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Energy-Efficient Buildings Created by "Green Builders"

These are three crucial elements that green builders consider when designing new infrastructures and buildings; Sustainable; energy-efficient; environmentally friendly. Among these three items, efficient energy use has become a particularly significant element as more links between energy over-consumption and climate change have been revealed. For the past two decades, green builders have become more innovative with integrating energy-efficient designs in new buildings. Pioneering work in the use of natural light and insulation, as well as the use of alternative and renewable energy systems for heating and cooling purposes, have resulted in an impressive list of spectacularly designed buildings all over the world.

The Dell Children's Medical Center in Austin, Texas is a prime example of such buildings. The hospital makes excellent use of renewable energy systems to minimize energy consumption and long-term costs. It has an on-site combined heat and power plant, which provides for electricity as well as heating and cooling requirements. Energy consumption for lighting requirements has also been significantly minimized with strategically located large and multiple windows that maximize natural light. During the day, 80% of the total light requirement is met through natural light coming through such windows. It is no wonder then that this hospital proudly boasts of the distinction of being the first healthcare facility in the world to achieve LEED Platinum status, a prestigious and internationally-recognized certification that attests to the building's compliance with the highest technical standards for green design and architecture.

The Godrej Green Business Center in India, on the other hand, attests to the global applicability of green standards in architectural and engineering design. Designed by Spectral Services Consultant, the center's design specifications is pretty impressive. Rainwater collection, solar power, and a roof garden were all employed to cut down energy and water consumption. Energy consumption for thermal control was also effectively reduced thanks to the natural insulation provided by the roof garden. External lighting requirements were also eliminated through a well-conceived design that maximizes natural light. All these elements combined to produce a structure that consumes 55% less energy than a similarly sized standard building.

Another landmark building is the Canberra International Airport in Australia, which received a 5-star rating from Australia's Green Building Council. The airport's office building is extremely energy-efficient, sourcing 70% of its total energy requirement from solar power. Its air-conditioning system makes use of innovative technology that is powered by waste heat rather than electricity. The end result? One of the best solar-powered buildings in the world.

These are but three examples of innovative buildings designed around the standards and principles of "green builders" which have resulted in high-energy conservation and efficiency. There are many more groundbreaking buildings out there that attest to the viability of green solutions in construction and design. The number of such buildings continues to increase all over the globe, changing the way that buildings and even entire communities are being planned and designed.

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