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So many people are talking about building green. Why? Each day, it seems we learn more and more about how we negatively affect our environment-- and our whole planet. Most of us dont like to think that our homes and lifestyles do significant damage. After all, were just trying to raise our families and live our lives, right?
Unfortunately, they do. Which is why its so encouraging to see sustainable design (or "building green") become increasingly mainstream the world over.
"Building green" features the design and construction of buildings that have a comparatively low environmental impact. This requires green builders to use resources efficiently, utilizing less harmful processes and materials than in "normal" building. And what effect does green building have? Data from USGBC suggests that green buildings require 35% less energy, use far less non-renewable materials, and send less waste to rot in landfills. As a bonus, building green makes our homes and offices safer, healthier places.
What are Sustainable Designers Main Concerns when Building Green?
When building green, the mail goal is to maintain a high quality of life while lowering the impact a home has on the environment. Sustainable designers generally consider the following design features when building green:
Efficient Energy Use. This is one of the main ones. As theyre being built, green buildings should use processes and products which require less energy. They should also be energy efficient in the long run, incorporating design features such as "passive solar design" (which offers thermal protection) and effective insulation.
When building green, many designers also include a renewable independent energy source to power (or partially power) the home. A renewable energy source (like solar power) can make a significant difference in a homes impact on the environment
Home Design. The size, site, and shape of a home have a large effect on its energy efficiency. Simpler shapes (such as a traditional box shape) are often used when building green.
Optimum Value Engineering (OVE) is also a common building green technique. This framing method reduces the quantity of wood used to build a home, and it also leaves more room inside the walls for insulation.
Materials with Lower Environmental Impact. Building green means using non-toxic materials which are recycled or sustainably produced. These materials should need less energy to process than traditional building materials.
Quality of Materials. Simply put, quality products last longer, and so need to be replaced less often. Using quality materials reduces landfill waste and reduces the need for producing replacements, which has a significant impact on the environment.