Sustainable Design and Green Building Practices

A survey conducted in 2021 concluded that nearly 30% of all energy produced is consumed by buildings and building infrastructure. Buildings also emit tons of air pollutants and 170 tons of debris annually. Buildings are a major contributor to global warming. They can have harmful ecological impacts, but everyone needs buildings to live, work and play in, so what can be done about this? This is where Sustainable Design and Green Building Practices come in. This blog will look at these and how they help reduce a building's energy consumption and minimise environmental impact.

What is Sustainable Design? 

Sustainable design is the process of designing products, buildings, and other structures that use green materials to create efficient, cost-effective designs that positively impact the environment. It also considers the design's social and economic impacts, such as creating jobs and improving quality of life. The entire life cycle of the product on taken into account, including factors such as, 

• Design 
• Manufacturing
• Use 
• Disposal 
• Recyclability 

What are Green Building Practices?

Green building practices are strategies for designing and constructing environmentally friendly and resource-efficient buildings. These practices include,

• Reducing energy 
• Reducing water consumption
• Using renewable energy sources
• Incorporating non-toxic material
• Incorporating recyclable materials
• Incorporating locally sourced materials

Builds do not need to be specifically designed for this. Green building practices can be applied to both new and existing buildings. 

Benefits of Sustainable Design and Green Building Practices

Sustainable design and green building practices are based on environmental stewardship, resource conservation, and energy efficiency principles. These practices aim to reduce the environmental impact of buildings and construction projects while providing a healthy and comfortable living environment. 

Reduced Energy Consumption

Using energy-efficient materials, techniques, and technologies can reduce the energy needed to power our homes and businesses.

• Energy Star appliances are designed to use less energy than traditional models. They can save significant money on your energy bills. 
• LED lighting is becoming increasingly popular as it uses significantly less energy.
• Orienting buildings towards the sun, being natural sunlight into the building and can be used for heating and cooling. 
• Solar panels and wind turbines on the roofs of buildings can generate electricity and reduce the need for electricity from the grid.

Improved Air Quality

Utilising materials that are low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other toxins reduces indoor air pollution. This is beneficial for both the environment and those who inhabit the building, as it helps to reduce the risk of health problems associated with air born pollutants and poor air quality. 

• Green roofs and living walls can help reduce air temperatures, reducing the number of air pollutants released into the atmosphere. 
• Increasing the natural ventilation in a building is a good way to push out circulated air and bring in fresh air.

Reduced Waste

The three R rules - Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

By following the three R rule, the amount of waste produced by a building can greatly be reduced. 

• Reduce

Reducing the number of materials used in construction can be done using more efficient construction techniques and materials. 

• Reuse 

Reusing materials is another way to reduce waste. This can be done by salvaging materials from existing structures, such as 

• Wood 
• Bricks 
• Other building materials

 

• Recycle 

Installing methods to recycle water, such as,

• Rainwater harvesting 
• Greywater recycling

Utilising recycled materials instead of manufactured materials, such as,

• Glass
• metal
• Plastic

Challenges of Involved in Sustainable Design and Green Building Practices

1. Cost

The upfront costs of green building practices can be higher than traditional building practices, making it difficult for some to switch. The estimated price difference between sustainable and conventional construction is between 1% and 25%. Utilising sustainable building materials is 3 - 4% more expensive than doing so with conventional ones.

2. Lack of knowledge and experience

Although sustainable design and green building practices are becoming popular, many still need the knowledge and experience to understand and implement the concepts in a project. This lack of knowledge can make it difficult for people to make informed decisions about their green building projects. The lack of knowledge and experience can lead to mistakes and costly errors. 

3. Finding the right professionals

It isn't easy to find the right professionals who are knowledgeable and experienced in the field and understand the principles of sustainability, green building, and energy efficiency. Many contractors and architects may need to become more familiar with sustainable design, making it difficult to find the right person for the job. 

Conclusion

By implementing sustainable design and green building practices, we can create healthier, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly buildings. To learn more about civil engineering and building design, check out the blogs and courses on Skill-Lync. We offer courses like The Post Graduate Program in High-Rise Building Design & Analysis and Infrastructure - Engineering Design and Project Management. Want to know more about us? Book a free demo and talk with our experts!