Sustainable Construction: Techniques
In
the world of construction, many trends come and go. Some fall by the wayside in
a short period of time, but others grow to become an integral part of the
industry as a whole. Sustainable construction definitely falls under the
latter.
Green
building techniques are reshaping the industry and becoming a fundamental part
of new building designs. Construction professionals are using many different
eco-friendly design principles to construct new buildings and to renovate old
ones.
Let’s
take a look at these green building techniques as well as developing trends
that will define sustainable construction in the future.
1. Modular Construction Techniques to
Eliminate Waste
Modular
construction is a sustainable technique that builders are using to design
structures faster, at a more competitive cost, and with maximum resource
efficiency. Modular structures can be built within a controlled environment
where wastage of resources is minimized and pollution is controlled.
Construction
technologies can be used to make modular construction even more efficient. The
use of construction software allows builders to prepare accurate material
estimates, design 3D images of the construction site, and coordinate activities
with all stakeholders. The end result is a high-quality structure that is also
environmentally friendly.
2. Use
of Green Building Materials
Perhaps
the most popular sustainable construction technique is the use of green building
materials. These are materials sourced from renewable sources and are also
recyclable when the building has reached its lifespan.
Green
building materials are typically sourced from sustainable forests (such as
timber forests). They can also be produced from innovative manufacturing
processes that reduce harmful emissions to the atmosphere. Concrete and steel
are two examples of materials that are now being produced via eco-friendly
manufacturing processes.
Through
the use of sustainable building materials, new structures will have a lower
carbon footprint and better energy efficiency. The amount of waste that ends up
in landfills is reduced if the building needs to be renovated/demolished in the
future.
3. Zero Energy Construction
Zero
energy construction is an emergent trend in many different homes/buildings. The
goal of a ‘zero energy’ structure is to produce as much energy as it consumes,
having a zero-net impact on the environment.
Builders
are incorporating zero energy techniques to design more efficient, durable and
sustainable structures at a competitive cost.
Zero
energy construction techniques involve a combination of the following steps:
·
Using renewable energy sources to power
the building
·
Efficient air ventilation systems that
eliminate pollutants from the surrounding air
·
Better insulation materials that minimize
leaking air and noise pollution
·
Using energy efficient indoor appliances
Zero
energy construction also allows buildings to put back as much energy into the
grid as they use during the year.
4.
Flexible Space Design to Improve Functionality
Flexible
and dynamic construction is another sustainable design technique, which
involves making a space functional for more than one purpose.
This
dynamic design trend first started with reception areas being designed to also
act as a lounge for both guests and employees. The technique is also expanding
into hallways, classrooms, stairways and dining locations. Builders are
trending towards designing offices to also become livable apartments, hotels to
become condos, and retail spaces to double up as community centers.
By
making a previously static space more useful for different functions, builders
can reduce material usage and save on valuable resources.
5.
Resilience and Durability
Sustainable
construction also involves improving the durability and resiliency of
buildings. Climate change has heightened concerns of more inclement weather
events (such as flooding, bushfires and cyclones), with structures needing to
be designed with resiliency at the fore.
More
builders are trending towards incorporating risk mitigation steps such as
insurance plans, construction technology and renewable building materials. In
this way, structures can recover quickly after disaster strikes.
The
eco-friendly design techniques highlighted above not only contribute to more
sustainable structures; they also allow builders to save costs, increase
quality and improve the efficiency of their construction processes.
Comments
Post a Comment