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What is Green Construction or Green Building?
Green construction or Green building, also known as sustainable or eco-friendly construction, is the practice of designing and building structures that are efficient and environmentally friendly. Green construction aims to reduce the negative impact of buildings on the environment and human health, while enhancing the quality of life and economic performance of the occupants and the society.
In this blog, we will explore the following aspects of green construction:
- What are the benefits of green construction?
- What are some examples of green construction around the world?
- What are some of the best practices and technologies for green construction?
Benefits of Green Construction Or Green Building
Green construction offers numerous benefits to developers, consumers, society and the environment. Some of the main benefits are:
Water conservation and improved water efficiency:
Green buildings use water-efficient plumbing fixtures, rainwater harvesting systems, wastewater treatment plants, and xeriscaping (landscaping with drought-tolerant plants) to reduce water consumption and waste, and to protect water quality and availability.
Increased energy efficiency and reduced energy consumption:
Green buildings use renewable energy sources (such as solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, etc.), energy-efficient appliances and lighting, passive solar design, natural ventilation, and insulation to minimize energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Job creation and economic growth:
Green construction stimulates the demand for green products and services, creates new employment opportunities, increases productivity and competitiveness, and reduces operational and maintenance costs.
Health promotion and improved indoor air quality:
Green buildings avoid using toxic materials (such as volatile organic compounds or VOCs) that can cause respiratory problems, allergies, headaches, and other health issues. They also provide natural light, fresh air, thermal comfort, noise control, and ergonomic features to enhance the well-being and performance of the occupants.
Utilization of sustainable building materials and material efficiency:
Green buildings use recycled, reused, renewable, biodegradable, or locally sourced materials (such as bamboo, straw bale, hempcrete, etc.) to reduce waste generation and environmental impact. They also optimize the use of materials through prefabrication, modular design, deconstruction, and reuse.
Lower maintenance and operation costs:
Green buildings have longer lifespans and lower repair costs due to their durability and resilience. They also save money on utility bills due to their energy and water efficiency.
Increased property value and rental income:
Green buildings have higher market demand and attractiveness due to their environmental performance, aesthetic appeal, functionality, and comfort. They also have higher occupancy rates and tenant retention rates due to their health benefits and cost savings.
Reduced carbon footprint and environmental impact:
Green buildings contribute to mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy use. They also protect biodiversity and ecosystems by minimizing land use, soil erosion, water pollution, deforestation, habitat loss, etc.
Examples of Green Construction or Green Building
There are many examples of green construction around the world that showcase innovative design solutions and technologies for sustainability. Here are some of them:
Pixel Building (Melbourne, Australia):
The Pixel Building is Australia’s first carbon-neutral office building that generates all its own power and water on site. It has colourful panels that provide shade and maximize daylight as needed; supports that help process wastewater; a roof that captures rainwater; and vertical wind turbines.
One Central Park (Sydney, Australia):
One Central Park is a residential complex that features vertical gardens on its façade with 250 species of Australian plants and flowers. It also has a hovering cantilever that holds solar panels and a heliostat system that reflects sunlight to the gardens below.
Bahrain World Trade Centre (Bahrain):
The Bahrain World Trade Centre is a twin-tower complex that has three turbines mounted on sky bridges between the towers to generate electricity from wind power. The towers’ shapes resemble the Arab dhow sailing ships that help funnel wind to the turbines.
Museum of Tomorrow (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil):
The Museum of Tomorrow is a science museum that explores the future of humanity and the planet. It has a futuristic design that resembles a fish or a spaceship. It has solar panels that move with the sun, a cooling system that uses water from the bay, and exhibits that use interactive technology and artificial intelligence.
The Crystal (London, UK):
The Crystal”is a building that houses an exhibition center and an urban sustainability think tank. It is one of the most energy-efficient buildings in the world, with a LEED Platinum and BREEAM Outstanding rating. It has solar panels, ground source heat pumps, rainwater harvesting, and smart lighting.
The Edge (Amsterdam, Netherlands):
The Edge is an office building that is considered to be the smartest and greenest building in the world. It has a glass façade that maximizes natural light and minimizes heat loss, a roof that is covered with solar panels, an aquifer thermal energy storage system, and a digital app that connects the occupants to the building’s features.
Best Practices and Technologies for Green Construction or Green Building
There are many best practices and technologies that can be applied to green construction to achieve sustainability goals. Some of them are:
Green building certification systems:
Green building certification systems are frameworks that provide standards and guidelines for green construction. They assess the environmental performance of buildings based on various criteria, such as site selection, water efficiency, energy efficiency, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation, etc. Some of the most widely used green building certification systems are LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment), etc.
Life cycle assessment:
Life cycle assessment is a method that evaluates the environmental impact of a product or service throughout its life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal or recycling. It helps to identify the environmental hotspots and improvement opportunities for green construction.
Building information modelling:
Building information modelling is a process that uses digital models to represent the physical and functional characteristics of buildings. It helps to improve collaboration, coordination, communication, and decision-making among stakeholders involved in green construction. It also helps to optimize design, construction, operation, and maintenance of buildings.
Green roofs and walls:
Green roofs and walls are systems that cover the roofs or walls of buildings with vegetation. They help to reduce heat island effect, stormwater runoff, air pollution, noise pollution, and energy consumption. They also provide aesthetic, social, and ecological benefits.
Net zero energy buildings:
Net zero energy buildings are buildings that produce as much energy as they consume over a year. They achieve this by using renewable energy sources, energy-efficient technologies, and smart grid solutions.
F&Q
What is meant by green construction?
Using eco-friendly methods and materials to build structures and infrastructure is crucial for this kind of effort. A green or sustainable building is one that, due to how it’s built and its features, can help maintain or enhance the quality of the environment where it’s situated.
What is green construction technology?
Green technology construction involves using materials made from recycled substances that come from agricultural leftovers or waste. These materials are renewable resources and are good for the environment.
What are the benefits of green construction?
Green buildings do good for the environment by using less water, energy, and other natural resources. They also use renewable energy sources and eco-friendly materials, and they cut down on emissions and waste.
What are some examples of green?
- Solar panels on rooftops for green energy.
- Recycling bins to promote green waste management.
- Public transportation like buses and subways to reduce carbon emissions.
- Energy-efficient LED light bulbs for green lighting.
- Reusable cloth bags instead of plastic bags for green shopping.
- Planting trees and maintaining green spaces in cities.
- Hybrid and electric cars for green commuting.
- Composting kitchen scraps for green disposal.
- Eco-friendly cleaning products for a green household.
- Sustainable farming practices to promote green agriculture.
