The sustainable architecture approach originated in the 1960s as a response to growing concerns about climate change and sustainability.
Sustainable architecture is based on five fundamental principles that allow the creation of efficient, environmentally friendly and socially responsible structures.
Do you know these 5 principles? We summarize them for you.
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5 Principles of Sustainable Architecture
For a construction to be considered sustainable, it must generally comply with these 5 principles:
Energy efficiency
Sustainable architecture seeks to maximize the use of renewable energy sources and minimize energy consumption through passive design strategies, such as the proper orientation of the building and the use of insulating materials.
Use of sustainable materials
Low environmental impact materials are used, which are renewable, recyclable or biodegradable, to reduce the negative impact on the environment.
Sustainable water management
It seeks to reduce water consumption through the use of gray water saving and reuse technologies, and responsible management of wastewater is promoted.
Indoor environment quality
Attention is paid to indoor air quality, natural lighting, acoustics, and temperature to ensure a healthy and comfortable space for its occupants.
Social responsability
The impact of the building on the local community is considered and the aim is to improve the quality of life of its inhabitants. Sustainable architecture promotes sustainable development and social equity.
Sustainable pools
Since it originated in the 1960s, sustainable architecture has become common practice around the world and has been applied to a wide range of buildings, including swimming pools.
Sustainable swimming pools are, therefore, a natural evolution of sustainable architecture that seeks to minimize environmental impact and promote energy efficiency.
In Spain, the construction of sustainable swimming pools began to become popular at the beginning of the 21st century, although the first sustainable designs date back to the 1990s. These swimming pools are characterized by using environmentally friendly technologies and materials, such as the use of systems natural filtration systems, the use of renewable energy and the reuse of water.
In addition, sustainable pools also incorporate designs that allow the integration of the landscape and the promotion of biodiversity, such as the use of natural rocks in their construction. With these measures, sustainable pools become an example of commitment to the environment, allowing their owners to enjoy a beautiful and functional pool without compromising the environment.
Having said that, how can you make the pool of your project sustainable? What should you take into account prior to construction so that your pool is considered sustainable and ecological? Take note.
4 key aspects to apply sustainability in Water Architecture
The sustainable architecture applied to the pool must comply with these 4 principles simultaneously. Currently, many companies sell their pools as sustainable when, really, they are not, since they do not comply with these 4 principles.
If you want the pool of your project to be 100% sustainable, keep in mind that all these points must be met:
Sustainable material
For a swimming pool to be sustainable, both the project design and the chosen coating must be sustainable.
In other words, if you wanted to apply sustainability to your pool, you should opt for a design that takes into account the orientation to the sun and whose walls are sufficiently thick and waterproof to prevent heat loss, especially if it is a climatized pool.
Regarding the coating, the objective is not only to achieve a natural and organic effect, but to use a material that is respectful with the environment. To this end, we suggest you use:
- Continuous microquartz coating. Its characteristics and natural resources used for its manufacture make this material respectful of the environment. In addition to being a covering that can be adapted to the organic shapes of your project, you have a wide range of textures, colors and finishes at your disposal. All this will allow you to achieve a natural appearance in your pool, integration with the environment and a low environmental impact.
- Natural stone. Natural stone is a very resistant and durable material that does not require frequent replacement or maintenance, which reduces its environmental impact. It can also be extracted from local quarries and can be reused for other purposes, which reduces the amount of residues and the need to extract more stone. As if this were not enough, the production of natural stone has a low environmental impact, since it does not require complex industrial processes. It is therefore an ideal material to cover a sustainable swimming pool.
At GodoPools we have been working with both types of sustainable coatings for many years. Take a look at our catalog of natural stone coverings and choose from the wide variety of finishes, tones and textures that we have.
Efficient use of water
Applying sustainability in water architecture implies reducing water consumption and making efficient use of it through water saving and reuse technologies.
