Green building incorporates environmental considerations into every stage of the building construction process. It focuses on the design, construction, operation, and maintenance phases. Construction professionals work together from start to finish to optimize buildings for environmental sustainability.

Green buildings offer widespread benefits to building occupants and society as a whole. They typically include superior air quality, abundant natural light, access to views, and noise control making these buildings better places to work or live.

The major considerations taken into account when designing a green building are the lot design and development, natural resource efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and the building’s overall impact on the environment.

Elements of Green Building

Creating homes and commercial buildings with a low environmental impact benefits everyone. Green buildings provide cost savings to the builder and occupants. Green builders are encouraged to build on previously developed land rather than developing new land.

It’s also important to build near existing infrastructure, such as bus routes and libraries, to reduce residents’ dependence on transportation. A green building has four main elements on which it is designed: materials, energy, water, and health to make these buildings more sustainable.

1. Materials

Materials used for green buildings are obtained from natural and renewable sources. These sources are obtained locally to reduce the energy costs of transportation and are managed sustainably. Recycled content and prefabricated products reduce material use, cut costs, and often perform better than traditional alternatives.

Other specifications that are considered when choosing materials include their durability, re-usability, and effects on air quality. Non-toxic materials improve indoor air quality and reduce the rate of respiratory illnesses. They also have low VOC content and are moisture resistant to deter mold growth.  Indoor air quality is also addressed through ventilation systems and materials that control humidity.

2. Energy

Energy efficiency is the key to most green building programs. Builders can start early in the design process to take advantage of the sun, wind, and natural light to help cool and het the building comfortably.  Natural daylight design reduces a building’s electricity needs and improves people’s health and productivity. This allows for the use of smaller, efficient HVAC systems, lighting, and appliances.

Careful window selection and placement or skylights can be used to light homes. insulation, duct sealing, proper placement of air and vapor barriers, and the use of clean energy-powered heating/cooling systems contribute towards an energy-efficient building. The use of renewable energy, such as solar, wind, or biomass energy, to meet energy requirements can significantly reduce the carbon footprints of green buildings.

3. Water

In green buildings, the focus is on reducing the need for water. Water reduction can be achieved by using low-flow toilets and greywater systems that recycle water for irrigation. Water collection methods such as rainwater harvesting are also central to

sustainable building. Techniques include:

• Storage of rainwater on the surface. This is a traditional method and structures used are underground tanks, ponds, and check dams.
• Recharge to groundwater. This is a new concept of rainwater harvesting. The structures generally used are pits trenches, dug wells, and hand pumps.

Installing water-efficient appliances and plumbing fixtures will help conserve fresh water and reduce utility bills.  These types of appliances can include low flow showerheads, self-closing or spray taps; low-flush toilets, and waterless composting toilets. Installing point-of-use hot water systems and lagging pipes saves on water heating.

4. Waste

Reduce, reuse, and recycle construction and demolition waste to cut costs and improve building quality. Design for efficient use of materials and durability, avoiding future waste. With the right setup, you can recycle some waste materials on the construction site.

Benefits of Green Building