The construction industry, by its very nature, utilises enormous natural resources and accounts for 40% of global CO2 emission. However, the ever-increasing climate change crisis, limited natural resources, and rising demands have pushed architects, builders, and homeowners to consider innovative sustainable building alternatives. There is a dire need for transformation in architecture and ecological building culture that integrates energy efficiency, sustainability, and preservation; and the only viable solution fitting the criteria is – Green Buildings.
With drastic climate change, there is a constant focus on ideas featuring a future full of green innovations in the construction sector. Various industries are concentrating on unimaginable designs but fail to incorporate the sustainability aspect. There is a significant shift that focuses on solutions adding value to society, keeping in mind the future. Most building owners and developers are increasingly looking for eco-friendly building materials to come up with progressive and aesthetically pleasing architecture as per changing climate needs.
It promises a resilient future that combats climate change while incorporating the essence of sustainability. Here’s a curated collection of buildings based on Roof and Façade, rounding up innovations, new products, captivating case studies and dynamic features with sustainability at the forefront. Let’s explore how architects inspired by sustainable concepts and materials have formulated eco-minimalistic designs while making an aesthetic statement.
Single Family Concepts
There is a surge of unique concepts for single family homes displaying fantastic environments, spacious buildings, and an ethos of floating houses. This isolated country house in Croatia has been metamorphosed into a modern, environmentally friendly second home with exquisite charm, while keeping sustainability intact. The concept fuses traditional architectural materials like wood and clay with contemporary design.
Dark grey plain clay roof tiles are used to decorate the roof and longitudinal sides of the façade. It allows the building to blend with its surroundings. Furthermore, a blend of glass and Siberian larch wood on the gable walls with a pinch of aluminium and raw concrete awnings formulate a melodic mix of conventional cum contemporary aesthetics.
This concept from Germany involves the utilisation of every millimetre of space. The exterior of the townhouse has been adorned with a brick façade that proffers an expressive outlook. The use of complimentary water stuck bricks with anthracite nuances add a certain glam called the Moana Eco-brick building; it now stands out from the adjacent houses with lighter facades. The bricks provide a slightly rustic surface and textured appearance primarily like that of water-struck bricks. The eco-brick works best to maximise the available space. In addition, a narrow format reduces the CO2 footprint by 20-30% in comparison to standard bricks per square metre of façade.
The Floating House in Lithuania is designed uniquely and looks like it’s standing on stilts. Upon looking closely, one can see a glass surface that supports the chunky, iridescent grey roof structure. The architect has used exclusive materials to formulate the façade and conceive an unusual floor plan. The uninterrupted floor plan of the building and the façade structure forms a clear, unique architectural expression and an enticing play of light and shade. The designers have chosen Koramic Bellus tiles for the roof and façade. The ceiling and upper floor in grey colour beautifully sit on the glass base. Flamed wooden boards cover the tiled façade while emphasising the breaks in the house. The beautifully articulated floating house lends a vibrant vibe to the atmosphere.
15 Brick Buildings in the Little C Project, Rotterdam
The Little C project has grown surprisingly in the Dutch city of Rotterdam. The entire project has a total of fifteen buildings. The brickwork, large metal windows, and steel walkways resemble New York’s Greenwich Village. The architects determined and checked the choice of bricks for the masonry patterns using 3D simulation software.
The block used is a high-quality basic building block. The facades are formulated using the dark red dragor brick in two formats. Other bricks involving Basstad, Birchridge, Sonsbeek, Larvik, and a dark green glazed brick are used to form accents. Dragor is a dynamic brick, robust and straightforward with various nuances of colour that let the façade shine even when the sky is overcast. The same basic brick is joined with light coloured mortar in one apartment block and dark mortar in the neighbouring block.
A Designer Roof Bedecked a Historical Building in Lower Saxony, Germany
While meeting all the modern requirements, this unique novel roof building reveals something quite alluring. The Lonshaus building in the Hannover-Zoo quarter was renovated, where an entire refurbishment of the roof, façade and windows were done. The three-storey building dates to 1917 at the time when architectural styles were transitioning between Historicism, Art Nouveau and Modernism. The designers have used Koramic V11 float tile coated with anthracite-black engobe. In an attempt to ventilate the roof, ridge tiles were installed.
The roof covers about half the surface area of the building envelope. It is not only a functional protective layer but also boasts of sufficient visual impact. The Koramic V11 unites premium design standards with full functionality of a roof tile as verified by the various design awards.
Yellow Tradition with a Modern Twist
The new Citadel Staden district in Malmo, Sweden, is famous for providing the residents with a variety of facilities, while still prioritising sustainability. All the buildings are certified with the Nordic SwanEcolabel. Ostra Citadellskajen received the Miljöbyggnad Silver sustainability label. What stands apart is the durability of the material, which is the reason for why selected brick was an ideal solution.