To apply this principle to your pool and make it sustainable, you should focus on:
- A sustainable disinfection of water: The objective is to disinfect water without leaving a mark on the environment. To this end, we recommend avoiding chlorine and opting for a more advanced UV technology treatment that does not leave residue, such as GodoPools Pure Pool Technology.
These ultraviolet lamps are specifically designed so that all the pool water is totally disinfected and clean of microorganisms once it passes through the equipment, using the hydrolysis process.
- A sustainable purification of the pool water: This process seeks to filter and purify all the microorganisms that have previously been eliminated by the disinfection equipment, in addition to all the dirt in suspension added by the pool environment.
To achieve this in a sustainable and efficient way, we recommend using AFM ionically activated glass, since as a result it provides a higher quality water, without bacteria and with a higher mechanical and electrostatic filtration performance.
You can expand information on these two points in this post: Alternatives to traditional pool purification.
Also, keep in mind that there are already advanced technology equipment that integrates several systems into one to achieve 100% ecological pool water, such as GodoPools Pure Pool Technology.
Energy efficiency and sustainable maintenance
Sustainable pools use energy efficient technologies to reduce energy consumption and be able to feed the filtration and heating systems, if any, efficiently.
In fact, the entire disinfection and treatment system mentioned in the previous point would not be possible without an intelligent management team for these processes automatically and efficiently. We are talking about technologically developed equipment so that the pool works intelligently and self-sufficiently without the need for daily checks.
An example of this type of equipment is Pool Tech Connection. It is a piece of equipment with automatic control and management software with a remote connection that regulates the filtering speed and works automatically and intelligently, through speed regulators installed in the circulation pumps.
In this way, the objective of reducing electricity consumption by more than 50% and noise pollution in the environment where the equipment is located is achieved.
Do not forget that sustainability in the architecture of water should not only be applied to the construction of a pool or spa, but also its maintenance, which means using techniques and technologies that are respectful of the environment and the ecosystem.
Energy efficient lighting
Lighting is another of the most relevant points to consider in sustainable architecture applied to a pool or spa project.
Within all the alternatives, LED lighting is considered a low consumption and sustainable option to apply in a swimming pool. Unlike incandescent or halogen bulbs, LED lights use less energy and have a longer lifespan, making them a more cost-effective option in the long run.
Additionally, LED lights do not emit as much heat as traditional bulbs, reducing the risk of overheating in the pool. They also offer a variety of color options and can be easily controlled with automation systems to adjust the lighting level.
In summary, LED lighting is the best option due to its low consumption, high luminosity, sustainability and versatility for your pool or spa, so if you want your project to meet sustainable architecture standards, you should undoubtedly integrate it into your project.
Conclusion
In conclusion, applying sustainability in the construction of swimming pools is not only a matter of environmental responsibility, but also of energy efficiency and long-term profitability.
Using energy efficient technologies and intelligent management equipment are key to reducing energy consumption and guaranteeing optimal pool operation. By applying these sustainable practices, you not only contribute to caring for the environment, but also to a better experience of using and enjoying the pool.
GodoPools, as a company specialized in the design and construction of swimming pools, applies sustainability in the construction of swimming pools. If you wish, contact us, we will make you a unique, personalized project.
Frequently asked questions about sustainability in water architecture
Measures can be taken such as using sustainable materials, reducing waste generation, ensuring correct water treatment, reducing energy consumption and using advanced home automation technologies.
Natural materials such as natural stone or continuous micro-quartz lining can be used to line the pool. As well as wood from sustainably managed forests for terraces and platforms.
The additional cost may vary depending on the technologies and materials used, but in the long term, investing in a sustainable pool can pay off in terms of energy and maintenance cost savings.
Water consumption can be reduced by using advanced purification and disinfection systems such as Pure Pool Technology. Reusing the water for other purposes is another option.
There are various energy efficient technologies, such as smart pool water management systems, which have been designed with state-of-the-art technology to allow the pool to function intelligently and autonomously without requiring daily supervision.
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