The world is
home to many examples of breathtaking architecture, from centuries old
cathedrals to iconic modern buildings like The Shard or Sydney Opera House.
These buildings offer many practical and aesthetic benefits, however, the
construction industry has had negative impacts on the environment that are
becoming increasingly prevalent.
According to
some studies, the construction industry is responsible for up to 50% of climate
change, 40% of global energy use and 50% of the total waste sent to landfill.
These statistics are concerning, but many construction and architecture
companies are making conscious efforts to use more sustainable building
materials and design practices.
Sustainable
or ‘green’ building involves using eco-friendly construction materials in a
building’s design, as well as taking steps to ensure that the construction
itself causes as little damage to the surrounding environment as possible. Many
architects are also designing buildings with sustainability in mind, to create
a series of green buildings that are as environmentally friendly as they are
functional.
The advance
of technology has meant that green building methods and designs are constantly
evolving, so if you want to find out more, read on for our guide to the latest
developments in sustainable architecture and green building materials.
Biodegradable materials
Many
traditional construction materials are not biodegradable, which means they’ll
end up as landfill waste unless they’re reused or recycled. Using biodegradable
materials is an eco-friendly way to counteract this issue and they don’t
include the toxic chemicals used in many traditional construction materials,
like paint.
Examples of
biodegradable construction materials include bamboo, wooden shingles and
bioplastics. Bioplastics are made from soybeans and they break down at a rapid
rate compared to oil based plastics, which can take up to 1,000 years to break
down in landfill. In comparison, bioplastics degrade at around the same rate as
paper - roughly two to six weeks.
Mycelium
This is one
of the latest and most exciting biodegradable materials, made from the thin
root-like fibres of fungi. This material is remarkably strong once dried and
can be shaped into bricks which are then used to build walls, or entire
buildings. Mycelium is 100% organic, as well as water, mould and fire
resistant. It can even be grown to form specific shapes and it’s well on the
way to helping the construction industry reach its sustainability goals.
Carbon neutral buildings
Carbon
neutral buildings, like Melbourne’s Pixel Building, generate all (or the
majority) of their energy on site. Carbon neutral buildings work to
dramatically reduce their carbon emissions through reduced energy consumption
and the use of low carbon energy sources. They also make efforts to offset any
carbon emissions that are produced, to reach a goal of zero net regulated
carbon emissions.
Carbon
neutral buildings use renewable energy sources like solar or wind, as well as
other eco-friendly practices like recycling wastewater.The sustainable and
green building practices listed here all work towards helping a building reduce
its carbon emissions, so keep reading to find out more.
Smart glass
Smart glass
is a type of glazing with light transmission properties that can be altered
when powered by electricity, heat or light. Most smart glass is powered by
electricity and incorporated into a building’s general control system, allowing
users to choose how much natural light enters a building.
Being able
to control the amount of solar radiation means that buildings can save
significant amounts on heating, ventilation and air conditioning costs, as well
as cut down on the amount of total energy consumed.
Self-powered buildings
Self-powered
buildings are set to transform energy use and they could also reduce a
building’s energy bills by up to 60%. The Active Classroom in Swansea is a
pioneering project that’s been named the UK’s first ‘energy-positive’
classroom. This means that the building generates more energy than it consumes
- one and half times more, to be exact.
The building
was constructed in just eight months and it uses a range of technologies to
generate as much energy output as possible. These include, steel roofs with
inbuilt solar cells, steel cladding to capture solar heat energy and an
electrically heated floor coating. These types of self-powered buildings also
help to reduce carbon emissions, to allow a building to be not just carbon
neutral, but carbon negative. This means that not only is the building’s carbon
footprint zero, it also actively removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere,
reducing the amount of overall greenhouse gases emitted.
Water conservation
Many
buildings are now constructed with inbuilt water efficient systems, which
effectively reuse and recycle water throughout the building. Water conservation
can be achieved through the use of dual plumbing, rainwater harvesting,
greywater reuse and water conservation fixtures (like shower heads or lavatory
flushes). Studies have found that these technologies can lower water wastage by
up to 15% in urban areas, which means that freshwater can be preserved to
address shortages.
Green roofs
Also known
as living roofs, this building feature covers the roof of a building partially
or entirely with vegetation, planted on top of a waterproof membrane. These
roofs add vital greenery to dense urban areas and they have many sustainable,
environmentally friendly benefits too.
Green roofs
help to capture rainwater (this can be used in a water conservation system like
the ones mentioned above). They also provide a high level of thermal insulation
which helps to cut down on a building’s energy consumption. The plants
themselves offset greenhouse gas emissions through carbon capture (where trees
and plants take carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen), which also
improves the surrounding air and water quality.
Green roofs
can also be used to grow vegetables and provide a habitat for wildlife, which
helps to increase the biodiversity of the local area. In some cases, they can
even lower a city’s average temperatures during hotter months, combatting the
urban heat island effect. Green roofs have become increasingly popular in
recent years, thanks to these many environmental benefits, their energy saving
properties and aesthetic appeal.
Refurbishing not rebuilding
Buildings
are often frequently demolished to make space for new ones, but the demolition
itself can cause a lot of harm to the surrounding environment. Sourcing raw
materials like concrete and steel from scratch also uses enormous amounts of
energy and extraction methods like quarrying or mining can cause further damage
to local water and air supplies.
Many
building and construction companies are now choosing to refurbish a building,
instead of tearing it down and reconstructing a brand new one in its place.
Many older structures can be refurbished and updated to include green
technologies like solar panels, a green roof or eco-friendly insulation. This
is far more sustainable than building an entire structure from scratch and it
saves the energy and resources needed to harvest new materials.
Simon Levy Associates - Professional chartered
building surveyors in Hertfordshire and beyond
If you’re
thinking of making some sustainable adaptations to an existing building, or
starting a new green project, get help from the experts at Simon Levy
Associates. We’re proud to offer a comprehensive range of professional building
services to ensure that your next project can be completed to the highest
standards.
Our team is
available to conduct building defect
diagnosis
, full
building and structural surveys, dilapidations, insurance claims and more. We
can also provide expert witnesses and guidance regarding party wall matters and
boundary disputes, so that your project can proceed as smoothly as possible.
We have a wealth of experience with both
residential and commercial properties, so give us a call today or
visit our website
to find out more about how we could help you.
