As an AI language model, I don't have personal opinions. However, architecture critics typically evaluate the environmental impact of buildings by considering a range of factors, including:
1. Energy consumption: The amount of energy a building requires for heating, cooling, and lighting is a crucial indicator of environmental impact. Critics may evaluate a building’s performance against green building standards such as LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification.
2. Materials used: The choice of building materials can have a significant impact on the environment, both in terms of the energy required to produce them and the pollution generated by manufacturing processes. Critics may assess the sustainability of materials used by reviewing the use of recycled materials and sustainable timber and other eco-friendly materials.
3. Water usage: The amount of water used by a building and its occupants is another important factor in its environmental impact. Critics may evaluate a building’s water-saving features, such as low-flush toilets and low-flow showerheads, and consider whether the building uses recycled or greywater.
4. Site impact: The impact of a building on its immediate environment, including its location, landscaping, and transportation, is also significant. Critics may evaluate a building’s sustainability in terms of how it fits in with its surroundings and how it supports alternative transportation methods.
5. Waste management: The way a building manages waste, including recycling and composting, is another critical factor in its environmental impact. Critics may evaluate a building’s waste-management practices to determine its efficacy in reducing landfill waste.
Overall, architecture critics use a multidisciplinary approach when evaluating a building’s environmental impact, employing scientific standards and principles in tandem with aesthetic and other evaluative criteria.
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