"The architect of the future will be required to imitate nature, as it is the most logical and economical path in the long run."
— Antonio Gaudí
The overuse of Earth's resources, leading us to a state of irreversible depletion, has in recent years triggered growing environmental awareness and efforts to reduce the negative impact of human activity on the planet.
Professionals in the construction field are now obligated to minimize environmental harm—from demolition, through the construction process, to the daily operation of buildings.
Sustainability means the responsible use of environmental resources and consumption based solely on actual need.
In recent years, terms like “green building,” “ecological construction,” and “environmentally friendly architecture” have become more common.
But for us as architects, these concepts are far from new—we’ve been addressing them for many years, long before terms like “green” and “eco” became widespread or fashionable.
Architecture deals with proper planning of a building within its environment, making optimal use of environmental conditions such as:
the building's physical surroundings, climate—wind, humidity, solar radiation—and the area’s natural resources.
These elements have always been influential factors and a fundamental part of architectural planning, including proper siting of buildings and designing for thermal comfort throughout all seasons.
In addition to sound architectural design—which has always been the architect’s responsibility—there are complementary fields that contribute to creating a healthier, more comfortable living environment while reducing harm to natural resources.
These matters require collaboration and commitment from developers, encouragement and incentives from the government, benefits from insurance companies, and the support of organizations with environmental interests.
Therefore, Gal & Matsliah Architects actively initiates and seeks to collaborate in the following areas:
- Electricity generation using photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and wind energy.
- Use of UV-filtering windows and fiber-optic light pipes to bring natural light into buildings.
- Water-saving systems, including rainwater harvesting, potable water filtration, and biological wastewater treatment.
- Waste management, including waste separation and composting of organic materials.
- Smart environmental home systems—software-based tools for resource management, electronic sensors to enhance energy efficiency.
- Air-purifying plants, capable of filtering toxins, mold, and harmful gases.
- Ecological water features, such as ponds that replicate natural spring conditions.
- Enhanced thermal insulation beyond standard codes, for reduced use of non-renewable energy.
As architects, we view the promotion of green construction and the integration of environmentally responsive design as essential goals—ones we must actively pursue as part of sustainable practice in Israel.
