Green Buildings: Importance, Key Features & Benefits

As we all know, wood, concrete, clay bricks, steel, etc., are the traditional construction materials used in everyday construction. Some of these traditional building materials consume less or more amount of natural resources to make them suitable for construction. Due to the growing demand for community development and growth, the construction industry consumes and depletes the majority of our natural resources, which has a disastrous effect on the environment and our surroundings. Building green is a revolutionary idea that many builders and other construction industries are now focusing on to control and maintain this worrying situation. 

So, Brick & Bolt offers a detailed guide on green building. It explains what green building is, its importance, benefits, green building materials and technologies, and key features of sustainable building design.

What is a Green Building?

Green building, also referred to as sustainable building, eco-friendly building or green construction, is the idea of creating high-performance structures with no adverse effects on the environment at any stage of the project's life cycle, including planning, designing, building, performing, maintaining, restoring, and demolishing. When creating a green habitat to support a healthy and unpolluted environment within and around the building, many factors are crucial to considering sustainable building practices. These factors include energy use, water usage, indoor environment, occupants' lifestyle quality, and material selection.

Importance of Green Building

1. Encouraging environmentally friendly resource extraction methods can also enhance the general well-being of those working on construction projects.

2. Eco-friendly buildings enhance their aesthetic appeal with vertical gardens and eco-friendly building designs.

3. Although it may cost a little more initially, it's an extremely wise investment. Because they consume less energy, these buildings can result in long-term financial savings.

4. It ensures clean and fresh air within buildings. It's comparable to working or residing in an area that promotes health.

5. Because of their sustainable qualities, green buildings frequently bring higher prices to the market. 

Benefits of Green Buildings

The following are the benefits of green buildings:

1. Environmental Advantages

• Preserving and improving the ecological system and biodiversity are the great benefits of green buildings.

• Minimises energy and water waste. 

• Enhances the quality of the air and water and encourages a healthy lifestyle. 

• Maintain and protect the current environment while fostering one that is psychologically ideal. 

2. Economical Advantages

• Greater property value and cheaper construction costs. 

• Enhances general productivity and the health of occupants. 

• Reduces energy and water consumption, which lowers utility and other household expenses. 

• Ideal for producing and selling eco-friendly goods. 

3. Social Advantages 

• Opportunities to go green for existing eco-friendly homes that are simple and inexpensive.

• Improving the quality of indoor air is another great benefit of green buildings.

• Reduce the burden on nearby infrastructure. 

• Key Features of Sustainable Building Design

1. Energy Efficiency

• Eco-friendly buildings emphasise energy efficiency by utilising cutting-edge technologies like smart lighting, energy-efficient HVAC systems, and insulation. Using home automation for energy efficiency, a building uses less energy overall, lowering operating costs and leaving a smaller carbon imprint.

2. Renewable Energy Sources

• The core principle of sustainable building is using renewable energy sources, such as wind turbines and solar panels. By utilising clean energy, buildings can generate their own electricity, reducing their dependency on traditional power grids and having a smaller environmental impact.

3. Water Conservation

• Water conservation is one of the key features of sustainable building design. Sustainable buildings use water-efficient technologies such as rainwater harvesting systems, greywater recycling, and low-flow faucets. These actions help preserve water resources, especially in areas where there is a shortage.

4. Sustainable Materials

• Using recycled and sustainable building materials is essential to green building. Eco-friendly building materials reduce waste and decrease the need for non-renewable resources.

5. Waste Reduction

• Significant waste is produced during construction and demolition. Green building techniques prioritise waste reduction by implementing tactics such as material reuse, recycling, and construction techniques that produce the least amount of waste.

6. Green Roofing and Urban Green Spaces

• Green roofing is the most beneficial among all key features of sustainable building design. In addition to adding to a building's aesthetic appeal, green roofs insulate buildings, minimise stormwater runoff, and support urban biodiversity. Urban areas incorporating green spaces into their building designs are more environmentally sustainable.

What is the Role of Eco-Friendly Buildings in Protecting the Environment?

When constructing a green building, the goal is to use as much recycled waste as possible along with other building materials to create an energy-efficient structure that can be used for appliances and geothermal heating.

Green building materials and technologies can support the preservation of environmental goals while facilitating the creation of energy and environmentally efficient housing. 

Green Building Technologies 

Applying the Net Zero Concept into practice to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption by installing the appropriate HVAC system to lower electricity consumption, using low-emitting materials for indoor pollution, using green thermal insulation materials, using solar power while monitoring system size and conditions, using smart grid appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators, mixer grinders, and others to save energy; and creating sustainable water management systems.

Green Building Materials 

There are so many green building materials available in the industry. Construct a climate-controlled interior space using precast concrete slabs for the walls, ceiling, doors, and other surfaces and green wood, such as bamboo, cork, etc., for the floors and cabinets. You can use fly ash, rice husk ash, metakaolin, etc., in concrete as a great substitute for cement when building. You can also use recycled or reclaimed wood to reduce deforestation and recycle plastic waste as a planter. For added resilience against natural disasters, recycled steel is a good substitute for wood in construction. 

Conclusion