In order to create attractive designs, the back of the brick is kept rough. The 48 condominium apartments in Ostra Citadel Skagen along the canal are designed to reflect the architectural firm Kanozi Arkitekter. The yellow brick façade resembles Malmo’s older industrial buildings. This kind of brick is referred to as Malmo Brick.
A Building is Set on Sail
This alluring residential building in Paris and its smart outer shell have initiated a new era of sustainability and cost-efficient architecture. The building appears to be a centrepiece of the apartment block. The two interconnected buildings accommodate 26 apartments and a commercial area with a medical clinic on the ground floor. The building boasts of a shimmery façade and an unusual shape that attracts every passer-by in the Paris townscape.
The corner building with a curved exterior grants a spacious plot allowing space optimisation while meeting contemporary standards. In an attempt to meet the sustainability requirements, the two residential buildings were entirely encased in clay bricks. The designers selected Koramic flat tiles Actua in titanium white and titanium grey, partly due to its striking silver-white play of colours and also partially due to the format having to meet the requirements for installation both on the façade and on the roof.
The brick gives a quality touch to the commercial project. The building is designed to meet the lifestyle needs of modern city dwellers while still offering an openness and connection with other people.
A Dialogue Between Past and Present
The old cinemas in Santes were renovated such that they reflect the essence of cultural heritage. The creative project breathes new life into an old cinema in Santes. The architectural type dates to 1900, which has been preserved after restoration. The black glazed roof tiles trace a frieze on the red background, occasionally punctuated by a white accent.
For creating a harmonious connection between old and new, roof tiles have been fused into the façade. The flat roof tiles cover the upper part of the façade. The lower part is continued in brick. Each passer-by praises the project as it depicts a novel concept while blending the past with the present.
A Design That Festoons a Museum
This German Museum depicts the history of the German ethnic minority in the Danish part of the province, and at present, the museum’s facilities have been renovated and expanded. The present building is a villa with typical façade ornaments. The extension connected to the old building by a glass-roofed stairwell is angular and modern. The sand-coloured bricks on the façade make the extension warm and inviting. The installation portrays distinct cultures that meet in the border area. Both the connection with the old museum building stand for interaction. The terrace offers an alluring view over the sea fjord.
Refined Modernization
The designers modernised the winepress building of a historical vineyard using wood and clay bricks to give future generations an alarming and contemporary home. The family business, established in 1893 in the Austrian wine region of Styria, was planned as a modern timber construction with brick elements that mix in with historical buildings around the farm. The vintage clay roof tile in the colour engobe sand was selected to match the wooden façade. They used the tile on the roof and the façade.
A Building with Three Facades
The newly designed school building forms an ecologically responsible learning space. The school in France is situated on the edge of a 1970s residential area. The building was enlarged, and a second building was added to create space for a play school, primary school, after-school care, library, sports hall, dining room, and offices. The architects formulated the cladding using a blend of three shapes: custom-made white glazed plain tiles for the roof and façade of the main building, leaving an effect reminiscent of snakeskin.
A Wave of Monochrome
The Bysa & Sandis complex in Helsinki sprawls over 14,000 m2 and houses 144 individual beautiful residences with unexpected and careful features. The two-tone colours of Superwhite Retro and Dark Pellava Retro facing bricks from the Wienerberger Koria series were used to create the aesthetic framework of the façade. The dynamic structure of the white and pale grey bricks forms the building’s concave inner curvature as well as the convex north side. The developers were inspired to use these bricks because of their durability and low maintenance requirements.
When Less is More
The principle that guided the design of this standalone family home near Cologne, Germany was “less is more,” and it evidently amplifies the impact of the brick façade’s almost mediaeval appearance. The architects avoided protrusions and recesses, bay windows and dormer windows in order to create a strikingly simple, yet elegant building. Instead, they created a restrained façade that fits into its urban environment with assured use of natural materials, making a distinctive architectural statement. The brick façade has a unique ability to combine contemporary flair with an almost primaeval aspect. In current light grey hues with subsidiary dark brown shades, Terca waterstruck bricks Niara from Wienerberger were used.
Tiled Chalets for Dream Holidays
The 20 chalets on the Austrian/Hungarian border, with grey and white building shells, are surrounded by an unspoiled natural landscape and remind of bygone vacations. They are located in Fert/Neusiedler, a UNESCO world heritage site. These vintage-style vacation cottages are part of the 200-hectare VILA VITA Pannonia hotel and vacation village, which includes 27 hotel rooms, 8 suites, 5 apartments, and 127 bungalows. Tondach tiles are spread unevenly across the roofs and façades blending the lakeside cabins into the natural surroundings. The visual aesthetics and clay building materials help this complex meet the most stringent environmental requirements.
