioclimatic architecture to solve the problem of energy consumption. The project was designed by the architectural firm Artec AS, and the work was completed in 2015 .

Falconhoven L-blok - Belgium

Located in Antwerp, near the Belgian Red Start Line museum, this building houses a complex of eco-friendly apartments . The design of the 51 apartments, considered as eco-homes , promotes the health and comfort of its inhabitants. The architectural firm responsible for the project was Caruso St John Architects . The project received a high score in the evaluation criteria of the international environmental certification BREEAM - which makes it one of the most environmentally friendly buildings in the world.

Wronia 31 - Poland

Considered the most ecological building in Poland, it has 15 floors and more than 16 thousand m² of usable area, and is located in Warsaw . The Belgian studio Jaspers-Eyers Architects was the architectural firm responsible for the project. The work received an excellent rating in the BREEAM evaluation criteria.

Farm 38º 30º - Türkiye

This eco-friendly building is located in the town of Ayfon Tazlar in central Turkey . Its striking spiral-shaped architecture gives a modern feel to this attractive country house, which opened in 2016.

Cofco Landmark - China

This architectural monument is located in Andingmen, Beijing. The building is considered the most iconic green building in China, especially because it has an underground shopping mall and an indoor waterfall considered the tallest of its kind by the Guinness Book of World Records.

BINARIUM Business Center - Romania

The innovative sustainable shopping center is located in Transylvania, in west-central Romania. It was once an abandoned factory and was restored by the architectural firm Dico and Tiganas .

Park View Office Tower - Kazakhstan

This modern 16-story building is located in the Asian city of Almaty, Kazakhstan. The smart and eco-friendly building scored highly on the international green assessment criteria BREEAM.

Table 4 - Sweden

One of the most famous green buildings in the world, the building was constructed using natural materials and 100% renewable energy . It stands out for its pleasant and harmonious working environment. The work obtained an excellent score in the BREEAM assessment criteria.

Ny Horten Videregående School - Norway

This cutting-edge secondary school was built with an eco-friendly approach and opened in 2019. It is located in the Norwegian town of Horten and has parks inside . It is a futuristic educational center focused on energy efficiency and the well-being of its students.