Green building
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
The concept of a green building was developed in the 1970s in response to the energy crisis and people's growing concerns about the environment. The need to save energy and mitigate environmental problems fostered a wave of green building innovation that has continued to this day.
Green buildings are not easily defined. Often known as 'sustainable buildings' or 'eco-homes', there is a range of opinion on what can be classed as a 'green'. However, it is generally agreed that green buildings are structures that are sited, designed, built, renovated and operated to energy efficient guidelines, and that they will have a positive environmental, economic and social impact over their life cycle.
Green specifications provide a good set of guidelines for the building industry, but these are still in the process of being formalised into UK regulation and many are open to interpretation.
[edit] Elements of green building
Four main areas need to be considered in green building: materials, energy, water and health.
[edit] Materials
These are obtained:
- From natural, renewable sources that have been managed and harvested in a sustainable way
- Or they are obtained locally to reduce the embedded energy costs of transportation.
- Or salvaged from reclaimed materials at nearby sites.
Materials are assessed using green specifications that look at their Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) in terms of their embodied energy, durability, recycled content, waste minimisation, and their ability to be reused or recycled.
[edit] Energy
Passive solar design will dramatically reduce the heating and cooling costs of a building, as will high levels of insulation and energy-efficient windows. Natural daylight design reduces a building's electricity needs, and improves people's health and productivity. Green buildings also incorporate energy-efficient lighting, low energy appliances, and renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines and solar panels.
[edit] Water
Minimising water use is achieved by installing greywater and rainwater catchment systems that recycle water for irrigation or toilet flushing; water-efficient appliances, such as low flow showerheads, self-closing or spray taps; low-flush toilets, or waterless composting toilets. Installing point of use hot water systems and lagging pipes saves on water heating.
[edit] Health
Using non-toxic materials and products will improve indoor air quality, and reduce the rate of asthma, allergy and sick building syndrome. These materials are emission-free, have low or no VOC content, and are moisture resistant to deter moulds, spores and other microbes. Indoor air quality is also addressed through ventilation systems and materials that control humidity and allow a building to breathe.
In addition to addressing the above areas, a green building should provide cost savings to the builder and occupants, and meet the broader needs of the community, by using local labour, providing affordable housing, and ensuring the building is sited appropriately for community needs.
[edit] A holistic approach
Green building requires a holistic approach that considers each component of a building in relationship to the context of the whole building whilst considering the impact on the wider environment and community around it. This is a highly complex approach that requires builders, architects and designers to think creatively, using systems integration throughout their work.
There are several technology tools and assessment methodologies that can help builders with this process including BREEAM (Building and Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) and EcoHomes.
[edit] Green building in the future
Although still in its infancy, building green is a rapidly growing field. UK regulations now demand that green specifications are met in all new building design and development, as part of their wider sustainable development strategy, and this means that green buildings are emerging throughout the country. In an age threatened by climate change, energy shortages and ever-increasing health problems it makes sense to build homes that are durable, save energy, reduce waste and pollution, and promote health and wellbeing. A green building is more than a model for sustainable living; it can build hope for the future.
This article was created by --SustainableBuild. It was originally published on Sustainable Build in October 2013 and was written by Jennifer Gray.
You can see the original article here.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- 100 Sustainable Scottish Buildings.
- Bill Gething and Katie Puckett - Design for Climate Change.
- Biotechnology: The key to zero energy buildings.
- Boiler markets and the green recovery.
- BRE China celebrates two major milestones.
- Buildingomics.
- Carbon ratings for buildings.
- Cob building.
- CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme.
- Display energy certificate.
- Do green buildings pay?
- Earth building.
- Earthship.
- Energy certificates for buildings.
- Energy targets.
- Engineering services and industry recovery guide.
- Environmental - sustainable - green design.
- Get ready for green jobs and upgrade projects.
- Green mortgage.
- Green rating systems.
- How civil engineers can make cities better.
- Green supply chain management.
- Kevin McCloud's 'Green Heroes' 2019
- Moving towards green residential buildings.
- Organisations prompt government to Build Back Green.
- Performance gap.
- Retrofit.
- Retrofit coordinator.
- Sustainability.
- Titan campus in Bangalore.
- Wellbeing.
- Zero Bills Home.
- Zero carbon homes.
- Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.