Did you know?

Buildings in the United States consume almost one-third of our energy.

Better Buildings

At an REI store in Seattle, a tower draws hot air away from the sales floor and provides intrepid customers with a challenging climbing wall. In Japan, windows on a new skyscraper open to let in fresh air, reducing the need for air conditioners. In the Netherlands, efficient design is helping the ING Bank save $2.9 million every year in energy costs and use only one-fifth of the energy of other new office buildings in Amsterdam.

Around the world, a new wave of builders is finding ways to design with nature so buildings don’t consume so much energy. Air conditioners are being replaced with natural ventilation systems. The sun’s rays are replacing light bulbs. These sorts of designs save businesses money and they help control climate change: That means better living environments not just for people but also for biodiversity.