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What is Green Building?

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Explore the concept of green building, Sustainable Building, and Eco-friendly Building practices in green construction projects.

Since the beginning of modern times and with increasing demands, the use of soil bricks, concrete, and wood has been pursued in everyday construction that is resulting in destructing of trees and continued mining of natural resources. To control and maintain this alarming situation, the phenomenal concept of Green Building is now a focus of many builders and other construction industries. But, what does it mean, and how it really works? 

What is Green Building? 

Also known as green construction or sustainable building, Green Building is a concept of constructing high-performance structures that has no negative impacts on the environment throughout the project’s life-cycle including planning, designing, construction, performance, maintenance, restoration, and bulldozing. Energy use, water usage, indoor environment, occupants’ lifestyle quality, and material selection are a few among many other things to be considered critical when constructing a green habitat to promote a healthy and non-spoiled environment in and around the building.

Green Building
Green Building

Importance of Green Building  

Because of the rising need for development and growth of our communities, we cast a vastly negative impact on nature and our surroundings by consuming and slumping most of our natural resources. In the future, we have to finger out some way to meet our needs with social and economic resources. Green Building is a great initiative to come into practice, and here’s why:

Sustainable Building

  • Focuses on reducing environmental impact during construction and operation.
  • Incorporates renewable energy sources and efficient waste management.

Eco-friendly Building

  • Utilizes materials and methods that are environmentally benign.
  • Aims to minimize carbon footprint and promote biodiversity.

Green Construction

  • Practices that ensure the building process is sustainable, conserving natural resources.
  • Emphasizes the use of recycled and non-toxic materials.

Environmental Benefits 

  • Protect and enhance the biodiversity and ecological system. 
  • Reduces the wastage of water and energy. 
  • Improves air and water quality and promotes a healthy lifestyle. 
  • Preserve and maintain the existing environment and promotes a psychologically-optimized environment. 

Economic Benefits 

  • Lower construction cost and higher property value. 
  • Improves occupants’ health and overall productivity. 
  • Saves utility and other household bills by efficient use of water and energy. 
  • Best for growing and marketing green products. 

Check: Green Economy

Social Benefits 

  • Easy and affordable go-green opportunities for existing homes. 
  • Enhance indoor air quality. 
  • Minimize strain on local infrastructure 

Process of designing Green Building

Green Building is a freshly phenomenal concept put forward in the real state construction sector. The idea behind this concept is to control and maintain energy consumption and provide a green, healthier life for our future generation.  Let us understand the key steps to follow for Green Building to preserve our natural resources and meet our needs as well:

  • Step 1- Understand the needs and requirements of the program and prepare a solid plan, including an estimated budget for the entire construction, materials needed, site inspection, basic facilities to be provided, and energy consumption adhering as required.
  • Step 2- Selecting and forming a team of knowledgeable designers, architects, construction contractors, and craftsmen.
  • Step 3- Analyze all the climatic and ecologic conditions to create designing strategies for the planned site.
  • Step 4- Effectively configure and designing of the buildings for temperature control and thermal mass adjustment.
  • Step 5- Designing the effective support systems of the buildings for sustainable water usage, waste disposal, ventilation, and other arrangements.
  • Step 6- Efficiently designed interiors for inducing high-efficiency energy preservation and conservation by recycling waste products.
  • Step 7- Documentation and drawings of the mandatory buildings’ specifications.
  • Step 8- Building construction and authorization to verify if it is adhering to the desired standards of the green building.
  • Step 9- After completion of construction, maintenance verification is a must for safety and security. 

To ensure longevity, all the above-mentioned steps need to be followed while designing and constructing green buildings. 

Trustworthy Sources on Green Building

Visit Source

Source Article Title Link Summary
U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) What is green building? Visit Source Introduces green building as a holistic concept emphasizing the significant, positive, and negative impacts of the built environment.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Basic Information
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) Green Buildings Visit Source Explains how green buildings incorporate environmentally friendly and resource-efficient measures across the building lifecycle.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Location and Green Building Visit Source Highlights the practice of developing buildings that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life.

Environmentally Responsible Building

  • Buildings designed with consideration for the environment, community, and economy.
  • Prioritizes the health of occupants and the planet.

Resource-Efficient Building Processes

  • Optimizes the use of materials, water, and energy.
  • Focuses on long-term savings and sustainability.