In conclusion, a thoughtfully constructed green building combines planning, design, construction, operations, and recycling or renewal, while considering energy, water, indoor environmental quality, materials selection, and location. The examples we discussed are some of the most influential sustainable buildings, demonstrating revolutionary innovations in green building designs. This Sustainable architecture is widely being adopted by several architects and builders globally. It plays a pivotal role in steering the construction industry in a progressive direction, allowing us to meet our climate action targets in the near future.
Project details and image courtesy: ArchitectumCurated by editor at Wienerberger IndiaLooking for a green building solution? We are here to help. Write to us at marketing@wienerberger.com or connect with us on Linkedin, Instagram and Facebook
There is a surge of unique concepts for single family homes displaying fantastic environments, spacious buildings, and an ethos of floating houses. This isolated country house in Croatia has been metamorphosed into a modern, environmentally friendly second home with exquisite charm, while keeping sustainability intact. The concept fuses traditional architectural materials like wood and clay with contemporary design.
Dark grey plain clay roof tiles are used to decorate the roof and longitudinal sides of the façade. It allows the building to blend with its surroundings. Furthermore, a blend of glass and Siberian larch wood on the gable walls with a pinch of aluminium and raw concrete awnings formulate a melodic mix of conventional cum contemporary aesthetics.
This concept from Germany involves the utilisation of every millimetre of space. The exterior of the townhouse has been adorned with a brick façade that proffers an expressive outlook. The use of complimentary water stuck bricks with anthracite nuances add a certain glam called the Moana Eco-brick building; it now stands out from the adjacent houses with lighter facades. The bricks provide a slightly rustic surface and textured appearance primarily like that of water-struck bricks. The eco-brick works best to maximise the available space. In addition, a narrow format reduces the CO2 footprint by 20-30% in comparison to standard bricks per square metre of façade.
The Floating House in Lithuania is designed uniquely and looks like it’s standing on stilts. Upon looking closely, one can see a glass surface that supports the chunky, iridescent grey roof structure. The architect has used exclusive materials to formulate the façade and conceive an unusual floor plan. The uninterrupted floor plan of the building and the façade structure forms a clear, unique architectural expression and an enticing play of light and shade. The designers have chosen Koramic Bellus tiles for the roof and façade. The ceiling and upper floor in grey colour beautifully sit on the glass base. Flamed wooden boards cover the tiled façade while emphasising the breaks in the house. The beautifully articulated floating house lends a vibrant vibe to the atmosphere.
The Little C project has grown surprisingly in the Dutch city of Rotterdam. The entire project has a total of fifteen buildings. The brickwork, large metal windows, and steel walkways resemble New York’s Greenwich Village. The architects determined and checked the choice of bricks for the masonry patterns using 3D simulation software.
The block used is a high-quality basic building block. The facades are formulated using the dark red dragor brick in two formats. Other bricks involving Basstad, Birchridge, Sonsbeek, Larvik, and a dark green glazed brick are used to form accents. Dragor is a dynamic brick, robust and straightforward with various nuances of colour that let the façade shine even when the sky is overcast. The same basic brick is joined with light coloured mortar in one apartment block and dark mortar in the neighbouring block.
While meeting all the modern requirements, this unique novel roof building reveals something quite alluring. The Lonshaus building in the Hannover-Zoo quarter was renovated, where an entire refurbishment of the roof, façade and windows were done. The three-storey building dates to 1917 at the time when architectural styles were transitioning between Historicism, Art Nouveau and Modernism. The designers have used Koramic V11 float tile coated with anthracite-black engobe. In an attempt to ventilate the roof, ridge tiles were installed.
The roof covers about half the surface area of the building envelope. It is not only a functional protective layer but also boasts of sufficient visual impact. The Koramic V11 unites premium design standards with full functionality of a roof tile as verified by the various design awards.
The new Citadel Staden district in Malmo, Sweden, is famous for providing the residents with a variety of facilities, while still prioritising sustainability. All the buildings are certified with the Nordic SwanEcolabel. Ostra Citadellskajen received the Miljöbyggnad Silver sustainability label. What stands apart is the durability of the material, which is the reason for why selected brick was an ideal solution.
In order to create attractive designs, the back of the brick is kept rough. The 48 condominium apartments in Ostra Citadel Skagen along the canal are designed to reflect the architectural firm Kanozi Arkitekter. The yellow brick façade resembles Malmo’s older industrial buildings. This kind of brick is referred to as Malmo Brick.
