Energy and environmental performances in the buildings with sustainable and green architectures: A critical review

Abstract

Nature serves a valuable source of learning for humans, particularly inspiring architectural design. Architecture as an interdisciplinary field has been influenced by various natural science topics. Also, to respond to the growing environmental challenges, the use of nature's position in architecture and the building industry has received extensive attention. In this review paper, in the first stage, the concept of nature, the effect of nature forms on sustainability and its relationship with humans are examined and their reflection in nature-based architectures is expressed. In the second stage, the concept of designs and architectures inspired from nature and biology, design methods of these types of architecture and ways to achieve the goals of sustainable and green architectures have been thoroughly reviewed. In the third stage, we analyse the advantages and disadvantages of these designs and architectures, focusing on energy efficiency, well-being, thermal comfort, and characteristics of sustainable architecture. Finally, solutions are proposed to achieve energy reduction and increase thermal comfort in nature-based architectures.