Green Building Practices

  • Strategies that reduce energy consumption and waste.
  • Enhances indoor air quality and promotes renewable energy.

Green Building Lifecycle

  • Considers environmental impacts from construction to demolition.
  • Encourages buildings that are designed for future adaptability and reuse.

Sustainable Building Materials

  • Materials sourced in an environmentally friendly manner.
  • Includes recycled content, rapidly renewable resources, and locally sourced materials.

Check: Difference Between Green Building and Sustainable Building

Energy Efficiency in Green Buildings

  • High-efficiency heating, cooling, and lighting systems.
  • Incorporates insulation and window technologies to reduce energy demand.

LEED Certification

  • Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification measures building sustainability.
  • Recognizes buildings that achieve high performance in key sustainability areas.

Green Architecture

  • Design philosophy that integrates building with its environment.
  • Utilizes natural light, air flow, and landscape to reduce energy needs.

Environmental Impact of Buildings

  • Buildings account for a significant portion of energy use and carbon emissions.
  • Green buildings aim to reduce these impacts through efficient design and operation.

Green Building Standards

  • Guidelines and benchmarks for constructing sustainable buildings.
  • Includes standards for energy use, water efficiency, and material sourcing.

How does Green Building Help in Retaining the Environment?

A green building is basically constructed using a maximum of recycled waste material with other construction materials to make the building energy-efficient from geothermal heating to appliance usage.
To achieve environment-friendly and energy-efficient housing, Green building materials and technology can help retain environmental objectives. 

Green Building Materials 

Use green wood, like bamboo, cork, etc., for flooring, and cabinets, and use precast concrete slabs for flooring, roofs, walls, facades, etc., for creating a climate-controlled indoor environment, Straw Bales are a great alternative to concrete materials for constructing a mudhouse, framing materials, and more by mixing with cement, lime, clay, and gypsum, recycle the plastics as a planter, make DIYs for interior decoration, and other alternatives, use reclaimed or recycled wood to deplete the deforestation. Recycled steel is a good alternative to wood to increase the structure’s durability against natural calamities. 

Green Building Technologies 

Implementing Net Zero Concept for efficient energy consumption and carbon emissions, installing the right HVAC system to reduce electricity consumption, low indoor pollution emitting materials, use of Porotherm Bricks and other green thermal insulation materials, use of solar power keeping the correct conditions and system size in check, use smart grid appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, mixer grinders, and others for saving energy, and build sustainable water management systems. 

Conclusion – Green Building

With the right and knowledgeable team and the right efforts, Green Construction can truly help us to meet our needs while maintaining the ecological and biodiversity balance. All we need to do is to abide by the sustainability standards and work by the rules, regular and proper maintenance regime, and we gift our future generation with a healthier environment to live in.

What is Green Building – FAQs

What is green building?

Green building is the practice of designing, constructing, and operating buildings in an environmentally friendly and resource-efficient manner throughout a building’s life-cycle.

How do green buildings benefit the environment?

They reduce waste, conserve energy, decrease water consumption, and minimize the impact on natural resources, contributing to a healthier and more sustainable environment.

What are the key features of a green building?

Key features include energy efficiency, use of renewable energy, water efficiency, sustainable building materials, waste reduction, and indoor environmental quality.

Why is green building important?

It addresses climate change, reduces pollution, conserves natural resources, and promotes a healthier living environment for people.

How is green building related to smart growth and sustainable development?

Green building is a component of smart growth and sustainable development by promoting environmentally sustainable practices in construction and urban planning.

What are the economic benefits of green buildings?

Green buildings have lower operating costs, higher asset value, and can lead to increased productivity and health benefits for occupants.

What is LEED certification?

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a globally recognized green building certification system that provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings.

Can existing buildings be converted into green buildings?

Yes, existing buildings can undergo renovations and improvements to meet green building standards and become more environmentally friendly.

How do green buildings affect natural resources?

They minimize the impact on natural resources by using less water, energy, and sustainable materials, thereby conserving resources for future generations.

Why downsize new construction in green building?

Downsizing helps reduce the environmental footprint of new constructions by minimizing the use of materials and energy, promoting more sustainable living spaces.



Last Updated : 27 Mar, 2024
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