This alluring residential building in Paris and its smart outer shell have initiated a new era of sustainability and cost-efficient architecture. The building appears to be a centrepiece of the apartment block. The two interconnected buildings accommodate 26 apartments and a commercial area with a medical clinic on the ground floor. The building boasts of a shimmery façade and an unusual shape that attracts every passer-by in the Paris townscape.
The corner building with a curved exterior grants a spacious plot allowing space optimisation while meeting contemporary standards. In an attempt to meet the sustainability requirements, the two residential buildings were entirely encased in clay bricks. The designers selected Koramic flat tiles Actua in titanium white and titanium grey, partly due to its striking silver-white play of colours and also partially due to the format having to meet the requirements for installation both on the façade and on the roof.
The brick gives a quality touch to the commercial project. The building is designed to meet the lifestyle needs of modern city dwellers while still offering an openness and connection with other people.
The old cinemas in Santes were renovated such that they reflect the essence of cultural heritage. The creative project breathes new life into an old cinema in Santes. The architectural type dates to 1900, which has been preserved after restoration. The black glazed roof tiles trace a frieze on the red background, occasionally punctuated by a white accent.
For creating a harmonious connection between old and new, roof tiles have been fused into the façade. The flat roof tiles cover the upper part of the façade. The lower part is continued in brick. Each passer-by praises the project as it depicts a novel concept while blending the past with the present.
This German Museum depicts the history of the German ethnic minority in the Danish part of the province, and at present, the museum’s facilities have been renovated and expanded. The present building is a villa with typical façade ornaments. The extension connected to the old building by a glass-roofed stairwell is angular and modern. The sand-coloured bricks on the façade make the extension warm and inviting. The installation portrays distinct cultures that meet in the border area. Both the connection with the old museum building stand for interaction. The terrace offers an alluring view over the sea fjord.
The designers modernised the winepress building of a historical vineyard using wood and clay bricks to give future generations an alarming and contemporary home. The family business, established in 1893 in the Austrian wine region of Styria, was planned as a modern timber construction with brick elements that mix in with historical buildings around the farm. The vintage clay roof tile in the colour engobe sand was selected to match the wooden façade. They used the tile on the roof and the façade.
The newly designed school building forms an ecologically responsible learning space. The school in France is situated on the edge of a 1970s residential area. The building was enlarged, and a second building was added to create space for a play school, primary school, after-school care, library, sports hall, dining room, and offices. The architects formulated the cladding using a blend of three shapes: custom-made white glazed plain tiles for the roof and façade of the main building, leaving an effect reminiscent of snakeskin.
The Bysa & Sandis complex in Helsinki sprawls over 14,000 m2 and houses 144 individual beautiful residences with unexpected and careful features. The two-tone colours of Superwhite Retro and Dark Pellava Retro facing bricks from the Wienerberger Koria series were used to create the aesthetic framework of the façade. The dynamic structure of the white and pale grey bricks forms the building’s concave inner curvature as well as the convex north side. The developers were inspired to use these bricks because of their durability and low maintenance requirements.
The principle that guided the design of this standalone family home near Cologne, Germany was “less is more,” and it evidently amplifies the impact of the brick façade’s almost mediaeval appearance. The architects avoided protrusions and recesses, bay windows and dormer windows in order to create a strikingly simple, yet elegant building. Instead, they created a restrained façade that fits into its urban environment with assured use of natural materials, making a distinctive architectural statement. The brick façade has a unique ability to combine contemporary flair with an almost primaeval aspect. In current light grey hues with subsidiary dark brown shades, Terca waterstruck bricks Niara from Wienerberger were used.
The 20 chalets on the Austrian/Hungarian border, with grey and white building shells, are surrounded by an unspoiled natural landscape and remind of bygone vacations. They are located in Fert/Neusiedler, a UNESCO world heritage site. These vintage-style vacation cottages are part of the 200-hectare VILA VITA Pannonia hotel and vacation village, which includes 27 hotel rooms, 8 suites, 5 apartments, and 127 bungalows. Tondach tiles are spread unevenly across the roofs and façades blending the lakeside cabins into the natural surroundings. The visual aesthetics and clay building materials help this complex meet the most stringent environmental requirements.
In conclusion, a thoughtfully constructed green building combines planning, design, construction, operations, and recycling or renewal, while considering energy, water, indoor environmental quality, materials selection, and location. The examples we discussed are some of the most influential sustainable buildings, demonstrating revolutionary innovations in green building designs. This Sustainable architecture is widely being adopted by several architects and builders globally. It plays a pivotal role in steering the construction industry in a progressive direction, allowing us to meet our climate action targets in the near future.
Project details and image courtesy: Architectum
Curated by editor at Wienerberger India
