As you can imagine, energy efficiency has evolved quite a lot over time. Take a look at some of the most notable architectural designs aimed at reducing energy usage.
Ancient Greece
One of the first examples of energy-friendly design is in Ancient Greece, where buildings were erected in specific orientations to maximise natural sunlight and heat in the cool winter months. The common south-facing design was simple, yet it showed a conscious effort to use natural energy to their benefit.
Natural materials
Roman houses used what was available to design energy-efficient homes. For instance, homes built in ancient Turkish cities were constructed using hand-foraged volcanic rock, which, thanks to its thermal mass, was able to insulate and protect from the harsh elements of the climate.
Double glazing
Double glazing was established to keep more heat in during cold days, which had a great impact on reducing emissions. To say the use of double panes of glass with a gap for air in between – invented by the Romans and further enhanced over the past few centuries – was revolutionary is an understatement. Double glazing continues to ensure that heat is not lost through the windows, making it one of the biggest breakthroughs in energy-efficient designs.
External shading
Invented by Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, brise soleil, as seen at //alusystems.uk/brise-soleil-solar-shading, originated as a type of shading device to prevent the direct sun from entering buildings. Now, brise soleil is as popular as ever, and with its customisable design features, it’s also an architectural statement. Brise soleil cuts out the need for furnishings like parasols and internal curtains or blinds, as well as minimising the need for cooling systems. This makes it highly energy efficient.
Conclusion
As we continue to strive to be more eco-friendly, it’s important to look back at what our ancestors did. It may have been simple, but they built the foundations of energy efficiency in the home. We need to praise them for their innovative design flair, especially considering the limited knowledge, materials and technology that were available to them at the time.
