Exploring Green Building Practices and Their Evolution
Building the Future: Merging Heritage and Innovation in Sustainable Architecture
In this edition, we explore the concept of Green Building, a transformative movement reshaping the construction industry at a crucial time. With buildings accounting for 30% of global energy consumption and 26% of energy-related emissions1, the urgency for change is clear. This newsletter delves into our sustainable construction journey, highlighting traditional practices and their foundational role in the development of modern energy-efficient and circular green building strategies.
What is “Green Building”?
Green building encompasses practices in design, construction, and operation that significantly reduce or eliminate negative impacts on the environment and occupants2. It is focused on promoting efficiency, which can lead to considerable savings in construction and operational costs. Green building also involves the effective use of resources, creating healthier environments for people to live and work in.
The building sector, along with its supporting supply chain, not only accounts for a substantial portion of global carbon dioxide emissions and the consumption of energy, water, and materials, but also presents the potential for significant and cost-effective improvements.
The roots of Green Building
Green buildings emerged in the 1960s with ecological architecture, gaining momentum from the 1970s energy crisis which spurred the development of renewable energies and energy-efficient designs3. By 1980, "sustainable development" became a key concept, leading to the adoption of energy-saving systems in developed countries. The 1990s marked a significant era with the UK introducing the first green building standard and the U.S. forming the Green Building Council, which later established the globally recognized LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system. Today, various countries and agencies have adopted their own green building programs, making it a fundamental aspect in addressing global energy challenges and a major focus in both academia and the construction industry.
Energy-Saving Techniques for Green Building
Historically countries have been adapting to their local environment by using smart techniques to reduce the need for heating or cooling.
For instance, in Finland, specialty stoves made of tulikivi, a type of firestone, are a prime example. These stoves, often built from bricks, naturally absorb and conserve energy from cooking or a log fire, then distribute this heat throughout a house. A mere two-hour fire in such a stove can provide warmth for up to 24 hours.4
Similarly, in Greece, houses are traditionally painted white, a method not just for aesthetic appeal but also to reflect sunlight and heat, significantly reducing the need for artificial cooling inside the homes. These practices highlight how traditional designs can play a crucial role in energy conservation and environmental sustainability.
One strategy also used in architecture is called ‘passive design’ which makes the most of the climate to naturally keep buildings comfortable, using sunlight and fresh air to cut down on the need for electric lights and air conditioning5. Simple things like placing windows and skylights smartly can light up a room without flipping a switch, and letting in a breeze through windows can mean less time running the fan.
Incorporating renewable energy sources like solar panels into building designs can also significantly reduce energy consumption, harnessing sunlight to generate electricity and lessen reliance on fossil fuels. This integration of modern technology with traditional energy-saving techniques creates a sustainable synergy, which can dramatically lower the carbon footprint of buildings.
Choosing Materials and Assessing their Impact
While these energy saving techniques are essential, it is just as important to choose the right materials and consider their whole life cycle. Solar panels, for example, can harvest the energy of the sun; however, they are very difficult to recycle, which increases their end-of-life impact. In fact, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) indicates that by the early 2030s, substantial quantities of annual waste from solar panels are expected, potentially reaching a total of 78 million tonnes by 2050.6
One technique used to consider the whole life cycle of housing is called ‘Cradle to Cradle’ design. Conceptualized by William McDonough and Michael Braungart, it revolutionizes how materials and products are created by aiming to eliminate waste through fully recyclable or biodegradable designs, inspired by nature's regenerative cycles. This approach, detailed in their book “Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things”, challenges the traditional "take-make-waste" model, advocating for a sustainable, closed-loop system where products are designed for continual reuse, reducing environmental impact and resource depletion7.
Sustainable building certifications, such as the Living Building Challenge and WELL Building Standard, incorporate Cradle to Cradle concepts, advocating for regenerative design and sustainable material cycles in construction. The creation of innovative, environmentally-friendly materials, like biodegradable insulation and modular construction systems, enables easier disassembly and recycling post-use, minimizing waste and ecological footprint in the building industry.
Building a Sustainable Future: The Holistic Path of Green Construction
In the face of increasingly frequent extreme weather events and rising temperatures, the future of construction demands a holistic approach that fully integrates environmental considerations. Embracing green building practices is not just a necessity but an opportunity to reshape our living spaces into sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective habitats. By combining traditional wisdom with innovative technologies, we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint and create buildings that not only respect but also regenerate the environment. As we move forward, let's view each new construction as a step towards a greener, more resilient world.
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https://www.iea.org/energy-system/buildings
https://new.gbca.org.au/about/what-green-building/
https://www.pnnl.gov/explainer-articles/green-buildings#:~:text=Green%20buildings%20incorporate%20measures%20that,natural%20environment%20and%20human%20occupants
https://theculturetrip.com/europe/finland/articles/how-finlands-eco-homes-could-help-to-save-the-planet
https://biofilico.com/news/green-building-energy-efficiency
https://hbr.org/2021/06/the-dark-side-of-solar-power
https://ugreen.io/cradle-to-cradle-design-a-sustainable-revolution/#:~:text=Cradle%20to%20Cradle%20focuses%20on,waste%20and%20minimizing%20environmental%20impact.