Sustainable Building Design: Key Factors to Consider

Construction & Contractors Blog

Building design can have a great impact on the environment, economy, and society. Whether this impact is positive or negative depends on the sustainability of the building. Sustainable design aims at creating win-win design solutions that meet the needs of the owner and have a positive impact on the environment. Before undertaking a building construction, there are factors to consider in coming up with a sustainable building design. Here are some of the key factors:

Building materials

The types of materials chosen for the construction of a building have a fundamental impact on the long-term sustainability of the building. The choices have implications on the environment, energy costs, comfort, and resilience to weather elements and fire. Materials such as concrete, timber, brick and rapid wall are commonly used in the construction of sustainable buildings. When choosing materials, you should ensure that they are renewable, reusable, and non-toxic with no hazardous compounds such as asbestos.

Energy efficiency

Global energy costs have been on a steady rise, and there is a need to conserve and minimize energy usage during construction and throughout the life of a building. It is important to come up with a building design that's energy efficient. Insulation is one of the most effective ways of improving energy efficiency. It reduces fossil fuels needed in servicing buildings throughout their life, hence reducing energy costs. Also of importance is coming up with a design that allows as much natural light as possible to eliminate the need for electric lighting during the day.

Water usage and conservation

Water is rapidly becoming an extremely precious resource across the globe. A sustainable building design should incorporate means of conserving water during and after the construction project. Incorporate water-saving equipment in washrooms, kitchens, and other parts of the building to reduce wastage. Also, you may consider installing rainwater harvesting systems. Harvested rainwater can be used for cleaning and washing, flushing toilets, and plant irrigation.

Indoor environmental quality

The indoor environmental quality of a building has a significant impact on the health, comfort, and performance of its users. As such, a sustainable building design should incorporate features such as appropriate ventilation, air conditioning, natural lighting, moisture control, and good acoustic performance. Materials used in improving the aesthetics such as paint should not contain hazardous compounds such as VOCs.

Sustainability in building construction is mandatory for energy efficiency, the productivity of users, and conservation of the environment. For the best outcome, sustainable measures should be introduced at the design stage of construction. By working together with your building consultants, you will be able to come up with the best ideas and practices geared towards constructing a sustainable building.

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13 June 2016

Compelling and Creative Commentary on Construction and Contractors: A Blog

Welcome! My name is Frances, and this is my first blog. Whether you found me through a Google search or were passed my link by a friend, I am so glad you found my blog. I plan to fill it with a range of commentary on the world of contracting and construction work, and I hope that you find my ideas compelling and creative. I am a dog trainer, but I have always loved the world of construction. I tend to work a lot on the weekends and evenings, when my clients are off work. As a result, I have a lot of time to write during the day, and I decided to create this blog. Thank you for reading.